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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tributes flow after Parramatta grand final player announces immediate retirement
NRL fans are paying tribute to Shaun Lane after the Parramatta player announced his immediate retirement on Thursday. The 30-year-old hasn't played since April when he stepped away from the club feeling burnt out. On Thursday, the Eels announced the back-rower has made the decision to retire. Lane has accepted a new role at the club working in the Elite Pathways and NRLW programs, focusing on mental skills and athlete wellness. 'Shaun has been a wonderful ambassador for the Parramatta Eels. He carries himself with humility, integrity, and professionalism, and he's been an exceptional role model for younger players,' said the Eels' General Manager of Football Mark O'Neill. 'We're proud to see him step into this important new role, where his leadership and passion for player welfare will continue to make a difference.' Lane played 138 games for the Eels, including the grand final loss to Penrith in 2022. He was an integral part in the Parramatta team that stormed into that year's decider and fell narrowly short of the premiership. 'I've absolutely loved my time playing for the Eels,' Lane said. 'This club means a lot to me, and I'm incredibly grateful for the experiences I've had and the relationships I've built here. "I'm really thankful to the fans for their unwavering support throughout my career - it's meant the world to me. I'm now looking forward to continuing my career at Parramatta in a different capacity, helping our young athletes thrive on and off the field.' Retirement continues period of change for Eels The second-rower started his career at the Bulldogs in 2015, playing 14 games for the club. He made a lone appearance for the Warriors in 2016 before a two-year stint with Manly in 2017 and 2018. He then moved to Parramatta, where he enjoyed the best years of his career from 2019 to 2025. His departure continues a period of change for the Eels, with new coach Jason Ryles prioritising youth over the club's veterans. A number of other players from the 2022 grand final have been granted releases this year, including Bryce Cartwright and Ryan Matterson. Bailey Simonsson is also on the way out, while Dylan Brown is heading to Newcastle in 2026. Only three players from the 2022 grand final will still be at the club in 2026 - Mitchell Moses, Junior Paulo and Will Penisini. RELATED: Panthers star on hunt for new club after contract not renewed Craig Bellamy responds after Ivan Cleary calls for NRL rule change NRL fans full of praise for retiring Shaun Lane Away from the field, Lane has completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences, a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, and is currently doing a Master's in Positive Psychology. He's been working with teammates at the Eels on the mental aspect of the game. "I wasn't enjoying my footy… I was burnt out and struggling with injury," he told Wide World of Sports earlier this year. "The club have been great to me - they said 'Take as much time off as you need' and I started exploring other ways I could contribute. With my experience in the school of hard knocks, I feel I have a lot to offer." Tributes have been flooding in for Lane, with many heaping accolades on the unsung hero. "Will never forget that 2022 from Lane. Best wishes for retirement mate," one fan wrote. Another added: "This looks like a great outcome for Shaun and the club." Well done Shaun and the club, great move for all — Faize (@Faize_01) August 14, 2025 Streets won't forget that 2022 run of form — Max Hope (@mghopey) August 14, 2025 Thanks Shaun 💙💛 — Phillip Raso (@Phileel) August 14, 2025 All the best — N Fair (@njwfairhurst) August 14, 2025
The Australian
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
NRL 2025: Tallyn Da Silva makes immediate switch from Tigers to the Eels
Tallyn Da Silva could play his first game for Parramatta against Penrith next week after the talented hooker was granted an early release from the Wests Tigers to join the blue and golds effective immediately. Da Silva has signed until the end of the 2029 season in a huge coup for the Eels who have locked in an exciting spine headlined by Mitchell Moses and featuring young guns Isaiah Iongi and Joash Papalii. The decision comes on the back of the Tigers putting their faith in veteran Api Koroisau who remains one of the best hookers in the game, with his experience crucial for a club that needs veteran leadership. Tallyn Da Silva has joined the Eels on a long-term deal. Picture:The 20-year-old was stuck playing on the bench and is good enough to be playing big minutes elsewhere. But it's a great result for Parramatta who have been crying out for a crafty No.9 ever since Reed Mahoney left after the 2022 Grand Final. 'Tallyn is a very talented hooker with great skills and a strong running game which complements our squad nicely,' Eels general manager of football Mark O'Neill said. 'His attributes match the style of football our head coach Jason Ryles is wanting to play, and we look forward to welcoming Tallyn and his family to our club.' Junior Tupou has left the Dolphins to join the Roosters. Picture: NRL Photos Meanwhile, the Roosters have picked up Dolphins winger Junior Tupou until the end of the 2027 season. Tupou joined the Dolphins this year but only played the first two matches before he was demoted to NSW Cup, with Selwyn Cobbo's arrival next year leaving him on the outer. He returns to Sydney effective immediately after spending the first three years of his career at the Tigers. 'Junior is an exciting young player with size, speed and power,' Roosters head of recruitment Daniel Anderson said. 'He adds some terrific depth to our outside backs and we're looking forward to seeing his development over the next few years.'
News.com.au
17-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Parramatta have granted Bryce Cartwright an immediate release to join his former club
Bryce Cartwright is heading back to where it all began with the veteran forward leaving Parramatta immediately to link up with the St Mary's Saints. The move could draw a curtain on the 185 game NRL career of Cartwright who played for Penrith, Gold Coast and finally the Eels. Cartwright, 30, played juniors for St Mary's before being signed by the Panthers and his departure continue the list overhaul at Parramatta being conducted by first-year coach Jason Ryles. 'I'm really thankful to the Eels for the opportunity to be part of this club, it always felt like a home away from home,' Cartwright said. 'I'm leaving with positive memories, lifelong mates and gratitude for everyone's support, especially the passionate fans who have always shown me love. 'While I've loved my time at Parramatta, this decision is about making the best choice for my family and our future.' Parramatta general manager of football, Mark O'Neill said Cartwright, who hasn't played an NRL game in 2025 despite the battles for the ..-placed Eels, was a 'wonderful person' and wished him well. 'He has played some of his most consistent football with the Eels, and we wish him and his family all the best as he transitions to the next chapter of his life,' O'Neill said. Cartwright move from the Titans to Parramatta in 2021, where he has made 73 first grade appearances, including 44 in 2023 and 2024. But he's been out of favour with Ryles and a career that's been plagued with injuries and the odd off-field issues is now over.
Irish Times
23-05-2025
- Irish Times
Man given suspended sentence for putting Valium in partner's sandwich
A man who told gardaí he put Valium in his partner's sandwich because she had been stressed and he thought he was 'doing the right thing' has been handed a suspended sentence. Judge Eugene O'Kelly heard Mark O'Neill's partner of 30 years, Helen Nolan, discovered the Valium tablets in a sandwich he made for her last August after taking one bite. She said it tasted 'metallic' and she immediately went to sleep. Mark O'Neill (62), of Cois na Coille, Pollerton, Carlow , was in court for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to an offence under section 12 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, which is defined as 'intentionally or recklessly administering, or causing to be taken, a substance which he/she knows to be capable of interfering substantially with the other's bodily functions'. Judge O'Kelly heard at an earlier sitting of Carlow Circuit Court from defence counsel Ross Pratt-O'Brien that the accused accepted it was a horrific thing to do. He co-operated fully with the Garda investigation and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. READ MORE The investigating garda told the court O'Neill got sick in 2009 when he had cancer and that although he made a good recovery, he rarely left the house and did not drive, work or socialise. When the case came back before court today on Friday for sentencing, Judge O'Kelly said the accused man's partner was not aware of the substance in the sandwich. The accused said he took it upon himself to use it as his partner was going through a difficult time. It was a shocking thing to do, the judge said. 'It was a shocking incident, particularly with a person whom he knew had shocking medical issues which required lots of medication, so he knew perfectly well what he was doing to his partner,' said Judge O'Kelly. The judge said O'Neill has no previous convictions and is at low risk of reoffending. Judge O'Kelly imposed a sentence of one year and six months, which he fully suspended. Speaking directly to the accused, Judge O'Kelly said: 'I can assure you that you have used up every opportunity that is available from this court.' The court heard the couple's relationship deteriorated over the years to the extent that they could go days or weeks without speaking to each other. Mr Pratt O'Brien told the court there was no violence or aggression in the relationship. On the day of the offence, the court heard, Ms Nolan was in her bedroom on the phone when she asked O'Neill to make her a sandwich. O'Neill returned with a tomato and mayonnaise sandwich and left the bedroom. The court heard Ms Nolan took a bite and it tasted metallic, so she put it down and did not have any more. She fell asleep, waking the following morning still feeling 'overwhelmingly tired' throughout the day. She returned home during the day to go back to bed. Judge O'Kelly was told she saw the sandwich still on her bedside locker and noticed the bread had turned blue in places. Upon investigation, she saw blue tablets mixed into it. She went to her doctor, who said she was medically fine but advised her to go to the gardaí about the matter. In a statement to gardaí, Ms Nolan said she had had seven car accidents in recent months but she could not be sure it had anything to do with being medicated. She also told gardaí she had only taken a single bite of the sandwich and 'God knows what would have happened' if she had eaten the whole thing. An investigating garda told the court O'Neill made admissions, saying he'd put 'mayonnaise, tomatoes and two blue Valium tablets' in the sandwich. He told gardaí he wanted Ms Nolan to be able to relax because she'd been stressed recently and he took it upon himself to do it, thinking he was 'doing the right thing'. O'Neill told gardaí they were his tablets and they could 'knock a horse out for hours' they were so strong. Judge O'Kelly was told O'Neill had denied ever doing it before and said he had no intention of harming her because she meant too much to him after she took care of him when he was sick with cancer.
