Parra have pieces in place to springboard into 2026: Pearson

Parramatta’s continued push towards NRLW success will depend a lot on the foot – and hands – of their seasoned kicker and halfback Rachael Pearson.

The Eels, who were grand finalists in 2022, failed to make the 2025 finals by one win despite two healthy victories to finish the season - 38-4 over Wests Tigers and 46-14 against the Bulldogs.

“There were losses earlier to the Warriors and Cowboys that we should have won and that put pressure on us at the back end of the year,” Pearson told ljmpta.com after her stellar performance against Canterbury.

“But we’re building and we’ll keep building next year.”

Needing a win last Friday to have any chance of playing finals, Pearson came up with 14 runs for 123 metres, 12 kicks for 168 metres, one try, four conversions, two line breaks, two try assists and three tackle breaks.

The 32-year-old finished the season leading the NRLW in line engagements, attacking kicks, and was second in kick metres (3249) to Bulldogs No.7 Tayla Preston (3704).

“It’s nice when the ball is hitting the foot sweetly and going where you want it to go,” Pearson said of her accuracy in ball placement.

“Obviously as a halfback you need to nail those things. I also think kicks are only as good as the chase and our girls chase the house down. You saw that (against Bulldogs).”

For 20 hours last weekend the Eels were in the finals until the Titans leapfrogged them with a win over the Raiders - the positives far outweighing the negatives in their 5-6 season.

With another two years to run on her Eels contract, Pearson is relishing the chance to continue working with coach Steve Georgallis.

“A lot of our good work comes from the top as ‘Georgie’ is big on connectivity on the field and connecting outside of the footy too. It’s something we’ve worked on at the Eels with new faces and even new players to the game of rugby league,” she said.

“Those combinations have really come together the last couple of weeks and that gives us a springboard into next season.”

So often in the men’s and women’s game the connection between the No.1 and No.7 generates points.

“Agreed, and it’s lovely to have a fullback like Abbi (Church),” Pearson said.

“She’s a complete professional and she’s been playing off the back of a great Origin series.

“She’s always asking questions and wanting feedback from me and I love that we bounce off each other so well.

“I know where she’ll be and she knows where I’m going to be. She’s a real competitor and has had a great year.”

The feeling is mutual from Church - the reigning Dally M Fullback of the Year.

“Rach has been good for us all season, definitely been working on her craft. This year her kicking game has gone to another level and you can see that,” Church said.

“Not only that Rach is starting to run the ball too. Her show-and-goes are really getting us forward.

“Rach has really come out of her shell this year and continues to get better and better.”