New Parramatta coach Jason Ryles is on the verge of securing a significant signing after agreeing terms with Sharks forward Jack Williams from next season.
Ryles has been in negotiations with Williams for several weeks and on Tuesday managed to land his man, agreeing to a three-year deal that will see Williams join the Eels until at least the end of 2027.
Williams is expected to push for a starting position next year following the release of former prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard from the final year of his deal. His strengths suit the style of football Ryles wants the Eels to play in 2025.
The Sharks wanted to keep Williams but salary cap restraints, and a surfeit of forward talent at their disposal, restricted their spending capacity and limited his pathway.
The 28-year-old has played 124 games since debuting for the Sharks in 2018 and came off the bench in Cronulla’s preliminary final loss to Penrith last weekend.
The Eels have also signed South Sydney Dean Hawkins as a back-up play-making option and are in discussions with Bulldogs outside back Josh Papalii.
Replies
He is a good signing. Constant 17 player and automatic selection. He is better than most of what we have. He can play Prop, Second-Row and Lock. Just a goer and gets through a lot of work but unlike say Kobe Hetherington, has a bit of power about him. If you asked him to play a full 80 at Prop, he could do it easily.
He is not Matt Doorey who is a developmental player, Williams has played 124 NRL games.
17 worthy
Lovely. Thank you Joel and LB.
I am very curious on how Joash Papali'i fits into everything. He is a Fullback mainly. Unless they see him as a Winger or back-up Five-Eighth.
Just watched Joash highlights which was mainly in the Fullback position, looks like he can definitely handle 5/8 - great step, speed and a nice passing game -more importantly he has really good footy instincts. I'd be be really surprised if the bulldogs let him look for other opportunities
Could just be backline depth able to cover if a winger or iongi goes down, competition for spots as well
Good tough player suits the current state of play and can play different positions well done Parra
Don't know muc of him but he's played over 100 games so he has experience and if he fits inside the 17 all the better. We need worker types and not sure if he is that - what's interesting is how Ryles will try and play Lane and or Matterson as we will miss RCG punch and strength.
He has 94% tackle efficiency so great defender.
Cheapish replacement for RCG and more mobile/versatile by the sounds of things.
Good, solid signing and NOT a Manly reserve grader.
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