Disclaimer - I am trying to make this blog as little about R&R as possible, however that is impossible in parts. Of course, thats for the original blog & any posters should speak freely about whatever they please.
In a pre-game interview on Monday, Jason Ryles was asked about the 'lessons he’s learned' from this season.
His response was immediate ‘the importance of recruitment’.
Some believed this comment was a sign of ‘focus’, others felt it was sign of what potentially lies beneath - that leadership at the Eels isn’t as aligned as we are led to believe.
The reaction from Lara Pitt, Jasons expression, the verbal sidestep afterwards, and the fact this isn’t the first time Jason, or Moses, have made subtle comments around R&R, could also be telling factors.
FOUNDATIONS
For the majority of Eels fans, Ryles has shown coaching ability in the face of adversity during his time at Parra.
In 2025, JR turned the defence from league worst to top four for the final months of the season, defeating multiple top 8 teams in the process.
Despite the 2025 results, 2026 had an air of excitment amonst fans, due to the clear culture shift, defensive improvement, a more creative attack, and clear buy in from the spirited players who, for the first time in years, consistently played for 80mins per week.
This season has obviously been disappointing to say the least, but again, Ryles has shown on multiple occasions that he can lift this team despite being decimated by injury, consistently changing combinations, inexperience, and who arguably entered the season with a clear lack of quality in certain positions.
But, it always balanced precariously on a knifes edge.
HOUSE OF CARDS
We all understand the cut-throat profession that is coaching at elite levels of any sport. You are responsible for on-field success, regardless of any limitations you face off it.
Jason Ryles will wear our 2025, 2026 & 2027 results on his resume, his first 3 seasons as a 1st grade coach, whether that is fair, or not.
Forgetting the pre-game interview on Monday, Jason’s career & everything he has worked tirelessly for can hang in the balance of his results at the Eels.
He has proven potential as a coach, but multiple bottom 4 finishes and it will matter little. That is the brutal life of a first grade coach.
When a persons profession, their livelihood, their families livelihood, are all at stake, loyalty has a price for us all.
Would Jason risk all of it for a club he had no attachment too prior to this position?
Every positive Ryles has brought, is at risk, if he is at risk.
The 5/8th parallel
Months before Dylan Brown left this club (don’t worry this isn’t about Dylan himself), many of us warned that losing Dylan wasn’t about losing Dylan in isolation, that it would essentially void our investment in Mitch Moses, and end our chances of competing in the near term - unless adequately replaced.
Regardless of how you feel about Dylan, or Lachlan Galvin, the coach identified both players as players he wanted at the club - now, through 2025, 2026 & potentially 2027, we have still not replaced our 5/8th - limiting any chance of success next year for Ryles and the Eels (there is still time, I know).
Ryles has copped criticism for the Pezet deal, and perhaps fairly, but Pezet wasn’t Ryles first choice, or his 2nd, and thats just from what we know - perhaps there were others, perhaps in multiple positions?
Enough has been said about all three players, but, the issue in focus is JR wanted both those players before giving Pezet a deal.
Much like he wanted Kalooamantangi. Mitch Barnett.
It’s fair to say this has hampered his chances of success, and also likely fair to say Jason has noticed.
We’ve heard all the justifications, some fair, some ridiculous, but whats important now is the coach being provided his next signing identifications.
Because we have seen how hard a 5/8th can be to replace, what about a coach & everything he has implemented?
Moving Forward
Injuries aside, we all saw the results of our Cup team last week, while its hard to judge based purely on one season, it should still end the fantasy that we are on a similar path to the Panthers & their once in a generational, 4-peat premiers, squad.
We look a Nathan Cleary, 6/7 of his rep level mates, a dad who knows these kids personally & keep them together (and can coach), a Matt Cameron, and a lightning in a bottle moment, short.
Junior development is vital, and the positive signs are fantastic. But like the Storm, Roosters, Broncos, and even the Panthers themselves, success requires balance.
Entering 2027 pre-season, not mid year when injuries strike, if the Eels haven’t signed another 3/4 genuine first graders, do we as fans believe Ryles will continue to fight it out at the Eels? Risking his career in the process?
Bellamy’s career is coming to an end, the Dragons are currently coach-less, both clubs have a far deeper connection with Ryles than the Eels.
EELS FIRST
This is potentially a ticking time bomb, and like our 5/8th situation, if that bomb goes off, it could take years to re-build.
Despite 2026 having the worst Eels defence on record and sitting 3rd last, this isn’t rock bottom, it can get a whole lot worse.
The ball is still in the clubs court, the Eels future is still up to them…. for now.
But at what point, do we risk a future without Jason Ryles holding up the house of cards?
A hypothetical question…. For now.
As fans, we all want to believe & want whats best for the club. We get a lot wrong, we get some things right.
We’ve been asked to align, to commit to the badge - we can all respect that sentiment, but if fans were 100% aligned right now despite where we sit, despite all the contradictory evidence to the narrative, thats a cult, not a fan base. Too much negativity, and too much blind faith, can both cause damage, and the noise is all fans really have.
Thankfully, we still have some time, and there are plenty of aspects to be positive & hopeful about, but every month, week, that clock is ticking… The next 3-6 months can define the Eels next 3-6 years, lets hope its positve.
Replies
Great Fair Balanced Blog HOE.
All I ask is that we make some effort in the recuitiment space by June 30 and November 1. Ive got no comeback if we at least try and have a crack at Burton, Spencer,Jenkins and Harnsworth. IF we fail then at the very least we had a crack.
We are second last and in our 40th Anniversary of no Premiership. Soon there will be no Old Boys to bring back to celerate at least something positive with the club. I agree Ryles is on Borrowed time...and possibly all things point to it not being his fault....he may also jump ship....and that could spark a mass exodus who knows....
Will we be making the same comments at 50 years without success ???
Well we seem to be having a crack at Jenkins and Leniu, rumoured Burton.
PG, NOS propduced this well-written piece. I can't take any credit whatsoever mate. But I like your kind words to NOS.
Ha Ha Ha of course gosh I really am getting old apologies NOS
Haha all good PG, I think thats more offensive to HOE than me considering the content.
Is that you Randolph! LOL......PS Your not ready for "OLD" yet PG....
What is with all the doom and gloom? Losers mentality in abundance on here.
Yeah all the Ryles jump ship talk, though not 0%, I feel is extremely unlikely. Considering how hard he pushed for this job.
Adam, it can feel like that, but we all want the same thing. Social media is often 'the sky is falling' when you're losing and Eels fans are already in trauma mode from 1987.
It doesn't really matter what we punters say or think. As long as the club doesn't think the same way, and instead focuses on what it needs to do next, as one.
I actually read a lot of positivity into what Ryles said.
He said it with a smile, almost tongue-in-cheek. If anything, he was just as much talking about himself. He doesn't strike me as a blame shifter. Blame Games are poison.
Last year on the Johns podcast he admitted he was surprised or learned how involved a head coach is in recruitment— more than he expected. That admits how much he is involved in R&R.
On a SEN interview a few weeks ago Ryles hinted at a change in recruitment strategy to better deal with the modern game and V'landyball, one that he is front and centre of, rather than internal dysfunction or giving up.
But if I'm wrong, and many of the interpretations and assumptions on here are correct, it's pretty much game over. Boom.
They all need to pull in the same direction. There is no other way.
There's nothing to suggest that anyone at the club has adopted this defeatist attitude that abounds on here. The journey isn't meant to be all smooth sailing, in fact we need hardship to bind us together and test our resolve. I see a real strength of character in Ryles, a true leader (you could see it in his post match press conference round 1 last year when we got absolutely smoked by the Storm). Those responsible know what they are doing.
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