Jason Ryles Talks Building the Foundations of Our Footy Team
When Jason Ryles walks into the locker room, there’s a silence—not out of fear, but of focus. Players know they’re not just under the guidance of a coach; they’re building something with a visionary. Ryles, a former hard-nosed prop who played over 250 first-grade games and has been an assistant under some of the best minds in the game, is now laying the foundations of a football team with long-term aspirations.
“You don’t just build a successful team overnight,” Ryles says, settling into his chair with the calm presence of a man who’s seen it all. “You build a culture first. You build behaviours. And then you build systems that players can trust in high-pressure moments.”
This isn’t just about chalking up wins on the weekend. For Ryles, it’s about establishing a club identity, one brick at a time.
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The Blueprint
Ryles came into the role with a clear vision. He wasn’t interested in papering over cracks or trying to buy a quick fix through marquee signings alone. His approach was meticulous. From reviewing game footage to observing training habits, the goal was to understand not just where the team stood tactically, but who they were as a group.
“First thing we looked at was effort areas—things that don’t require talent. Kick chase, line speed, support play. If you don’t have effort, you don’t have a foundation,” he explains.
What followed was a cultural shift.
“When we talk about standards, people think it’s just about discipline. But it’s deeper—it’s about accountability, honesty, and shared responsibility. If you walk past a dropped cone at training and don’t pick it up, that says something. If you cut corners in warm-ups, that creeps into your game.”
Ryles is big on habits. Every drill has a purpose. Every conversation matters. It’s a system designed not only to win games but to turn promising athletes into great professionals.
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Leadership From Within
Rather than impose top-down authority, Ryles has empowered leadership groups from within the player ranks.
“One of the first things I said was, ‘This has to be your team, not mine.’ The boys have to own it,” he says. “If you build it around one or two stars, it crumbles when they’re out. But if every player understands their role and leads in their own way, then you’re onto something.”
Senior players are given mentorship roles. Emerging talents are challenged to voice opinions. Ryles holds open forums in team meetings where feedback is encouraged, not feared.
“We’re not afraid of conflict,” he adds. “Constructive conversations are the backbone of any elite environment.”
He mentions one training session where a young halfback challenged a play call mid-drill. Rather than shutting him down, Ryles encouraged him to explain. The team dissected the moment, learned from it, and moved forward.
“That’s when you know the group is buying in. It’s not about egos—it’s about growth.”
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Investing in Youth
Part of laying the foundation is about developing the next generation. Under Ryles, junior pathways are getting more attention than ever. It’s not just about identifying talent early—it’s about nurturing it right.
“Our juniors are being coached in the same systems we use at the top level,” Ryles says. “So when they come in, the transition isn’t scary. It’s seamless.”
He’s worked closely with academy coaches to ensure alignment, hosting workshops and even inviting promising youngsters into the senior environment for certain sessions.
“It’s about exposure. Let them see the standards. Let them feel the intensity.”
Ryles recalls one under-18s fullback who came into a pre-season session and “ran like he’d been there for years.”
“That’s when you know the pathways are working. It’s exciting to see what’s coming through.”
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Training With Purpose
Preseason under Ryles isn’t just about grind for grind’s sake. There’s method behind the madness.
“We train with intent,” he says. “Everything we do ties into our game model.”
Sessions are designed to simulate game situations—fatigue, chaos, and decision-making under pressure. GPS data is closely monitored. Recovery protocols are individualized. But it’s not just the physical side that gets attention.
“We train the brain too. Weekly video reviews, mental skills sessions, and game intelligence development are all part of it.”
Ryles brought in a performance psychologist to work with players on focus and resilience. The idea is to not only make players better athletes but better decision-makers.
“In the final 10 minutes of a game, it’s not always the fittest side that wins—it’s the smartest.”
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Culture First, Results Later
When asked about wins and losses, Ryles doesn’t flinch.
“Look, results matter. Of course they do. But if you chase short-term wins and sacrifice standards, you’ll pay for it later.”
He points to clubs that had one-off seasons of success before collapsing under the weight of internal inconsistency.
“We’re not interested in being a one-season wonder. We’re building something that lasts. That means doing the hard stuff now—even if it doesn’t show up on the scoreboard straight away.”
That said, the signs of progress are already showing. Statistically, the team’s defensive metrics have improved. Effort areas are up. And perhaps most importantly, belief is building.
“You can see it in the way we hold the line when we’re under pressure,” he says. “There’s pride there now.”
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A Coach Who Listens
One of the things that makes Ryles stand out in a crowded field of modern coaches is his ability to listen. Not just hear—but really listen.
“I don’t have all the answers,” he says plainly. “I’ve got experience, sure. But if you’re not listening to your players, your staff, your community—then what are you doing?”
He’s had feedback sessions with support staff, injury prevention teams, even the team chef.
“Everyone’s got a role to play. You build culture from the ground up, and that means respecting everyone in the building.”
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Family, Balance, and the Human Side
Ryles also knows the importance of balance. He’s spoken openly about burnout and the emotional toll coaching can take.
“You can’t be all footy, all the time. You’ll crack.”
He encourages players and staff to prioritise family, mental health, and interests outside the game. He’s brought in flexible scheduling where appropriate, provided time off after major milestones like the birth of a child, and supports ongoing education for players.
“These guys won’t be footy players forever. If we only teach them how to run a set play, we’ve failed them.”
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Looking Ahead
So what’s next for Ryles and the team?
“The next 12 months are crucial. We’ve laid a solid foundation. Now it’s about layering in complexity—expanding the game model, building combinations, and staying hungry.”
He knows the competition won’t wait. Every other team is evolving too. But Ryles isn’t interested in comparisons.
“We’re not measuring ourselves against other teams. We’re measuring ourselves against our potential. If we get that part right, results will take care of themselves.”
As the interview wraps up, Ryles glances at his watch. He’s got a video session with the backs in 10 minutes, then a coaches’ debrief, then he’ll check in with the rehab group.
But before he heads off, he leaves one final thought.
“You only get one chance to build something from the ground up. If you get the foundations right, the house can stand for years.”
And with Jason Ryles holding the blueprint, this footy team might just be building something special.
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