Eels Blogs

Rylsey's Staff clean out continues

Posted by Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin on September 30, 2026 at 6:48pm

Peter Badel

BEARS BUILDING STAFF

Perth have continued to build a strong support staff around coach Mal Meninga by securing experienced coach James Shepherd to be one of Meninga’s assistants.

Shepherd, who played first grade for the Roosters in the 1990s, joins the Bears from Parramatta, and will be an assistant NRL coach.

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LB September 30, 2026 at 6:51pm

Makes me wonder if the rumours around Brown were him moving into that role?
- Yehez > LB September 30, 2026 at 7:12pm
  
  It's the role he had in 2024 and before no? Won't mind Brown returning there and we get a different assistant.
  - LB > Yehez September 30, 2026 at 7:43pm
    
    Brown came in 2022 for an investigation and then Shepherd took over form 2023 I believe.
    - Yehez > LB September 30, 2026 at 8:06pm
      
      ah cheers.
      - LB > Yehez September 30, 2026 at 8:29pm
        
        I could be off on minor details. I know Brown did the investigation and found nepotism, that was 2022. Then he suggested the hiring of Jim Shepherd.
        
        The Captain > LB October 1, 2026 at 7:46am
        
        Yeah Brown came in in 2022 to do the review, findings were released before the season ended (right before finals from memory - I remember it was shocking timing).
        
        He stuck around on the books for the best part of a year and then left end of 2023 season to go live in Qld.
        
        Brown is an experienced head, I wouldn't mind him back in the setup in some capacity.
        
        LB > The Captain October 1, 2026 at 8:28am
        
        I would actually like him going back to work with pathways. Perhaps helping younger coaches and being involved that way. It would be a good link between NRL and pathways as Brown and Ryles get on well.
        
        So having Brown being head of pathways and say bring in Jason Taylor to be assistant, that is a nice balance.
        
        Poppa > LB October 1, 2026 at 10:41am
        
        Chiefy do you think your heading for this blog could be a little misleading?
        
        i.e.
        
        Rylsey's Staff clean out continues .....how about Perth takes another one of our staff.....poor bastards?
        
        Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin > Poppa October 1, 2026 at 10:52am
        
        According to Ploppa, anyone that is tied to parramatta's management and has parted ways with the club, has done so on his own account.
        
        According to pops the club tried venomously to keep these people at the club, but they chose to leave anyway lol 😂😂😂
        
        SuperEel 22 > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin October 1, 2026 at 11:47am
        
        Chief, your title is misleading though. The part of the article you have posted doesn't say anywhere that he was sacked or dismissed, rather that the Bears recruited him.