Eels Blogs

In his brief first grade coaching career, Jason Ryles has made a habit of making the tough calls while backing his troops to get the job done.

He kicked off his stint by allowing club captain and NRL veterans Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard to sign longer deals elsewhere, putting his faith in the next generation.

In round one he looked to rookies in Ryley Smith and Sam Tuivaiti, calling them off the bench for their debuts. As soon as Smith showed he was up to the rigours of the NRL, he was handed the starting job.

His faith in Kitione Kautoga was repaid as the rough and raw Fijian backrower began developing into a threatening edge forward before an untimley (and illegal) injury, while Charlie Guymer has gone from bench forward to staking his own claim in the back row.

Likewise Luca Moretti has put his own case forward to be a regular in the forward pack.

But perhaps the best example of Ryles backing his instincts and his players has been the selection of Joash Papalii. The livewire fullback received his debut off the bench to slot into the backline after a mid-game concussion for Will Penisini.

Since then Ryles hasn't shied away from picking the youngster on the bench, at five-eighth and now at fullback.

Throughout the season Ryles has repeated the need for patience as the young Eels get used to the rigours of week-to-week NRL, but has also clearly set standards and a need for every player to "play for the badge".

This has been no more demonstrated than his handling of Dylan Brown's decision to join Newcastle. Relegated from the side when Ryles deemed it time to assess his longer term 5/8 options, injuries have again hit the Eels back line. Brown maintained he wanted to finish the season with the Eels and has played at hooker and now at centre without complaint. At the basis of those decisions were Brown's willingness to change positions and continue to represent the club that give him a chance as a teenager.

Contrasting that was the reported decision from Bailey Simonsson to request a release when selection decisions went against him. It's hard to see a way back for him when his conduct has been in direct contradiction to the "playing for the badge" ethos Ryles is looking for.

Ryles has constantly backed his decisions and by extension his players to rise to the occasion and perform when called upon.

At the centre of this change in attitude or the "Kaizen" as HoE has mentioned previously, is the buy in from the senior players, particularly Mitchell Moses, who extended his contract to virtually the end of his career in early 2025 and whose presence on the field lifts his teammates while he demands a higher level of play.

We've seen more experienced coaches hesitant to truly commit to a new generation of player, preferring to stick with what they know. 

But what is known in rugby league is that if you're standing still, you're going backwards fast.

Ryles wants players that are on the bus. No, not Ivan Cleary's Tigers bus, but Jack Gibson's bus.