“For me and the playing group, we’re on a journey, and this is to be continued,” Ryles said. “We need to get back in really good shape so that we can give ourselves a chance to continue to get better … we’ll look to continue to improve each individual and give them the environment to be the best they can be.
“But a lot of things have got to happen to get you to that [finals] stage.”
Ryles said the main difference next season would be “a lot more clarity” on who will play in key positions.
Newcastle’s hopes imploded in just the second minute when recalled Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown – who will join Newcastle next season on a 10-year deal reported to be worth $13 million – backed up to score after offloads from Junior Paulo and Jack Williams.
It was the perfect way for Brown to farewell the Parramatta fans who have cheered for him in 142 NRL games, but a demoralising start to the game for his future teammates.
Four minutes later, Eels skipper Mitchell Moses exploded out of dummy-half and raced 90 metres to score, bamboozling Knights fullback Fletcher Hunt with a classic goosestep.
The Knights have spent a lot of time this season behind their goalposts.Credit: Getty Images
Moses crossed again in the 17th and 37th minutes to have a hat-trick on the board before half-time.
Hooker Ryley Smith and bench forward Matt Doorey joined the procession to give the Eels a 34-4 lead at the break.
It took only six minutes of the second half for the home side to extend their advantage when evergreen winger Josh Addo-Carr flashed over for his 17th try of the year.
Three minutes later, Addo-Carr was in again after a sensational chip and chase, then prop Junior Paulo dived over and Parra had posted a half-century, with 30 minutes to play.
Addo-Carr bagged a hat-trick seven minutes from full-time when he finished off a backline shift, then hooker Tallyn Da Silva scored the softest try of the game from dummy-half.
Capping off a dream day for the Eels, Will Penisini was awarded a penalty try in the penultimate minute when he lost the ball over the line in an off-side tackle.
For the Knights, it was their ninth consecutive loss and a disappointing way for hooker Jayden Brailey and back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul to sign off.
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Brailey has signed for Canberra next season and Pearce-Paul for the Tigers. Another departing Knight, prop Leo Thompson (Canterbury), missed the game after flying home to New Zealand for personal reasons.
Newcastle were never in the contest, but it did not help their cause when they lost Hunt and halfback Jack Cogger to concussions in the first half.
It could be Cogger’s last game for the Knights, amid speculation that he is set to re-join Penrith, whom he helped win the 2023 grand final.
The only minor disappointment for the Eels was when Brown missed a straightforward conversion attempt late in the game. He made amends with a successful shot a few minutes later, earning a huge cheer.
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