Parramatta win big after summer of losses

At last, Parramatta have something to smile about.

After a summer of off-field hits, with five players set to leave after the 2022 season, the Eels' best returned to the field with a 36-0 thumping of premiers Penrith.

It was only a pre-season trial for a near full-strength Eels and Penrith were missing six of their premiership heroes, including Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards.

But it was still a reminder that for all the challenges of the past four months, Parramatta are still a genuine title threat 15 days out from their season-opener against Gold Coast.

Clint Gutherson, in particular, looked in great touch as he had a hand in three of the Eels' tries.

The first of those involved fullback Gutherson at his most dangerous, slicing through the line before Will Penisini kicked back in field for Isaiah Papali'i to score.

Another came from another mid-field play, providing a nice inside ball for an offloading Shaun Lane before Dylan Brown dotted down.

Brown also looked good in his 80 minutes, while Mitch Moses' kicking game was top-class.

The Eels halfback provided a 40-20 in the lead up to one Sean Russell four-pointer, before he grubbered for Makahesi Makatoa to score the first of his two tries.

"It was about our identity, the style of football we want to play," said coach Brad Arthur.

"I felt like we built really good pressure in the first half and we were probably a bit loose in the second half.

"But it was nice for our systems to hold up, we have done a bit of work on it.

"But the real stuff starts in a few weeks."

Arthur also indicated that Russell will claim the left wing spot after Haze Dunster's season was ruined by a horror knee injury last week.

The only concern for the Eels from the match was Bryce