Parramatta has announced one Christmas present in Junior Paulo, and have another one lined up for Eels fans.
The Eels have been dealt numerous setbacks recently with Marata Niukore, Isaiah Papali’i and Reed Mahoney all opting to join rival clubs in the coming seasons.
Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard are among the big names to re-sign while Bailey Simonsson, Mitch Rein and Josh Hodgson are the standout recruits on the way.
Paulo’s future though remained up in the air until Thursday, before the Eels confirmed he had re-signed until 2026.
Paulo is not the only one staying long-term, as foxsports.com.au understands exciting outside back Dunster is also set to re-sign until 2025.
Dunster was contracted until the end of next season and will be a handy part of the team moving forward, capable of playing in a number of positions in the backline.
It may not be the end of Parramatta’s spending spree either, with The Daily Telegraph reporting Bevan French is eyeing a return to the NRL.
A reunion with the Eels is one of the options on the table for French, who is also set to meet with Bulldogs officials.
French is currently in Australia to be alongside his sick mother and is committed to fulfilling the final year of his Wigan contract next season.
The 25-year-old, who played 47 games in the NRL for the Eels, would be a handy addition for any team according to rugby league great Laurie Daley.
“He hasn’t been the biggest of players, he’s always been pretty slight. But what he’s been able to do is be a try-scorer and over there at Wigan, the Super League suits him to the ground. He’s got a great ability to find his way to the try line.
“He’s got good anticipation, so I can imagine with the Bulldogs and Parramatta wanting him back, he’d be a good pick-up for them. But he’s indicated to them he wants to finish his season over in Wigan.
“He’s been home to visit his sick mother but he’ll go back, honour his contract and try get back into the NRL. He’d be a handy pick-up for any side. He’s a guy that knows where to be. He puts himself in the frame on every occasion and if there is a try to be scored, Bevan French can score.”
Daley added that French’s experience overseas would see him return to the NRL a very different player.
“He’s coming into the best form of his career,” Daley said.
“I think sometimes with young blokes when they fail to establish themselves in Sydney but you know they’ve got that ability, sometimes a couple of years away playing a different system and in a different competition helps their confidence and makes them grow.
“I see Bevan as one of those players because he wasn’t a guy who was a big talker. He was quite shy but I reckon being over there in England, that shyness wouldn’t be there anymore because he would have to engross himself in the game and with other people being away from Australia.
“I think Bevan would be a more mature player coming back, he’d be a more confident player and would be worthwhile picking up because you do know he can score points.”
