League Legend Shocked by the ‘Lackadaisical’ Eels Offense as Jason Ryles Faces Challenging Beginning

The Parramatta Eels have made a shocking start to the season, and league legend James Graham has pointed out a “significant list” of issues in need of urgent attention.

Under the new guidance of coach Jason Ryles, the Eels have conceded a staggering 88 points in their first two matches, suffering defeats to the Storm and Tigers.

The second-round performance, which followed the announcement of five-eighth Dylan Brown’s move to a competing club, has added immediate pressure on Ryles.

Given his tenure in Melbourne under coach Craig Bellamy, many anticipated noticeable improvements in the Eels’ defensive strategies with Ryles at the helm.

Regrettably, the team’s performance has not reflected this expectation, and their defence remains a pressing concern for the blue and gold squad.

“The game revolves around defence, and they’ve allowed over 30 points, and more than 50 the previous week. Their attack was sluggish,” Graham remarked during a segment on Triple M.

“It was frustrating to watch, particularly against a team that also has defensive flaws. They hardly created any chances until the dying moments of the game.

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“They completely lack creativity, unable to exploit the extra man… the play just didn’t come together. It was predictable and very lacklustre,” he added.

“For Jason Ryles, where does one even start? It’s a comprehensive list of challenges ahead.”

The absence of Mitchell Moses has been acutely felt in these early rounds, leading to a lacklustre performance from Brown, who hasn’t been able to shine without his usual companion.

With Moses expected to be sidelined for at least another month, the Eels find themselves at a disadvantage.

The team has also lost Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard during the off-season, while experienced forwards Ryan Matterson and Bryce Cartwright participated in the reserve grade over the weekend.

However, hope is on the horizon, with star winger Josh Addo-Carr set to make his debut for the Eels in round three against the Bulldogs.