Brad Fittler believes Parramatta are battling a serious “effort” issue as they languish on the bottom of the NRL ladder.
Frustrations at the club are growing amid a tumultuous 2024 season that’s seen them battle a plague of injuries, some heavy defeats and the loss of their long-standing head coach.
Mitchell Moses gave his teammates an expletive-filled spray after their Knights loss in round 17. A week later against the Rabbitohs, he let his frustrations get the better of him again, sent to the bin for a professional foul when he continued to lay on Jai Arrow.
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Speaking on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show, Andrew Johns said debutants Charlie Guymer and Jake Tago were among the best on the park against the Bunnies.
A dejected Parramatta Eels side during their round 18 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. NRL Images
“He killed it … he embarrassed his other forwards who are rep players,” he said.
“He got out there and actually led the way.
“It’s just not working for (Parramatta). You can see how they’re down on confidence, and when you’re down on confidence, things just don’t happen for you.
“It’s a tough watch.”
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Fittler said Blaize Talagi was another who was “embarrassing” his teammates and suggested the playing group was becoming even more unsettled by the board’s delays in announcing a new coach.
Blaize Talagi has been a standout for Parramatta this year. NRL Images
“You saw it happen with South Sydney – their form turned around once Wayne Bennett was announced as coach,” Fittler said.
“Obviously they’re not announcing Wayne Bennett, but maybe that might have an impact on their form.
“But you don’t lose this many games without effort being a problem somewhere. Effort off the ball, effort at training, whatever it is, there’s a lack of effort.
“Getting stood up by a couple of kids, a couple of 19-year-old kids, says a lot.”
Parramatta sit at the bottom of the NRL ladder heading towards the business-end of the season, with the hunt for their next head coach still ongoing.