The Parramatta Eels address reports of Junior Paulo’s departure.
The Parramatta Eels have allegedly put an end to rumors that standout forward Junior Paulo will be leaving the team.
Paulo, one of the team’s finest forwards, has sadly seen a decline in performance this season since returning to the Parramatta Eels in 2019 following a three-year stay with the Canberra Raiders.
For the first time since 2019, he was not chosen to play State of Origin football for the NSW Blues this year due to his struggles to play consistent minutes on the field and his preference to start the game on the interchange bench.
Between 2020 and 2023, the 17-time Samoan international played in 11 of the Blues’ 12 games. However, Michal Maguire benched him in favor of Jake Trbojevic, Spencer Leniu, Haumole Olakau’atu, and Hudson Young.
As his career nears its conclusion, there has been persistent conjecture that he would be allowed to leave the team early and be given the opportunity to negotiate with other organizations, much like teammate Ryan Matterson.
The Parramatta Eels are reportedly incensed at rumors and speculations that they are planning to trade Junior Paulo before his contract ends, according to sources from The Sydney Morning Herald.
At a salary of $950,000 a season, he is contracted until the conclusion of the 2026 season. It is understood that the club has informed him that he will stay and play out the remaining years of his term.
Sadly, Paulo will not be returning to the field for the Eels this season due to a foot injury that required surgery as the team attempts to climb the ladder.
Though the team acknowledged he had sustained a Lisfranc injury to his right foot, there was still a remote chance he would be able to make a comeback before the season ended.
Paulo is the latest addition to the list of injured players for the Eels, which also includes Maika Sivo, Kelma Tuilagi, Haze Dunster, Bailey Simonsson, and J’maine Hopgood. Ofahiki Ogden is expected to return as soon as next week.