Breaking News: Wantaway Eels Star Bailey Simonsson Confirms He Wants To Return to Blue and Gold
Sydney, Australia – October 19, 2025
In a stunning U-turn that will send shockwaves through the NRL, Parramatta Eels star winger/centre Bailey Simonsson has reportedly confirmed his intention to remain at the club, putting an end to speculation that he was seeking an immediate release from his contract.
Simonsson, a two-time Grand Finalist, had been at the centre of a dramatic off-season saga after a highly publicised fallout with new Eels coach Jason Ryles led to him requesting permission to negotiate with rival clubs back in August. This request was granted following a turbulent period where Simonsson was notably omitted from the first-grade team despite being fit and contracted until the end of the 2027 season.
However, sources close to the club indicate that a recent, candid meeting between the 27-year-old flyer and Coach Ryles has successfully cleared the air. Simonsson, who has been a valuable utility back for the Eels since 2022, reportedly expressed his desire to honour his existing deal and commit to the club’s long-term vision.
The Eels faithful will breathe a collective sigh of relief, as the versatile Simonsson’s decision provides much-needed stability to the backline heading into the 2026 pre-season. The news is a significant win for Coach Ryles, who has been overseeing a major roster shake-up, including the confirmed departures of other key players.
“I’m happy to put this chapter behind me and focus on what I signed up for—playing my best football for the Parramatta Eels,” Simonsson is understood to have conveyed to club officials. “The discussion with Jason was constructive, and I am now fully committed to repaying the faith the club has shown in me, especially through my injury rehabilitation.”
The development now shifts the focus back to the Eels’ recruitment priorities, particularly the ongoing chase for a halfback with the future of Mitchell Moses’s long-term halves partner still a central concern for the club. Simonsson’s decision, however, secures a proven NRL talent and removes a major distraction as the team prepares for a critical 2026 campaign.
More details to follow as the club is expected to issue a formal statement in the coming days.
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