New Parramatta Eels coach Jason Ryles is expected to have three key signings in his sights with a star hooker from a rival New South Wales club believed to be the top target.
Ryles has officially started his tenure at the embattled club, which only just avoided the wooden spoon this past season, and has started the process of putting his roster together for next year.
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio said Newcastle Knights hooker Jayden Brailey was one of Ryles’ top targets with Broncos lock Kobe Hetherington and Tom Weaver from the Titans also on the radar.
“I can tell you all three are on the Eels radar,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“It has been a case of just waiting to claim some salary cap space up and I’m talking specifically about Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
“Those names have been around and connected to the Eels for a number of weeks now but they couldn’t make any moves until they knew what was going on with RCG, now what’s happened I expect it will heat up.
“Certainly Jayden Brailey, is one player of absolute interest from the Eels point of view.
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“Both from knowing what he can bring on a football field but his character, he’s a leader and when you’re a rookie coach you need those players to get going and set standards and buy in and show the other players how it’s done under the new coach.”
Riccio also spoke about whether Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen was an option for Parramatta as Melbourne face the dilemma of trying to keep their fullback and young gun Sua Fa’alogo.
“It’s a good question and this is going to be a really interesting decision down in Melbourne and certainly from my discussions with the Storm only about a week ago, they were swimming as far as negotiations are concerned to extend Ryan Papenhyuzen,” he said.
“However the catch is they do do it at a risk of losing Sua Faa’logo despite the fact that they believe they will also be able to retain Faa’logo as well but it is a juggling act
“The catch to Papenhuyzen leaving the Storm will be whether the buying club will be willing to invest significant money of up around $850,000.
“We know how brilliant he is but also to the long risk of injury issues he has had as well, so on some club’s eyes it’ll be seen as a gamble but for Parramatta, do they go there, I say no on the basis they’ve signed Isaiah Iongi.”
Ryles arrives at the Eels after stints as an assistant coach with the Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters and also the Wallabies under Eddie Jones.
