Dragons fans left fuming after Mark Gasnier joins Jason Ryles and Zac Lomax at Parramatta

The Eels will have a heavy Dragons flavour under new coach Ryles in 2025.

St George Illawarra fans have expressed their frustration and sadness after new Parramatta coach Jason Ryles snared Dragons legend Mark Gasnier to work on his staff at the Eels. Gasnier has joined Ryles and Zac Lomax in switching allegiances from the Dragons to Eels after years in the NRL wilderness.

Gasnier played 175 games for St George Illawarra, helping them win a drought-breaking premiership in 2010 when he return from a stint in French rugby. He worked in the media with Fox Sports after retiring at the end of 2011, but has been largely unsighted in rugby league circles for the last 10 years.

But according to the Daily Telegraph, Ryles has pulled off a massive coup and will have Gasnier working at the Eels in 2025 as a specialist coach for their outside backs. It means he’ll be working with high-profile signing Zac Lomax, who also switched from the Dragons to the Eels this off-season.

Add in the fact that Ryles played 156 games for the Dragons and there’s now a massive Red V flavour at Parramatta. Former Dragons player and coach Nathan Brown will also work with Ryles in 2025 as an assistant coach.

Jason Ryles and Mark Gasnier’s close bond

Gasnier and Ryles are good mates and were best men at each others’ weddings. “I actually got him down to Melbourne (several seasons ago) when I was there as an assistant a couple of times and the boys were really receptive of his input,” Ryles told the Daily Telegraph of Gasnier.

“I always kept that in my mind, that if ever I was to get a job, I’d get him involved again. He’s been loving it. He enjoys coming in to work with the outside backs. He talks to them about their craft and breaks down the intricate parts of playing in the backs that I can’t pass on.

“He also sits down and does video with them. We’re great mates and so there’s a relationship there. It’s only a small role, but there’s no doubt he can have an influence.”

Dragons fans saddened after Mark Gasnier joins Eels

Gasnier will work closely with Lomax and might be the perfect influence for the 25-year-old to become a gun centre. Lomax thrived when switched to the wing by Shane Flanagan at the Dragons, but signed with Parramatta because he sees himself as a centre.

What affect that will have on Lomax’s career is up for debate after he established himself as one of the best wingers in the NRL in 2024, leading to State of Origin selection with NSW and a Test debut for Australia. Some have expressed doubts he’ll have the same success in the centres at Parramatta.

Meanwhile, the news of Gasnier working with the Eels has angered some Dragons fans, particularly in light of some of the legends who have been snubbed in recent years. Gasnier’s former teammate Matt Cooper has previously revealed he was knocked back when he offered to work with the Dragons’ outside backs, despite the fact he was one of the best in the NRL during his playing days – representing NSW and Australia.