Well this could be assisted by the possible appointment of Mike Rush. Apparently Ryles and Rush are close. To the point where Ryles walked from Saints because he wanted Rush as CEO and they said no.
So hiring Rush is that safety blanket for Ryles. Thing we don't want is a Benji issue where come 27-28' the results aren't good and he's signed til like 2030 and can't sack him.
Is it good for Parra? Sure as having a coach under contract and taking away pressure is good for the club. But did we need to do it right now? Not so sure.
Good move, 100% this guy can coach. Shittest roster in the comp and we've competed with the best of them. Just wait till 2028 when we have a decent team
How have the Eels "competed with the best of them" when during Ryles' two years at the helm the Eels have finished:
- 2025: 42% win rate, 10th ranked defense
- 2026: 37% win rate, 15th ranked defense
The Eels have literally went backwards and been out of contention early each season. Note this record does not establish Ryles "can't coach", but it does establish that we have yet to see promise turn into sustained competitiveness. Hence any early renewal remains a risky call.
Parrafan101 > Prof. DazSeptember 27, 2026 at 12:06pm
Maybe because we had no players to even compete for something in 26. At least for 27 we have some decent players coming could help and others coming back from injury. Also let's not forget how poor our front office has been, they gave Ryles not opportunity to level the playing field they bought him fk all and the results we have now is better than what the team should actually be. The squad he had this and last should be in wooden spoon not winning 9-10 games.
Prof. Daz > Parrafan101September 27, 2026 at 12:18pm
Parrafan, I agree the Eels' injury list in 2026 - and note the Eels had the worst missed-game tally due to injuries of all teams in 2026 - MUST factor in to assessing both the team and Ryles. That said, the Eels were still inconsistent week-to-week, during periods in games, and consistently had players not doing their role in the defensive line. That's a coaching concern?
Regardless of what issue, we still only have "promise". That's it. If Ryles is extended I actually don't believe it's down to watching the team perform and going "awesome signs there, lock this guy up". I think it would be more down to the need to build the team and wanting the stability of coaching certainty to do it. I don't disagree with that philosophy. But it's probably what discussion should be about? It just seems pointless to try to locate cause for extension in "performance washing" the team 2025-26? The Eels were also-rans. Every now and then they pulled rabbits out of hats but occasional flashes don't make for finals solid teams. But it DOES make sense to ask, if the Eels are getting 'remade', is that best helped by long term stability of coaching or by coach going into 2027 and certainly 2028 under immediate pressure? Not an expert but my gut tells me long term stability is better
The irony, BEM, will be that if Ryles turns things around in 2027, all the critics of mgmt will have to eat some humble pie because the mgmt they want gone made the call?! Of course if Ryles does not turn things around, those same critics - some of whom have already supported an extension - will probably blame "the previous administration" (classic MAGA move LOL).
Bem this is Parramatta we are talking about, we have a board who answer to nobody and who have zero idea how to make Parramatta a attractive club for players to join .
The fact this board still have MON at the club highlights their uselessness , when Peter O'Sullivan was a free agent the eels board and CEO were interviewing a bum on Jason Dermitrou for head coaching job.
A proper board would of made Peter O'Sullivan their major priority . The Roosters, Dolphins and knights made it to the preliminary finals this year with Peter O'Sullivan playing a huge role , but our board literally have zero idea which is why we are a two bit club .
This board wasted their time interviewing Jason Dermitrou for head coaching role , that's like BP interviewing Steve Sharp for the CEO position, the board have zero standards for the club and we miles and miles of proof .
Put Wayne Bennett in control and not much changes. I'm glad the club are giving Ryles a chance, but they need to back that up with a strong roster in order to have any chance of success.
Not unhappy about this. If they think he has started the journey he outlined in his job application then they need to give him the time and ammo to at least give it a red hot go.
If he fails to get there by the end of this extension then he gets the boot.
"Smart decision, he needs to feel comfortable to get the best out of this roster. Looks like they have big plans to get some players in for 2028. Those players want to know who their coach will be in order to sign. Someone like Best won't sign if…"
Replies
Well this could be assisted by the possible appointment of Mike Rush. Apparently Ryles and Rush are close. To the point where Ryles walked from Saints because he wanted Rush as CEO and they said no.
So hiring Rush is that safety blanket for Ryles. Thing we don't want is a Benji issue where come 27-28' the results aren't good and he's signed til like 2030 and can't sack him.
Is it good for Parra? Sure as having a coach under contract and taking away pressure is good for the club. But did we need to do it right now? Not so sure.
Good move, 100% this guy can coach. Shittest roster in the comp and we've competed with the best of them. Just wait till 2028 when we have a decent team
How have the Eels "competed with the best of them" when during Ryles' two years at the helm the Eels have finished:
- 2025: 42% win rate, 10th ranked defense
- 2026: 37% win rate, 15th ranked defense
The Eels have literally went backwards and been out of contention early each season. Note this record does not establish Ryles "can't coach", but it does establish that we have yet to see promise turn into sustained competitiveness. Hence any early renewal remains a risky call.
Maybe because we had no players to even compete for something in 26. At least for 27 we have some decent players coming could help and others coming back from injury. Also let's not forget how poor our front office has been, they gave Ryles not opportunity to level the playing field they bought him fk all and the results we have now is better than what the team should actually be. The squad he had this and last should be in wooden spoon not winning 9-10 games.
Parrafan, I agree the Eels' injury list in 2026 - and note the Eels had the worst missed-game tally due to injuries of all teams in 2026 - MUST factor in to assessing both the team and Ryles. That said, the Eels were still inconsistent week-to-week, during periods in games, and consistently had players not doing their role in the defensive line. That's a coaching concern?
Regardless of what issue, we still only have "promise". That's it. If Ryles is extended I actually don't believe it's down to watching the team perform and going "awesome signs there, lock this guy up". I think it would be more down to the need to build the team and wanting the stability of coaching certainty to do it. I don't disagree with that philosophy. But it's probably what discussion should be about? It just seems pointless to try to locate cause for extension in "performance washing" the team 2025-26? The Eels were also-rans. Every now and then they pulled rabbits out of hats but occasional flashes don't make for finals solid teams. But it DOES make sense to ask, if the Eels are getting 'remade', is that best helped by long term stability of coaching or by coach going into 2027 and certainly 2028 under immediate pressure? Not an expert but my gut tells me long term stability is better
So 11th place last year and dropping to 13th place this year warrants a contract extension?
Ok.
So if we finish below 13th next year, does Ryles get a 10 year extension?
Did they not learn from BA who they said was the one to deliver us the title.
The irony, BEM, will be that if Ryles turns things around in 2027, all the critics of mgmt will have to eat some humble pie because the mgmt they want gone made the call?! Of course if Ryles does not turn things around, those same critics - some of whom have already supported an extension - will probably blame "the previous administration" (classic MAGA move LOL).
Bem this is Parramatta we are talking about, we have a board who answer to nobody and who have zero idea how to make Parramatta a attractive club for players to join .
The fact this board still have MON at the club highlights their uselessness , when Peter O'Sullivan was a free agent the eels board and CEO were interviewing a bum on Jason Dermitrou for head coaching job.
A proper board would of made Peter O'Sullivan their major priority . The Roosters, Dolphins and knights made it to the preliminary finals this year with Peter O'Sullivan playing a huge role , but our board literally have zero idea which is why we are a two bit club .
This board wasted their time interviewing Jason Dermitrou for head coaching role , that's like BP interviewing Steve Sharp for the CEO position, the board have zero standards for the club and we miles and miles of proof .
Put Wayne Bennett in control and not much changes. I'm glad the club are giving Ryles a chance, but they need to back that up with a strong roster in order to have any chance of success.
Not unhappy about this. If they think he has started the journey he outlined in his job application then they need to give him the time and ammo to at least give it a red hot go.
If he fails to get there by the end of this extension then he gets the boot.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next