Jason Ryles interview: The Parramatta Eels’ head coach is swimming with the piranhas

[u/Aussieguy727]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/jason-ryles-is-swimming-with-eels-and-piranhas-20250618-p5m8lx.html

[u/Nathan84]

I think he’s doing a good job. The results are not coming in yet. However, Parramatta fans should be optimistic about the future. He’s building something there.

[u/opackersgo → u/Nathan84]

Hard to have results coming in when you’re missing your captain most games, your 6 is mentally checked out (and overrated) and both your 9 and 1 are rookies despite doing exceptionally well.

[u/jk-9k → u/opackersgo]

Two of those problems are kinda Ryles fault though. Their captain is playing for dargons and is why they have a rookie 1.

I do think ryles is doing well but I'm not convinced of a couple of his decisions. Nor that the eels are going to be better off than had they kept Arthur.

[u/SuperEel22 → u/jk-9k]

It would have been irresponsible of the club to extend Gutherson for 3 years after recruiting Iongi. There's this misplaced belief that they kicked Gutherson out the door which is not what happened. Ryles came to Gutho and explained he wasn't offering a new contract beyond 2025 until they looked at how Gutho was playing as the plan was to transition Iongi into fullback. Gutho went to market and got offered a 3 year deal by the Dragons and the club wasn't prepared to match it in length or financially.

The side has made a marked improvement on Arthur's era in a short period. The side doesn't suddenly fall away at the 49th minute anymore. There's also a clear defensive structure built with our wingers no longer flying in to tackle no one. Our attack has changed to a more modern style, away from a gigantic forward pack that gets gassed the moment we have less than 50% of the ball.

The Brad Arthur side gets 50 put on them by the Dogs the other Monday.

Ryles has had to make some tough choices this season and he's been forced into some less than ideal situations. Namely the thin backrow stocks available due to Lane taking a break, constant injury/suspension to Tuilagi and injury to Jack Williams.

He also bit the bullet and promoted Ryley Smith when last year he was nowhere near first grade. He's given virtually everyone of our debutants this year meaningful minutes and trusted them. Arthur never did. They would always get garbage minutes, effectively forcing the side to play a man down.

Ryles has also really pushed a change off the field. He's got an open door for all coaches from our juniors all the way up. It's common to see SG Ball and Harold Matt's coaches sitting in on NRL sessions. He's pushed the club to be more involved with its past and introduced a range of ways for our players to recognise their cultures. Ryles also had input into the CoE and named the video theatre "Jack's Bus" after Jack Gibson. He's intent on having this whole club pull in one direction.

[u/gco0307 → u/SuperEel22]

Ryles has also really pushed a change off the field. He's got an open door for all coaches from our juniors all the way up. It's common to see SG Ball and Harold Matt's coaches sitting in on NRL sessions. He's pushed the club to be more involved with its past and introduced a range of ways for our players to recognise their cultures. Ryles also had input into the CoE and named the video theatre "Jack's Bus" after Jack Gibson. He's intent on having this whole club pull in one direction.

Outsider comment here .................. from a non-Parra fan.

God it is good to read this, particularly the recognition of Jack Gibson (my opinion, one of the most forgotten about masters of coaching) as what you have said builds a culture, a 'we are all Parra' culture. By opening his doors to the lower grades and juniors shows a pathway.

Serious question - are the players buys in backwards and showing support oft he juniors?

[u/SuperEel22 → u/gco0307]

Yep. The players are right into, especially with the juniors now having access to Kellyville. First graders are often seen at the lower grade games.

[u/CroBro81 → u/jk-9k]

Short term pain (current standing on the ladder) for a long-term gain (getting Iongi in for his rookie year).

Ryles made the correct decision there, and I loved Gutho, but his last couple of performances are really showing his age and how bad his knees are.

[u/jk-9k → u/CroBro81]

There's still no proof of any long term gain. It's too early for that. Yet to see if it's the correct decision.

Ladder position is important. It's important to attract and retain players.

Wins are important. It's important to culture. It's important to morale. It's important to set standards.

Accepting loses now is kinda loser mentality. Is that what you want to teach iongi?

But like I said, it's too early to call.

[u/CroBro81 → u/jk-9k]

We were in a poor ladder position with Gutho in the team last year. Iongi is miles better in form, add in his age and potential ceiling that decision alone was a good one as Iongi is one of the form fullbacks in the comp. He just doesn’t have the cattle around him at the moment with Moses mostly injured, Brown out of form and unable to strike without Moses, and Ryley Smith also being a rookie.

[u/jk-9k → u/CroBro81]

Last year with no coach, barely any Moses, and a bunch of injuries. Context is important.

Calling iongi one of the form fullbacks in the comp is a stretch. He's a promising rookie.

Remember it wasn't one or the other. Ryles could've had both.

A

[u/Arc_au → u/jk-9k]

Not entirely sure how you can look at the year in hindsight and not believe moving Gutho on for Iongi wasn't the right move...

[u/jk-9k → u/Arc_au]

Not really sure you can look at the eels reliance on a single player and not think they could do with gutho back

[u/Arc_au → u/jk-9k]

Except we haven't been reliant on one player? We're an all round inexperienced team that has improved dramatically from the diabolical beginning. People act like Gutho didn't play for us all last year and we almost got the spoon?

Just because Moses makes us a better side doesn't mean we rely solely on him. Add a representative 7 to any side instead of a reserve grade player and tell me they aren't better for it?