Ryles is doing fine with a half-priced roster

Ryles Winning with a $6 Million Roster

Jason Ryles is doing a phenomenal job at the helm of the Eels — and when you break it down, he’s doing it with a roster that’s worth just $6 million out of an $11.5 million salary cap.

That’s nearly half the value of many of our opponents.

Here’s a rough breakdown of the current squad he's working with

Iongi – $450k
Addo-Carr – $450k
Penasini – $550k
Russell – $280k
Lomax – $600k
Papalii – $180k
(Footy Dean) – $200k
Junior Paulo – $850k
Ryley – $170k
Williams – $460k
Kautoga – $200k
Tuilagi – $375k
Hopgood – $400k
Walker – $400k
Doorey – $300k
Lussick – $300k
Guymer – $300k

That’s approximately $6 million – and that might even be generous in a few cases.

Yet despite being undermanned on paper, Ryles' Eels have not only held their own, they've beaten the Dragons, Titans, Tigers, Manly, and Newcastle. They’ve also gone down narrowly to quality sides like the Sharks, Dolphins, Bulldogs, and Panthers — all in the last 10 rounds as the team adapts to Ryles' systems.

It’s clear: the coaching staff Ryles has assembled is doing a good job. With a full-strength roster and the cap space to build the squad he truly wants, look out. Parramatta is in seriously good hands.

Also, if we can get jag a win against the Dragons this Saturday then another 2 points with the bye up next, we'll have a host of players coming back from injury and suspension including

Moses, Sam Tuivaiti, Moretti, Bailey Simonsson, Ritchie penasini, Ryley Smith most of them due back after the bye.

A run for the 8 is not out of the question

"Awesome... love to see them operate like Drew and PJ used to. 20 min stints, always a fresh DH on the field and one can go longer if we get an injury in the forwards while the other covers the injury. A middle, an edge and ideally someone who can…"

Replies

Eli Stephens June 23, 2025 at 8:34pm

Lot of these cheaper contracts are going to be needed to be upgraded so that will take up some of the cap. Iongi Kautago Ryley smith need upgrades for sure. But we should still have money for a few signings
Frank The Tank June 23, 2025 at 8:34pm

Yeah I love the style of play we are seeing from this Parra team. It's entertaining to watch and a breath of fresh air compared to Parra of the past few years.

I think there are a lot of diamonds amongst this group of players, namely Iongi, Williams and Smith.

And I'll add, if we aren't yet, we need to be locking Iongi up long term - and by long term I mean min 4 years before his asking price explodes.
- Eelovution > Frank The Tank June 24, 2025 at 8:50am
  
  Frank the Tank, So right about locking up Iongi for 4 years+. In some ways he reminds me of Tedesco when her first started. Will be a much better full-back than Gutho ever was.
- Parrafan101 > Frank The Tank June 24, 2025 at 12:10pm
  
  Our juniors system is stacked with diamonds atm.
  - Perpetual Motion > Parrafan101 June 24, 2025 at 11:37pm
    
    True.Lorenzo Talataina could be anything but prob 2 years off.
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin June 23, 2025 at 8:41pm

One thing I wouldn't mind that we should be looking to extend Iongi past 2027. Id be hoping we start negotiations asap, and lock him in until 2030 at least

.
- Poppa > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin June 23, 2025 at 8:49pm
  
  Good luck trying to get the price right.
- Uncle Wizardssleeve- Indigenous Elder-Freemason Hunter -He/Him > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin June 23, 2025 at 8:56pm
  
  I'd say that'd have to be on the cards . Another few months and we may very well be finding ourselves in another Galvin situation .
Aracom June 23, 2025 at 9:22pm

These low standards are the reason we will never will a premiership.
We are a C+ club at best. We do nothing but fill in the numbers
- Uncle Wizardssleeve- Indigenous Elder-Freemason Hunter -He/Him > Aracom June 23, 2025 at 9:33pm
  
  Agree.