‘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
Even if joash outperforms longi at fullback?, longi has been good but he isn't a match winner, he might be one day but not yet. If papalii absolutely kills it at fullback you would be crazy not to go with him.
There's a lot of what ifs there mate.
Even if Iongi turns out to be a Gutho Edwards Kennedy type fullback is that a bad thing and as for match winners I think your a bit off the mark here all 3 of the mentioned are match winners in there own right while they aren't Hayne type flash or as quick there strengths are involvement and I think that's why I'd be sticking with Iongi for the foreseeable future.
Joash is in his infancy as a FGer and so is the mentioned but I'm not making the changes on what ifs.I know what I have with Iongi at fullback I'm not making changes on what if someone does this or that I'll deal with it when or if what you mention comes about.If Joash comes good it's a good problem to have.
With all the changes and injuries, JR's "plan" seems to be an A4 page with "What if...???" written on it. With a sharpie
Lol you have no idea.
Mick, why would you say to Coryn, you have no idea?
Why would you not say, I disgree and here is why.
I just don't understand someone like you cannot respect that Coryn has a much deeper knowledge of football in general through personal experience. I might not always agree with Coryn or even Bup but I would never insult them in a manner like you have.
It does your credability no good at all. I think you can do better to question something with a question of your own to explain it better.
Don't think it was directed at me the post was up before I posted my response to HKF I think that's who it's directed at.
Interesting scenario.
Do you feel Iongi has similar limitations to Kennedy? (Limitations compared to the elite fullbacks).
Wouldn't surprise to see Joash kill it, he's a talented little fullback.
Just opinion, but I'd still prefer to see them fight out the fullback spot & we either develop a genuine 6 from within, or go to market for one.
Exciting to see Joash get a shot in his preferred position though, let’s hope he does kill it, not a bad problem to have?
Iongi has the ability to make a very good 5/8 .
When he sweeps into the backline he instinctively straightens the attack , digs into the line when he evaluates numbers and decides to ball play.
Fullbacks that can read numbers but have the ability to play straight are the ones that make the transition effectively.
If I was going to compare him to anyone in the comp it'd be Reece Walsh early in his career, they both play similar unafraid to throw that pass which does come with errors.
Iongi doesn't quite have the blinding pace of Walsh but he does do the tougher carries.
He would benefit from a few conversations with Billy Slater to learn the nuances of the defensive side of fullback and what to look for when trailing through the middle.
The club needs to make that happen.
The club may not have too, Bup.
Honestly feel Iongi will be in the extended QLD squad next year as LB mentioned, seems a very 'Slater-esque' player, and Billy seems to like to get the young guys in for the experinnce - would be huge for Iongi, agree.
Interesting about Isaiah at 5/8th. Do you feel that could be his best position though? Or, you feel he could make that step, and we need a 5/8th?
Bup, like a broken record, but either Joash or Iongi at 5/8th feels reactionary to our issues in R&R, as opposed to any kind of plan or strategy?
Short term, maybe? Joash deserved a shot, and to HKF's point, could be interesting to see Iongi there late this season if Joash is going well at 1.
But if the Eels ultimate goal is contending for premierships, which it should be, should we be manufacturing such a vital position from an unproven rookie, who is still learning their natural position in first grade?
Or is this a position we have to show far more respect for, when we are already developing our hookers & fullback / edge backrower?
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