Baptism of Fire: New Eels Coach Jason Ryles Faces Mentor Bellamy in High-Stakes Storm Showdown

New Parramatta coach Jason Ryles is set to face one of the most challenging debuts in rugby league as he prepares to lead the Eels in their season opener against the Melbourne Storm in Melbourne. This high-stakes clash will see Ryles go head-to-head with his former mentor, Craig Bellamy, who boasts a remarkable record of 22 consecutive first-round victories.

The task ahead is formidable, especially for a coach stepping into the hot seat of a club looking to rebound from a disastrous 2024 season that saw them narrowly avoid the wooden spoon.

Ryles has inherited a team eager to reclaim its reputation as a Western Sydney powerhouse but will need to orchestrate a significant turnaround. The Eels’ struggles last year exposed glaring issues in both their attack and defense, making this matchup a true test of Ryles’ coaching acumen.

For Ryles, the added narrative of facing Bellamy—widely regarded as one of the greatest tacticians in the game—brings extra intrigue. It’s a baptism of fire for the rookie coach and an early opportunity to prove his ability to guide Parramatta back to competitiveness.