New Parramatta Eels coach Jason Ryles donned the club polo for the first time on Tuesday.
Ryles comes to the club after completing a significant apprenticeship at the Storm, Roosters and under Eddie Jones with England’s rugby team.
The coach answered the key questions around Clint Gutherson, Mitchell Moses and Reagan Campbell-Gillard in his first interviews but curiosity still remains around how the Eels will look next season and beyond.
By joining the Eels, Ryles takes over from a coach in Brad Arthur who had the support of key players.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to keep Arthur in the job.
Results are what matter, and ultimately that’s what Ryles will be judged on.
Here’s the state of play at Parramatta.
Who’s left and who’s leaving?
Prior to Ryles signing, the Eels lost promising halfback Ethan Sanders to the Raiders. With Mitchell Moses at the club, it’s hard to see how he would’ve had a way in anyway.
The other player lost is Blaize Talagi, one of the most promising juniors to come through the Eels pathways in years. Ryles was unable to convince him to stay, and instead he’s off to Penrith.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard is the other confirmed departing star.
The Eels have granted him a release from his contract, with Ryles saying it’s “nothing personal” and the prop simply had an opportunity to extend his career beyond 2025.
“That was just an opportunity for both parties,” he said in an interview on Parramatta’s website.
“We came to an agreement it was best for both of us.”
Arthur’s son Matt Arthur is also leaving the club for Newcastle while Daejarn Asi, Ofahiki Ogden, Makahesi Makatoa and Morgan Harper are all gone too.
Who is coming?
Zac Lomax is the big signing for the Eels.
He signed when Arthur was still coaching, but Lomax will now link with the fellow Temora-born Ryles.
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald and News Corp, Ryles did not specify what position Lomax will play.
“He’s not said he prefers any position, so we’ll work it out once we get back to training. My understanding was that he came here to play centre. But I’ve just been really open with him in regards to his form over the last six or eight months,” he said.
Former Panthers young gun Isaiah Iongi is the other signing.
This came straight after Talagi went the other way. It’s likely Iongi will now be the man wearing the No.1 for the Eels.
So what about Gutho?
If Iongi is the new fullback, where does that leave captain and fan favourite Clint Gutherson?
“Immediately he’s a big part of the plans,” Ryles said before stating he’s an “admirer” of the former Origin representative.
Speaking to The Herald, Ryles said he sees Gutherson as “good coverage for all positions on the field, especially all our backs, and then even at 13 and nine and that role there”.
Whether that results in a contract extension remains to be seen with the 30-year-old free to listen to offers from rival clubs on November 1.
The future of Mitchell Moses
As the season dragged on last year, the rumblings around Mitchell Moses’ future grew louder.
Moses was tight with Arthur, and had a number of injuries throughout the season. He also led NSW to a famous Origin series victory. Throw in a dressing room outburst being made public and it makes for a whirlwind year.
The rumours around Moses considering his options have yet to be discussed publicly by him and his manager Isaac Moses.
Quoted in News Corp, Ryles explained Moses is all-in for the next season.
“He’s just throwing things at me all the time, which I think is great. Like, I love it,” he said.
“He’s an ideas man, but in a really good way. So I really enjoy it. It’s only early doors but I actually saw him again this morning, had a chat and we’re talking about footy, how we can play, what our strengths are and what does that look like.”
The big calls ahead
When it comes to players who are free agents from November 1, Ryles has a few decisions to make.
Gutherson is available, as mentioned, and so is Bryce Cartwright.
Ryan Matterson has been shopped around to rivals, but it appears there’s minimal interest for his $600,000-a-season contract. He has a player option for 2026.
Shaun Lane has a mutual option for 2026 as well.
First grade regulars Kelma Tuilagi, Sean Russell, Joe Ofahengaue, Luca Moretti, Joey Lussick, Brendan Hands and Wiremu Greig will all be free agents too. Matt Doorey, Haze Dunster are all in the same boat too while Maika Sivo reportedly has options in his contract, along with Will Penisini.
There’s a very real chance the Eels could look very different in two years’ time.
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