Despite not having coached his first NRL game, Jason Ryles has quickly made significant changes to the Parramatta team, bringing in big-name recruits and letting go of high-profile players. Ryles stated, “We’re resetting. We’re not starting from scratch, but we’ve got a bit of a blank canvas to work with.”One of the newcomers is Josh Addo-Carr after the former Bulldog inked a deal with the Eels on Monday.
Addo-Carr received a lifeline from the Eels after he was sacked by Canterbury-Bankstown following a positive roadside drug test for cocaine in September
The move sees the flyer reunite with Ryles, who was an assistant coach at the Storm when Addo-Carr was with Melbourne.
“Had I not known him and have the relationship that I do with him, I probably wouldn’t be talking about him now,” Ryles said.
“But because I’ve had that experience with him and spent quite a bit of time with him, I know him really well and I know what he can do for our footy club.
“He’s made a mistake [and] he’s paid the price for it. But now, it’s all about what we can do going forward.”
Then-assistant Coach Jason Ryles chats with players Brandon Smith and Josh Addo-Carr at a Melbourne Storm training session in 2020. Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images
Former Panther Isaiah Iongi is tipped to take the No.1 jersey left by the Dragons-bound Clint Gutherson.
Ryles believes Iongi’s future looks promising in blue and gold.
“He’s an exciting prospect for the future,” he said.
“He’s played 60-plus games in NSW Cup, he’s been in arguably the best system in the country at the minute learning off one of the best fullbacks [in the competition] and he’s played that one first-grade game which he pretty much shot the light out.”
Isaiah Iongi runs the ball during the round 22 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Newcastle Knights. Brett Hemming via Getty Images
Gutheron’s exit has also opened up the captaincy role with Mitchell Moses and J’maine Hopgood the leading contenders to be bestowed the honour.
However, Ryles was adamant that the decision would not be solely made by the coaches.
“The players will have a huge influence on who is the captain,” he said.
“They’ll pretty much pick who their leader is going to be with a bit of help from myself and the coaches.”
Ryles confirmed that this would be determined in late January.
