NRL 2023: Jason Ryles could leave Sydney Roosters amid likely Dragons move
Jason Ryles could be at St George Illawarra within the next week, with the Roosters ready to cut ties with their assistant coach if he secures the Dragons coaching job.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Jason Ryles could be at St George Illawarra within the next week.
News Corp understands assistant coach Ryles will be permitted to leave the Sydney Roosters – effective immediately – should he secure the Dragons coaching job.
If appointed head coach from 2024, Ryles will not coach St George Illawarra this year with interim Ryan Carr to remain in charge.
The Roosters haven’t yet sacked Ryles but will push him out if announced as Dragons head coach.
In other words, the Roosters don’t want Ryles at the club if he has joined Saints.
There were suggestions on Wednesday night that Roosters legend Jake Friend would be promoted into Ryles’ position at Bondi.
It is a clear sign the Roosters aren’t happy with Ryles’ decision to pursue the Dragons job.
Well-placed sources suggest the Ryles deal could even be announced after the club’s away match against the Dolphins on Thursday night.
Ryles could start at the Dragons soon and enjoy a massive headstart in his NRL coaching career.
It would give Ryles ten months to involve himself in recruitment and retention before coaching his first game at the Dragons.
Ryles was contracted at the Roosters until the end of 2024.
The new Roosters coaching line-up for the rest of 2023 would be Trent Robinson, Matt King, Brett Morris and Friend.
St George Illawarra chief executive Ryan Webb has described discussions with Ryles as “progressing well.”
While fears remain that talks could fall over, albeit remote, there is genuine intent from both parties to strike a deal.
The Dragons and Ryles want a resolution “sooner rather than later”, according to one source close to both parties.
Ryles wants more resources at the club to avoid a similar demise suffered by previous coaches at the struggling club.
He is also seeking more long-term power in selection, recruitment and retention while wanting the club’s pathways to be beefed-up.
“Regardless of who the coach is that we appoint, we are going to make sure they have the right people and systems around them to be successful, regardless of who it is,” said Webb.
“It will also depend on the individual and where their strengths and weaknesses lie. We will work that out when the time is right.”
Webb and Ryles’ manager, George Mimis, were attempting to step-up to talks on Wednesday.
Ryles wants a contract spanning five years.
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL 2023: Jason Ryles could leave Sydney Roosters amid likely Dragons move
Addo-Carr sweats on NRL future after two-hour grilling
Josh Addo-Carr’s future at the Bulldogs is now at the crossroads, after he was subjected to a marathon two-hour grilling as he faced up to the NRL integrity unit at League Central.
Sport Con: Allianz flood disaster that threatened finals double header
Allianz Stadium resembled a swamp last month, but the comeback from a flooding disaster is complete ahead of this weekend’s finals double header. See the full SPORT CONFIDENTIAL.