Parramatta Eels hooker Ryley Smith is on the cusp of returning to the NRL after recently recovering from a nasty sternum injury.
The 23-year-old played 31 games for the Eels since debuting in Round 1, 2025 before succumbing to a sternum issue against the Warriors in early May.
Smith recently returned via the NSW Cup competition and was named in Jason Ryles’ extended squad for their match against Canberra last Saturday.
Speaking with Parra News, Smith said his injury was on the improve and that he wasn’t too far away from returning to the top grade.
“The sternum is getting there the best that it can. I’m just getting my confidence back and getting some game time in,” he said.
“The injury was obviously a setback, pretty painful, but I’m back out on the field now and I’m just really happy to be back playing footy.”
The Eels have been struck by the injury bug in a big way this season, with coach Ryles admitting recently to hiring a mini bus just to transport their injured brigade to and from away games.
“If any team gets that many injuries, it’s hard to perform consistently but we’re all in good spirits and we’re all supporting each other and, whoever’s going into that role – whether they’re experienced or not – I think they have done a good job,” Smith said.
“We just don’t have that much experience like a few of the other teams have, so we’ve got some really good lessons the past few weeks and we’re trying to learn from them.”
Smith returned to his old high school near Penrith last week for their annual Alumni Lunch.
The Maltese international was the special guest at St Dominic’s College’s yearly catch-up for ex-students ahead of their NRL Schoolboy Cup clash that afternoon.
Prior to his promising footy career, the former cricketer attended St Dominic’s College in Year 11 and Year 12 before graduating in 2021. The dummy half said he was happy to be back at his old stomping ground.
“It’s really good to see a lot of old people that I used to see here every day,” Smith said.
“Days like these are a great opportunity to connect back up with them, see how they’re going, and watch a good game of footy.”
While Smith only attended the Kingswood-based school for a few years, he said he has a particularly strong connection to the place.
“I think when I came here on my first day it felt like home. My old man went here, so to go to the same school that he did and to see all my best mates all day every day was cool,” Smith said.
“All the teachers were so welcoming and I have a lot of really good memories both on and off the footy and cricket field as well.
“My little brother is about to start here in a couple of years, so I’m looking forward to being back here a bit more and see him go through what I went through.”
Nathan Taylor is Parra News' sports journalist. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked in western Sydney media for more than a decade.