Ladies and Gentleman,
To clarify R&R decision-making that has been a recent topic on our site.
Last October, our CEO Jim Sarantinos was kind enough to give us his time when he explained our club's philosophy.
"The roster always has been, always will be and always should be the coach's roster...It's Jason's team."
"No player joins the roster without the coach’s sign off and no one leaves the roster without the coach’s sign off."
"The coach sets the strategy, then the Coach, GM Football and Head of Recruitment then work together to secure the talent. The CEO and Chair are a sounding board," Jim added.
Sure, it wouldn't be a linear process. For example, the likes of Jack Williams and Isaiah Iongi had long been on our radar, before Jason Ryles was here, but it was Ryles who approved them.
In short: if Ryles isn’t convinced, no roster changes happen. Near fits aren't enough. He's the Coach, final R&R decision-maker, selector, our culture and roster architect in one. He’s our Alex Ferguson. Let's hope he channels some of his success too.
Replies
I don't know what I expected from Ryles as a rookie, but his approach to the media and how he handles himself has been great. I kind of expected an angry front rower who wouldn't talk much or be as switched on. He was obviously the best candidate available from what we've seen so far, imagine if we ended up with Wayneo and his team of 35 year olds south's has going 😂
His approach has been first class. However 2026 needs to be a top 8 finish. Then I will consider him a quality NRL coach. At the moment the jury is out 2025 been a year of change.. next year is a very different story . As fans celebrating one of the worst records in the league next year he, the team and the Parramatta Eels Football Club at least owes the fans that.
In terms of suspensions , injuries and letting go of players during off season and mid season it has been one of our worst and we are currently 13 and favourable final rounds should have us higher
given our improvement in play over the course of the year ... but feel he is already quality
When you factor all that in we should be dead last, but since probably round 9/10ish the team has been in every game till the death. Coaching ✔️
Ryles needs to ignore the long drought at the club. He has no responsibility on where the club has been, but he can certainly control where it is going. I'd rather Ryles build the team and culture correctly for sustained success than for an easy, hollow, short term victory.
Ryles is the goat 🐐. Ive said it from day 1
I love ryles. He will take us to a premership
When Ryles was first annouced, I wasn;t happy. Rookie coach meh... As soon as I watched the first interview he did on ParraTV, I was convinced we had the right bloke in charge. Culture and Community impressed me straight up. He has moved away from old attacking and defensive structures from day dot, and yes, it's taken some time to emmbed these massive changes, but we are starting to see a difference. The youth he has blooded, the old player moved on, brav for a Rookie to do, but we have unearthed some great young players. I never thought we would be contenders, or even close that this year, but after every game, I ask myself 'were we better than last week'. And most times I have been able to say 'Yes'. I believe that we will challenge for a top 8 spot next year (Without a shit ton of injuries to key player I hope) but we are a club on the way up with a Rookie coach I had very different ideas about to what I have now some 10 months later. Go those Eels, and smash those Bunnies.
I thought Brian Smith was our Alex Fergusson.
Jack Gibson was our Vince Lombardi.
I think for now, I don't mind Ryles setting the standards and process as our R&R team seems, well, underdone a bit.
But long term we have to get that part right as we don't want our structures to go to bits the moment Ryles leaves, and he will leave at some point.