Baby Eels Key To Ryles Revolution
Borrowing from the Brian Smith playbook, Jason Ryles looks to generation next to drive Parramatta to glory
There is an odd parallel between Jason Ryles’ arrival at the Eels in 2024 and Brian Smith’s appointment in 1996.
2 former Dragons taking over the Eels to lead them off the bottom of the table.
Smith was already a known quantity as a coach. He’d led the Dragons to consecutive grand finals in 1992 and 1993, only losing to the Wayne Bennet coached Brisbane Broncos.
Parramatta is Ryles’ first stop on his first grade coaching career, having spent 10 years as an assistant coach for the Roosters, Storm and in England Rugby.
Despite their differences and experience, both have arrived at Parramatta knowing that sustained growth and hopefully success will have to come from within.
Throughout history, the Eels’ best sides have been composed of juniors with astute external recruits.
Parramatta’s start to 2026 has been mixed. 2 wins and 2 losses. The 2 losses, large blowouts.
And with that start has come the loss of J’maine Hopgood and Matt Doorey for the season with ACL tears, while fullback Isaiah Iongi will be sidelined for 8 weeks with a syndesmosis injury.
If Ryles is going to go all in on youth, that time is now.
Joash Papalii was an able deputy in 2025 and most clubs would love a live wire backup fullback like him.
But it’s in the forward pack where Ryles should be trusting his younger brigade.
The Eels’ starts to all 4 games have been poor. Leaking points early on, they have started behind the 8 ball far too often.
Part of that can be placed on the middle forwards. A starting middle of Junior Paulo, J’maine Hopgood, Jack Williams, Jack De Belin and Dylan Walker has been used in rotation.
De Belin was dropped after the opening 2 rounds, Hopgood suspended then injured and Walker being asked to start when his best performances come off the bench.
You can understand why Ryles has opted for a variation of these 5 throughout the opening month of the season. They’re his most experienced, seasoned operators.
Yet it’s been his bench so far that has proven the difference in his side’s 2 wins.
Sam Tuivaiti has been the most consistent metre-eating middle. Matt Doorey a bull at a gate, challenging the defensive line on every carry.
With Doorey and Hopgood both gone for the season, now is the time for Ryles to go all in on generation next.
Jack Williams is an all heart player, but he’s an edge forward (and a damn good one at that). Kelma Tuilagi is regressing to his mean. And as Ryles said, the focus needs to be on defence. Williams can provide that on an edge.
In the middle it’s now about mobility mixed with power.
The tough decision sits with the selection of Junior Paulo. Parramatta’s long term forward leader who commands respect across the playing group and down into the juniors.
He debuted in 2013 though. The years seem to be catching up with the former captain.
Much like when Fuifui Moimoi passed him the torch as the Tongan wrecking ball made his final bow, now Sam Tuivaiti has thrown down the challenge.
It make sense for Tuivaiti to take the starting role alongside Luca Moretti. If Ryles wants that ball playing middle and believes Paulo still needs to start, then shifting him to lock could be the play.
Paulo wound back the years in late 2025 when he wore the 13 for Samoa.
On the bench now is the time to unleash Teancum Brown. He knocked on the door during the trials, and in his NSW Cup appearances so far this season he’s averaging 125 metres from 11 carries.
During his tenure Ryles has made the tough decisions. He’s farewelled veterans, he’s released a club captain, and hasn’t been afraid to move in a new direction.
Right now though can provide an opportunity for Ryles to either trust his veterans, or double down on the youth that served him well in 2025.