Eels forward Shaun Lane admits it’s been a “weird” feeling at the club since Jason Ryles was hired as Parramatta head coach from next season.
Former Roosters and Storm assistant Ryles beat out several candidates for the job, including Eels’ current interim coach Trent Barrett, who has had to coach out the season despite knowing he’s unwanted from next year.
Since then, some players who have spoke publicly have admitted they don’t know where they stand with the club and incoming coach, while others have said they have spoken with Ryles.
It’s created a confusing environment with more questions than answers.
Speaking ahead of Parramatta’s ‘Spoon Bowl’ clash against the Tigers, Lane says it’s been a unique situation for the players to navigate through.
“It’s been a weird situation knowing that we’ve got a new coach coming in and then meanwhile we’re still getting coached by Baz (Barrett),” Lane said.
“There could be a player’s movement on and everything like that. It’s definitely a weird one but we haven’t been looking too far into the future.
“When the time comes to move on after this week, then we’ll do so and look towards the future then.”
Speaking on NRL360, co-host Braith Anasta believes incoming coach Ryles probably would have liked to see a little more “enthusiasm” from Lane.
“I look at that and think, ‘geez, you’d want a bit more enthusiasm than that’ but then I speak to Rylesy and I get enthusiasm from him,” Anasta said.
“You’d probably want get more out of your players. Even if you’re the coach going there and you’re watching that, you’re probably like ‘c’mon mate, let’s lift’. I know it’s the end of the year but I don’t think it’s the end of the world.”
“I think he’s just being candid,” Fox League’s James Hooper replied.
“He’s obviously thought, ‘well we’ve had the season from hell’.
“Yes the players need to be accountable but a lot of the issues that have arisen at that club have been driven by the administrators decision to sack their previous coach in Brad Arthur and their failed attempt to sign Wayne Bennett.”
