Ethan Sanders’ time has finally arrived with the highly touted prospect parachuted into Parramatta’s halves as Brad Arthur seeks to arrest a dire performance from his side against the Dolphins last week.
The young playmaker has been in the news during the beginning of the campaign as rumours have swirled around his exit to join the Canberra Raiders in the nation’s capital.
Meanwhile, Parramatta’s season has been hampered by a long-term injury to halfback Mitch Moses, which has forced Arthur to hand Brown the No.7 jersey while rotating through different options at five-eighth.
Blaize Talagi and Daejarn Asi were the first cabs off the rank until Sanders was handed his opportunity for the Eels’ upcoming Round 8 clash against the Manly Sea Eagles.
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Who is Ethan Sanders? Parramatta Eels halfback to make NRL debut
Sanders has worked his way through the youth ranks at Parramatta and currently plies his trade for the reserve grade side in the NSW Cup.
It’s been a tough campaign so far for the teenager though, with the side winning just one of their first seven matches.
Yet despite the side’s struggles, Sanders has often showcased his ability to organise things in attack, while also offering a legitimate threat with the ball in hand.
Sanders has crossed for three tries, laid on four assists and made four linebreaks for the Eels.
His first season in NSW Cup comes off the back of guiding the club to the SG Ball Cup title and their first finals campaign in the Jersey Flegg Cup since 2018.
"I’m told Arthur’s got some concerns around Ethan’s defensive abilities and ability around the wrestle and winning the ruck," journalist Brent Read said on NRL 360 when outlining why Sanders had been overlooked as Moses’ replacement initially.
The U19s New South Wales representative has missed at least two tackles in four of his seven games in reserve grade this year.
Although Parramatta’s defence hasn’t exactly been sparkling in recent weeks as they have conceded 105 points in total across their past three matches.
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Ethan Sanders contract
"A lot of it was sort of built up in the media, but happy to stay at Parra this year, happy behind the boys and just happy to learn more and get my head down," Sanders insisted in the pre-season when quizzed on his future.
Last year, it was reported that the Green Machine were fighting hard to sign the teenager but were unable to sign him due to the NRL’s contracting rules regarding rookie players.
However, on the eve of his debut in first grade, Sanders told Parramatta that he would be joining Ricky Stuart's Raiders in 2025.
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The halfback was due to come off-contact at Parramatta at the end of the season and despite his strong affiliations with the club, he has decided to move on.
"My dad supports Parramatta, and he sort of put a Parra jersey on me since I can remember," Sanders revealed earlier in the year. "It means the world to me."
Sanders was unable to sign a full NRL contract with rivals until after Round 6 while on a development deal but has since negotiated a deal with the Raiders. Although he will remain the Eels until the end of the campaign.
"He's come and fronted up and let us know that he'd be moving on," Arthur said.
"But he's told me to my face, and his manager has, that he's not asking for a release this year.
"It's good. He made an obligation to the team at the start of the year, and that's a sign of the man he is."
Ethan Sanders NSW Cup stats 2024
| Appearances | 7 |
| Tries | 3 |
| Try Assists | 4 |
| Linebreaks | 4 |
| Linebreak Assists | 4 |
| Tackle Busts | 8 |
| Avg. Kick Metres | 165m |
| Tackle Efficiency | 93% |