Parramatta Eels centre Bailey Simonsson has reportedly dropped a bombshell on the NRL club and requested an immediate release from his three-year deal. A two-time grand-finalist, Simonsson is contracted to the Eels until the end of 2027 after signing a three-year extension last season.
But the 27-year-old appears to have fallen out of favour with coach Jason Ryles, and was conspicuously absent from the team list announced on Tuesday. With Sean Russell fracturing his hand against the Melbourne Storm last week, Eels fans were expecting Simonsson to be named as his replacement.
But Jordan Samrani was named in the centres when Ryles announced his squad to take on the Cowboys on Sunday. Simonsson was left out of the 22-player squad completely, with Ryles preferring a number of younger players to some veteran stars.
Simonsson has only played six games in first-grade in 2025, after making a successful return from an ACL injury. He played in Round 19 against Penrith and Round 20 against Canberra, but was dropped last weekend against the Storm.
After he wasn’t named in the squad on Tuesday, speculation was rife that he may have suffered another injury. But reports soon emerged that he’s requested a release from his deal and is looking to leave the club.
Tim Mannah shocked by news about Bailey Simonsson
Simonsson was one of the first players extended by Ryles when he took over as Parramatta coach last year. But the rookie coach has been conducting a roster overhaul in 2025, refusing to pick other veterans like Ryan Matterson and Bryce Cartwright – who have both been granted releases.
Simonsson could become the third player from the 2022 grand final team to depart mid-season, following the exits of Cartwright and Matterson. “That for me is very puzzling because Bailey has been one of the key signings we’ve had for the last couple of years,” former Parrammatta player Tim Mannah said on NRL Tonight on Tuesday.
“He’s always done a job for us, so I don’t know what the story is there. But I’m a huge fan of Bailey’s as well, and I think he’s got the right to be in the team.”
