Parramatta Eels analysis: Brailey regret, Gutho conundrum, and the ray of hope for Jason Ryles
There is no quick fix for Jason Ryles but there are options to stem the early bleeding at Parramatta. BRENT READ analyses the problems Ryles can control – and the ones he can’t.
Brent Read
If Jason Ryles is searching for some inspiration to help him navigate his way through Parramatta’s rocky start to the season, he need look no further than the bloke in the opposition coaching box this Sunday afternoon.
Cameron Ciraldo knows exactly what it feels like to be in the crosshairs early in your coaching career. Ciraldo was hailed as the saviour when he arrived at the Bulldogs two years ago but there were no shortage of doubters as the Dogs got too to a slow start, winning only three of their opening eight games in his maiden season at the helm.
All told, the ‘Dogs won only seven games in his first season. Hand-picked by Phil Gould to take the Bulldogs forward, Ciraldo attracted his fair share of critics. He backed himself, stayed the course and look at the Bulldogs now.
Last year, they played finals football and this year they are unbeaten through two rounds. Ciraldo’s critics have gone awfully quiet. Some of them are no doubt now among those who have put Ryles in the firing line as his Eels struggle to be competitive through the opening two rounds.
Their cause hasn’t been helped by the absence of their captain and best player Mitchell Moses, who aggravated a foot injury in the pre-season. Still, Moses’ absence doesn’t wholly and solely explain their dismal start to the season.
Ryles can’t afford to wallow in self-pity. Moses could be another five weeks away so he won’t be coming to the rescue any time soon.
Ryles was hired as an agent of change and inevitably that means short-term pain for long-term gain. He walked in the building and wasn’t afraid to make tough decisions, most notably giving the green light to Clint Gutherson’s departure, a decision he knew could potentially come at a cost.
At the moment, the pain is being felt on the field. Parramatta were embarrassed by the Wests Tigers on Sunday, their plight highlighted by the smattering of boos aimed at Dylan Brown and a Tigers chant reverberating around CommBank Stadium in the dying minutes.
There is no quick fix for Parramatta but there are options.
THE HALVES
Dean Hawkins was recruited from South Sydney in the off-season to provide cover for Mitchell Moses but those plans suffered a setback in the pre-season when the former Rabbitohs suffered an injury.
In Hawkins’ absence, Ronald Volkman was given first shot at the No.7 jersey. Volkman did a serviceable job but Hawkins returned at the weekend in NSW Cup and from all reports, was outstanding in his 40 minutes on the field.
Volkman only played five NRL games before arriving at Parramatta, having spent the previous year on the sidelines overcoming a shoulder injury. It was asking a lot for him to take the reins at the Eels.
Hawkins is an experienced campaigner. He only played 14 NRL games over four seasons at South Sydney but he was a fixture in their NSW Cup side and won the NSW Cup player of the year award in 2023, the same year he led the Rabbitohs’ reserve grade side to the premiership.
There seems little doubt through the opening two rounds of the season that the Eels would benefit from some experience in the halves. Hawkins has a cool head and a world-class kicking game.
ADDO-CARR RETURN
The Eels look like a side that desperately needs an injection of enthusiasm and confidence heading into this weekend. Enter Josh Addo-Carr.
The ex-NSW and Australian winger missed the opening rounds through suspension but his return is timely given he will be up against his former club.
Addo-Carr will have a point to prove. The 29-year-old try-scoring machine has struggled with injuries at times over the past two seasons but the one thing he hasn’t struggled to do is find the tryline.
Restricted to only 29 games across 2023 and 2024, Addo-Carr still managed to score 22 tries. He remains a handful on his day.
The Eels’ attack was awful against the Wests Tigers last Sunday but Addo-Carr will add to their attacking threat and provide another outlet for his playmakers.
Ryles made it clear when he took the job that he wanted more speed in the side. It was part of the reason the club opted to let Gutherson leave.
It also helped explain why they took a chance on Addo-Carr after his time at the Bulldogs came to a contentious end.
They showed plenty of faith in Addo-Carr. They need him to return the favour.
THE GUTHO CONUNDRUM
There is no doubt Gutherson has hit the ground running at St George Illawarra, but of all the Parramatta players through the opening two rounds, his replacement has been among the best.
It was asking a lot for Isaiah Iongi to step into Gutherson’s shoes and replace a club legend, but the signs have been promising despite the nature of their two defeats.
Iongi hasn’t been the problem. It’s worth remembering as well that as good as Gutherson has been for the Dragons, they are winless this season.
Iongi ran for 112 metres against the Tigers last weekend. The week before that he ran for 159 metres against the Storm. Yes, he has missed some tackles but over the past two weeks, he has been exposed by some shocking defence in front of him.
The easy option for Ryles would be to take his young fullback out of the firing line and potentially move Zac Lomax to the back.
Lomax, however, has been one of the few threats for the Eels. He ran for 166 metres, and had five tackle busts and five offloads against the Tigers.
Youngster Joash Papalii, another former Bulldog, has also been impressive in NSW Cup and looks a talent. Iongi, however, deserves more time.
MISSING BRAILEY
If there is a silver lining for Ryles, it has been the steady return of players from injury.
Moses still has more than a month to go but Hawkins and Ryan Matterson made their comebacks in the NSW Cup at the weekend.
Charlie Guymer also punched out big minutes after being sent back to give him more game time.
Bryce Cartwright and Kelma Tuilagi played just over 40 minutes apiece. Ryles has options, particularly in his forward pack.
The one concern could be at hooker. Brendan Hands and Ryley Smith shared the role against the Tigers and the Eels may live to rue the decision not to pursue Newcastle’s Jayden Brailey with more vigour.
Brailey was given permission by the Knights to explore his options and there was reputed interest from the Eels. However, he ended up signing a deal to join Canberra next season.
The Eels lack a top-quality hooker and the gulf in class has been highlighted by the performances of Harry Grant and Api Koroisau over the opening two weeks of the season.
Grant and Koroisau have had their way with the Eels. Had Parramatta been able to get their hands on Brailey early, it would have given them a calm head amid the carnage that has unfolded over the past fortnight.
It may be remembered as an opportunity lost.
STAYING THE COURSE
Ryles arrived at Parramatta with a plan and the security of a four-year deal. The Eels had been Brad Arthur’s club for more than a decade and when Ryles took charge, it was a breath of fresh air in many respects.
The results have not reflected the work that has gone in but there is a belief within Parramatta that it is only a matter of time.
Ryles has outstanding pedigree at clubs where winning is in the DNA. He knows what winning looks like.
The past fortnight hasn’t reflected that. It has been painful for the blue and gold army, who are coming up to 40 years without a premiership, but there is a sense that change had to take place if the Eels were to end the drought.
Ryles won’t be deterred. He anticipated there would be some dark days before the club began to turn the corner. Maybe not this dark, but dark all the same.
Dylan Brown’s decision to accept a big-money deal from Newcastle was a curve ball he didn’t see coming but the Eels will be emboldened by a bulging war chest and a confidence that things will improve as Ryles vision begins to take shape.
Now is not the time to panic.
