Perfect Storm’: Eels Coach Breaks Silence on Groundbreaking Pezet Deal as Details of Broncos Move Emerge
Parramatta Eels coach Jason Ryles has spoken out about his club’s decision to recruit young playmaker Jonah Pezet for the 2026 NRL season, calling the move a “perfect storm” that will ultimately benefit both the Eels and the player. While the signing of the 22-year-old has raised eyebrows due to the one-year contract, Ryles believes it’s a strategic decision that addresses gaps in the team while also setting up the Eels for the future.
Pezet, who has struggled for game time at Melbourne behind star halves Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes, will join Parramatta next season to team up with halfback Mitchell Moses. Ryles explained that the club saw an opportunity to strengthen their spine for the 2026 season after Pezet became a free agent. The signing, he believes, comes at an opportune moment due to some changes in their squad and the fact that Dean Hawkins had expressed a desire to move on for better opportunities.
“It just happened through circumstance really; he made himself a free agent and we saw a bit of a gap there with our depth,” Ryles explained. “It was a bit of a perfect storm in that regard. It wasn’t planned or perfect, but it ended up like that. Everyone benefits out of it.”
Despite the short-term nature of the deal, Ryles is confident that the signing will be positive for the Eels. He noted that while Pezet is expected to compete for the No.6 jersey with Joash Papali’i, the two players will benefit from the experience of working alongside veteran halfback Mitchell Moses. Ryles emphasized the importance of healthy competition and the opportunity for both Pezet and Papali’i to learn from Moses, with the added benefit of developing a future partnership in the halves.
Ryles also highlighted that Parramatta’s long-term strategy is to continue nurturing young talent from their pathways system, with rising stars Lincoln Fletcher and Lorenzo Talataina being earmarked as potential future playmakers. Both players led the Eels’ SG Ball side to a grand final this year, losing narrowly to the Roosters. While the duo has a long way to go before securing an NRL spot, Ryles believes they are on the right path and that their development will be aided by the signing of Pezet and the mentoring of Moses.
“The idea is to maximize what we have in our pathways,” Ryles said. “This move allows us to do that. It’s just going to be good for their development.”
In a year where the Eels finished strongly, Ryles sees Pezet’s arrival as an important piece in an evolving puzzle. Although some may question the wisdom of signing a player for just one season before he moves to the Broncos, Ryles is firm in his belief that it’s a win-win situation. “It’s a short-term gain for us but it’s also an important stepping stone for the young players coming through,” he added.
Ultimately, Ryles is confident that Pezet’s time at Parramatta will help the club build a stronger future, whether through direct on-field impact or by fostering the next generation of Eels stars.
