‘I had to look in the mirror’: How Simonsson healed Ryles rift

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Bailey Simonsson now understands Parramatta coach Jason Ryles’ reluctance to play him in the NRL at various times last season.

“To be fair, looking back on the situation now, it was probably the right call from him,” Simonsson said.

Simonsson has realised that the Eels, to whom he is contracted for the next two seasons, are the only team he wants to play for. The former Raiders flyer expressed very different sentiments in August when Dylan Brown, who was defecting to Newcastle and had little experience in that position, was picked ahead of him in the centres.

The decision strained the relationship between Ryles and a frustrated Simonsson, to the point where the latter requested – and was at one point granted – a chance to explore his options at other clubs.

It all pointed to the likelihood that Simonsson had played his last game for the club. However, the 27-year-old arranged a clear-the-air meeting with Ryles, and the pair resolved that there was a future for him in the blue and gold.

“To be completely honest, it was probably more about myself,” Simonsson said.

Bailey Simonsson has recommitted to the Eels.

“There were some things away from the field that I wasn’t dealing with very well, injuries and other things in my life that I didn’t really deal with well.

“I spoke to Rylesy and assured him I wanted to be at the club and put my best foot forward for the club. I do love playing at the Eels, so it was about staying there.

“Obviously, there was that stuff going on where I was able to talk to other clubs. Once I sat down, looked at myself in the mirror, looked at where I’m at, I worked out that I had to do better, work on myself.

“It’s been a tough couple of years, so it’s about getting my body right. It’s about doing well for the club because they have been good to me.

Bailey Simonsson and Eels coach Jason Ryles are back on a strong footing.

“We had a good chat, and Rylesy spoke about wanting me to be a part of the club. It was a good conversation, I have a lot of time for him, and [I am] appreciative of him for the whole process with the club.

“I’m genuinely keen to stay there for the next two years, I feel we’re building something pretty good there.”

Simonsson said the fact that he’s about to become a father for the first time, coupled with a period of self-reflection, had resulted in a change of perspective.

“Honestly, he [Ryles] was awesome, he was so good with everything,” he said.

“I’m not just saying this because [of this interview], he’s a good coach and a good man. I genuinely am happy to staying under him.

“There were a few things I needed to sort out myself, in my own life … I had a lot of injuries: ACL, broken foot, shoulder surgeries before that.

“I’ve had a wretched run with injuries and had a lot of built-up frustration. I had other things going on outside of footy that I won’t dive into, but there were things going on. I got to a point where I – not quite ran away – but turned away from things. I felt it wasn’t all going the right way, I wasn’t sure where I was heading.

“I was a bit lost, to be fair ...It took me to sit down and realise where I’m at and where I want to be, and that’s at Parramatta.”

Simonsson, who can play in the centres or wing, also cleared up perceptions on where he wants to play.

“If you ask me what I prefer, I prefer playing on the wing to centre,” he said.

“A lot of it got lost in translation, it wasn’t a matter of ‘I don’t want to be a centre’, it was that I prefer to play on the wing.

“You live and learn. I’m focused on my two years left at Parra, and I want to rip in there and hopefully stay there, long term.”