There has been plenty of discussion this year about our approach to recruitment and retention.
Both Jim and Matt Beech have been forthright in the focus being on bringing through juniors. Despite that we've seen external signings during the season such as Dylan Walker, Tallyn Da Silva and Jack de Belin (for 2026).
What remains though is a focus on who will partner Mitchell Moses in the halves in round 1 2026.
Joash Papalii and Dean Hawkins have both featured at 5/8 this season alongside Moses. The club has also recruited Ronald Volkman who partnered Matt Hunter in the halves in NSW Cup, while Lorenzo Talataina has made the jump to NSW Cup with aplomb.
So, you're now the GM.
What's your recruitment/retention look like when it comes to our 5/8 for 2026 and into the future. You can't just be selecting for 2026, you need to map out your 5/8 until the end of 2029, when Moses' contract finishes.
Right now you have on the books:
- Dean Hawkins
- Joash Papalii
- Ronald Volkman
- Lorenzo Talataina
- Josh Lynn
- Apa Twidle
Talataina has been highly touted in recent years, most notably taking out the SG Ball Player of the Year award in 2025, before jumping from Ball to Flegg and into NSW Cup.
Hawkins has filled in at halfback and 5/8 this year, with the Eels playing some of their most consistent footy with Footy Dean in the halves.
Volkman was tossed into the deep end, having to begin the year in the halves in NRL after more than 12 months off due to a shoulder injury. Closer watches of NSW Cup have said Volkman is working his way back to consistent form as the Eels have moved into second.
Papalii has gone from exciting development prospect to playing fullback, five-eighth and off the bench in first grade. Jason Ryles has said Papalii remains part of the club's plans.
Josh Lynn spent 9 games in NSW Cup in 2024 but has dropped back to Flegg this year, managing just 3 games in reserve grade. It appears as though he has dropped down the pecking order.
Apa Twidle is a known name around Eels lower grades. Having joined the club in 2023, he was the fullback in that side's SG Ball premiership win. Since then he has shifted from Flegg to NSW Cup in both the halves and at fullback. This season though he has played at fullback all season in NSW Cup.
Over to you. Who is your 2026 5/8 and which halves are you retaining or recruiting to the end of 2029?
Replies
Has Head Office requested some ideas?.
I'd also be looking at signing a good centre/another decent front rower along with maybe assessing the five-eighth situation.
Kikau and beau fermor - have 1 year left and able to chat from November - 80min back rower
Herbie - also 1 year left - chat end of this year
Hugo Savala - also 1 year left
Joe chan from Melbourne would be ok. Sign dce for 1 year then lorenzo will be ready. Blake steep,neme,Curtis sironen?
I can't believe our plan is to spend 95% of our cap on maybe good juniors. I base this on the fact the last comps we have won above SG Ball were Reserve Grade 2008 (as Wenty) and 1990 (Flegg inc NYC years).
Unless, Ryles hangs his reputation on Tataliana to start and be very good in FG, we need to at least poach an established 5/8 to start in 26 because currently our other options are not IMO going to lead us out of the bottom 3rd of the table.
If I am the GM of football, I am getting off my arse and ringing agents to see how much I need to poach whoever Ryles wants and go from there. If no one wants to come then tell the members we have no other choice then to pay untried juniors a fortune and hope like hell Ryles and his team can coach them so they turn out to be good FG players at the very least.
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