**Ryles Talks Building Foundations of Our Footy Team**
Incoming St. George Illawarra Dragons head coach Jason Ryles has opened up about his vision for the club, outlining a clear plan to build a strong foundation for long-term success. After officially taking the reins for the 2025 NRL season, Ryles has emphasized that culture, discipline, and development—not quick fixes—will be the backbone of his approach.
### Back to Basics: The Ryles Philosophy
Speaking in his first full media address since taking over, Ryles underscored the importance of laying down core values before chasing results.
“We can’t skip steps,” Ryles said. “Before we talk about finals or premierships, we have to build something that lasts. That starts with doing the basics right—on and off the field.”
The former Melbourne Storm assistant coach and ex-Dragons forward is no stranger to the demands of NRL footy. Ryles played over 150 games for the Dragons between 2000 and 2008, and later gained a strong coaching pedigree under Craig Bellamy at the Storm and Eddie Jones in rugby union. Now, he returns to the Red V with a clear-eyed focus on structure and standards.
“Success in this league comes from consistency,” Ryles said. “That means how we train, how we communicate, how we prepare for games. That’s the foundation.”
While some fans may have been hoping for blockbuster signings to jolt the club back to contention, Ryles has made it clear that recruitment will be measured and purposeful.
“Of course we’ll look to strengthen the roster where we can,” he said. “But it’s not just about buying talent. It’s about bringing in the right people who align with our culture.”
The Dragons have struggled in recent seasons, finishing 16th in 2024 and missing the finals since 2018. Ryles acknowledges the challenge ahead but insists it’s not insurmountable.
“You don’t build a team overnight, but you can start building a culture from day one,” he explained. “The players have to buy in. We’ll set high standards and hold each other accountable.”
Ryles also put a spotlight on developing young talent, describing it as “essential” to the long-term health of the club.
“One of the non-negotiables for us is investment in youth,” he said. “We want to create a system where local juniors can see a clear pathway to first grade—and thrive when they get there.”
The Dragons have historically produced top-tier talent, from Mark Gasnier and Trent Barrett to more recent stars like Zac Lomax and Tyrell Sloan. Ryles believes the region’s junior base is still one of the strongest in the league, but insists it needs structure and support.
“You’ve got kids in the Illawarra and St George areas who are as talented as anywhere in the country,” he said. “It’s on us to nurture that and give them the tools to succeed.”
Ryles has also hinted at the importance of establishing a strong leadership group within the playing squad. While he hasn’t confirmed who will captain the side in 2025, he stressed that leadership is more than a title.
“Leadership is about setting the tone every day—how you show up, how you train, how you lift those around you,” he said. “We’ll be leaning on our senior players to help drive that.”
Veterans like Jack de Belin and Ben Hunt are expected to play key roles in mentoring the next generation of Dragons, while younger talents like Jayden Sullivan and Blake Lawrie are likely to be empowered with more responsibility.
Ryles credits much of his coaching approach to what he learned under Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson. He also spent time in England working under Eddie Jones with the Wallabies and England rugby teams.
“I’ve been lucky to work with some of the best minds in sport,” Ryles said. “What I’ve taken from them is how important structure, detail, and culture are. That’s what I want to bring to this club.”
He also pointed to the patience required in building winning programs.
“You look at the Storm or Roosters—they didn’t build dynasties overnight. It was years of hard work and getting the foundations right.”
Finally, Ryles acknowledged the role of the Dragons’ loyal supporters, calling them the “heartbeat of the club.”
“They’ve stuck with this team through tough times,” he said. “We owe it to them to put in the work and give them something to be proud of.”
The coach promised that fans will see a team that plays with effort, pride, and resilience—even before the wins start coming.
“There’s no shortcut,” he said. “But we’re here to build something real.”
With preseason just around the corner, Ryles and his coaching staff are hard at work laying the groundwork. Training programs are being revamped, staff roles refined, and player reviews conducted.
Though expectations for 2025 remain tempered, the message from Ryles is consistent: it’s not about a miracle turnaround—it’s about building a system that can deliver sustained success.
“If we get the foundation right now,” he said, “the results will follow.”
**Bottom Line:** Jason Ryles isn’t promising a fairytale return to glory in year one, but his clear focus on culture, development, and standards could be exactly what the Dragons need to turn their fortunes around—slowly but surely.
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