“Obviously, there was that stuff going on where I was able to talk to other clubs. 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.
Bailey Simonsson and Eels coach Jason Ryles are back on a strong footing.Credit: Getty Images
“We had a good chat, and Rylesy spoke about wanting me to be a part of the club. It was a good conversation, I have a lot of time for him, and [I am] appreciative of him for the whole process with the club.
“I’m genuinely keen to stay there for the next two years, I feel we’re building something pretty good there.”
Simonsson said the fact that he’s about to become a father for the first time, coupled with a period of self-reflection, had resulted in a change of perspective.
“Honestly, he [Ryles] was awesome, he was so good with everything,” he said.
“I’m not just saying this because [of this interview], he’s a good coach and a good man. I genuinely am happy to staying under him.
“There were a few things I needed to sort out myself, in my own life … I had a lot of injuries: ACL, broken foot, shoulder surgeries before that.
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“I’ve had a wretched run with injuries and had a lot of built-up frustration. I had other things going on outside of footy that I won’t dive into, but there were things going on. I got to a point where I – not quite ran away – but turned away from things. I felt it wasn’t all going the right way, I wasn’t sure where I was heading.
“I was a bit lost, to be fair …It took me to sit down and realise where I’m at and where I want to be, and that’s at Parramatta.”
Simonsson, who can play in the centres or wing, also cleared up perceptions on where he wants to play.
“If you ask me what I prefer, I prefer playing on the wing to centre,” he said.
“A lot of it got lost in translation, it wasn’t a matter of ‘I don’t want to be a centre’, it was that I prefer to play on the wing.
“You live and learn. I’m focused on my two years left at Parra, and I want to rip in there and hopefully stay there, long term.”