NRL legend Cooper Cronk shared his insights on the Parramatta Eels in The NRL Podcast (Episode 2, 19/11) alongside Blocker Roach, involving ample disagreement. The relevent sections are between the 19th to 26th minute.
On Ryles and Lomax
It wasn't so long ago the Eels were accused of nepotism, moving slower than icebergs and lacking balls. Now, some fans might criticise them for being too bold and too ballsy. Lomax’s immediate release was confirmed on Sunday (16 Nov), follows the huge caravan of players that have been shown the door since Ryles arrived at the club.
"You got to tip your cap to Jason Ryles" Cronk said.
"First year coach last year. Arrived at Paramata Eels. And when you're sort of making decisions based on your own career, you're probably going to keep some players and say I need to win some games."
"He got rid of Clint Gutherson, RCG (Sivo et al). Got smashed by Melbourne in the first round. You didn't win a couple for a while. Bought in some other players that it was his choosing. Started getting some consistency. Mitch Moses came back in the side."
"I feel like this [Lomax] is another call from Jason Ryles."
"Well, Zach, if you want to leave, if you're not buying into what we're doing, see you later."
"Because Jason Ryles has made some really strong decisions that you could argue have put Paramata a couple of steps backwards, but are definitely going in the right direction, particularly the way they played at the back end of last year."
"If anyone had have thought their start of the year would have been completely different at the back end of the year, you would have been hard to say that they would have improved after what they do at the start of the year."
The Eels and Ryles copped plenty of heavy criticism for letting go of the likes of Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard, despite clearing up a large portion of salary cap space. And it wasn't looking like it would pay off when the Eels were 16th (second last) mid-season at round 15 with bottom four defence and attack.
"He chose to set a culture with good characters, good leaders, and I think this is a decision around Zach as well because he's happy to let Zach move on and reshape their roster a little bit."
Why Culture Matters
No-one is sure of Lomax's next move. Perhaps not even Lomax or his agent, who now suggests Lomax needs to use another agent or lawyer if he goes to R360. But there are plenty of other options. French Rugby. Boxing. Wrestling. Probably dozens of other sports he could try.
"He could do [any sport he sets his mind to]." Cronk noted.
"That's the kind of guy Zach is. And maybe that's the type of guy that Jason Ryles doesn't want in his his team because every team rocks up in the first week of November prepare preparing for next year."
"The difference between the Broncos and the team that finishes last is how much you want it, how much performance you can give and what the culture is like. They are three key parts to a premiership winning team."
Ivan Cleary is another poster boy for culture with his "On The Bus" mantra and commitment to the cause: club, team and community. Panthers would not have achieved what they have without it. Systems and a champion team will more often than not trump talent and a team of champions.
And that's where Lomax's mindset doesn't align.
Lomax loved the fight game, boxing and wrestling. He trained with Volk (above).
Lomax's cross-sporting-hopping desires are not new.
“It’s like when people are a professional in one sport, then they go and do another one and love it because they feel themselves getting better," said Lomax back in May foreshadowing what was to come.
"That’s me."
Interestingly, his goal-kicking dropped off from 83% to 63% from mid-season, round 16 when R360 talks began. His goalkicking also dropped to its career lowest in 2023, along with his form then, when he was having off-field issues.
Separating off-field from the on-field is not completely possible. But maybe after being released from his last two contract in less than two years, he may find his true calling.
On Pezet: A point of difference, helping Moses
Cronk was for the Pezet signing seeing it a win-win for everyone, while Blocker was strongly against it.
“It’s a bit of a quick fix for them, coming in for a year... I don’t get it,” Roach said. Oddly enough, Blocker "loved" the Harry Grant one-year deal at his former club, the Tigers, describing Grant as a "unbelievable" addition and their "best player."
“I like it...through the Broncos lens, through Jonah’s lens, through Parramatta’s lens," Cronk said.
“Pezet is your five-eighth and through his development will learn a lot off Mitch."
"Remember, he was only available [at six] for the 12 month period. Maybe Ryles has a trick up his sleeve after Jonah Pezet."
"There’s one thing I think that this combination can bring, and I think Moses and Pezet work well."
“I think Mitch needs a point of difference, because at the moment wherever the ball goes, Mitch goes and he can be shut down. He’ll [Pezet] call the ball on the other side of the ruck."
“I like it, I like this deal.”
Recruitment: They Need Middles
Cronk and Blocker were split on Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Roach thought he was perfect, while Cronk expressed doubts.
“Obviously, Nelson is one of the names he’s going after, Koloamatangi..." Cronk said.
"I think one of the things Parramatta needed to fix, particularly at the back of Arthur [era] is they needed some mobile leg speed middle forwards."
“Junior Paulo had a really good year (2025), to drop some weight, get fit and played really well for Samoa."
"Dylan Walker was also a point of difference when he came across from the Warriors."
“Nelson is a big body. He's an intimidating person in our game. But I think there needs to be a good balance in their forward pack."
"Yes, you're probably going to find some athetic outside backs that can fill Zac's spot."
"But I think they just need some physicality and leg speed to compliment whatever you’ve got there in the middle of the field.”
On making the top-eight
Cronk was on the fence: "I think they're on the edge. I think they may sit around that eight to ten mark, seven to ten mark."
"The biggest key to whether they finish in the top eight or not is Mitch Moses' health."
The bookies agree with Cooper Cronk. Despite losing Lomax the bookies odds keep rising slowly.
Sportsbet has them currently at $21 (8th). After Pezet signed they paid $21 (10th). Mid-October, before Pezet signed they were $26 (11th-12th).
Replies
It would be nice to land a good player, not sure he is worth the amount he will get, actually I'm pretty sure he isn't, but most times you have to pay overs to attract players from their current club.
The eels are really going to have to nail their pathways and somehow accelerate the progression as recruiting good players is beyond mark O'Neil and our recruitment team.
We're more aligned and Ryles' mindset helps R&R. Guys like Williams who we liked for years, or the likes of Walker, Iongi, TDS, Ryley Smith who might not have got a look in under BA, meet what Ryles is after.
Realistically probably wouldn't go much higher then 900k for a middle unless is Tino haas level. That's a large chunk of cap
Your right. We need to build from within the pathways. We have an elite prospect in every position. It's just that those centre and wingers are only in SG Ball next year. Every other position, they are already in JF or Cup
EA, do you have any thoughts on Risati? Heard big raps on him. The way people talk about him, he could be a long-term six solution, alongside Fletcher at seven. Who knows. We're talking years down the track, but just curious.
He is special mate!
5/8, Fullback. Plays Wallabies and Waratahs aswell, so hopefully he stays the course for league and parra.
Yea he is mainly a 5/8, If Lorenzo for some reason fails, Risati is the next option. He is a bigger body than Lorenzo with a great running and passing game. He turns 18 next year so will be in SG Ball alongside Fletcher.
Long term, I belive we can only keep 2 out of the 3 (Lorenzo, Risati & Fletcher). I wonder if Risati could develop into a 7 because he does kick more than the halfback in HM this year.
Rasati might find his path to NRL replacing Russell or Penisini.
Do you see Talataina as the better talent and the must keep if only keep 1 EA?
Risati won't be a centre. He will be in the halves for sure. Cant say who will be better out of the 2 since Lorenzo has barely played cup whilst Risati is only playing SG balll for the first time next year. Must see them when they are consistently playing open age footy
Thanks KN/ EA. Just checking my gut feeling. Hopefully, he stays & makes good on his potential. I like his upside: footy nous, big body, kicking game, goal-kicker. Ain't many sixes offering all that. He's called by many in RU as a "Sua'ali'i clone with better ball skills". He's locked up long-term?
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