150 EELS PLAYERS CONVERGE FOR MASSIVE WHOLE-CLUB PRE-SEASON SESSION
Parramatta gets first serious look at star signing Jonah Pezet in blockbuster training hit-out
SYDNEY – In a powerful show of unity to kick off their 2026 campaign, 150 Parramatta Eels players gathered at the club’s Kellyville training base on Saturday for a massive all-club pre-season session – giving fans and coaches their first serious look at life with new star signing Jonah Pezet.
The comprehensive hit-out brought together players from the NRL squad, feeder teams and junior grades, creating an electric atmosphere as the entire Eels family took to the field in preparation for the upcoming season.
Pezet – whose high-profile arrival from the Melbourne Storm was confirmed late last year – settled seamlessly into his new surroundings, camping out on the left edge alongside promising forward Kitione Kautoga. On the opposite side, veteran playmaker Mitchell Moses paired with emerging talent Kelma Tuilagi, while Dylan Walker, Sam Tuivaiti and other new recruits also featured heavily in the session.
Eels head coach Brad Arthur was pleased with the turnout and intensity displayed by his extended squad. “To have 150 players all out here together is something special – it shows the depth and passion we’ve got across the entire club,” Arthur said. “Getting a proper run with Jonah in the team is exactly what we needed at this stage – he’s already building good combinations with the boys, especially Kitione on that left edge.”
The session included a mix of skill drills, opposed work and fitness testing, with players pushed to their limits as the club ramps up preparations ahead of pre-season trials in February. The presence of junior players training alongside NRL stars also provided a valuable learning opportunity for the next generation of Eels talent.
The hit-out comes amid a flurry of pre-season action across the NRL, with other clubs making headlines for their own training exploits – including a fierce beach wrestle between Latrell Mitchell and Tevita Fifita, and the first look at Selwyn Cobbo firing for the Dolphins.
For Parramatta, however, Saturday’s all-club session was about more than just physical preparation – it was a statement of intent as they look to build on last season’s performance and challenge for the premiership. With Pezet already making his mark and the entire squad working in sync, the Eels are sending a clear message that they are ready to hit the ground running when the 2026 NRL season kicks off.
