Sarantinos and O’Neill have to be held accountable for where this club currently sits. This isn’t about emotion—it’s about sustained poor decision-making in roster construction and contract management.
Over multiple seasons, the club has misallocated cap space, overcommitted to the wrong players, and failed to identify or secure genuine NRL-calibre talent. The volume of questionable contracts alone points to a deeper issue in recruitment strategy and long-term planning. When you consistently fill your top 30 with players who project as depth rather than difference-makers, the outcome we’re seeing now becomes inevitable.
What makes this more concerning is the advantage this club should have. With one of the strongest junior pathways in the competition and significant resources at its disposal, there is no structural reason to be in this position. Yet the roster Jason Ryles has inherited lacks balance, impact, and forward dominance. To his credit, there were signs of improvement late in 2025, but no coach can consistently succeed when the forward pack is being beaten week after week. Performance starts in the middle, and right now, that platform simply isn’t there.
The contrast with the work of Shane Richardson is stark. At the Tigers, there has been a clear strategy: identify emerging talent, recruit with intent, and add experienced leaders to stabilise the squad. The result is a roster that is trending upward and competing regularly. That’s what decisive and competent football management looks like.
By comparison, O’Neill’s tenure has been defined by costly missteps. The handling of the Dylan Brown contract, the three-year commitment to Ryan Matterson despite known durability and consistency concerns, and the failure to lock in key performers before they hit the open market all reflect a lack of foresight. These are not isolated errors—they indicate systemic issues in how the roster has been managed.
Now, as the CEO, Sarantinos carries the responsibility of setting standards and correcting course. However, the reality is he has inherited—and contributed to—a roster that lacks depth, has limited development pressure from below, and is overly reliant on players who would struggle to command spots in stronger systems.
At some point, accountability has to translate into action. This club should be operating with best-in-class recruitment, retention, and development. Right now, it isn’t. Until that changes at an administrative level, expecting Jason Ryles to turn this around on coaching alone is unrealistic.
Its time for Sarantinos to front the media and face the tough questions. Are they going to make Ryles the next scapegoat for their inept management? Im betting they will, whilst they keep their high paying jobs. Both can f off now
Replies
Singing Sua is a good start but need 3-4 more nrl players. An actual 6 for Moses some outside backs and a middle
Signing Sua isn't going to get the Eels out of the sewer
I see what you did there
He's a good buy but yes. Need 3-4 more on top of it. Don't stop at 1 🤣
I don't want to go on tilt here but we also have to look at the Sua signing - we got him from the Dragons, the only club doing worse than us when their coach and squad are shocking.
Sua is a good player, and a good signing. But it's hardly front page news. If this is what we class as "the best of MON" that's a pretty poor resume.
I feel like we're all excited about Sia because our expectations are so low.
Exactly right!
YES YES and YES
We've let go/lost RCG, Dylan Brown, Gutho, Sivo and Lane. All of which were on significant money. 3.5 million worth of talent. Who the fuck have we actually signed?
Add Ofahangua, bryce cartwright, zac lomax
Reserve graders and unwanted players. One of those reserve graders has real potential....Iongi.
Yet we still need to pay them huge money to comply with the cap rules.
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