Bailey Simonsson was lost. For a while. He had to look in the mirror and have a heart to heart with Jason Ryles who understood exactly where he was coming from — as reported by Foxsport who quoted an Simonsson interview with the SMH.
Bailey Simonsson now understands why Parramatta coach Jason Ryles’ had a reluctance to play him in the NRL at various times last season.
“To be fair, looking back on the situation now, it was probably the right call from him,” Simonsson said.
Simonsson has realised that the Eels, to whom he is contracted for the next two seasons, are the only team he wants to play for. The former Raiders flyer expressed very different sentiments in August when Dylan Brown, who was defecting to Newcastle and had little experience in that position, was picked ahead of him in the centres.
The decision strained the relationship between Ryles and a frustrated Simonsson, to the point where the latter requested – and was at one point granted – a chance to explore his options at other clubs.
It all pointed to the likelihood that Simonsson had played his last game for the club. However, the 27-year-old arranged a clear-the-air meeting with Ryles, and the pair resolved that there was a future for him in the blue and gold.
“To be completely honest, it was probably more about myself,” Simonsson said.
“There were some things away from the field that I wasn’t dealing with very well, injuries and other things in my life that I didn’t really deal with well. I spoke to Rylesy and assured him I wanted to be at the club and put my best foot forward for the club. I do love playing at the Eels, so it was about staying there. Obviously, there was that stuff going on where I was able to talk to other clubs. Once I sat down, looked at myself in the mirror, looked at where I’m at, I worked out that I had to do better, work on myself.”
“It’s been a tough couple of years, so it’s about getting my body right. It’s about doing well for the club because they have been good to me. We had a good chat, and Rylesy spoke about wanting me to be a part of the club. It was a good conversation, I have a lot of time for him, and [I am] appreciative of him for the whole process with the club. I’m genuinely keen to stay there for the next two years, I feel we’re building something pretty good there.”
Simonsson said the fact that he’s about to become a father for the first time, coupled with a period of self-reflection, had resulted in a change of perspective.
“Honestly, he [Ryles] was awesome, he was so good with everything,” he said. “I’m not just saying this because [of this interview], he’s a good coach and a good man. I genuinely am happy to staying under him. There were a few things I needed to sort out myself, in my own life … I had a lot of injuries: ACL, broken foot, shoulder surgeries before that. I’ve had a wretched run with injuries and had a lot of built-up frustration. I had other things going on outside of footy that I won’t dive into, but there were things going on. I got to a point where I – not quite ran away – but turned away from things. I felt it wasn’t all going the right way, I wasn’t sure where I was heading. I was a bit lost, to be fair ...It took me to sit down and realise where I’m at and where I want to be, and that’s at Parramatta.”
Simonsson, who can play in the centres or wing, also cleared up perceptions on where he wants to play.
“If you ask me what I prefer, I prefer playing on the wing to centre,” he said. “A lot of it got lost in translation, it wasn’t a matter of ‘I don’t want to be a centre’, it was that I prefer to play on the wing. You live and learn. I’m focused on my two years left at Parra, and I want to rip in there and hopefully stay there, long term.”
Replies
I had a good long hard look at myself when I realised I got no offers from other clubs and realised it was time to kiss arse.
Pretty much!!
Simmonson was in negotiations with the Titans, he wanted to go there to be with his business partner Harley Smith-Shields, but he pulled out when the Titans either released or sacked Smith-Shields.
Lol so he is speaking a bunch of shit as expected if what you say is true.
Assuming that's all true, and I suspect it is, it doesn't prove Simmo is lying either. It just means there was more at play & he could've left if he wanted. That is, he actually had options. He still could've felt lost. Binary logic and cynicism assumes way too much.
PS: Eels knew he was talking to the Titans.
Everybody knew he was talking to the Titans, if Harley Smith-Shields stayed at the Titans i can 100% guarantee Simmonson would be their as well.
Either way, bottom line, he still had a choice. He still had to make a decision. Eels opened the door for him to leave. The rest now, from here on, is up to him.
I agree Hoey, he did say he had some personel issues and what Michael refers to is probably that. He can do no more than fall on his sword and he has.
It seems to me he has some PR advice and has done the best he can to make repair. People can say he is full of shit but how he puts in for us is the only thing that really counts, making a character judgement on him is not worth talking about, its history now, the future beckons.
I think Bailey was probably at his peak at the best parts of his season this year.
The really interesting thing is that despite what he is being paid, he is probably a depth player for us unless he can prove other wise and go to another level. He is the guy you are going to call on when a winger/centre short for what ever.....and that will happen.....better him than some of the guys we have had to bring up in the past....Dumpster etc.
Glad Bailey is staying, hopefully he can force his way into the 17 because at his best he probably does beat out Russell for a spot. Needs to find that form
Once his missus realised she had no power agitating through NRL@Fox...he soon pulled his head in ...and also no offers...I hope he puts in in 2026
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