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Our triple header of special episodes from Eels HQ concludes with what has become a staple on the calendar in our annual end of season wrap up with Mark O’Neil.
The General Manager of Football joins The Tip Sheet is a period of unprecedented change for the Parramatta Eels. Jason Ryles is leading the club into a new era backed by one of the most aggressive recruitment drives in years and O’Neill breaks down where the new look NRL squad is at heading into the Christmas break.
From how the Top 30 is shaping up to exactly what position the Eels are now targeting and the overall balance of the roster, the boys look at the transition into season 2025.
The development of the Centre of Excellence and the announcement of Parramatta Live augment the palpable aura of excitement at the club and the show takes a vibe check on how everyone is holding up.
What has Jason Ryles brought to the Eels in his first preseason? What in particular has impressed O’Neill and how have his support staff brought their own flair and different approaches to Kellyville?
Mark O’Neill
O’Neill also discusses the NRLW and the huge strides taken this year under Steve Georgallis as well as the Junior Pathways and the appointment of full-time coaching staff in another massive investment into the talent pipeline.
We always express sincere gratitude to all of the Parramatta staff that graciously share their time with TCT and that is doubly true for Mark O’Neill.
As mentioned in the podcast, Mark has joined the show through a gamut of backdrops ranging from grand final heartbreak to frustrating seasons outside the Top 8 and now on the back of a whirlwind of change sweeping through the club.
More than that, we also extend our sincerest sympathies and condolences to Mark and his family for the loss of his brother-in-law Paul Griffin.
Forty20
That was the most relaxed and confident interview that our GM football has been involved in. I had the opportunity over the last few years to let’s say, have some time with MON, he now seems to have embraced the role much more than previously and is comfortable in its execution.
Whether it’s a change in the staff alongside his role is a moot point, but an impressive run through of what is going on and the new plan in how coaching, pathways etc have evolved. Difficult not to be looking forward to 2025 across the club, new coach and structures and no doubt a new game plan , As the movie title said “Bring It On” ….
B & G, we have got to know Mark quite well over the years and we can assure people that he cares passionately about the Eels and the people in the organisation. It’s been a very busy off season and preseason, and one that was not without its personal challenges for him, as people heard in this podcast. My experience of Mark as an Eels supporter is that he is very self-reflective and doesn’t shy away from constructive feedback.
Great interview. The major points being the improvement in the overall roster and the way it’s been put together under Ryles. Under the previous regime there were too many road blocks blocking paths in reserve grade, with so many i would say players in their mid 20s being brought into reserve grade who were going absolutely nowhere.
Now we can see that Ryles is focused on younger developing players, who he and his coaching team can mold into first graders.
The connection with the community has also been excellent, especially with the open days being brought into Eels catchment areas, and also the connection with past players such as Sterlo is another great initiative.
Parramatta are a development club and should always be that. I really don’t want to go back and bag the previous coaching regime but the way our reserve grade team was structured was very poor. We did see some bright lights with Sanders and Blaze making ground but apart from them, we really didn’t have a development reserve team pushing for spots.
Just on Ryles and his liking for quick backs who turn and chase down attacking breaks – im glade Blaze is no longer at the club because he on more than one occasion gave up on chasing down players. Talk about slow.
Chief the field length tries consistently scored on us was largely due to having nobody in the back 5 who could chase down defenders. I heard from former players that our defence isn’t the issue but speed. Which is usually looked at in attacking terms. But they told me it’s almost even more important in defence. Hence Dylan brown being possibly our best defender. It’s largely because he had the speed to turn around and chase down players. Your 5/8 isn’t supposed to be relied on for that. Usually Back 5 duties. Hopefully iongi, Fox and Lomax can now help us defend better against those length of the field line tries which embarrass us at times too regularly 😅
Muz, I think I’ve got a bit of a decent idea about the pace of Lomax and JA-C. I don’t know if I was imagining things or they were just isolated examples, but had a quick look at some Ionghi highlights and more than once he got into space and looked covered by opposition chaser/s, then seemed to have another gear, not bullet-like but a ‘you’re not gonna catch me’ change up. He’ll be good to watch.
Try Bdon iongi has very good acceleration & top speed it looks like. Good stutter step, quick acceleration
Muz, I like what I’ve seen from him at training so far when he receives the ball in attack. It adds a whole new dimension to Parra’s attack.
That’s awesome sixties. He looks like a high iq young player in his highlights. He looks to have nice passing hands too. Which is nice to see from a young fullback. Not all of them can run and ball play effectively. They often have one strength. He seems well rounded for a nrl rookie more or less.
People have frequently asked me to compare what has happened in the past, compared with what is happening now. My answer is very straight forward. It’s different. It applies to training, and the preparation for 2025. It also applies to the roster assembly. It applies to fan engagement. The club opted for a raft of different approaches. So rather than looking back and finding fault, if the new approach is working, just embrace it and build from it as right now it’s just a starting point.
Thanks fellas,
Really interesting interview that gives insights into the inner workings of an NRL club and what it takes to put a successful one together. It was good to hear how the admin side of the house adjusts to accommodate a new coaches philosophy and thinking, also on how each of the new assistant coaches fits in to the bigger picture.
Very enjoyable.
Thanks.
Thanks Namrebo. We appreciate all of the coaches for their time talking with us.
Great interview with MON. That is probably, in my opinion. the best interview I’ve heard him give. Well done.
It is hard to curb enthusiasm for next season but my confidence and expectations are growing with all that is happening.
The change of playing style, the injection of young talent and the inclusion of some quality experienced recruits is exciting.
Well done TCT you are doing a great job for all of us tragics and for the Eels brand in general.
I am going to miss Clint though in 2025.
All the best for the TCT family and the fellow tragic’s who follow the channel. A merry to all.
A merry Christmas. (Oops)
Thanks for the kind words John. Mark was very generous with his time and we enjoyed a good chat before and after the recording. In fact, as we were chatting before the recording started, we all agreed that our conversation would have made for a great podcast. That was probably a good measure of how he was before Forty hit the record button.
As for Clint, his final regular podcast drops tomorrow. Stay tuned and Merry Christmas.
I will be listening.
Was that a bit of a scoop when he said they are still looking for another outside back. I got the impression from what he said that they have someone in mind.
Maybe I am just reading too much into it.
We didn’t push that any further so can’t elaborate – you’d have to think that when a target has to be met soon (round one roster numbers) that there are a couple of targets (options). Outside of that they can meet it by upgrading.
The comment re outside backs also suggests we won’t strength the hooker position this year. I suppose nrl team is gonna run with hands and a utility on bench. They will probably shift Lussick after this year and assess whether they need to buy a hooker or promote a junior hooker from within.
It’s a risky strategy for the 25 nrl year as our current hooker rotation is one of the worst in nrl. But I don’t mind short term pain for long term gain in that role
Watch Ryley Smith Ron. He’s a player on the rise.
I hope Ryley has a breakout year in cup and proves himself. Without him having such a year it’s very bare and one dimensional hooking rotation for 25
I have a feeling that Hands will shine under the new coaching regime.
Have the specialist coach in Brown and being given the nod as the number on DH will help him fulfil his potential. Was seen as a young gun in the penrith system.
Excited also to see how Riley Smith goes as well.
Both are seen as among the fittest in the club and have both been spotted in the gold jersey.
True about how both have performed in this preseason Woody. The coaching from Nathan Brown has been incredibly valuable
I love the in depth questions by John and Craig. Asking what we need to know for us to trust the man running the show known as the Parramatta Eels. I appreciated the upfront acknowledgement of the roster changes as he says the new coach has a vision and direction in this new era. Very good podcast which is nothing new for the Tip Sheet. Keep it coming guys
-Ron Greep
Cheers Ron. I thought this was the best interview that Mark has done to date.