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
I'd be very happy to see some (probably retired) premiership winning coaches consult regularly with Ryles. Give him a brains trust he can work with.
Same with our R&R staff - if we want to bank on in house talent and stick with the folks we have, then we need to get them in regular contact with folks who have made it happen previously. We need honest consultation with people who know what it takes to get it done and are incentivesed to call out our deficiencies.
Same goes for Jim and the rest of the exec/GM layer.
I don't see anyone in our current setup who has been an out and out champion in their field. They are all solid folks who are either hired on potential or (to use a footy analogy) playing out of position.
Doesn't even need to be NRL - go wider to other similar sports with similar systems. Go international.
It's almost impossible to "invent" talent - you need to first have the potential, and then have the connections with someone who can pass it on from one person to another. We use these methods with all of our on-field talent...but then seem to disregard them for our off-field talent.
Would we hire a physio who has never been a physio before but has seen a few YouTube videos and has been an awesome accountant for 15 years?
We need to either:
Right now it feels like we're doing neither and instead are just hiring potential and... hoping for the best.
Cracker couple of responses here Cap not only does Ryles need it but BA needed it also.
Whats happening now is just magnifying something that's been there for years.The complete lack of a plan and championship dna within the club.If we haven't got it I'm unsure why we aren't head hunting it.
The way I see it because of the constitution the board are basically untouchable but that doesn't stop us from head hunting the best in the land in the football department.
Director of Football
Analytics Department
Overhaul our scouting department across the board.Get them looking far and wide.
Overseas partnerships with ESL NZ and Pacific clubs.
As above hiring the best S & C staff wrestling coach ID whose the best go get him.
We have to get better in a whole lot of places and look for improvement everywhere and hope all those 1-2%ers add up to wins and being competitive yearly then hopefully winning premiership.
Excellent posts, Cap.
Very interesting to see you come in from another angle with so many great points for discussion.
'I'm actually not sure that we have a ticking time bomb any more. I think we did...and it went off when Dylan Brown walked.' - Do 100% agree with this as you know.
Really good contribution here all around, Cap. Few points you’ve raised definitely require some more thought.
Fair comment and good blog NOS.
For me the club has to back JR to the hilt- and the next 6 months will show where things are at. They sorted the old roster and people knew it would take at least 2 years to see the roster re-shaped.
With various talk of players etc for me some of the important discussions need to be around who will be leader in 12 months or so - Moses 32 this year and Jnr another year old. I for one feel we need to have 2 players in mind for the leadership group ready to come on board besides Jack Williams; and then you look at guys like Burton who for what its worth has not led C'bury albeit with inconsistent halves / DH roster. He could be good for us with a FIT Moses. Who knows. For me Burton can polarise fans like DB for Parra. Some think he is gods gift and others like me feel he was overpaid and did not deliver consistently.
I back JR as long as the R and R can come through and tbh the jury is out, and this also means the pressure should be on all including Nathan Brown.
I think Ryles will stay committed to the club until his contract is complete regardless of the on field results. It's a shame that the club has been riddled with injuries this year as I think the Eels would have definitely made the top 8 this year with a full squad and injury free.
i have no idea what players Ryles is looking for to strengthen his roster, or if Ryles and the recruitment are currently looking and making any future negotiations or discussions with prospective players. The Eels are definitely in need of some quality additions to their squad but when and if that happens who knows?
I don't think Ryles will end up coaching the Melbourne Storm as has been mentioned a few times as I would imagine there are perhaps more likely candidates like Cronk, Slater or Smith. I just hope that 2027 is a better year for Ryles and Eels fans so that perhaps Ryles might have a contract extension and I hope the Eels current squad can put a few more wins together this year to get away from being 2nd last on the ladder.
Is it the ' system ', the coach, the R&R committee, the third party deals, the off field incentives, the lack of success, the game playing style or how you were treated as a junior coming through the pathways. I rate Jason RYLES. He can coach, he does consult , he takes his medicine and he has been through the great systems of rugby league Storm and Roosters. I think he showed at the back end of last season that he can get a team to win games in the NRL. He changed us from the front end loading up BA style to a quicker transitioning game between attack and defence and getting yardage through space and passing . IT is a potential premiership contending style of play dependant on :
Unfortunately , everything we needed to play JR style of footy is out the window. WE have courage , we promote juniors, we keep faith in the system and our DNA just lack the cattle to win the key moments and certainly cant control the changes in momentum typical of the game this year.
Does JR have a good team around him ? Nathan Brown despite his poor NRL coaching record is a very footy switched on assistant. HE is a fantastic communicator, he relates well to all levels of the organisation and the younger guys work well with him. He is no threat whatsover to JR so he can be a good sounding board. The Other two assistants are also well thought of in the organisation. Are they the right guys fior JR and more significantly the current Parra playing roster and style of play. I think we need to stay fluid within the assistant coaching ranks and even down to the pathways. Lots change in 1-2 years. I dont think a FLANNO or SEIBOLD would be the answer as assistants to JR. WE need to stay within that 1-10 years post playing to be able to handle how these young players think, act and react to positive and negative feedback. Do I think we need to change one or two of the assistants . YES. Jury out on who is that next coach in waiting.
R & R committee is our weakmess without a doubt. WE cant land a decent player to work with MOSES . Our juniors as coming through but as we have seen with Lorenzo this year, even the best brightest 19 year old can take time. We have a decent net that captures the odd QLD , KIWI or next Liam MARTIN. Player Managers have been a thorn in our side for at least 10 years. Affiliating with certain schools can pay dividends but picking and sticking with the right ones is something we have been poor at.
What is the answer ? I have no idea. I know this much we cant try to be another Penrith, Storm or Roosters. Each one of those clubs have great pulling power which we simplay cant match. Watching Canterbury fall in on Monday night demonstrates what a team that is trying to be a replica of another ( Penrith ) can lead to. ZERO creativity, poor leadership and a game built almost entirely on confidence. They are so brainwashed into the ' system ' that they cant seem to play any ad lib or eyes up footy or react to another team that comes at them differently to what they expected.
Great blog because it gets your juices flowing and we all know collectively what is needed. Doing it is the hard part.
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