Ricky Stuart axes 12 NRL Eels in mass Parramatta cleanout Both Origin teams are wary of a dewy pitch at ANZ Stadium for Origin one. Ricky Stuart has wielded the axe at Parramatta. PARRAMATTA coach Ricky Stuart has begun the greatest purge in Eels history by informing a host of players they are not wanted for next season, including co-captain Reni Maitua and club stalwart Ben Smith. Chief executive Ken Edwards confirmed Stuart had the support of the entire Eels organization when he delivered the stunning news this morning. It is understood up to a dozen players were told they would be gone at season's end. Maitua is the most surprising given he was named as one of the club's three co-captains earlier this year - Jarryd Hayne and Tim Mannah were the others. Others believed to have been told the news include Smith, hooker Matt Keating and centre Cheyse Blair. Edwards released a statetment on the club website in which he revealed the latest developments while at the same time pointing out the club had re-signed Hayne, Jacob Loko, Mitchell Allgood and Ryan Morgan, and recruited Corey Norman, William Hopoate, Lee Mossop and Gareth Hock for next season. "Equally significant, though, is deciding on which players do not fit into that plan," Edwards wrote. In rugby league, we are judged on the field by our performance and ultimately results. In recent times the Parramatta Eels have not fared well in either category. Our members, fans and sponsors deserve and demand more than what we have achieved and today the Eels declare that enough is enough. This morning, with the full support of the entire Eels organization, head coach Ricky Stuart informed the full playing squad that the services of a group of selected players will not be required beyond this season. Some of these players are off contract at the completion of this season while the others are contracted for 2014 but have been told that they are not a part of the club's plans moving forward and have been offered early releases. Over a long period of time, there have been a lot of people who have lost their jobs at the Eels without the playing group ever being held accountable. As of today the playing group is being held accountable. We will not be commenting publicly on the specifics of who the players are or why they are not a part of the club's plans beyond 2013. We do however believe it is vitally important that you, our valued members and sponsors, heard this from the club first. We believe that through a full pre-season and the opening 12 weeks of the NRL competition each player in our squad has been given every opportunity to perform at the expected level. Unfortunately not all are up to the standards that we require. As we have said constantly, a winning team culture is not built overnight but for it to develop it is reliant on talent, belief and commitment. The club is building towards a brighter future for this football team and however tough the decisions that must be made, they are made to deliver the Club long-term sustainable success. We strive for excellence and will not settle for anything less; Members and Sponsors who invest their hard earned each year deserve that at the very least. "In football, if you are standing still you are moving backwards fast." - Jack Gibson. Our members, sponsors and fans have suffered long enough. We truly believe today is a defining moment for this club; it's the day we drew a line in the sand. We will not be stationary in our approach on the field or off it, because success simply doesn't allow for it. We can not guarantee instant results, there will be more tough days to come but what we can promise is that each week Ricky will send out 17 players in blue and gold that will possess a desire to win.