‘Our future is now’ - Jason Ryles.
Whether we like it or not, as Eels fans we find ourselves again remaining ‘patient’ as results become secondary to experience for the remainder of 2025.
I get it, but, watching relentless coverage of an emotional man-child like Ricky Stuart, in front of a packed house of 6,000 Canberran’s clapping out of time with each other to a shit sounding horn, is going to be really, really, tough.
It might also be jealousy. The Raiders are flying, and their brand of footy is actually the most exciting thing to hit Canberra in decades.
And while the draw doesn't get any easier from here, it’s not all doom & gloom Eels fans....
While, there are concerns poor results could impact the progress made, its impossible not to respect JR’s ‘all in’ commitment to the future of this club & our juniors, over his own reputation & results.
EA & Sonic Boom have done a phenomenal job in giving an insight into our juniors, available here if you missed it - https://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/ea-sonic-boom-rookie-report-jersey-flegg
While that talent matures like a fine wine, developing to perfection just in time for the good clubs to swoop in & purchase, what does our more immediate future look like?
While some of those questions remain very concerning, others have been answered, albeit with patience, so this is a look over some of the undeniable positives this season has brought.
This will be part 1, as it was too much information for one blog. It also gives me the opportunity to not waste my time if no one reads this one… So feedback appreciated.
PART 01 - ISAIAH IONGI
Anyone who had seen Isaiah play in NSW Cup knew, this was a brilliant signing.
It is so good, that we can only assume Ryles pushed this one through while Mark O’Neill was finalising his ‘Clause Benefits Loyalty Program’ to pitch to Iongi’s agent days after he’d already signed.
Every week Isaiah improves, likely due to the fact he is apparently incredibly coachable, and works meticulously on every part of his game.
Of course, he is making the errors innevitble with inexperience.
However, Iongi continues to inject himself into games, and his improvement shows how hard this kid works on his game. Great signs for a player learning the ropes of first grade.
Jason Ryles’ advice for his new fullback before round 01 was to ‘go after the game’, to not hold back, a mentality that appears deeply ingrained in the young custodian.
As we all search for a replacement for the incredibly popular 1EE fan favourite Dylan Brown, look no further than Isaiah Iongi.
So, how does Isaiah stand up statistically against other fullbacks in the game?
Disclaimer: Stats do not tell the full story, but they can give us an insight into certain metrics.
( Stats taken from NRL.com & Foxsports)
- Stats are shown as a total, then an average per game, for instance LINEBREAKS '8 / .5' means 8 total at an average of .5 per game.
- Rankings are taken from fullbacks only, and only players who have only played fullback
- Where there are no rankings, the player sat outside the top 50 NRL players for that metric.
- Noticeable exclusions Latrell (hadnt played enough games) & Drinkwater (because I forgot all about him).
WORK RATE:
Impossible to gauge purely on statistics, however, Iongi is on the heels of the big 'effort' dogs like Tedesco & Edwards in runs, which is great news for a player in his first season, and who is yet to fully mature physically into his frame. We saw against the Panthers last week how much ground Isaiah is covering, and his effort remains from minute 1 to minute 80. Work rate not a concern for our new fullback.
ATTACK:
Although parts of Isaiah’s attacking game are clearly a work in progress, he does appear to have all the traits to develop into an elite fullback in attack.
His acceleration is a welcomed asset to the Eels, as Iongi is able to get on the outside of opponents and draw defenders in. He has decent vision, often targetting shortened edges.
While he has missed in the timing, the decision making, & the execution of his passing game at times, Isaiah clearly possesses an ability to create & deliver on opportunities as he sits 6th for fullbacks in try assists & 8th for line break assists - an impressive stat for a player of his experience.
DEFENCE:
Defence is probably the hardest area to gauge accurately with statistics.
A missed tackle can be an attempted try saver from a fullback that never should have got there in the first place. There is also no way of analysing a players communication & ability to organise the defensive line. However, missed tackles, tackle efficiency & errors are a problem area for Isaiah Iongi.
Not completely unexpected for a rookie learning one of the toughest positions, but an area we no doubt need improvement in.
BREAK OUT GAME:
Despite being sin binned for tackling an opponent who was touching the football, or, because the Eels had opened up a 26-10 lead, both of which drew the ire of referee Liam Kennedy, Isaiah Iongi’s breakout game came in Round 07 against the West Tigers.
Where Isaiah finished with: 2 tries, 1 line break, 1 line break assist & 135m from 16 runs.
Highlights here - https://www.nrl.com/news/2025/04/21/wests-tigers-v-eels--round-7-2025/
CONCLUSION:
It’s hard to believe Isaiah was poached from Queensland because ‘no other footy clubs had spoken to him’ before the Panthers offered him $14,000 over two seasons to come to Sydney.
Thanks Penrith.
It’s been a tough year, but Jason Ryles deserves a lot of credit for going after Iongi at the expense of our long servicing captain Gutherson. It was time, and Iongi has repaid that faith.
The sky is the limit for Isaiah.
What are your thoughts on Isaiah Iongi's progress this season?
Replies
Great blog NOS
Hey tragic would you be able to tell me whom the players are on the left are please? Not Paul Taylor, Hindy or Pay, thanks.
Hi DM,
Top left is the great Ray Higgs, who aptained us into our fist two Grand Finals in 76 and 77. You would want him in your team if you were playing for your life. He and Dick Thornett the best two second rowers in our history. To the left with the beard is Neville Glover, another legend who scred a try the first time he touched the ball playing for Australia. Across from Neville and on Ryles right hand is Jim Porter. Jim came over from Easts after winning premierships and was part of the build up to our 80's success. Jim scored the first try for us in the 76 Grand Final after catching a Peard bomb. When Porter scored that try I have rarely seen a more excited crowd. Above Porter and next to Ryles head I can't figure out. Slugg would have known but Hector or Poppa might help out. I thought Terry Reynolds who was a 7 in the 1970's but don't think so. Could be a player from the 50's or 60's but its definately not a Thornett. I was driving through Miranda yesterday and saw an old bloke who must have been in his 90's going for a power walk/limp in an old school Parra jersey with the original logo that looked like he might have played in it. I will pull over if I see him again and have a chat with him.
https://www.nrl.com/watch/matches/telstra-premiership/1976/grand-fi...
Great stuff PT, That Jim Porter try in the 76 Grand Final had exactly the effect you stated. I was on the Hill with my father and when Porter came up with the try after the Peard bomb, I swear he (Dad) was going to have a heart attack. That try was right in front of us btw. I was nearly ready to take him home and threatened to do so if he got as excited as that again LOL
I love your comment on Ray Higg's, he never has received the plaudits he deserved for that period he was with Parra.
He came down from Qld as an honest toiler second rower, a Qld State Rep he made a Kangaroo touring side and came back as the most influential Australian forward along with Terry Randall from Manly.
His stature at Parra rose to the level of giving him the captaincy of a side that included Mick Cronin, John Peard and Ray Price.
I don't think I ever saw a harder man (player) than Ray Higgs, his loss to our side after the St George robbery of our first GF was devasting to me. I will never forgive Terry Fearnley for not backing him in the butchering of our team in that GF.
Some people think the game is rigged now....tell me how one of the teams had the employee of their major sponsor refereeing a fcuking GF. Rod Reddy should never been allowed to play again after what he did to Price on 3 seperate occasions in the one match. Later in his career Rod Ready was employed by Parra as a talent scout with a coaching role. I know of people who never went to another game whilst Ready was ever associated
Our IEE great Slugg was a good mate of Graham Olling the Parra forward. He gave Slugg his jersey from that match.....it was covered in blood....Ray Price's blood, on the one condition he was never allowed to wash it.
Thanks Darren & PT (and Pops) for fielding this one, very knowledgeable. Impressive.
Yeah, good stuff
There's plenty of positives here NoS and everything you've written about Iongi is all but true.
Thing is and this is why Riff are daylight ahead of us he's come and progressed through a system that seems nie on faultless right now just about every player that's come through there over the last decade is earmarked to succeed for the most part.Parra can but hope for some that resembles it time will tell.I've used the word Transference for what seems like years well Iongi and alike is exactly what we talk about not just a guy that progresses through the grades but excels when he hits FG.This is the aim the mountain is a steep one.
Everyone and there dog should be lining up for Riff talent you just got to hope like we have we get a guy like Iongi.
Once upon a time we went to the Fijiian well and unearthed Semi Radradra we've unearthed similar in Iongi and Hopgood at Riff I'm pretty sure I no where I'd be hunting for young talent.
Agree Coryn...
Iongi is another example of the environment & mindset the Panthers have created. Would've been good to get Garner, imo.
The Warriors have a ridiculous amount of talent in their edge forwards right now, and seem to be building a resilience, the Dogs have a lot of outside back depth & they are obviously on the up as a club, surely a chance to grab first grade talent with the allure of opportunity at Parra?
Have you heard what the Warriors are doing there opening an academy in south east Queensland to poach talent earmarked for the Titans Dolphins and Broncos.
Very pro active move this on the back of the Dogs partnering with clubs in Fiji and NZ I think the time is now for Parra to do something similar we have to look further and wider as right now we are fighting a losing battle locally.
Good post Coryn. There is a science of human behaviour and learning which really should be a huge focus on this new academy we have built. Old school type football training is no longer relevant in this day and age I really believe we should have a respected sport science/ human behaviourist qualified person in a senior management role in the club. Best way to create a culture to always be ahead of the pack
Be leaders make trends don't follow them.
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