Ryley Smith

Ryley Smith
Personal information
Full nameRyley Smith
Born (2003-02-21) 21 February 2003 (age 23)
Penrith, Australia
Height175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight85 kg (13 st 5 lb)
Playing information
PositionHooker
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2025– Parramatta Eels 32 3 1 0 14
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2023 Malta 2 1 0 0 4
Source:
As of 8 August 2026

Ryley Smith (born 21 February 2003) is a Malta international rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League.

Background

Smith was selected for the Australian Schoolboys teams in both rugby league and cricket. Being the first player since the 1980's to be selected in two Schoolboys teams for different sports. Smith played for the Penrith Panthers Harold Matts and SG Ball squads before signing with Parramatta in 2024. He is of Maltese descent

Playing career

In round 1 of the 2025 NRL season, Smith made his NRL debut against the Melbourne Storm coming off the bench in a 56–18 loss at AAMI Park. On 1 March 2025, Smith re-signed with Parramatta until the end of 2026. On 1 July 2025, the Parramatta outfit announced that Smith had been upgraded into the clubs Top 30 for the 2026 season and signed on for a further year. Smith played 22 games for Parramatta in the 2025 NRL season as the club finished 11th on the table. In round 9 of the 2026 NRL season, Smith was taken from the field during the clubs loss against the New Zealand Warriors. It was later revealed that Smith had suffered a sternum injury and would be ruled out for an indefinite period.

Statistics

Year Team Games Tries Goals Pts
2025 Parramatta Eels 22 1 1 6
2026 10 2 8
Totals 32 3 1 14

References

  1. ↑ Rugby League Project
  2. ↑ "The Mole: Boom rookie Ryley Smith achieves feat not seen in four decades". nine.com.au.
  3. ↑ "Cricketer Ryley Smith off to Under 19s National Championships". bluemountainsgazette.com.au.
  4. ↑ "From Penrith prospect to Parramatta starter: Ryley Smith's journey to the NRL". zerotackle.com.
  5. ↑ "20 Stars for 2023 | Ryley Smith". nswrl.com.au.
  6. ↑ "Inside Penrith's relentless production line... and its next crop of soon-to-be stars | Ryley Smith". foxsports.com.au.
  7. ↑ "Storm v Eels: Round 1 masters; Smith, Tuivaiti to debut". nrl.com.
  8. ↑ "Unmatchable energy: Rookie who must start for Eels in round one". The Australian.
  9. ↑ "Parramatta Eels upgrade two players". parraeels.com.au.
  10. ↑ "Parramatta Eels extend Ryley Smith". Parramatta Eels. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  11. ↑ "'I'll never forget to the day I die': Jason Ryles' hilariously honest admission after 'Mike Tyson moment'". www.foxsports.com.au.
  12. ↑ "Eels dealt cruel blow as young gun Ryley Smith forced off early in 'serious pain'". www.nine.com.au.