Jack Williams named Parramatta Player of the Year as Eels celebrate Ken Thornett Medal night

Jack Williams was named Parramatta’s Player of the Year as the NRL club gathered with partners and staff for the Ken Thornett Medal night at Commbank Stadium on Tuesday.

The presentation capped an upbeat end to the Eels’ 2025 campaign despite the club missing the finals, with a number of club awards handed out and departing players farewelled. Mitchell Moses received the Nathan Hindmarsh NRL Players’ Player award, while fullback Isaiah Iongi claimed both the Eric Grothe Snr NRL Rookie of the Year and the Blue & Gold Army NRL Player of the Year. Prop Junior Paulo was the recipient of the Jack Gibson NRL Coaches Award.

The event also served as a farewell to several players. Five-eighth Dylan Brown, who leaves the club for the Newcastle Knights next season under a reported 10-year, $13 million contract, was thanked for his service. Back-rower Shaun Lane, who joined Parramatta in 2019 and featured in the club’s 2022 Grand Final appearance, has announced his retirement.

Coach Jason Ryles used the presentation night to reflect on his first season in charge, describing it as "a wild ride" early on but expressing encouragement at the team’s growth during the latter part of the year. Ryles pointed to late-season victories over the Sydney Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors and highlighted the 66-10 win over Newcastle to finish the season as a sign of progress.

"We are just continuing to improve each week, little improvements," Ryles said. "We are slowly getting results, the scoreboard is always the last thing to change. For me and the playing group, we are on a journey. This is to be continued and we need to get back into really good shape so that we can give ourselves a chance to continue to get better (for next season)." He added that he now knows who his first-choice spine will be in 2026.

Ryles acknowledged the uncertainty and change that marked his debut season, but stressed the coaching staff will focus on individual improvement and creating the right environment for players. The Eels finished 11th on the NRL ladder in 2025.

Several young players were noted for their potential. At 20, hooker Tallyn Da Silva was highlighted as a prospect with a long future ahead in the blue and gold, while Isaiah Iongi’s recognition as rookie of the year underscored Parramatta’s emerging talent.

Arrival Josh Addo-Carr, who joined the club from Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs this year, was singled out for his leadership contributions. The night also recognised the role of club partners and supporters in a season that offered encouraging signs despite falling short of finals football.

The awards evening marked a formal close to the playing group’s on-field activities for 2025 and set the tone for the off-season, when Parramatta’s coaching staff and recruitment team will prepare for the 2026 campaign.