Matty Johns: Eels coach Jason Ryles needs to make big calls on Clint Gutherson, Dylan Brown, Blaize Talagi

Jason Ryles cannot afford to waste the headstart he’s been given at the Eels, starting with big calls he has to make on three key Parramatta stars, MATTY JOHNS writes.

NRL 2024 RD15 Parramatta Eels v Sydney Roosters – Dylan Brown NRL PHOTOS

The only thing which surprised me about Jason Ryles being appointed Parramatta coach, was how long the Eels board took to make the decision.

The fact the Melbourne Storm anointed Ryles as the person to succeed the iconic Craig Bellamy says everything about his credentials.

The Eels have lucked out with Bellamy deciding to coach on, as if he wasn’t going to, I don’t see Craig getting satisfaction from working the garden and collecting stamps.

Jason Ryles gets to work wooing the Parramatta Eels players

Waiting for Bellamy and Bennett to retire is like leaving the porch light on for Harold Holt. You see what I did there?

That wonderful Jack Gibsonism deserves a new home after Cronulla turned off the light.

The Storm, on Wednesday night, revealed they will release Ryles from his contract at the end of this week so he can begin preparations for his new role as Eels head coach.

ROSTER, ATTITUDE & STYLE PROBLEMS

For the former Melbourne assistant this is a must; there’s a hell of a lot of work and planning to be done if the Eels are to re-establish themselves as a finals team.

The general belief is that Ryles is inheriting a strong roster. I’m not so sure.

It’s a good-looking roster on paper and in reputation, but there’s a number of key players who have faded significantly in 2024.

Now, it’s a little difficult to work out exactly why, is it the date on the birth certificate? Or the fact they needed a change of coach and system of play? Maybe it’s both.

Parramatta’s middle defence is of primary concern. No team has been torn to shreds through the centre field more than the Eels.

Jason Ryles should make developing Blaize Talagi his key priority. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The defensive performance against the Dolphins in Round 7 is the clearest example. The Eels led 8-4 at half time, at full-time it was 44-16 to the Redcliffe men.

In the first half, the Eels had 52 per cent possession, completed 20 of 24 sets (83 per cent) and enjoyed 58 per cent of the territory.

In the second stanza, Parramatta had just 42 per cent possession, with just eight of their 11 sets completed and 44 per cent territory.

I’ve rarely seen a defensive collapse like it. Fatigue? Attitude? Both.

Change is needed, a change of defensive system, a change of attitude and a change of personnel.

The problem for Ryles is the difficulty of turning over key parts of the roster. There’s not a lot of talent on the market to start with and they’re competing for signatures with big clubs like the Sydney Roosters, who have a ton of money freed up to spend, and Wayne Bennett’s South Sydney, who equally need changes in personnel.

BLAIZE A NEW ROLE FOR GUTHO

So, if there’s not going to be a solid roster turnover, there needs to be a change of system, a refreshing of style and some key positional switches.

Ryles needs to keep Blaize Talagi. He should pitch a tent outside Blaize’s house and refuse to move on until he pledges his future to Parramatta.

He’s crucial because he’s central to the changes I would look to make.

Clint Gutherson needs to move to five-eighth. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Clint Gutherson has arrived at the junction that many fullbacks do, including Darren Lockyer. The physical demands of fullback take a heavy toll on players who’ve held the position over a long period of time.

Fullbacks are at the mercy of aggressive kick chases, no position endures as much high-speed collision like the No.1s.

Lockyer shifted to five-eighth to prolong his career and I’d do the same with Gutho.

BIGGER SWITCH FOR DYLAN BROWN

At the very least, I would experiment with Talagi at fullback, Gutho at six, Mitchell Moses at seven and Dylan Brown at 13.

The obvious challenge for Brown would be the defensive toll of being a middle defender, but he doesn’t need to defend in the centre field.

In the 1990s, the lock was an edge defender. The 13 and the six would both defend third man in from the touchline, on either side of the field. That’s exactly how I would place Brown in the defensive line.

Dylan Brown will benefit from a move to lock. Picture: NRL Photos

As far as attack, the 13 role would completely free up Brown, not being nailed down to one side of the field, which most halves systems enforce.

I’d allow Brown to float around the field in a maverick role, picking and choosing his moments with an onus on run-first, past-second football. These changes would naturally bring a new formula, which is needed because the current one ain’t working.

For Ryles this is a dream job — the Eels are a huge club with a loyal supporter base desperate for title success.

On the flip side, that brings pressure. He knows he can’t waste time sitting behind a desk in Melbourne, he has to get to work.

Originally published as Matty Johns: Eels coach Jason Ryles needs to make big calls on Clint Gutherson, Dylan Brown, Blaize Talagi