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
This. It's a no brainer if possible to get DCE. There is no downside to this. It gives us two creative halves and buys time to see if our juniors are up to it. DCE can tutor them along the way at training and in games when needed. You have to have two decent halves to win the comp. Winning the comp is the only goal. We still need to buy a prop and a centre but DCE will make a huge difference. I think we were played by Gould /Galvin and I now watch Bulldogs games just to hope Galvin gets defeated. He has destroyed that teams chemistry and interrupted our plans. There is a history of Eels and Eagles swapping sides and DCE should be the next one. Fitzgerald spent decades waiting for the next crop of juniors to come through and they never came. DCE is the missing link we need now
DCE signed with the roosters
So they say, but considering almost every player being mentioned is under an agreement somewhere , DCE is still currently the most available player that can make an instant difference . He hasn't signed anything officially yet by all reports.
If we want an instant result , he's our best option. We have tonnes of money and he's saying he's only looking for one year which suits us perfectly. He's old , but he's also had a magnificent history with injuries. I'd go further and offer him a coaching role somewhere post footy.
Considering losing Moses and another season is a high possibility, DCE is the man we should be going all in for. He's also all but retired from rep football.
Plus , we are playing imaginary scenarios 😜
The downside is DCE is a cancer DCE isn't for the best for a team he's in for the best deal for himself.Also you want to talk defensive liability well I hate to break this too you but DCE is that too.If I'm honest I wouldn't want the drama he brings with him.Ever since he back flipped on the GC and went back to Manly the mentioned have done nothing.They were touted as a top 4 team this last off season and now look at them a putrid mess that there captain helped create.Can you honestly say DCE would want to be number 2 to Moses.
As for development and the next guy up for Parra how exactly has Luke Brooks looked playing with him imo the DCE lemon isn't worth the squeeze.The only player I'd take from Manly and if I could and had the opportunity necause he's off contract in 26 is Kola the centre I'd take him in a heart beat as my left centre and in that same heartbeat I'd take Jayden Campbell before DCE.
This
I get that , but it's one year, possibly two at best , he's been punted from Origin, and it's virtually a fairwell tour of a season for him to test himself somewhere fresh and to set himself up somewhere post footy.
It can go two ways , admittedly . He could flounder as he's on his way out , or he could have the best season(s) he's had in years. He's a smart cookie , he's not going to make waves with Moses . He ain't the captain , the guy wants to go somewhere he doesn't have to carry that burden. Playing a support player role would do him good. Moses has actualy done better with Footy Dean , DCE is just a far far far better version of Footy Dean. I'm liking it the more I think of it . Do I like DCE as player / person ? Not particularly, but he's the best option .
As a stop gap for instant success id be making a shitload of noise right now to get us in the mix , who knows what his signing could shake loose . Fuck we should have enough in the bank to sign DCE and maybe convince his mate Tino to stop off with us for a year on his way to Perth since we are playing imaginary scenarios.
Could literally put us straight into top 4 contention for 2026 . And if Mitch falls apart yet again , we have a very good option to keep our season alive.
If Jayden becomes actually available , then maybe I'll change my opinion. But right here , right now , only DCE is without a contract . Fuck we can all dream , if we are playing that game then I'll hire Munster and Cleary .
So Moses has done nothing in the same time that DCE has done nothing , is that any different ?
Moses > DCE
As a player Moses past DCE 2 years ago
Moses is still growing as a player where as the other guy is played out.
Moses hasn't shit on this club like DCE basically single handedly shit on Manlys what exactly is DCE providing us here.He's a right sided player also who goes where he's a shite defender aswell and he's 35-36 yrs old.
The only thing I see on DCEs horizon is retirement.
The worst thing about Moses by the time Parra rights itself we might get a year possibly 2 out of Moses and then we'll be in the same boat as Manly.
Moses literally did a DCE to Wests mate and then he hung us out in his last big negotiations and threatened to go back there unless we paid him a huge amount of cash to match their offer, Mitch is not exactly the loyal clubman you're painting him to be . And you'd expect Moses to pass DCE considering his half a decade younger. But to your point , what has Moses done ? Moses is also paid about 3 times the average persons yearly income more than DCE .
Take your Eels bias away and there's not much left between them. DCE is also old enough to be Mitch's dad , and yet Mitch has probably missed more games in the last year or two than DCE has missed in a decade .
As I said, this ain't about a Mitch vs DCE , this is about giving Mitch the best partner to thrive. And in my opinion, if all was kosher and he knows his place , DCE is miles ahead as our best available option for instant traction.
Exactly how's DCE the best partner for Moses exactly he's a defensive liability he plays on the same side he's 35-36 yrs old he's not the best fit to play with Moses how's that beneficial for Parra going foward.DCEs best spot is with a contender not a rebuild like we are in regardless I'd be dead set shocked to see him come to us.
Id sooner us go through the pain of giving a young guy a shot as if we go DCE we not are only replacing him in 1-2 years but the year after that your probably replacing Moses also.
What we really need is what DB was going to be a guy that steps in as soon as Moses is done if we go your route we are basically starting again in the halves in 2-3 years time with an inexperienced pair most likely.
As for doing the same I think the situations were completely different once Moses committed he stuck DCE committed and changed his mind hows that the same situation.Mitch hasn't looked anywhere else he's been here nie on 8 seasons how's that not loyal.DCE is looking to jump again if your talking loyal the edge still is with Moses.
DCE isn't a defensive liabilty if you watched the games he actually does cover a lot in defence, maybe not as good this year but previous years as I believe he has already clocked off this year just like Brown. What has Mosses won for us, nothing, atleast DCE has won a grand final and more SOO than Moses. You need to take off the bias glasses and stop trying to make out you know better as on this instance Wiz is right and your wrong.
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