LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a move that could be described as "Option Madness," the Parramatta Eels are once again facing transfer market woes in 2026.
The Eels, who have previously stated that options in contracts are not their preferred strategy, are now realizing the consequences of their past decisions.
According to reports from zerotackle.com, the Eels' recruitment tactics have left them in a precarious position, with their ability to make deals restricted by players holding out for better contracts.
It seems like a recurring pattern for the blue and gold team, as they struggle to navigate the salary cap constraints imposed by their own players.
This season, the situation seems particularly dire.
Players like Dylan Brown, Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson, Will Penisini, and young gun Saxon Pryke have all been given the green light to explore their options with other clubs.
This puts the Eels in a vulnerable position, as they risk losing key players to rival teams due to the contractual leverage held by the players.
It remains to be seen how the Eels will navigate this challenge, but one thing is certain - they have once again found themselves in a sticky situation of their own making.
It's a familiar tale for the Eels, who have struggled to assert themselves in the transfer market in recent years.
As they say in the world of Rugby League, the game is often won or lost in the off-season, and the Eels may need to rethink their recruitment strategies if they want to come out on top in 2026.