Parramatta's first season under Jason Ryles was never going to be smooth. It was a reset, not a sugar hit. New systems, new standards, and a club that finally looked willing to wear short term pain if it meant building something that lasts.

The early part of 2025 was rough. Results weren't there, combinations were unsettled, and the squad often looked caught between old habits and new expectations. Ryles made it clear he was looking forward, and he made tough calls on players who were not part of the long term picture, even if they could have helped win games in the short term.

The Dylan Brown situation became the lightning rod. Brown's talent never disappeared. He later played outstanding football for New Zealand, and at times looked like one of the most dangerous five eighths in the world. But once he chose Newcastle on a 10 year deal, Parramatta moved on quickly. Ryles prioritised giving time to younger halves and depth options, and he started blooding players like Joash Papali and giving Dean Hawkins extended opportunities.

There was also significant movement around the roster. Reagan Campbell Gillard departed, Bryce Cartwright moved on, and Sean Lane retired. Mid season, Parramatta added Dylan Walker from the Warriors, and he quickly became a useful bench option as a ball playing forward who could settle games. At dummy half, young hooker Ryley Smith became a week to week NRL player, and Talon De Silva arrived mid season to strengthen the depth and competition in that role.

The Jonah Pezet signing for 2026 drew debate. Some questioned how a one year deal for a player already committed elsewhere aligned with the youth first approach. Yet on pure football logic, it also made sense. Pezet gets a full season learning next to Mitchell Moses, and Parramatta add a high calibre organiser to stabilise their spine, especially considering Moses' injury interruptions.

When Moses returned in 2025, Parramatta looked like a different side. Their best footy came with shape, kicking control, and confidence in the moments that matter. They finished 11th, winning 10 and losing 14, and for a first year under a new coach and new direction, it gave the club something to build on.

If Parramatta want the rebuild to turn into a finals push in 2026, these five players must take a clear step.

4. Bailey Simonsson

Why his role is important
Bailey Simonsson's situation has flipped quickly. Throughout 2025 there was noise around his future and his desire to explore options, which is understandable given the injuries and the stop start nature of his time at Parramatta. Now, with Zac Lomax leaving early, Simonsson has a clear runway to become the Eels' long term wing option.

That matters because Lomax was not just a finisher. He was a yardage engine. He could chew through massive metres, absorb brutal contact carries, and still be available to finish sets and kick goals. Parramatta have lost that output, and someone has to replace the physical workload side of it.

Josh Addo Carr locks down the other wing. That means Simonsson becomes the key yardage carrier on his side. He must take the tough carries that start sets, he must help the forwards win territory, and he must make Parramatta harder to pin down.

When Simonsson is fit, he is built for this. Elite strength, damaging carries, an ability to attract defenders, and a finishing instinct that rewards good field position.

What must improve
It is simple. He must stay on the park.

Simonsson's career has been interrupted too often by injury. Even when he returns, he has to spend weeks rebuilding timing, rhythm, and trust in his body. That is the unknown factor again heading into 2026.

He also needs to commit to the weekly torture test that elite wingers accept. Yardage carries are not glamour. They are collisions. They are repeat efforts. They are playing injured without missing games. If Simonsson wants to be viewed as a long term first grader, he must prove he can handle that workload consistently.

Why his improvement matters
If Simonsson stays fit and plays to his potential, Parramatta have not lost as much as fans fear. They will still have an elite metre eating winger on that side, a strong finisher, and a player whose aggression suits the style Ryles is trying to build.

His career is on the line. Another injury disrupted year could be terminal. A full season could lock him in as Parramatta's winger for years or earn him a major opportunity elsewhere.

4 COMMENTS

  1. That’s a very readable and thought-provoking article, Michael.

    Pezet is a concern for me. If he is playing at 6 next to Moses, yet expected to move to 7 when Moses is unavailable, how is he supposed to develop his skills as a 7 ? If he is normally playing at 6 he will grow more and more accustomed to playing in that role, and less and less accustomed to running the team round the park.

    I don’t disagree that Pezet is important for Parramatta, but I am concerned that he will not be able to become a Moses-replacement with limited time at 7. Maybe he would be better developed by regularly at 7 in the reggies rather than 6 in first-grade.

    • Thank you for the feedback. Greatly appreciated. I think there is a complete overkill in how we talk about the 6 and the 7. Many sides are using various styles when it comes to getting the side around the park. Getting NRL time consistently at 6 or 7 is far better than 7 in NSW cup as long as confidence isn’t being destroyed. Making your tackles, getting the call on the footy and earning trust are best achieved in NRL. If Pezet is in the top 2 play makers , 6 or 7 doesnt matter. Moses will run the side and Pezet will learn playing with him as well as being a trusted point of the attack. Plus he can alleviate Moses of having to do all the kicking. On precendents already set, Moses has struggled to play 10 games a year in recent times so there is no guarantee he stays on the park. Having 2 halves that can play 6 or 7 depending on the need is far better. Pigeon holing these youngsters as most pundits and commentators do and do lazily, is why we have these narratives flood the social pages, but really, if the kid is a talented half, the 6 or 7 don’t matter. Pezet development will be extremely important for Parra this year and Brisbane next year.