League: Strong Eels side could help embattled Kearney

Stephen Kearney. Photo / Getty Images

Parramatta centre Ryan Morgan insists the Eels' playing group is behind embattled NRL coach Stephen Kearney and believes the struggling team can turn things around against Canberra on Sunday.

Kearney's coaching ability has come under heavy scrutiny after the Eels' 46-12 loss to Canterbury on Friday ensured their worst start to a season in 52 years.

Asked about Kearney's future yesterday, Morgan said: "The people above us make those decisions but we're confident in Stephen and the coaching staff around us. We can get the job done with them."

Most of the first-grade squad were to have attended the club's annual general meeting last night in what was likely to have been an emotionally charged evening.

"I'm not too sure what the reaction is going to be but we're going there to support the club, the fans and the corporates," said Morgan.

"We're going to get out of [the slump] so we urge the fans to stick by us."

Meanwhile, young backrower Joseph Paulo has backed Jarryd Hayne and Chris Sandow to return to their best form against the Raiders, with the latter returning to the side off the bench against the Bulldogs.

"It's good to have Sandow back," Paulo said. "He had that week at Wenty [feeder club Wentworthville] and he got a lot of confidence from that."

- AAP