In the round 23 pre-game pressor, Jason Ryles has addressed Bailey Simonsson’s current absence from the Eels, confirming the club has granted the outside back a short leave. Simonsson, contracted until the end of 2027, has been dealing with a difficult run of injuries and is now the subject of release rumours.
“Bailey is being really well supported by the club and we will make sure he is OK,” Ryles said.
“Bailey made that decision to stay away for a couple of days, which we fully supported. He’ll get himself sorted and back into training as soon as he can. [But] I’m not going to elaborate on anything I speak with the players about.”
Ryles stressed the Eels are not pushing Simonsson out and that he could return as early as next week."
“(Wanting him here has) been communicated."
"It’s been a little bit of a shock, but it’s all footy and we have to manage players as best we can."
Injury Frustrations
Simonsson has endured a brutal injury toll. An ACL tear, a foot injury, and a shoulder problem suffered in the 2022 grand final (above, Getty Images).
Since Round 14 last year, he has missed 25 of the Eels last 31 games, appearing in just six over the past fifteen months.
He returned from his ACL in Round 6 this year and played some outstanding games. But injured his foot four games later. After recovering, he was dropped following the Round 20 loss to the Raiders.
That appears to have triggered frustrations along with whatever his personal reasons or agendas and has come with alleged multiple release requests according to media reports such as News Corp.
Simonsson has spoken of his preference to play on the wing (21 of his 101 NRL games) rather than centre, but was allegedly angered when departing utility Dylan Brown was picked ahead of him in the centres.
Brown's Team-First Mentality
Ryles heaped praise on Dylan's behind the scenes attitude:
“It’s exciting for him [the recall into the starting team]. He has been training hard. He has maintained a good attitude in and around the place."
“I said if circumstances and anything like that changed we would more than happily bring Dylan in. Things changed and an opportunity came up We found a spot for him"
“He has been really good in and around the group the whole time. He has a great attitude and team first mentality.”
Brown, who had the option to leave mid-season chose to stay. And he has willingly filled multiple roles for Ryles. Hooker, five-eighth, and now likely centre. All without complaint.
That's in stark contrast to Simonsson. And it's a sharp turn from what Simonsson said after signing a contract extension in August last year:
“I love this club and everybody involved in it. I feel at home here, so it was an easy decision for me to stay… I’m very grateful to the club for sticking by me through my injury and I’m keen to give back to them and our fans with my performances over the next three years.”
Ironic. One signed to leave but stayed. The other signed to stay, but now appears to want out. One taking the harder road, despite appearing all-out. The other the easier road, despite appearing all-in. For Dylan, the road ahead is clear. Not so for Simonsson. But Ryles, Jim and the club aren't afraid of letting players go of anyone not fully on the bus. Stay tuned.
Replies
Longfin, Brown seems to genuinely cares for our club, and was torn despite the ridiculous Knights' offer.
He could've left early. The door was wide open with a red ribbon. The fact he wanted to stay and accept whatever consequences there were, speaks volumes. I get why Ryles respects him.
He's given us eight years at NRL level and years before that as a teenager. He may never reach his potential for whatever reasons, but I wish him all the best, honestly.
For me, the key question here is whether Brown chose to stay past June because he'd lose half a years salary or whether he chose to stay to honour his commitments.
Was Brown offered a full payout at June? If so, good on him. Impressive for a young kid.
If you'd have red around here what some have thought of Brown over the given months they'd have run him over with a bus 10 times and not pushed the horn to give him warning once.You'd also never ever have heard the word loyalty used.You'd very rarely here that Brown cares for the club that recruited him as a teenager.These been a very poor and negative narrative around brown since he signed his mega deal.
Coryn, haha. Yeah, probably a fully-loaded concrete truck.
Funny thing is, freedom of speech and all that jazz, significant portions of our own site (and even our mates) are more negative about this club than the entire rugby league world. The Devil's Advocate wanting to blow up Dante's Inferno in the hell realms. I've been just as guilty as anyone, truth be told. But we start attracting our own traumas and frustrations, and the cycle feeds itself like an echo chamber of confirmation bias. The truth isn't always as black and white.
Often, we're worse than James Hooper, putting aside any of his personal woes. He gave us stick for years, but even he has been giving us props lately. He's looked under the bonnet and put his human hat on.
100% the last paragraph nails it and with those guys especially they say they have sources but they remain undisclosed and there's no consequence.
Never understood the taking personal shots at players it almost as though when they are at fault like anyone else some think they do it on purpose.
Freedom of speech mate I do wonder sometimes.
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