Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos and General Manager of Football, Mark O'Neill, chat with Adam Hawse about the latest developments from across the Club, exciting changes and initiatives to come in 2025 and how pre-season is tracking for the NRL squad.
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00:00: Introduction to CEO Jim Sarantinos and General Manager of Football Mark O'Neill.
00:23: Jim gives his assessment of recent changes around the Club.
01:15: Mark talks through the Club's expectations for 2025, and some of the recent changes made in the Football department.
01:59: Jim gives his perspective on what excites him most about the 2025 season, including the opening of the Club's new training facility.
02:55: Jim talks about the opening of the Eels new training facility.
03:56: Jim talks about the return of Principal Partner, James Hardie.
04:40: Jim addresses the possibility of the Eels heading to Vegas in 2026.
05:42: Jim talks about the Eels ongoing partnership with the Northern Territory Government, and heading to Darwin for the last time in 2025.
07:05: Jim discusses how the Club is tackling challenges and obstacles that arise as a result of change.
08:05: Mark speaks about cultural changes that have come about under new Head Coach, Jason Ryles.
10:00: Mark shares why he believes connection to past players is so important.
11:25: Jim talks about visits to the Club from recent Eels legends, including Nathan Hindmarsh, Peter Sterling, Ray Price and Luke Burt.
12:30: Mark talks about some of the changes Jason Ryles has brought to the Club's style of football and training regime.
14:41: Mark runs through some of the Club's new NRL recruits and how they're tracking so far.
15:58: Jim talks about changes to the NRL roster and what that means for the Club.
16:44: Mark talks about the vacant spots left in the NRL Top 30.
18:11: Mark addresses previous roster depth issues and coverage across key positions.
18:53: Adam asks Jim and Mark to speak to the inclusion of player options in contracts and whether or not they're a 'necessary evil'.
20:00: Mark gives an update on the current negotiation process around Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses' contracts.
20:30: Jim talks about recent RLPA survey results that highlighted the positive culture of the Club's NRLW program, and the importance of building a connection between NRL & NRLW programs once the Club's new facility opens.
22:16: Mark talks about key NRLW signings and re-signings, including Elsie Albert, Paige Travis and the Cherrington Sisters.
23:55: Mark talks about the Club's Junior League catchment and Elite Pathways program, including resourcing of the Pathways program to help achieve the overall objective of producing NRL and NRLW players.
26:25: Mark speaks about the process involved with identifying Mitchell Moses as Captain and Junior Paulo, J'maine Hopgood and Jack Williams as the other members of the NRL Leadership Group.
28:38: Mark touches on the high-level expectations of the NRL team in the 2025 season.
29:18: Jim talks about what Eels Members can expect this season in terms of Member events and connection to the Club for Members that live interstate and in regional areas.
30:17: Mark and Jim talk about the vibe around the Club at the moment in the lead up to the start of season.
32:00: Jim talks about the revival of Active Supporter Bays at CommBank Stadium.
32:48: Mark shares his thoughts on what Members and fans can look forward to most in 2025.
