It is becoming quite apparent that our new coach Jason Ryles sees the modern game, very different to Brad Arthur. Ryles has now shown his hand, no longer will our team tolerate the slow moving players both with footwork and between the ears.
I wrote a blog earlier in the year after Origin along the lines of "Does Moses Deserve a Better Team". A lot of people got it, others didnt. Jason Ryles gets it. We have hardly ever been able to capitalise on Mitch's speed and football vision. BA was all about his kick. Ryles can see what we actually have. We have 2 genuine red Ferrari's in our halves. Both men Moses and Brown have speed to burn, can read the opposition and have the skills to dominate. Unfortunatley BA took our 2 Ferrari's into the war zone where they were regulary used as 4 wheel drives. We had to slow them down so their supports could catch up or cotton on to what was developing.
Moses and Brown are so much more. Maquire gets it, Meninga gets it and thank god Ryles gets it. For what feels like eons, Mitch and Brown would find space, would create an opportunity in the blink of an eye, they did this with regularity, our problem not one player was able to regulary use speed or footy nouse to get themselves in a position to help out, to support, to draw a defender, to take a pass, to score a try. Those little moments were lost and usually forgotten in the after game cleanup. These little moments are the difference in unleashing the Ferrari's and a man of the match performance to one of the halves, to a small line break that was snuffed out quickly and a bad halves review after another loss.
Ryles has shown his hand, the big one, the huge call is tapping Gutherson. A machine, a war horse, a competitor no doubt ! However can anyone remember our full back linking with a running Moses or linking with Dylan Brown after stepping the opposition, or running away after making a break for a try.
The game has changed, we now have six agains, quick play the balls, no need to ruck the ball backwards just throw it between your legs, the era of 40/20's, less scrums, less stopages. The game has developed for quick men that can do things at pace. The game has opened up out wide, on the edges and when big boppers get tired a turn back straight through the middle at pace brings about a result.
The addition of Lomax with his speed, competitiveness and footy nouse will be huge this year, his presence around our halves will create untold chances this year. His ability to see the play developing, his speed to get into position and his heart and desire to make it happen will be a driving force in our attack options this year. Signing Lomax will be one of BA's last offerings to our club. The combinations that Lomax brings with his style will have all Eels fans salivating. This addition above all else improves our team on so many fronts, so many of our players will benefit. Lomax has the ability to make those around him better and we are better off for it. Our Ferrari's will get the chance to shine and unleash their real power.
Ryles has backed his new style ruffling feathers along the way, by signing Isaiah Longi to play fullback. The kid has pace, not express but pace none the less, he is a fullback that follows the play and backs up, he has shown football brain's in setting his outside men up, the kid can go himself but has the ability to see the bigger picture and put a try assist on. The kid is young and raw, has a huge ability to break the first tackle, last year he had 14 tackle breaks against the Bears, 11 tackle breaks against the Eels, he regulary exceeds 5 or 6 tackle breaks per game. Of course this is cup not first grade, he needs more work on his tackling, and needs improvement here, but Ryles has shown he wants more pace in this team and more pace running off Mitch and Dylan. He is even chasing Joash Papalii the number 1 in the bulldogs cup team another young speedster that can put pressure on the 1 job or can play nearly any spot in the backline. Dont be surprised to see Sivo moving very very soon to England and Papalii signed with some of his coin immediatley.
Ryles also quickly moved on Simmonsson by resigning him to a deal after not being in BA's furture plans. Simmonsson has pace and a lot of it, we rarely got to see it, but when we did, it was there for all to see. Where will he play this year, one suspects he may very well have a wing spot in Ryles team if we dont buy the new winger we are after.
Jack Williams the "Cooma Stallion" a hardworking ethically minded team man with country values that bode's well in a team first mantra. A lock or second rower that has driving power and a never give up attitude. This bloke has the work ethic and ability to run those lines around the halves and he'll do it all day. He rarely got the mentions from media types whilst playng over 100 first grade games for cronulla, but he was a player that Fitzgibbon wanted to keep but couldnt under the salary cap. Normally an impact hard running backrower off the bench, with a fast play the ball. This bloke can also ball play. Once again speed speed speed to create room for our quick men.
Ryles is picking and choosing a no dickheads policy, a speed based game, with the culture and work ethics of country folk. Im starting to warm to where he is going with this team. I'd like somehow to find a spot for Gutherson on a reduced salary, but hey that just might show that Ryles knows where he is taking us and not listening to sentiment.
One intriguing point that has not yet been explained publicly, Ryan Matterson. First Ryles didnt want him, then he did. So what changed and how does he fit into Ryles plan now. Is it that Ryles sees value or is it that no other team would take him. We all know some of the facts - he was told he wasnt wanted, he enacted his players option after testing the market, the club said they had changed their mind on keeping him. This has more back story then we know and similar to when Matterson chose to take a susupension instead of a fine. He has been a polarising player that escapes media scrutiny. I for one dont see his team first ethics shining through too often. It will be interesting to see what Ryles does with him this year.
With a couple of more siginings to come on the back of moving on Sivo with the other 12 or so players could possible see us heading for finals footy again.
Replies
gotta thank Mrs. Arthur for lomax
Yup , sad isn't it. One of our biggest recruits in decades was signed by an ex coach and his wife and not our recruitment team.
I read the Lomax article he mentions Ryles has meet him on 4 or 5 separate occasions - Ryles is super impressive and looks to be a smart operator, although early days Jason knows exactly the type of he wants to recruit, not just filling spots in the top 30 for the sack for it - character trumps talent, in terms of leadership the squad has lost nothing, the release of RCG and Gutho opens the opportunity for Moses, Brown, hopgood and Lomax to lead to the way. Ryles signing wisemantel is a interesting appointment, Muggo mentions in a podcast our centers and wingers will be the ones that benefit from his experience and background - Sam Moa although new to coaching in sure he will do some great work with our forwards, I'm really interested to see what type of style Ryles employs - Fitness and endurance is something I'm hoping is addressed, yes the club can recruit mobile players BUT I've rarely had the feeling watching them run around that the squad is ultra fit -we need to be patient but I'm confident we are headed in the right direction.
Good points mick. What does Moa / Wisemantel and Brown bring as assistant coach's. Ryles again showing he is prepared to look outside the norms to find a style of play and a style of coach to compliment a speedier team. I think some exciting times ahead.
Moas arrival as defensive coach at Catalans Dragons saw them win a challange cup and make 2 superleague grandfinals in 3 years.
Wisemantel has had success with some innovation as well. When Wisemantel was coaching the Waratahs, he introduced the idea of his back three all working as full backs. Could our attack feature wingers that at times back up inside instead of staying out wide. Perhaps crossing that taboo of popping up on the other side.
Brown will run the attack and help the halves where Wisemantel adds spice to the plans. Working with outside backs and kicking game.
Moa and Ryles do defence themselves. First year without Moa and Catalans drop on ladder.
Moa was headhunted .... roosters and Souths also wanted him. He chose us. Good signs
He could be the future NZ coach. He came home this year, surprised he did not choose Roosters since Robinson was the coach when he won a premiership with them and is still there. If that is the case, Ryles must of given him the sell.
You also can't understate the cultural impact of a coach like Moa. Apparently that was a piece of advice from Bellamy to Ryles. That you need a coach with a Pasifika background to ensure you get full buy-in from your islander players.
Thats an interesting one to consider.
What happened with Kearney ?
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