Act of Squad: Eels predicted team and 2026 overview

There's a strong belief in Eels territory that four decades of frustration could come to an end in 2026 with superstar playmaker Mitch Moses and second-year mentor Jason Ryles getting the very best out of the blue out of the blue golds.

Since their last premiership triumph in 1986, the Eels have been to the big dance just three times, tasting defeat to the Knights in 2001, Storm in 2009 and Panthers in 2022.

Since that impressive charge in 2022 the Eels have finished 10th, 15th and 15th but they did win five of their final seven games last season in a strong indicator of better things to come in 2026.

Among those victories was a 22-20 win over eventual premiers Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium in Round 21 as Moses stood tall in his return from a calf injury.

The gun halfback was restricted to just 13 games in 2025 after playing only eight games the year before and any hopes of a return to finals footy rely on the 31-year-old being there to steer the ship.

Rising playmaker Jonah Pezet shapes as the perfect foil for Moses with the pair set to form a dynamic combination working off the back of experienced middles Junior Paulo and Jack De Belin and powerhouse youngster Sam Tuivaiti.

Veteran flyer Josh Addo-Carr is coming off an outstanding 19-try season and will again fill plenty of highlight reels on the left wing while Titans recruit Brian Kelly, Bailey Simonsson and Richard Penisini are all in the mix for the right wing spot vacated by Zac Lomax.

With games against the Storm, Broncos, Dragons and Panthers in the opening month of the season, long-suffering Eels fans will get a fair guide on whether they can dare to dream in 2026 or another winter of discontent awaits.

• Casualty ward: All the latest injury news
• Comings and Goings: 2026 Signings Tracker
• Witzer Pre-Season Challenge Draw

Best 17

1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Brian Kelly
3. Will Penisini
4. Sean Russell
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Jonah Pezet
7. Mitch Moses
8. Junior Paulo
9. Ryley Smith
10. J'maine Hopgood
11. Jack Williams
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Jack de Belin
14. Joash Papalii
15. Sam Tuivaiti
16. Dylan Walker
17. Luca Moretti