Bailey Simonsson, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2024 season, is reportedly nearing a decision about his future amid interest from multiple teams. Currently sidelined for the rest of the season due to a knee injury, Simonsson has yet to secure a contract for the upcoming year, as the Parramatta Eels work on reshaping their squad under coach Jason Ryles.
A skilled outside back with 95 career appearances, Simonsson has drawn interest from the North Queensland Cowboys, St George Illawarra Dragons, and Sydney Roosters, with the Cowboys emerging as the leading contender for his signature. Discussions between Simonsson’s representatives and the Cowboys have previously occurred regarding a potential move to Townsville.
Despite initial uncertainty about his future with the Eels, recent reports suggest that Simonsson is poised to re-sign with the club on a three-year deal, as reported by The Daily Telegraph. If confirmed, this new contract would extend his tenure with the Eels until the conclusion of the 2027 NRL season. Simonsson would join other key players such as Dylan Brown, Zac Lomax, Mitchell Moses, and Maika Sivo, who are also under contract until then. However, Brown, Moses, and Sivo have options in their contracts, meaning their continued presence at the Eels is not guaranteed and there has been speculation about their potential departure.
Simonsson began his career with the Canberra Raiders before joining the Eels for the 2022 season, where he has showcased his best form despite ongoing injury issues. Before being ruled out for the remainder of the season in Round 13, his performance included ten matches, four tries, 41 tackle busts, five line-breaks, and 1218 running metres, averaging 121 metres per game.
