Bailey Simonsson is expressing a strong desire to leave Parramatta, reportedly feeling dissatisfied with his treatment under coach Jason Ryles. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Simonsson has asked for his release for the third time in a month after being passed over yet again for selection with the Eels.
Despite Sean Russell suffering an injury in the centres, Simonsson is not included in the squad for their crucial Round 23 match against the Cowboys on Sunday. Many expected that Simonsson, who was dropped following a loss to the Raiders, would rejoin the backline, but that has not happened. Instead, rookie Jordan Samrani was initially chosen to fill Russell’s position, although there are now signs that Dylan Brown will return to the team instead, which has reportedly infuriated Simonsson.
The discontent arises partly because Brown, who is set to join Newcastle Knights next season and has been unavailable for recent games, has been brought back onto the team ahead of Simonsson. The 27-year-old had previously informed Ryles that his preferred playing position is on the wing, which may have influenced the decision to omit him from the centre position.
Simonsson has once again requested an early release from his contract, which is set to run until the end of 2027, and the club is allegedly contemplating this request. His time at the Eels has been marred by injuries; after suffering an ACL rupture, he returned in Round 6, only to break his foot and spend an additional two months on the sidelines.
Throughout his career, Simonsson has demonstrated significant talent on the field, scoring 34 tries in 101 first-grade games and playing in grand finals with the Raiders in 2019 and the Eels in 2022. As he navigates these challenges, his future at Parramatta remains uncertain, particularly with growing frustrations regarding his current standing in the squad.