Available hookers could be lucky rake for Parra
DAVID RICCIO
API Koroisau, Reece Robson and Jacob Liddle have all been pitched to the Eels in the wake of the crushing departure of Reed Mahoney to the Bulldogs.
The clean-up at Parramatta is already underway after yet another roster blow with the future Queensland Origin hooker accepting a four-year $2.4 million deal with Canterbury from 2023.
Mahoney, 23, is headed back to the Bulldogs – the club that originally scouted him to Sydney on a $1000 deal as a teenager from Queensland.
Mahoney’s exit comes in the wake of backrowers Isaiah Papali’i and Marata Niukore joining the Wests Tigers and Warriors respectively from 2023.
Off-contract NSW Origin prop Junior Paulo is now the Eels’ priority with negotiations to extend his future believed to be in its final stages.
Mahoney’s intention to join the Dogs after making his NRL debut with the Eels in 2018 – while disappointing – was far from a major shock for Parramatta officials, who were acutely aware of Canterbury’s massive pitch.
In the background, player agents with dummy-halves on their books have also been preparing to fix the Eels’ dummy-half issue, should it unfold as it did on Thursday.
Koroisau (pictured), currently off-contract at Penrith, will now become a discussion point for Eels recruitmers as a solution that would provide experience and class following Mahoney’s exit.
The Panthers are under salary cap pressure and are unlikely to enter an auction for the two-time premiershipwinner who will be seeking a new contract worth around $600,000 a season.
Robson, the former St George Illawarra junior now at the Cowboys, isn‘t off-contract until the end of 2023.
However, with the Cowboys working hard to secure Storm star Brandon Smith, on top of re-signing young hooker Reuben Cotter on Wednesday until 2025, Robson’s name has been bandied to rival clubs.
Those aware of Robson being shopped believe it’s an indication that he may achieve an early release from the Cowboys to return to Sydney.
Liddle is another hooker off-contract in 2023 with the Wests Tigers dummy-half linked to a move to the Raiders in a swap for Josh Hodgson.
Liddle has also been spruiked to Parramatta.
Despite widespread criticism of their inability to retain Mahoney, the Eels are standing firm that they couldn’t have done any more to keep him.
If they opt against recruiting an NRL-standard hooker, the club’s position is one of confidence in coach Brad Arthur developing another young hooker, as was the case with Mahoney who originally signed four years ago from Canterbury on a paltry contract worth $6000.
The Eels are also banking on their next wave of talented youngsters including Jock Brazel, Larry Muagututia, Will Penisini, Sean Russell and Blaize Talagi.
All five young guns have been included within the 2021 NSW Future Blues squad.
Replies
I agree, it is like beating a dead horse making him into a plausible hooker, he is fine for one game or so or off the bench for an emergency option to see out a game but please he will never be a first or second string hooker, hell even a third for that matter.
Fuck no!
Stone as a full-time starting hooker has wooden spoon written all over it.
Liddle is a bottom of the barrel hooker and I would still take him over Stone.
Please no...
Reed is still at the eels next season, and next season we get two pro's in Mary & the Menace, both of whom will work with the players to help their games. While the menace may do work with Reed, I would be hoping that he spends more time with the younger and future rakes in the other grades, getting them ready for 2023 or perhaps earlier.
Ennis was signed to be with the eels, along with Mary, IIRC 2 days a week.
If he got Reed to the dogs, then there is an issue with him and whether or not is the right person for the job he is signed for.
I would say though that the 4 year contract Reed signed for that takes him to the 2.5m money mark, with smooth talking by the arab at the chinese feast also gobble mouthed gould having a fair sway as to the benefits of the dogs, along with how many other voices would have been the swaying/signing trap played to perfection.
Didn't someone on here report that BA told Mahoney if he signed with the Dogs, that he would be playing reserve grade?
If Ennis is good enough to get Reed to Canterbury in that short a time we should be putting him as our head recruitment officer😂😂
Agree, Mahoney is average.
Brandon Hands is a NRL level hooker. He actually runs from dummy half !!
He will be a better player than Reed.
Is he available but?
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