Jason Ryles' revelation about Josh Addo-Carr amid massive call on Parramatta Eels captaincy

Jason Ryles has admitted he had no qualms about signing Josh Addo-Carr after his sacking from the Bulldogs, while also lifting the lid on who might be Parramatta's new fullback and captain in 2025. New coach Ryles has set about rebuilding the Eels after their 15th-place finish in 2024.

The former Melbourne and Roosters assistant has let Clint Gutherson and Regan Campbell-Gillard walk, but signed gun outside backs Zac Lomax and Addo-Carr. Ryles formerly worked with Addo-Carr at the Storm and got a first-hand look at how dangerous he can be on the flank.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Ryles said he had no hesitation in signing Addo-Carr when other clubs shied away because he has to serve a four-match ban. The former Australia and NSW winger was sacked by the Bulldogs after failing a road-side drug test, although he maintains he doesn't know how it occurred.

“There was an opportunity to speak to him. Had I not known him and had the relationship that I do have with him, I probably wouldn’t be talking about him now,” Ryles said. “Because I’ve had that experience and had quite a bit of time with him, I know him really well and know what he can do for a footy team.

“He’s made a mistake and paid a price for it, but now it’s all about what we can do going forward. I’ve been really clear with Josh. There are no guarantees that he’ll be playing in the first 13 in our team. He’s got a lot of work to do.”

Isaiah Iongi and Joash Papalii in fight to be Eels fullback

Gutherson's move to the Dragons means Ryles has to pick a new fullback and captain for the Eels. Isaiah Iongi is believed to be the front-runner to don the No.1 jersey, but Ryles said Joash Papalii could win the race after impressing early after his pre-season move from Canterbury.

"It is up to those two guys to fight it out over the pre-season. The opportunity is theirs," Ryles said. "I've seen a lot of Isaiah. He has played 60-plus games in Cup (reserve grade). [Iongi] has been in arguably the best system in the country (at Penrith) learning off one of the best fullbacks (Dylan Edwards). And he has played that one first-grade game which he shot the lights out in. He is very aware of the work he has to put in to take the opportunity."

Mitchell Moses the obvious choice for Parramatta captaincy

As for the captaincy, Junior Paulo has acted as co-captain with Gutherson before. But Ryles said star halfback Mitchell Moses is a “natural leader” and in the conversation for the role once he returns to training following his duties with the Kangaroos in the Pacific Championships.

“I reckon we’ll be really clear on that, and the players will have a huge influence on who is the next captain," Ryles said. "They’ll pretty much pick who that’ll be with a bit of help from me and the coaches. That will be at the back end of January. There are some obvious candidates, but they might come in and not want to do it.”

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The NRL draw for 2025 has thrown up plenty of quirks, with Addo-Carr slated to play his first game for the Eels in round five against his old club the Bulldogs. And the Eels have the Storm in round one - pitting Ryles against mentor Craig Bellamy in his first game as a head coach.

“I’m not saying anything here because I know it’ll get played in the (Storm) meeting,” Ryles laughed. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great challenge and no one has done it before, so we’ll go down there and have a free throw at the stumps and see how we go.”

with agencies