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
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. Each to their own. Social media is often 'the sky is falling in' 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, is devoid of blame games, and instead focuses on what it needs to do next, as one.
I actually read a lot of positivity into what Ryles said.
If I'm wrong, and I could be, and many here will think so, it's already game over pretty much once blame games start. That's poison.
He said it with a smile, almost tongue-in-cheek. I don't think it was a genuine dig. If anything, he was just as much talking about himself. He doesn't strike me as a blame shifter.
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.
Apparently, one reason he declined the Dragons job was because the front office interfered a bit too much for his liking.
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.
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.
Mate everyone wants the best outcome for our team, its not defeatist or doom and gloom to expect a team as big and proud as ours to be regularly being in the top 8. It should be expected, to be not only fighting for it but having a team capable of it. Its 40 years mate
HOE, at what point does the club actually need to start holding people accountable, or playing the blame game as you call it?. How many more seasons of poor to bad R&R before the club needs to take action, is it 1, 2, 3 or more or is there even a time frame at all?. Genuine question, i really would like to know what you consider would be the point of no return for thr current set up.
NOS, great to see you posting again, and what a post. I could read your thoughts on the state of the Eels all day. Your humility and Diplomatic expressions are very notable and straight to the point. We can all draw our own conclusions from your post with what's happening at the club.
If people are starting to read through the lines, during press conferences, one can begin to surmise that Ryles isn't happy with the way recruitment is lethargic at best, inept at worst. Listening to some of Moses press conference you can hear the same sentiments at times with small digs. There is no way Ryles can stay at the club if the club can't sign the players he wants first up. He will have to look after his career. Another major concern is if or when he leaves where does that leave us.
He would be in a prime position to take our talent with him. Mitch, Josh, Iongi the mind boggles on how much we can lose from this point if Ryles was to leave in the next 12 -18 months. All we are left with is the same 3 in the R&R committee to drive success. Not something i think most people would want. Culture gone, structures gone, junior pathway consistency gone.
'For what looks a simple task of organising an independant review on what is going wrong in recruitment areas seems to be a monumental act of ass covering at high levels instead.
It won't be long before knives are out for the coaching staff and people thrown under buses. That is not what I'd like to see.
Though BE, you say look after his career. What other clubs, other than perhaps Melbourne, would want him? They'll see his record and might think differently. Who knows they may think he will be better that their club but I just don't see many teams banging down the door for Ryles at the moment, except Melbourne might only to keep continuity with their players and staff with someone who has been there before.
Not like Fitzgibbon who was chased by Manly before he re-signed with Cronulla who have limited resources for him to work with yet has a 60%+ winning percentage.
Not saying Ryles is not or cannot be good, just other clubs might think otherwise at this stage based on how the team is.
But also Kearney managed to get Warriors gig so who knows.
Yeah good question LB. I really rate what Ryles has done with what most clubs would see as a second grade team to be honest. The culture and the changes he has made have been enormous. The spirit and the fight in guys getting trounced each week is simply a credit to his leadership, and his senior players have bought into his ways , his style. The way he has brought the old boys back into vogue and given the locals so much access to the team is a masterstroke. That dosnt go unrecognised by clubs.
For these reasons I see Ryles as a hot commodity, for the time being. I think you may underestimate what others actually think of Jason. I know that a lot of clubs see our recruitment and closing efforts as substandard, not many teams are scared of us beating them to the punch to sign a player. On the same token Ryles is spoken about in huge regard with the caveat that he is being let down with poor recruitment signings. It takes my mind back to the Ricky Stuart era and are we about to see something similar in the next 12-18months.
I tend to agree more with you Blue. I think any proper observer of NRL would see Ryles' imprint on the team, and the improvement in certain playersover alst 18 months. There has been some weaknesses like our behind the ruck defence, but those can have excuses like the lack of power in defence and the six agains tiring us after mistakes.
I think the thing every good coach in every team sport is when their team has a clear and distinct style and feel. Ryles has had that since about middle of last season.
I do think we are reaching a stage were recruitment needs to step up or our juniors breakthrough and lift the floor of this team. That's the problem now, our floor is too low.
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