Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
SELECT š Sky Stadium commentary
Eels GM praises experienced duo following impressive seasons
Nicholas QuinlanĀ ā¢ Ā October 31st, 2025 9:21 pm
Parramatta Eels GM of Football Mark OāNeill has reflected on the seasons of veterans Dylan Walker and Josh Addo-Carr following their first seasons with the club.
Both players would join the side for Jason Rylesā first year in charge and played important roles to see Parramatta improve from their 15th-place finish last season to sit 11th.
Walker joined the Eels in the early part of the season, having played three games with the New Zealand Warriors before being released due to homesickness.
In the 20 matches that he played, he mainly featured off the bench, helping provide plenty of adaptability to Parramattaās lineup.
But as OāNeill notes, he brings so much more to the side.
āWhen that opportunity came up, we were agile in terms of our salary cap space and had position,ā OāNeill explained on SEN 1170ās The Run Home.
āIt was a really good pick for us because his football IQ is off the charts, and in terms of the role he played at 14.
āHeās incredibly skilled where he can play a bit in the halves, he can play a bit in the backs, he can certainly play in the middle.
āHeās tough, heās done everything you can do in the game. Heās represented his country, his state, won a premiership, heās played a hell of a lot of games.
āSo, heās really good for us and heās been a calming influence for our younger guys around him as well, so the leadership attributes is not always visible until you get to work with someone.
āHeās been fantastic.ā
While for Addo-Carr, the Eels offered him a lifeline after having his contract terminated by the Bulldogs at the end of 2024.
Signing a two-year deal, the 30-year-old has been electric with 19 tries scored from 22 games, which has seen him recalled to the Kangaroosā squad for their Ashes series.
And OāNeill puts this down to the culture that the Eels have created, helping āThe Foxxā to return to his best.
āHe brings a lot of energy, heās got the boom box there,ā he continued.
āHeās been really good in terms of our culture and our connection to the community.
āIt wouldnāt be uncommon to see Foxx if we had a fan day on or anything like that, he would be the last bloke out there still signing autographs, taking photos, engaging with the fans and members.
āHe just loves football and the football environment, and I feel like if you create that environment and you keep learning and youāre happy, then youāre going to play your best footy.
āAnd I think weāve seen Josh return to some of his best footy, so weāre excited by what they are going to do in ā26 and potentially beyond that.ā
Both players are contracted for next season.
