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
PT do you know whats happening with Bamblett? On BarTV the commentator during the JF game said there were rumours going around about him but did not elaborate.
I recon we will develop an elite level middle from within the club. Tuivita, Koina, Talagi and Polley all have that potential but obviously they are years away from reaching that stage. Hope we keep Paulo at the club after his retirement to mentor these polyensian boys.
But yeah, we need to find an elite middle now while they develop. Not sure if the club are interested in anyone for that?
I am so disappointed with Peninsi development. There is still time but with how dominant he was for Kings, eels pathways and first couple years of FG I really thought he was ontrack to be an origin callibre centre.
I've been a proponent for years that Parra need to open there eyes and widen there gaze around recruitment.Super and Provincial Rugby in NZ the islands Fiji in particular World 7s circuit first 15 rugby in NZ add these as viewing spots to add and recruit more talent.
I hate seeing other clubs do it and we seemingly are sitting on our hands.
I mean 10 years ago we had a bloke from Fiji named Semi Radradra who became the best winger since Grothe Snr to play on the wing for Parra and became the most damaging ball runner in the nrl.We got alot of good years out of Maika Sivo both guys won games scored tries and became cult figures for fans.The mentioned screaming the house down for these guys yet here we are yet to go back to that talent well.
If I'm the GM this is what I'm doing I'm sending my scouts to the mentioned stages and going hunting for talent instead of hoping we find this in a saturated player market that every nrl club is looking at.
The player I would have kept was Matt Hunter who will likely be Newcastle 1/2 next year in a position we needed rather than a hooker when that position was covered. Talataina is who we go with but I have not seen much of a kicking game. While we persist with a side so small across the park no half 5/8 is going to shine. We need 3 boppers 2 in the forwards and 1 at least in the backs but they also need to be fast. I would love to know the speed over 40 metres for each player in club. What the Souths game showed to me was a lack of size and speed in both the forwards and the backs. I am not convinced yet about either Iongi or Papalii both fullbacks. With Iongi he should have scored at least twice but lacked the speed and or power to do so and at 22 he should have that by now. Staggering to see how much speed and power that Talagi has gained in his time at Penrith (hmmmm).
I'd chase Jayden Campbell or Sandon Smith
Id be doing everything thing I can to get Katoa to us to play 6/7. Once our spine is settled we can focus on other areas with what money is left.
That's a dream I can't see happening
I'd be prepared to make him one of the best paid players in the game tbh - we can build our team around this kid long term. Min 7 year deal...
Talataina seems to be progressing well, and so I'd hold off on the 6. Tell Hawkins and Joash it's between them during pre-season for the 6.
Apa Twidle I'd start playing at left centre in Cup, maybe partnered by Richie Penisini as LW, and groom this duo to take over our left backline by end of 2026 or 2027.
If Joash doesn claim 6, he can go back as Cup fullback. If he does claim 6, Hawkins can go back to cup and I'd sign a Fullback for cup that can cover the backline and with some experience. Corey Allan, someone like that.
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For the forwards, I'd only sign a top prop. That is it. If we do, I'd start Tuivati in Cup next year to get him used to big minutes. Readying him to take over Junior.
Otherwise I think I'll go with the same set of forwards for next year plus the youngsters.
Araz nanva is playing left centre and is progressing nicely....
Yeah I like Nanva but just rate Richie and Twidle more.
Actually Richie might be a better centre considering his good defence, so he could challenge his brother for a spot.
I just suggested the above configuration cause I really want Twidle to have a spot, and a bit of a pathway for the NRL.
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