Parramatta's Jason Ryles era has continued its winless start after being pipped 16-8 by Canterbury at CommBank Stadium.
Having conceded 88 points at the hands of Melbourne and Wests Tigers in the first two rounds, Parramatta showed vast improvement to hold the Bulldogs to three tries on Sunday afternoon.
Their struggles to capitalise with ball in hand proved the Eels' failing, managing to only score twice despite momentum being on their side for large parts of proceedings.
Ryles conceded that a lack of cohesion between the likes of new halves pairing Dylan Brown and Dean Hawkins didn't help his team's cause.
"In key positions, while we have good players, we just need to build those combinations going forward," Ryles said.
"We didn't get the result that we wanted but we were much better in terms of our fight, our effort and what serving the badge looks like.
One positive stood out for the Eels in the form of prized recruit Zac Lomax, who tried everything in his power to inspire his team. Lomax, who often swapped between wing and centre, produced game-high numbers in metres (291) and tackle breaks (eight).
"That's just Zac, he's a quality player. We always want him involved, but he was doing stuff out there that he doesn't need to positionally," Ryles said.
"But that's a sign of his character. He wants to help us win however he can. That was his best game [as an Eel] by a mile."
With Canterbury continuing their undefeated 2025 campaign, coach Cameron Ciraldo took pride in his side's ability to find a way to win without star duo Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau who were both missing due to knee injuries.
"We didn't win it on smarts, and we learned a lot of lessons on how we can attack better considering we were missing our five-eighth, but we did what we had to do," Ciraldo said.
"It was all about our defence this week and I'm pleased with the improvements we made."
Former Bulldog Josh Addo-Carr received a villain's reception from the loud cohort of away fans in attendance throughout his Parramatta debut.
He was all smiles before kick-off, ahead of his first game since testing positive for cocaine during a September 2024 roadside drug test which resulted in his 'Dogs contract being terminated.
The veteran winger would struggle early however, with an error in the first three minutes resulting in Canterbury securing first points. The try came through a bullocking Daniel Suluka-Fifita run, who left J'maine Hopgood and Jack Williams in his wake to crash over between the posts.
"Josh had some good parts, and other aspects that nobody would have seen that we'll need to tidy up next week," Ryles said.
"Overall, he did his job, and he'll improve from here on in."
Addo-Carr wasn't alone on the ill-discipline front with his Eels teammates struggling to capitalise on several early opportunities.
Will Penisini's try midway through the first half was supposed to be the circuit breaker for the Eels, but their persisting errors kept proving advantageous for the Bulldogs.
Bronson Xerri rewarded his team for chancing their arm on the fifth tackle to extend the deficit in the 25th minute, before an acrobatic effort from Blake Wilson helped the Bulldogs to a 10-point halftime lead.
Parramatta scored the only try of the second half, through Addo-Carr in the 47th minute, but couldn't find another to equal the ledger.
A penalty goal in the dying stages completed the Bulldogs' eight-point victory and ensured their undefeated start to 2025 remained intact.
