Is that Holbrook, I mean what he has done there, he was in the mix at the eels....
Look, I like ryles, and think he will succeed at the eels, but can't help thinking what could have been if we had got him.
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Holbrook was only one piece of the Knights puzzle - and yes AOB was a terrible coach.
But look at what really happened to their squad. They did smart recruitment in a BA-style approach (no nonsense forwards and utilities who would work hard to get the job done), and they promoted talented juniors. They also got Dylan Brown who will only make this side even better when he's on the park.
Who was the architect of this squad? Peter Parr and Peter O'Sullivan. Surprise, surprise. You've got a CEO with massive footy experience and runs on the board, and probably the best R&R squad manager of recent history.
Get the best, and you can become the best. It's not a hard equation. Holbrook is a competent and experienced coach and he was the last piece of the puzzle - Experienced CEO, GM R&R and Head Coach = success.
Don't forget Danny Buderus and Gidley whove been behind the scenes campaigning for these appointments too mate over the past years . A guy who's as Newcastle as it gets , ensuring they get people equally as passionate. Holbrook has hardly missed a Newcastle old boys day in 20+ years if his work scedule allowed. Even flew in and out from the UK. It's been his team since he played there . Buderus and Gidley need a massive amount of credit for where they are . I think Gids is virtually a volunteer these days too.
Agree 100%, Peter Parr and Sullivan are the reasons for this turnaround. We've been trying to get Parr for years to no avail, and we've never been good enough to land Sullivan. That's the kind of quality we need to recruit before we get the players.
Make them an offer they can't refuse I say 🐴
Surely we could offer the Parr and Sullivan more money than the Knights can offer?
💯 you can't say that round here cap as alot think coaches past and present have had everything they need when in all essence we are miles away.
Like you say it's no secret but you need some championship dna near the top of your tree and who do we have exactly.Like you mention the recipe for success is there for all to see now wheather we are inclined to go head hunting for it I don't know but it's going to be tough sledding if we don't get what's needed in the door.
Except Holbrook or his assistants can teach defence. BA had no idea.
Some are mentioning it this team is Ryles' or still the legacy of BA and thus worth noting that from that BA team when he was sacked (May 2024), the Eels under Ryles 2025-26 retain:
- Backs: Penisini, Simmonson & Moses
- Forwards: Paulo, Hopgoode & Doorey
But also, Ryles inherited Russell (Bears) & Tuilagi (Storm; note he is a Victorian junior so returning home) (both heading elsewhere)
Conservatively, 8/17 likely starters for Ryles 2025-26 were carried over from BA. Heading into 2027 that's probably down to 6/17? Dylan B would still be there if he had not have left so Ryles has willingly changed half the spine (Iongi & TDS) and six has been a continual stop gap measure.
So, how quickly do we expect a new coach to change the roster? Contracts constrain that process. It seems Ryles has overhauled the forwards, our props and backrowers, but there has been very little overhaul in the backs beyond Iongi replacing Gutho. The Eels headed into 2026 thin in the outside backs and are probably heading into 2027 even thinner. Put differently, has Ryles improved the backline? No, the Eels still lack firepower. A lot of hope was placed in Iongi but maybe 2026 was too injury-disrupted for Iongi and he went backwards a bit (defensive positioning). Has Ryles improved the forwards? Depends on how the rookie props progress and whether Su'A & Kautonga perform, so an open question.
It's 100% Ryles team, though, in three important senses. One, Ryles has had two years to get it to play like he wants it fo play so how it plays is on the coach. Two, Ryles has brought on junior props and recruited backrowers, so how the forwards go is on him. Third, Ryles has had two years to get strike power into the backs but the Eels look to be heading into 2027 with - for the second year in a row - little depth, little genuine strike power, and a makeshift #6; and that's on the coach too.
A very considered take Daz, agree entirely.
I'm just not sure what folks expected from Ryles. He's a rookie head coach. If Ryles isn't the weakest link in our setup then our setup is incredibly poor. It's like hiring an intern and then expecting them to outperform the CEO from Day 1. If Ryles isn't surrounded by experienced, battle hardened, best of breed winners then he has absolutely no hope and we're simply serving as his apprenticeship before he gets the experience he needs to go and be successful elsewhere.
A lot rides on the new CEO and how they plan to bring excellence and experience to our setup.
We heard the same thing about andrew webster and todd payten
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