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 and fair blog NOS, as usual. The recruitment talk is telling, I have said in the past I if MON and co. Are to go, it's Ryles who will more likely have to push the process forward. I know he shouldn't have to but think that's what it would take.
Now you make a good point on yeah he wanted Pezet, but something you made me think about it yeah he got Pezet, but that's after missing Galvin. Doesn't excuse him from the Pezet signing being so poor, he still has some responsibility, no matter how small, in how bad recruitment has been. But he has learned a lot, realised what we need and what experience can do.
He would obviously be frustrated, BA was as well. But both men did get their fair share of players they wanted too. It's a group effort with some people more impactful than others. Ryles does get final say but also I guess he is at the mercy of what is brought to him as in who is available that he then asks for.
I like Ryles, I am more than comfortable with him moving forward. But his coaching this year has had its lows. Before the injuries, the Melbourne game was purely pathetic.
But one thing about Ryles is he seems to be open to feedback and constructive criticism. I wonder if he rearranges his staff at the end of the year. Brown is more a sounding board for him, in year 3 does he really need him?
As for the recruitment itself, I have been reletively frustrated and also patient. I am in the progress in yes the market is slim and getting slimmer but there are options still out there (Jenkins, Leniu etc)
If we were to nab say Jenkins, McLean and Leniu (based on rumour) added with Su'A, I think many here should be pretty happy with that result. Getting Burton too could be even better to some, not so much to others. Others might see it as overkill. That haul doesn't mean everything is fixed but it does fix a fair bit of the issues in our roster.
Until we hit November 1 and those players either sign elsewhere or stay where they are, then I'll be worried and bring up further concern.
But it is a big year for Ryles in 2027. I think that's where his recruitment comment stems from. His understanding of if we don't ace the off-season transfer, I could be finished.
LB are you saying that Jason Ryles has got his fair share of players via R&R signings.
Well if you look at Iongi, Rogers brought it up to him and he wanted him.
Kautoga he wanted.
He wanted Williams.
Those two he said in interviews he chased as soon as getting the job.
Walker was a MON suggestion and Ryles wanted that type for his system.
He wanted Da Silva.
He wanted Pezet though after missing Galvin and needing a 6
He wanted De Belin.
Kelly was a "it will do" signing.
Fox was a Ryles led signing.
Samrani and Papali'i are more likely signings from Rogers and MON and Ryles signed off on them.
The issue is the bigger names.
i think he has gotten a few of what he asked for but the difference is getting the massive names he wants too.
If you read my post, i did say he deserves some blame, even if small. Though MON still needs to do his job getting them in and agreeing with what he wants, Ryles also would not get one player through the doors he doesn't want. I also believe there is not one player extended he doesn't want.
Not like Osborne with Kearney where he apparently signed Tonga against Kearney's wishes.
Nailed it one sentence LB . The issue is the bigger names. or to me any talented player that we have to compete for to sign is the issue.
With our roster you would have to think we have some serious coin floating round somewhere looking for a decent signing.
I didn't read much, but will agree with the blog sentiment of sack everyone involved with R&R.
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