The star hooker from a rival New South Wales club is thought to be the top target for new Parramatta Eels coach Jason Ryles, who has officially begun his tenure at the struggling team that narrowly avoided the wooden spoon this past season and has begun building his roster for next year. According to David Riccio of the Daily Telegraph, Jayden Brailey of the Newcastle Knights is one of Ryles’ top targets, along with Broncos lock Kobe Hetherington and Titans’ Tom Weaver.
The Eels have been keeping an eye on all three of them, Riccio revealed on SEN 1170 Breakfast. “It has just been a case of waiting to claim some salary cap space up, and I’m talking specifically about Reagan Campbell-Gillard,” Riccio said. “Those names have been around and connected to the Eels for a number of weeks now, but they couldn’t make any moves until they knew what was going on with RCG. now that it’s happened, I expect it to heat up.” “Jayden Brailey is one player of absolute interest from the Eels standpoint.
“Both from knowing what he can bring on a football field but his character, he’s a leader and when you’re a rookie coach you need those players to get going and set standards and buy in and show the other players how it’s done under the new coach.”
Riccio also commented about if Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen was an option for Parramatta as Melbourne have the challenge of attempting to keep their fullback and young gun Sua Fa’alogo.
“It’s a good question, and based on our conversations just over a week ago, the Storm was swimming in the negotiations to extend Ryan Papenhyuzen,” he said. “This is going to be a really interesting decision down in Melbourne.”
The hitch is that, even if they think they will be able to keep Faa’logo as well, they do so at risk of losing Sua Faa’logo. It’s a juggling act.
“Papenhuyzen’s departure from the Storm will depend on the purchasing club’s willingness to make a substantial financial commitment of up to $850,000.
“We are aware of his exceptional skill level, but we also acknowledge the lengthy history of injury concerns he has faced. As a result, some clubs may view it as a risk, but given that Parramatta has signed Isaiah Iongi, I say no.”
Following time as an assistant coach with the Melbourne Storm, Ryles joins the Eels.
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