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 told Fox Sport.
“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. 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 frustration, with suggest he has since requested multiple releases according to media reports.
Simonsson has spoken of his preference to play on the wing (21 of his 101 NRL games) rather than centre, but was angered when departing utility Dylan Brown was picked ahead of him in the centres this week according to News Corp.
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.
Replies
Bailey won't play another game for this club. I think Ryles will welcome another spot being created and Bailey is just a fringe player imo. His ceiling was reached at Canberra
I reckon he could've gone on to be a Lomax style player if he wasn't always injured. Can't see that situation changing, his best is behind him.
Alot were saying pretty much the same about DB also so you never no.
It seems a lot of the stories you read or hear in the media are 99.9% false and misleading regarding Eels players
Nice blog. Your last sentence sums it up perfectly. At this point in time, it's a no-brainer putting dylan at centre.