Earlier this evening, one hundred privileged Parramatta members were given a rare behind-the-scenes insights into the club’s vision at the Members Forum for 2026 and if it is anything to go by the Eels are building something really impressive. Something Special.
The panel included Jason Ryles (Head Coach), Jim Saratinos (CEO), Mark O'Neil (Head of Football) and Matthew Beach (Chairman).
While this blog won’t capture every detail shared on the night, below are the key themes discussed by each speaker.
Matthew Beach
Drawing a Line in the Sand on Lomax
Matthew Beach was the quietest of the bunch. He only really spoke when spoken to and did not get many fan questions, but he presented himself well and in a professional manner. He seems like he has a good head on his shoulders, a smart operator who knows what he is doing and looks well suited to the role he has within the club.
Like I said, he did not speak all that much, but he did not hide and was not afraid to address the elephant in the room regarding Zac Lomax. He said he could not talk or share too much as the matter is before the courts, but he stated 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.
We Won't Roll Over
He said he does not want it to be a court matter, but the club makes no apologies that it is. We will continue to fight the good fight for the club and Melbourne will have a fight on its hands. It does not sound like this will be resolved any time soon.
Mark O’Neil
Building It the Right Way: Pathways Over Panic Buying
I know there is a lot of criticism around MON. Some of it is warranted, but he also presented himself well, fronted up, answered all questions and did not back away from anything.
He said the key focus at the club right now is junior and pathway development. We have a lot of kids coming through who can lead the club into the future over the next five to seven years.
Patience on Recruitment targets: outside back and a middle
On recruitment, he said the club is actively in the market for players who fit the culture and style of play Ryles wants to build. He also stated that for every target or signing, a background check is done on the player’s character before anything is signed to ensure they are the right fit, not just in terms of playing style but culturally as well.
We are in the market for an outside back and a middle forward, but he emphasised the club’s stance on remaining patient and waiting for the right players to become available. He believes that if they are not careful and spend money just for the sake of it, when the right player comes along who fits our style and roster needs, we risk not having the funds available.
So the money is there. We are just remaining vigilant and waiting for the right player and opportunity.
Keon Koloamatangi
He also fronted up and was honest that we were heavily in for Keon from Souths and had a red hot crack at it, but ultimately could not get it done. He did not say it specifically, but it was hinted that the fifth year offered by the Dragons was the breaking point.
He mentioned we currently have 28 of 30 roster spots filled.
Jim Sarantinos
Understanding the Cap Game: It Is Not Always What It Looks Like
Jim followed up on most of what MON said and also gave insight into the salary cap. He used Dylan Brown’s departure as an example, explaining that just because someone like him leaves and we do not replace him with a like for like signing does not mean we have the full value of his salary sitting there in the cap.He said that in most cases when big name players depart, a small percentage of their salary goes towards topping up other contracts and preparing for future re signings.
Raising the Bar at Home
He also mentioned that after he, Ryles, MON and Beach went on the United Kingdom tour late last year, the club will be changing up its game day and match day experiences in certain areas. The aim is to bring more of an English Premier League feel to games and make CommBank Stadium a daunting place for away sides to visit.
He used the Round 3 game against the Bulldogs last year as an example and the disappointment of having more Eels fans there but the Bulldogs being louder.
Eyes on the Bigger Stage
He also mentioned that the Round 7 game against the Bulldogs this year at CommBank will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1986 Premiership. It will be a big event with the 1986 team present at the Sunday 4pm blockbuster.
Vegas
He said that based on discussions with the NRL, the indication is that we will likely be one of the teams heading to Las Vegas in 2027. Nothing is official yet, but they are hoping to finalise it in the coming weeks.
Markets with Untapped Potential
He did touch on last night the club is looking at areas that are untapped markets for players for the club to sign and develop and turn into NRL players. He did mention as some of the Pasifka Nations as potientally somewhere the club is looking to scout.
Jason Ryles
A Coach With a Clear Plan
Absolute great talker, keeps you invested and by listening to him talk you find yourself so intrigued by his vision in what he is building and where we are going.
Back the Kids without pressure, But Win Now
Jason Ryles was an outstanding speaker. He keeps you invested, and listening to him talk, you find yourself genuinely intrigued by his vision and what he is building.
He followed up on some of what Mark O’Neil mentioned. When asked about debutants in 2026, he was calm and measured, telling fans not to put too much pressure on the young players. We have a good crop coming through and their time will come.
He gave insight into what a game week looks like for the players. He also spoke about Jonah Pezet and why the one year deal works. He reiterated that he does not want to block pathway players, but having Jonah in 2026 allows us to win now while the younger players continue their development.
Ryles is excited by the new interchange rules and believes we will benefit due to our depth and versatility. He gave Bailey Simonsson a big wrap and believes he is in for a big year, noting that his effort areas last season were through the roof despite an injury plagued year.
Game Plans
In terms of game plan, not much changes in attack. We will play fast and direct with short passes and second phase play. Defence has been a major focus this off season, particularly around the edges and ruck.
He has no inflated expectations, but he wants to win now. The goal is to finish as high on the ladder as possible.
Unless something major goes wrong, he looks like the man to lead Parramatta for a long time.
Final Thoughts
Something Is Building. Overall, it was a great evening, a great initiative with valuable insights from the club.
From what I heard from these four key figures, we are in good hands. The club is heading in the right direction and 2026 shapes as an exciting year for Parramatta. The future looks bright.
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.
Match fitness and aeorobic are two completely different things. Go watch last year and he was out on his feet. He never played 80min from memory. His strength is how much energy he puts into his linespeed, kick pressure, etc. So it is very draining on his energy and ability to play the 80.
We do have good young forwards coming through. The dummy half in Coinakis is not ready though. He is expected to start the year in Jersey Flegg. I thought at the end of last year he would start in NSW Cup but his NRL pre-season must have suggested he is not ready for it. So it is why I am only now concerned about our hooker depth. Also suggesting Hopgood and Pezet is the famous weakening one position to strengthen the other.
I think Fletcher could handle it at 5/8 but his best position is fullback. He was actually very versatile as a schoolboy. Played fullback, centre, 5/8 and halfback from memory for the Aussieschool boy team.
I believe Koina is more well rounded than Ryda. Repeat effort, lateral movement, inside pressure, offload, breaking tackle, atheltic, passing game, etc. Perhaps Ryda will lift as it was just one game and I could be wrong.
"Match fitness and aeorobic are two completely different things"
Sorry but they are very relative, Gutho was regularly out on his feet and had the same application.
The other thing of weakening one position for another is good rhetoric but the application is that the depth we have in those areas implies you would not be weakening them, at least not any more than having a 3rd string hooker that wants to play with ambition and sit behind Smith and TDS, I would not disencourage Conanakis for the reason of spending money on a 3rd string hooker, who by the way, will not be an 80 minute player either using your rhetoric.
I am sure you could identify some of our young forwards who could be mentored into that role in Cup, with the potential to play FG if the situation arose.
"Perhaps Ryda will lift as it was just one game and I could be wrong".
I interpreted what you said as a much more overall opinion, than a one game observation, sorry I have misunderstood that.
Koina what I obersved was 3 games this year. So I mean what I said about his overall game. It was just Talagis first game this year so I was just trying to say perhaps I was too quick to make the comparison between the two.
There are plenty of forwards and I have mentioned those names through various rookie reports espicially the JF one last year.
Two different positions. Yes I should probably say that aerobic fitness and match fitness are related. But it doesnt equate to playing 80mins a game. Lot of us said when the talk about Gutho moving from fullback to 13 that Gutho wouldnt be able to handle it for big minutes a game even though he was the fittest at the clib. Massive factor is that fullback requires more aerobic fitness compare to a frontlien defenders which requires lot more physical contact, repeated effort and linespeed.
But anyway we can just agree to disagree about our dummy half depth.
Ryley Smith played 80 mins 3 times and over 70 mins twice last season.
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