Taniela Lasalo is set to sign a new contract with the Eels, which could be inked as early as this week.
Lasalo has been far and away the most improved Eels in 2011 emerging from his role as a backup forward to owning a spot in the Eel's starting back row. After an impressive pre-season, Lasalo has added a new dimension to the Parramatta forward pack which has lacked a powerful running backrower in recent years.
Speaking to 1Eyed Eel after another impressive performance against the Cowboys where he was the side's second leading forward in terms of both metres gained and metres-per-hitup, Lasalo said he was hopeful that a re-newed contract with the club would be finalised shortly and that it could even be nutted out this week.
Primarily a centre at Under 20's level, Lasalo made a permanent move into the forwards last year where he has quickly adapted to the position. He actually earned a debut in a brief interchange role in 2009 but then had to wait almost a year for a follow-up appearance where he impressive in Parramatta's victory against Brisbane. While he has always had the running game to make it as an NRL backrower, his defence and workrate has improved markedly over the past couple of seasons and he has subsequently arrived as a quality first grader that has moved passed all but Nathan Hindmarsh in the second-row pecking order at Parramatta.
Replies
Great news!
Gotta lock up the emerging talent, and Lasalo is exactly that!
Great news. A rising star actually kept by the eels. No doubt SK has had a lot to do with this.
Thanks Team! In PNG we get limited coverage on "Äll things Parra" and i applaud your input along with the rest to compensate for this. We get the mighty eel games which are televised and when Sterlo & Co do the footy shows but these are limited in terms of PARRA-Matters!
Thanks again 1 eyed eel. This is the Blue & Gold hub!
This is excellent news he has been really solid for us this year.
About time.... Get him inked before the Dogs or Manly move in on him...
Great talent, he is getting better each week,. also starting to show how durable he is.
Hey this is great stuff.
No mucking around with "waiting for improvement"
Very positive move - got a good up and coming player - give him the assurance that we believe in him and let em rip.
HAPPY - HAPPY.