2 weeks Ago By News
Jason Ryles says he is undecided on his captain, fullback, hooker or where Zac Lomax will play headed into his first season in charge of Parramatta. Now three weeks into his first pre-season as a head coach, Ryles has effectively given himself a clean slate at the Eels. The rookie mentor has already allowed captain and the club’s most powerful player in Clint Gutherson to walk, Reagan Campbell-Gillard to go early and has a swathe of players on the final year of deals.
He has also signed Josh Addo-Carr in the past fortnight from Canterbury, after the winger was axed by the Bulldogs following a positive roadside drug test. But while he said his history with Addo-Carr at Melbourne was part of the reason he signed the former Test flyer, Ryles is adamant he did not plan to clear the decks. More League “It wasn’t intentional,” Ryles said.
“It wasn’t like we need to move this one and this one and this one. “It happened organically and we’ve gone along with it and made decisions as they presented themselves.” Ryles’ first dilemma is what to do at No.
1. Isaiah Iongi is expected to claim the jersey after the Eels met with him days after his impressive debut with Penrith last season. But Ryles said there was a chance Joash Papalii could win out after impressing early in his pre-season move from Canterbury.
“It is up to those two guys to fight it out over the pre-season. The opportunity is theirs,” Ryles said. “I’ve seen a lot of Isaiah.
He has played 60-plus games in Cup. He’s been in arguably the best system in the country learning off one of the best fullbacks. “And he has played that one first-grade game which he shot the lights out in.
“He is very aware of the work he has to put in to take the opportunity.” Zac Lomax celebrates a try in Origin two (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) One man who won’t be playing fullback is Lomax. The 25-year-old was unhappy playing wing in a career-best year at St George Illawarra last season and has said he expected to play centre at the Eels.
“I am very open to where he plays. The main point in my conversations is let’s get back to training and let’s do what’s best for the team,” Ryles said. “He’s really receptive of that.
“You balance out (his desire and last year’s performances) by fitting the best players available in the team. “When we get back here wing might not be the best position for him or centre. We’ll just work that out.
” Ryles is also in the air on his hooker with the club having pursued Newcastle No.9 Jayden Brailey. Joey Lussick, Brendan Hands and rising star Ryley Smith are also all on their books.
Captaincy is also up for grabs, following Gutherson’s exit. Junior Paulo has served as a co-captain while Mitch Moses has expressed his interest in increasing his leadership at the club. “The players will have a huge influence on who is the next captain,” Ryles said.
“They’ll pretty much pick who their leader is going to be with the help of me or the coaches.” © AAP.
