Simonsson on decision to remain an Eel
Bailey Simonsson
Parramatta Eels centre Bailey Simonsson has provided insight into his decision to remain with the club, outlining his motivations, the challenges he’s faced and his commitment to the Eels’ long-term vision.
Staying at the club: the extension
In August 2024, Simonsson signed a three-year extension with the Eels, committing to the club until the end of the 2027 season. (parraeels.com.au)
Of the decision he said:
“I love this Club and everybody involved in it. I feel at home here, so it was an easy decision for me to stay and work towards where I want to be and where the Club deserves to be.” (parraeels.com.au)
He also added his gratitude:
“I’m very grateful to the Club for sticking by me through my injury and I’m keen to give back to them and our fans with my performances over the next three years.” (parraeels.com.au)
This reveals two key drivers: his sense of belonging (“feel at home”), and a desire to repay the club’s faith (especially during injury setbacks).
Challenges he faced
Simonsson’s path hasn’t been smooth. Some of the issues he has publicly acknowledged:
- He had to deal with injury disruptions: In 2024 he suffered a serious injury (ACL). (Wikipedia)
- Contract uncertainty: Prior to the extension, he was off‐contract and rumours suggested interest from other clubs. (FOX SPORTS)
- Competition for places: The arrival of other players (e.g., centres/wingers) created uncertainty around his preferred role. (FOX SPORTS)
- Personal reflection: He admitted that “there were some things away from the field that I wasn’t dealing with very well, injuries and other things in my life that I didn’t really deal with well”. (FOX SPORTS)
He said of that period:
“Once I sat down, looked at myself in the mirror, looked at where I’m at, I worked out that I had to do better, work on myself. It’s been a tough couple of years, so it’s about getting my body right. It’s about doing well for the club because they have been good to me.” (FOX SPORTS)
Why he chose to stay
From his remarks we can identify several motivations for his decision to stay:
- Sense of belonging and loyalty
He emphasised that he “feels at home” at the club, and expressed gratitude for how the club supported him—especially during injury. This sense of loyalty matters. - Desire for continuity and building something
By committing long-term, Simonsson shows he wants to be part of the club’s future, not just a short-term fix. The phrase “where the Club deserves to be” suggests he buys into the club’s ambitions. - Opportunity to repay the club’s faith
Having been supported through injury and challenges, he sees this as a chance to deliver strong performances and “give back” to the fans and organisation. - Self-improvement and readiness for the next phase
His admission of needing to sort himself out, regain fitness, and focus indicates that staying at a familiar environment gives him the best platform for that next phase.
Role and clarity of position
There still appears to be some ambiguity around his preferred position and how he fits into the backline. In one interview he said:
“At the moment I’m doing a job on the wing, but if I get moved back to centre then I’ll do my best there.” (News.com.au)
And more recently he clarified he prefers to play on the wing rather than centre, which influenced his mindset around staying. (FOX SPORTS)
Thus while he’s committed long-term, he also wants clarity over his role to ensure he can contribute effectively.
Summary
In summary:
Bailey Simonsson’s decision to remain at the Parramatta Eels is underpinned by a strong sense of belonging, loyalty and a desire to repay the club’s investment in him. After working through personal and physical setbacks, he views the extension as an opportunity to rebuild, perform, and help the club reach its potential. While there are still question-marks over his positional future and how he fits into the backline structure, his commitment to the club is clear
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