A good listen if you get a chance. Both Jim Sarantinos and Mark O'Neill talk about everything from the new coach, a new direction, new players, our top 28 players, player options and what they are doing about them.
Goes for roughly 30minutes.
At the 19 minute Mark O'Neill talks about the dreaded player options and how they are attempting to have them removed ASAP, I enjoyed listening to this part.
Here's the link.
And a brief rundown via the NRL Eels website.
00:00: Introduction to CEO Jim Sarantinos and General Manager of Football Mark O'Neill.
00:23: Jim gives his assessment of recent changes around the Club.
01:15: Mark talks through the Club's expectations for 2025, and some of the recent changes made in the Football department.
01:59: Jim gives his perspective on what excites him most about the 2025 season, including the opening of the Club's new training facility.
02:55: Jim talks about the opening of the Eels new training facility.
03:56: Jim talks about the return of Principal Partner, James Hardie.
04:40: Jim addresses the possibility of the Eels heading to Vegas in 2026.
05:42: Jim talks about the Eels ongoing partnership with the Northern Territory Government, and heading to Darwin for the last time in 2025.
07:05: Jim discusses how the Club is tackling challenges and obstacles that arise as a result of change.
08:05: Mark speaks about cultural changes that have come about under new Head Coach, Jason Ryles.
10:00: Mark shares why he believes connection to past players is so important.
11:25: Jim talks about visits to the Club from recent Eels legends, including Nathan Hindmarsh, Peter Sterling, Ray Price and Luke Burt.
12:30: Mark talks about some of the changes Jason Ryles has brought to the Club's style of football and training regime.
14:41: Mark runs through some of the Club's new NRL recruits and how they're tracking so far.
15:58: Jim talks about changes to the NRL roster and what that means for the Club.
16:44: Mark talks about the vacant spots left in the NRL Top 30.
18:11: Mark addresses previous roster depth issues and coverage across key positions.
18:53: Adam asks Jim and Mark to speak to the inclusion of player options in contracts and whether or not they're a 'necessary evil'.
20:00: Mark gives an update on the current negotiation process around Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses' contracts.
20:30: Jim talks about recent RLPA survey results that highlighted the positive culture of the Club's NRLW program, and the importance of building a connection between NRL & NRLW programs once the Club's new facility opens.
22:16: Mark talks about key NRLW signings and re-signings, including Elsie Albert, Paige Travis and the Cherrington Sisters.
23:55: Mark talks about the Club's Junior League catchment and Elite Pathways program, including resourcing of the Pathways program to help achieve the overall objective of producing NRL and NRLW players.
26:25: Mark speaks about the process involved with identifying Mitchell Moses as Captain and Junior Paulo, J'maine Hopgood and Jack Williams as the other members of the NRL Leadership Group.
28:38: Mark touches on the high-level expectations of the NRL team in the 2025 season.
29:18: Jim talks about what Eels Members can expect this season in terms of Member events and connection to the Club for Members that live interstate and in regional areas.
30:17: Mark and Jim talk about the vibe around the Club at the moment in the lead up to the start of season.
32:00: Jim talks about the revival of Active Supporter Bays at CommBank Stadium.
32:48: Mark shares his thoughts on what Members and fans can look forward to most in 2025.
Replies
A lot are of that opinion Mick.
I can accept that BE, which part would you argree or disagree with?
Yep Mick. They talk about fan engagement and building strong relations.The recent fan day was great but there was no Mitch Moses no Lomax and no explanation. Two of the boys i wanted to see and hear from, especially one being our captain. So are they really building strong relationships with fans.
I dont agree with going to Vegas, just my opinion. Id rather a game at home.
They say we had strong games playing in the Northern Territory. I feel they should just admit it wasnt right for us, and we played teams that were customed to the heat. It was a waste of a home game. In saying that this year we play Canberra there, probably the team we should have always taken there.
Getting the old players in is refreshing. It should have always been the case. Admit they let them down, and threw our history out the window. The appointment of Tim Mannah as an ambassadore after what happened with him and BA and the manager saga. Im not sure he is the right person for that role. I think it could be a contract requirement of a job after football deal, that was in Tims contract that was never fullfilled. I have heard Mannah discuss this aspect a few time on air.
We are going to be playing fast uptempo footy around the ruck. Not sure our Dummy halves are up to task to capitalise on this style. If they buckle the plan goes out the window. Really think a dummy half should have been sought and signed. Just a missed oppurtunity. Happy to be proven wrong though cause i like Hands.
They stated they had a couple of player options. There is a lot more then a couple. Didnt want to go into specifics because its disrespectfull. I dont think certain aspects are disrespectfull. Re signing Dylan seemed to be more hope then anything of substance. Personally I would have wanted to hear more.
Thats a few things Mick.
Nice summary BE, lots of positive things happening like youve mentioned, I'm super excited about the new coaching set up, emphasis on skills is necessary and refreshing - this philosophy definitely suits our playing group and connects us back to our DNA , the other benefit is this approach means less relianance on key players like Moses & Brown - if one them are injured then the rest of team can make for their absence - depth is being addressed which was abvious failure under BA, theres no substitutions for speed and this also assists our defensive - JAC and Lomax are great additions, rep players that will pass on knowledge and experience to our kids coming through. The positive is Ryles coaching philosophy is being implemented right throughout the grades, just like the panthers will have match ready players knowing their roles and fitting into a system.
The next postive is opening up the club back to fans, past players etc this is important - credit to Jason for being proactive, so how we lost our way but importantly were back with a clear goal, transparent and deliberate in what we want to achieve.
I have to be critical of MON and Jim as things did slide while was BA coach - frustrating contract negotiations, agreeing to options that done make sense - options themselves are not the issue it's how they are put together and more importantly do that benefit the club? The closed relationship BA had with senior players and how he used that as wedge - strong leaders don't put up with that BS, you can't let this shit fester and sit on the sidelines watching! That's my take BE, great post btw.
Thanks for posting Bluey, & great rundown by yourself & Mick here.
Interesting listen & definitely exciting in parts, love hearing this consistent narrative that the style of play will be very different.
Obviously there's an element of media spin, but it genuinely sounds like the club have made a huge effort this pre-season in so many areas outside simply the football department? Early days, but it is very refreshing.
Was great to hear the D word mentioned, and they've had a heavy focus on that in training after the last few seasons.
Everything from Jim, MON & the players (like Micks post of Lomax interview) is screaming that Ryles has been a much better appointment than maybe we realised at the time.
Early days, I know... but it is refreshing.
Fuck Vegas.
It would be a stoopid move for Eels, so you just know we will go.....look, new and shiney!
Fuck Vegas
Randy it was discussed last night regarding Vegas . We were in the mix for this years but eels pulled out as they thought as JR had just come in and trying to get things set up and everything connected to that it would not be fair on him or the players. Said would be considered in the future But would like it to be we are the away team as they would like most of our home games to be at combank . Plus thank Christ this is the last Darwin game when that was said every one cheerd
I am impressed with that Hector...seriously impressed.
Careful Bobby, he doesn't like horses.
Careful Bobby, he d̶o̶e̶s̶n̶'t̶ l̶i̶k̶e̶ had to hang with a mate on Fri who was super sad as he had just put down one of his horses
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