Ryles’ Eels shake-up continues as shock coaching hire revealed
New Eels coach Jason Ryles has wasted no time shaking up the joint since his arrival, and he isn’t finished yet if his new hire is anything to go by.
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Ryles has added his former Dragons teammate Mark Gasnier to the Eels coaching staff to continue a Parra facelift according to Code Sports.
Gasnier, who was the best man at Ryles’ wedding, hasn’t held a coaching job in the NRL since hanging up the boots in 2011.
However, Ryles believes the former centre’s experience will be invaluable to the Eels outside back stocks.
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“I actually got him down to Melbourne (several seasons ago) when I was there as an assistant a couple of times and the boys were really receptive of his input,” Ryles said via Code Sports.
“I always kept that in my mind, that if ever I was to get a job, I’d get him involved again.
“He’s been loving it. He enjoys coming in to work with the outside backs. He talks to them about their craft and breaks down the intricate parts of playing in the backs that I can’t pass on.
“He also sits down and does video with them.
“It’s only a small role, but there’s no doubt he can have an influence.’’
While Ryles is putting together his coaching staff which will include Gasnier and former Dragons, Knights and Warriors coach Nathan Brown, it’s with the playing group where he’s made the biggest splash.
Former skipper Clint Gutherson was allowed to let walk a year before his contract was due to expire, as was representative prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard, with those two players since signing with the Dragons and Titans respectively.
In addition, the Eels signed winger Josh Addo-Carr following his sacking by the Bulldogs.
Ryles says he’s excited about the “blank canvas” he has been presented with.
I don’t have anything to go off in regards to my experiences with the day to day (at the club),” Ryles said this week at his first major media conference as Eels coach.
“The exciting part for me is that we’re resetting. We’re not starting again, but we’ve got a bit of a blank canvas to work with.
“The most impressive thing for me at the moment has been the buy in and the commitment of the players. They’re very compliant and they’ve got a work ethic about them before I got here.
“It’s about resetting that environment and making it one that they never want to leave and they can be the best they can be.”
