Isaiah Iongi, the young Eels gun fullback, is attracting plenty of interest from rivals especially from up north as revealed by OnlineinComenest.
“I came to Parramatta with a dream — to grow, to compete, and to win for this club,” Iongi said in a club-released video shared across social media platforms Tuesday morning.
“This jersey means everything to me. I’m not going anywhere."
"I’m here to stay, and I want to build something special with the Eels."
“I’ve been given a chance here that I’ll never take for granted."
“From the coaching staff to my teammates, and especially the fans — you’ve all welcomed me like family."
"This isn’t just a club to me anymore. It’s home.”
“Isaiah’s commitment is exactly what we want this team to represent — passion, resilience, and belief in the direction we’re going,” Eels head coach Jason Ryles said.
'He’s become more than just a great player — he’s turning into one of the emotional pillars of this team.”
Source: Quotes taken from OnlineinComenest.
Replies
Well said, Bourbon & NOS.
Dylan has given us 7 NRL years, and was torn. Accept a lesser deal with us or the biggest in NRL history? I hope he does well, tbh.
Your point on Loyalty is interesting. It exists. But where, why, when, and to whom or what?
Genuine loyalty is rare in long-term romantic relationships, and less common in the business of sport.
In contrast, loyalty to a group (country, team, culture, race, identities, friendship networks, mobs) is very commonplace. It's conformist bias, and in part to do with familiarity and safety etc.
Both these trends you find in the animal kingdom.For example, Dogs are often loyal to humans and their owners, but not their romantic partners. Cats probably even less so. Chimps might be loyal to their troop, but will screw anything not tied down (and even then, they might). Beavers are rare in that they often stay loyal to their partner and family in their lake island home, and look after it for a lifetime.
Humans are just a little more complex as they can swing both ways.
Humans swing ALL of the ways
If Dylan had totally at the front of his mind he would have never asked for clauses in the first place . He also wouldn't have been out groping innocent women whilst supposedly on a team agreed drinking ban as the team were preparing for a title run .
Browns quite easily could've stayed at Parramatta and earned similar coin if he had the will to back himself to forfil his supposed potential .
To suggest he had no choice is total bullshit .
Fair points, Wiz.
Dylan has made mistakes & hasn't applied himself enough - it's probably nature related.
It's unlikely he'll ever be as driven and serious as Moses, or become a Cleary as such (his long kicking game is another reason) but good luck to him at the Knights. I will be happy to see him succeed.
He's been playing well recently. Seems more switched on. That's all we can ask.
He had a choice for sure and if your looking to secure your future he made the right decision and extra 4 yrs and 2-300 k raise per year I mean it is what it is.
As for the options it seemed every player and his dog had them in there contract and thank god they've been erased.
I just hate seeing good Parra juniors fark off because we haven't done the job behind the scenes.It's clear we wanted to keep him or we don't give him the deal we did but fark these damn options there a curse.
Yeah , I get the security thing. But I'm just over people making it sound like Dylan was going to be looking like some starving Ethiopian kid on the Worldvision ads if he didn't take the Newcastle offer.
If he hung around and had a real dig, he could've earnt 1,3 or close enough at Parramatta. Ryles told him to get farked asking for more coin as right now he's not even earning whatever he's on. He had no gun to his head, and he took the easy option. We just offered a kid that's done zero , the best part of a million bucks , I'm sure if DylBoobs picked his game up over the next 12 months he'd have no dramas getting 1.1-1.2 outta these drongos.
As you say, they had no problems offering him a massive term with get out clauses, if he forfilled his promises then an extra few years with no clauses wouldn't be unreasonable.
I'm glad someone pointing out the clauses were where his loyalty faltered not at the stupid offer. It is also the clubs fault giving the clauses but if players really love the club they don't even bother with the clauses the negotiate better deal without them.
No one said he didn't have a choice, and agree that he could've backed himself & he likely would've been better off mentally, even if not financially.
He has shown loyalty previously with staying for a lot less though, which rarely gets mentioned, but yep, he could've stayed this time & still been a millionaire.
Like you, after what happened in 2023, I felt he did owe the Eels at least until that 2028 clause.
But maybe change will be best for both sides, it sucks losing a good player & developed junior as Coryn mentioned, but interesting to see what Ryles does with the position.
Very astute observation NOS
I wonder if he went back to Newcastle if it would palatble to let him out of the deal. i really do not think Newcastle would be excited over what they have done.
Hindsight is a many splendid thing, but would we take him back? and how would you sell it under the circumstances.
I have no doubt that Dylan loves the club.
Newcastle is panicking because ponga is becoming restless. They are in a bad way at the moment. Best football situation for Dylan is at Parra but he's opted for the money. Which is fair can't hate on him for that
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