Parramatta Eels head coach Jason Ryles has admitted he is unsure whether Bailey Simonsson has already played his last game for the club. The uncertainty comes in the wake of a significant selection shake-up that has reignited tensions between the player and the coaching staff.
Simonsson, a 27-year-old specialist outside back, has been a key figure in the Eels’ lineup in recent seasons. However, his place in the team has been thrown into doubt following the surprise recall of Dylan Brown. Brown, who is bound for Newcastle next season, will step into an unfamiliar role to replace the injured Sean Russell in Sunday’s clash against the North Queensland Cowboys.
Ryles had initially named Jordan Samrani to fill the vacancy in the centres. But in a late move, he decided to opt for Brown, despite the star playmaker being out of position. The decision was met with raised eyebrows among fans and observers, as Brown’s shift displaces a natural outside back in Simonsson.
Behind the scenes, the situation is more complex. Simonsson is understood to have made multiple requests for a release in recent months, indicating his growing frustration with his role and opportunities at Parramatta. Sources suggest these release requests were a major factor in Ryles’ decision to prefer Brown over him for the upcoming match.
The coach’s remarks ahead of the game did little to quell speculation about the Kiwi-born centre’s future. When asked if Simonsson had played his final game for the Eels, Ryles simply said he was “not sure,” leaving the door wide open for a potential departure before the end of the season.
The ongoing saga has been building for weeks. Simonsson’s previous calls for an exit have reportedly strained his relationship with the coaching staff, making it difficult for both parties to see a long-term path forward. Meanwhile, Brown’s recall into the centres is being interpreted by some as both a tactical decision and a symbolic shift — one that places trust in a departing player over a disgruntled current squad member.
For Ryles, the selection is about putting the best team on the park given the circumstances. “We’ve had to make adjustments due to injuries, and we believe Dylan can bring something valuable to that role this week,” he explained. Still, the move inevitably sends a strong message about where Simonsson stands in the club’s pecking order.
As the Eels prepare to face the Cowboys, attention will be firmly fixed not only on the outcome of the game but also on the future of Bailey Simonsson. Whether he will feature again in blue and gold remains to be seen. With the NRL season approaching a critical phase, and transfer speculation swirling, the coming weeks could determine whether Simonsson’s time at Parramatta is nearing an end — or if there’s still a way back for the talented outside back.
For now, the uncertainty lingers, and the Eels’ selection drama continues to be one of the most closely watched storylines in the competition.