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
Wizzy, Let’s not go off the reservation, naively. Elite sportspeople have egos. We all do.
Bollocks, a 22yo can’t. Pezet will be 23 soon. Sam Walker debuted at half at 19, full-time for the Roosters (21 games debut year, after Keary's injury). Keary didn't play with him that year, so we can cross that off as an "excuse", because it's fictional.
My understanding is he wants to be a half — to became that General and organizer that his kicking game suits. He has said on the record he feels he is ready to be a seven at NRL.
Why in the heck do you think he had a PO get out clause to get out of Storm long-term contract as soon as Hughes, their seven, re-signed?
He's already had a taste of NRL on-off 2023-25. He's already waited for years. But he doesn’t want to wait for another four years behind a Moses or Hughes. Yes, Call it ego. Nature’s calling. The Call of the Wild.
He had the clause so he could play NRL . I think we are getting carried away suggesting he wants his very own team and that's the be all and end all of why he chose Brisbane.
So if something happens and Brisbane sign an experienced player to partner him and be the senior half , for 2027 , you're saying he'll want out and seek a release ?
It's both. Blind Freddy can see that. He wants to play NRL. But he's already waited in the wings for 3yrs at NRL level at the Storm. 23 next year, It's utterly naive to assume he's going to wait another 4yrs to get a shot at his dream: at seven. He literally said he's ready to play "seven" at NRL. That's what he wants. His game is more suited to that. His PO activated in relation to Hughes (7) immediately speaks to that. Anasta will protect his interests at all times.
Comparing Moses and Reynolds, though, is comparing apples and oranges. Realistically.
Moses
Reynolds
If Reynolds didn't want to play ball, maybe the Broncos could go for an agreeable Luke Keary type: I'll be Robin, helping you become our Batman.
PS: I was initially hoping Pezet might be prepared to play six under Moses for years, and be seven cover, maybe even try your idea (which is doomed to fail) but all that was completely unrealistic and naive.
If we offered just as good money and the same duration......it says a lot for this so called "Strong Relationship" he has with JR....the media has to stop saying that..........still cant stomach this deal ...Ryles there is only so many ways to polish a turd....and this deal is a big one ...
I wonder if Ryles and Canasta were not mates if we'd still have agreed to take on Anastas player to condition for him. I bet Braith wouldn't have been too happy with him sitting in NSW cup until his Brisbane deal was ready .
That Van out the front of the Com Bank Stadium, you changed the plates, that's your community service van is it not Wiz? surely your not going after Pezet's game consoles...... Are the Police and Interpol still looking for you?
He changed his username recently. That meant NSW police had to give up the search. So many wasted hours....Oh well, DonutTime!
I wonder the same thing wiz, and I get it. Everyone likes to throw a bone to a good mate if they can.
Can anyone tell me if Hawkins, Dan Keir, Hands and Grieg are top 30 players? Pretty sure they all were no? Maybe not Keir??
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