12 Parramatta Eels
Another tumultuous off-season for a side seemingly allergic to success.
Parramatta won the race to secure the signature of talented Kiwi halfback Kieran Foran, only to discover the contract negotiated by then CEO Scott Seward had more loopholes than a fishing knot.
And despite the Parramatta boardroom having the stability of a Jenga tower, Foran decided to leave the ethical acrobatics to his Manly halves partner, and honoured his deal with the Blue and Gold.
Foran has benefitted from playing in a backline littered with representative stars during his time on the Northern beaches, so it will be worth monitoring how he performs with the added pressure of being the key playmaker. Parramatta fans will have their fingers crossed we do not see a repeat of the Adam Dykes experience.
The poaching of Michael Jennings from the Roosters was another outstanding signing by Parramatta. Still only 27 years old and at the top of his game, Jennings will team with Semi Radradra to create a damaging left edge combination. Outside of Foran and Jennings, Parramatta have displayed an obvious recruitment tactic.
Experienced campaigners Beau Scott and Michael Gordon join weathered warhorse Anthony Watmough to create a core group of players who should serve as excellent mentors to the richly talented youngsters already on the roster. Durability remains a key concern however, as the abovementioned trio along with other key squad members Nathan Peats and Clinton Gutherson all have chequered injury histories.
After several years of ghastly recruitment (think Chris Sandow and Ricky Stuart), Parramatta finally have the talent, experience and leadership to make a legitimate push for the bottom half of the top 8 in 2016.
Predicted finish – 11th
