Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has described the signing of Jonah Pezet on a one-year deal as the “perfect storm”, an arrangement he believes will benefit all parties. The Eels on Wednesday officially announced they had secured Pezet for 2026, before he joins Brisbane the following year on a long-term deal to replace veteran halfback Adam Reynolds. Pezet, stuck behind the established Melbourne halves pairing of Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes, became a free agent after the latter signed a contract extension.
Parramatta’s decision to sign Pezet for only one season has divided blue-and-gold fans, with some believing they are developing a player for another club’s benefit.
Speaking for the first time about the unusual situation – that will result in Pezet playing for three clubs in as many years – Ryles said he felt it was a positive outcome for all parties.
“It just happened through circumstance really; he made himself a free agent and we saw a bit of a gap there with our depth,” Ryles said on Wednesday.
“[Back-up halfback] Dean Hawkins had made it pretty clear that he was keen to potentially move on if he could do something bigger and better, and we understood that. It was a bit of a perfect storm in that regard. That’s how it all happened, it wasn’t planned or perfect, but it ended up like that. Everyone benefits out of it.”
Ryles has a strong relationship with Pezet from their time together at the Storm and the pair were keen to reunite.
“I get on with everyone, obviously, but there’s one or two you always sort of gravitate to,” Ryles explained. “For whatever reason we did, and we just have that relationship there. We spoke in and around it, never thinking that anything like this would ever come up, and I wouldn’t do that to the Storm either. It was more just we had that relationship.”
Pezet has made only 18 NRL appearances since making his debut three years ago, but will get the chance to add to that tally alongside halves partner Mitchell Moses.
“He’s done a lot of hours of training and he spent a lot of time on the field and in [State] Cup, and had those [NRL] games as well,” Ryles said.
“His kicking game is one of his strengths and he’s a really good organiser. He understands the game and will compliment Mitchell really well. Joash [Papalii] is going to learn a lot off him and hopefully we can develop them both together. Jonah will benefit from Mitchell and Joash will benefit from Mitchell. We’ll just let them fight it out in the preseason.”
Parramatta have some of the best junior halves in the game already in their system. Lincoln Fletcher and Lorenzo Talataina are earmarked as likely successors to Pezet, but the club also has Talen Risati and Te Hurinui Twidle as options.
“It benefits everyone and it benefits the guys coming through,” Ryles said.
“The pathway that Jonah has chosen to take is a pretty good way to do it. He’s taken his time and making sure he gets the reps in because it’s a hard position to play, especially at NRL level, both physically and mentally. He’s given himself plenty of time to develop it and then this is just another part of his journey.”
Asked about the prospects of Fletcher and Talataina, Ryles said: “They’re obviously good young talents. They got us to the final of SG Ball, there’s no fluke in that, they were a big influence on that. They’ve got a long way to go in regards to seeing if they can make the NRL, but they’re certainly giving themselves every opportunity. It’s just going to be good for their development.
“I’m not going to say [their progression] is going to be a black-and-white strategy for us, but ideally we want to maximise what we’ve got in our pathways for us. This allowed us to do it, we want to continue to do that wherever we can.”
Ryles recently returned from a study tour of the UK alongside chairman Matthew Beach, CEO Jim Sarantinos and general manager of football Mark O’Neill. Highlights included spending time at EPL clubs Chelsea and Manchester United and rugby clubs Saracens and Bath.
“Obviously everyone does the PD [personal development] tours at the end of the year and everyone gets little bits out of them,” Ryles said.
“We got gold nuggets for us, but I reckon the most beneficial thing was [the four Eels officials] got to spend a week together. We got to do a little bit of planning for the club for the future and obviously get to know each other a little bit better. Whilst the PD was really good and high level, that was just as beneficial.”
Replies
So you'd prefer to sacrifice the 2026 season because you don't like the donkeys. That's a great strategical move Coryn. Im glad you're nowhere near recruitment & retention champion.
I've made my point quiet clear of where this teams headed and when it'll be competitive and next year I don't thinks our year.We are still having trouble attracting top tier talent to our club we are seemingly all in on our juniors which is fine but I wish they'd look wider been on that for years but whatever.
How many years have I been saying that the front office is the issue at this farken club there farken garbage.Like I mention if this team loses Lomax and Brown in the space of months and don't replace them with reciprocal or better talent how is your worried about me being anywhere near the R and R side ffs I know for a fact those 2 would have been locked for the duration of there contracts I know that.
Yet your worried about letting me near R and R don't make me laugh I couldn't be worse than these jokers running this club.There Jokers go and compare it top a top tier club and compare them to this 🎪
Interesting way to look at it. Does that mean we are looking that way at others with no contract with us past this year, ie
Dylan Walker
Junior Paulo
Josh Addo Carr
Ryan Matterson
and the other 4 or 5
i also look at like this:
But they were not "developed"....they were underdone and needed repetitive first grade. We gave that to them and we reap the benefits in 26. We give it to Pezet and unless he has a blinder in 26 we get nought
I see your point.
We need all the mentioned to step foward to remain competitive any second year syndrome then we fall back to the pack.
Me we are a system first side over talent if our players and depth who step in can replicate and become automated in what we do ala the Melbourne Storm I think for me that's our way foward next year over the addition of talent.
and I wouldn't call 1yr a "stint"...maybe a "stunt" or a "layover" but not a stint
If that is the case then i am better about it. It makes sense.
So much for 'Ryles relationship with Pezet'. Bro couldn't convince the kid to sign a long term deal with the club. I would have told Pezet to fck off and go find another transit lounge to develop his game.
Hope Joash kills it in the off season and gives Ryles no choice but to pick him in the no.6
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