Apologies if anyone has posted this before. I was listening to this interview in the car yesterday and was impressed by Iongi's attitude. An outstanding ambassador for young kids, his family, his heritage, other players rising through the ranks, and our club.
Defined by humblenss and gratitude, this quietly-spoken 22 year-old and budding star, was raised in a Brisbane-based multicultural family of Tongan and Cypriot descent.
Back in mid-October a few months ago, he spoke to Terrell May, his former neighbour, about growing up, how it all started as a seven-year old playing footy with his dad being his greatest influence and playing six as a junior.
And then about moving to Sydney facing his hardest challenge to date, making ends meet back then as an 18 years old working for a car washing company, construction sites, work as a removalist missing pre-season training, and the excitment of signing with the Panthers and the Eels.
And now living his dreams.
Sharpening his game
May: What aspects of your game did you sharpen the most (in the move to Parra)?
“In the team rooms and the [Parra] video sessions," Iongi replied.
"I think that's the thing I probably picked up more rather than on the field. I think just to learn more about the game, my knowledge."
"Because I really never knew how, (or had) like a sense of how to play football. It was just fun. I just played it.”
Filling into Gutho’s shoes
"At the start when I was coming to Parra and he (Gutho) was leaving it felt like I had to fill in his shoes."
"But I think once going there at training and listening to to Ryles talk, (I was told) pretty much just to play my game, which gave me confidence to do that."
"So, no, [after that] I didn't I didn't feel like I had to fill anyone's shoes. I had to go into a standard but not to fill anyone's shoes.”
Moses’ Confidence & Leadership Lifts the Team
May: What have you learned the most from Moses?
"His confidence. He's a real good confidence player and he lifts the team," Iongi answered.
"His leadership, towards us boys. He steers us around the field, puts us when he when he does a good play or when someone else does a good play."
"He pulls us up and gives us more energy and confidence."
Finally gelling and getting Ryles' systems
"It was towards the back end of the season I felt like our best part of the season."
"I feel like we've we all starting to get the hang of and know each other and how our system works."
May: Are you ever going to change clubs or is this a club that you're looking to stay for a very long time?
“I want to stay at this club for a long time. I feel like they've gave me a good opportunity. So I want to keep that keep that opportunity and keep going. Parra is good. I like them."
"It's a good club to be at, especially with all the boys."
"It's a good culture there.”
Blocking Social Media
May and Iongi were both sceptical about social media and fickle fans who would turn on you after a bad game, and the dangers it posed for family and friends who might be affected by the commonplace negativity.
"Now that I've seen what it does, I don't really look into it (social media) anymore," Iongi noted.
"It can give you a positive side of things as well but I block it out. I'm not looking at social media."
"But my family's they're always on it. They are always looking at comments. Reading all these articles. Fake articles. I block it out."
Wise.
PS: There is a also a great interview with Justin Horo (Sep 29, 2025) which is a good listen if you have a spare 15 minutes.
Replies
JAC is a long time Fabri disciple much like Jarryd Hayne was back in the day.
Not sure HoE how long the mentioned have been with him it just came up in a FB feed but at least they are with him because he improves peoples speed out of sight.
I saw an interesting tidbit about Galvin Fabri thinks over 60 metres since he's been training with him he's got Galvin running over a second quicker over the given distance believes he's in for a huge year.His speed has improved out of sight since he's been onboard.
True Pops, good point. I also think losing weight helped JAC last year. I believe he said he could've reached higher speeds if he did more sprint training throughout his career.
It makes me recall an article on Galvin's poor sprint technique that Fabri / the Dogs are adressing in the off-season.
Not sure it would hurt Iongi, either, who is older than Galvin. Iongi is such a talent and dedicated.
What you'll see is alot of the speed work is focused over that 40 metre type range I no alot of the AB stuff is about timed speed over the given distance.
I think Fabri goes on and past that and he sees where people's technique breaks down over longer distances and focus's on that,not only to help the mentioned but for injury prevention also turbo are you listening.
I saw a great piece where analysed Marky Mark over a longer sprint and could see the lack of high speed distance interval work hadn't been taught or trained it was a good listen and watch.
Fabri surely isn't the only guy out there qualified but comes with a top resume when coaxing more speed out of athlete's.
Isaiah Iongi will be one of our best. The kid oozes talent and class. The signings and recruitment of Iongi, Rylie Smith, Talan Da Silva and Hopgood have been tremendous. All 4 could be long term mainstays in our team as we transition from the bottom of the ladder towards finals footy.
As far as signings and the position associated with the signing Iongi is lightyears the best signing of the JR era.
This guys a 10 year plus fullback at the club if he wants it.
For me the biggest improvement I can see in his game is without the ball especially getting the numbers right in the defensive line.High ball diffusal is another one which he's improved greatly.Decent enough defender but he's as above been an outstanding signing for the club.
Moving on Gutho for this guy to step in and getting upto speed as quickly as he has.Thank you Penrith this kids a stud thank god we've got him.
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