I had the opportunity this evening to attend the Members Forum for 2026 which was restricted to about 100 season members of the club and my goodness was it a great evening, a great initative from the club and a great insight in where we are going and it was really impressive to see and hear.
The panel included: Jason Ryles (Head Coach), Jim Saratinos (CEO), Mark O'Neil (Head of Football) & Matthew Beach (Chairman)
Now this blog isn't long enough and my brain isn't smart enough to remember and point every last thing said, but the major topics discussed by each individual were
Matthew Beach: The quietest of the bunch, only really spoke when spoken to, didn't get many fan questions but he presented himself well and in a professional manner. Seems like he has a good head on his shoulders, a smart operator and knows what he is doing and looks like he is well suited for the role he has within the club. Like I said he did not speak all that much but did not hide or was not afraid to clear the elephant in the room regarding Zac Lomax. Said he couldn't talk or share too much as it is in front of the courts but said it straight and honestly the Storm offers are not good enough. We do not want financial compensation, we want to strengthen our football department and roster if we allow Lomax to play in Melbourne. Said he doesnt not want it to be a court manner, but said the club holds no apologies to anyone that it is. Said we will continue to fight the good fight for the club and Melbourne will have a fight on its hands. Doesn't sound like this will be resolved any time soon.
Mark O'Neil: I know there is a lot of cristism around MON. Some warranted but he also presented himself well, fronted up and answered all questions and didnt back away. Said the key focus at the club right now is junior and pathway development, said we have a lot of kids coming through that can lead the club into the future for the next 5-7yrs. He was asked about recruitment and said the club is actively in the market for players that fit the culture & style of play Ryles is wanting to build & play. Also stated that every single target or signing that the club makes a back ground check is done on the players character before anything is signed to ensure they are a good fit for the club, not just for style of play Ryles wants to play but also culturally as well. We are in the market for an outside back, as well as a middle forward but alao emphasised the clubs stance on remaining paitent and waiting for the right players to become available. Believes if they arent careful and blow money on players just for the sake of it when the player comes along who will fit our style and roster needs we will risk not having the funds available. So we have the money there, we are just remaining vilgient and for the right player and opportunity. He also fronted up and was honest we were in massively for Keon from Souths, had a red hot crack but ultimately could not get it done. Didnt say it specfically but hinted the 5th year the Dragons offered was the breaking point. Also mentioned we only have 28/30 roster spots to fill. Also a side note, I think when you connect the dots not that it wasn't obvious we can thank BA for a lot of the duds & long term big money re-signings that Ryles has had to clean up. MON has his flaws, but based on what he said the coach has the major input and final say in what goes on around retention & recruitment around the NRL squad.
Jim Sarantinos: Followed up most of the stuff MON said and also gave an insight on the salary cap and used Dylan Browns departure as an example by saying just because someome like him left and we did not replace with a like for like replacement does not always mean we have the full value of the salary in the cap. Said in most cases when big name players depart clubs a small % of there salary goes towards topping up other players contracts and also being prepared for other re-signings required in the future. Did not say much else of note only that after he, Ryles, MON & Beach went on the UK tour late last year the club will be changing it up its game day and match day experiences in areas and bringing that English Premier League like feel to the games which will bring the crowds into the game more and be more engaged in the hope to make CommBank Stadium a daunting place for away sides to visit. Used the RD3 game v the Dogs last year as an example and the disappointment in the Eels having more fans and the Dogs being louder. Looks like fans can expect a different feel and vibe at home games at CommBank in 2026. He also mentioned the RD7 game v the Dogs this year at CommBank will be a celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the 1986 Premiership and that game will be a big event and week leading up, as well as having the 1986 Team at the Sunday 4pm Round 7 Blockbuster. He also mentioned per his discussions with the NRL the indication is we will be one of the teams going to Vegas in 2027. Nothing official yet, hoping to finalise the deal in the coming weeks.
Jason Ryles: Absolute great talker, keeps you invested and by listening to him talk you just find yourself so intrigued by his vision in what he is building and where we are going. He did follow up on a few things Mark O'Neil mentioned but nothing of note to harp about other then a question asked about debutants in 2026 he was pretty tame but fairly told fans not to put to much pressure on these kids, we have a good crop coming through and there time will come. He did give an insight on what a game week looks like for the players. Touched on Pezet and why the 1yr deal works, iterated again did not want to block pathway players but having Jonah in 2026 allows us to win now whilst these younger guys continue there development. Also said his relationship with Jonah from there time in Melbourne made the decision to bring him in for 1yr all that much easier, Jonah is very much invested despite only being around for 1yr, is a massive talker on the field & said his development from when he first met him 4yrs ago in Melbourne was very clear & evident. Very excited by the new interchange rules and believes we will be one of the sides who will benefit from it due to our depth and versatilty in our squad. Also gave Bailey Simmonson a big wrap and thinks he is in for a big year and played well in the opportunties he had last year in what was an injury plaqued year for him, believes his effort areas in the games he played last year were through the roof and is a more then capable Lomax replacement. Mentioned regarding the 1st trial 16/28 players named are pathways players, he also confirmed Tyrese Lokeni & Saxon Pryke are playing in the NSW Cup trial purely because 28 is the maximum he could select for a trial, otherwise both would be playing. He was asked about our game plan and style of play and mentioned not a lot will change in attack, we will play fast, direct with a lot of short passes and second phased play. Said the signing of Jack De Belin allows for that as does forwards in the middle such as Junior, Hopgood & Dylan Walker. Whilst he said the attack strcuture wont change much he believes it is still improving and will continue to get better, did not say too much about defence but I am led to believe that defence has been a main sole focus this off season especially on the edges and around the ruck. No injury concerns, touch wood we get through the trials ok he expects us to have the full squad available for selection in Round 1. A few niggle injuries through the pre season but the only major one was Dylan Walker who broke his hand in a freak accident attempting a tackle, but has fully recovered and back in full training, he was basic, but he put a lot of emphasis and play on words on everything he said can't help but think he is the man to lead us to the promise land. He has no expecations but wants to win now and the goal is to finish as high up the ladder as possible. He mentioned we have continued to build on right where we finished 2025 and over the pre season the improvement has once again been evident. He is a great damn coach and unless a major hiccup occurs within the club he will be the Head Coach of Parramatta for a loooong time
Overall it was a great evening, great experience and a great intiative and insight from the club. From what I heard tonight from these 4 key men within the club we are in good hands, the club is going in the right direction and we are in for a really exciting and good 2026.
Replies
So looks like the recuritment team is looking for a marquee middle forward to be specific and another outside back.
As I said in the trial team list, really hope that Smith & TDS have an injury/suspension free year otherwise ...
I think the middle is the marquee position we want yeah. Don't think we splash the cash on a marquee outside back unless one of the top outside backs in the game become available.
Yea but my main point is our dummy half position has worse depth than our outside backs espically since Smith & TDS are not 80min hookers.
Ryles expressed many times during the evening that we have a lot of good talent coming through in key positions. Wasn't asked or commented on the hooking rotation and how they will be used however he did comment many times on the verstaility of certain players in our squad and also on how this will benefit us tactially with the new interchange rule. See what happens but Ryley & TDS have remained quite durable thus far (touch wood) I think we will be fine in that area.
Yes I know the young hookers coming through the pathways but they are in Jersey Flegg and SG Ball, not even NSW Cup. T
The versatile players JR is reffering to would be Papalii and Hopgood based on the fact they played a bit of 9 last year. Hooker would be Hopgood's & Papalii's 4th best position? I don't want to be that one person complaining etc, but it is a concern for me.
What makes you think Ryley Smith is not an 80 minutes hooker, I would think with the proliferation of good young forwards we have many "potential hookers" if we need them. Ryley has probably the highest aeorobic fitness of anyone in the club, if he can't be an 80 minute hooker, who can? i.e assume if ryley was injured that TDS would player greater minutes and the extended bench gives you further options. Also using the logic that Pezit is not a running half and his defence is very good, then we may also have opportunities for him as a fill in hooker, I don't mind burning him in that sense if it fits our cause.
Question re Fletcher who seems to have had a great preseason, is he an out and out 7 or could he handle 5/8? Finally you made an observation on TCT you thought Koin would play NRL before Ryda Talalgi, he must have really impressed you?
I do not want to put too much pressure on you EA because your judgement is not final but the reality is you see these players every week, so it gives us an understanding if not a conclusion.
Papalii and Hopgood are both decent third choice hookers. Honestly, how good do you expect a third string player to be?
Mate our third string hooker is Meni Luke who plays most of the year in Ron Massey. He is barely NSW Cup level. I think we can expect a bit higher quality for a third string hooker. I am not expecting some high calbire player.
Hooker would be Hopgood's & Papalii's 4th best position? I don't want to be that one person complaining etc, but it is a concern for me. Have they even trained their during the pre-season.
Hopgood wood stand out in any position, the dummy half role is the key difference and he has more ball distribution skills than most of our forwards. It should be the least of our problems, buy a second stringer and you sacrifice the opportunities these young blokes can provide. Finally if Luke is playing Ron Massey who is being mentored in the role in CUP?
I doubt Meni Luke is our third string hooker. Papalii and Hopgood have both played there in first grade. Luke hasn't.
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