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
Gee even the haters are hating themselves now.....you will always have a place in my heart Heisen, what would we do if you were not here to shoot down anyone with optimism. Every side should have a red neck extremist.
PS I like Sandon Smith as well.
Sounds like you have an affinity for rednecks Pops.
That, or you're just a troll - think it's the latter.
How ironic that the old man that holidays in cesspits like Kuta is calling others rednecks.
I'd sack anyone in the club that's ever as much as voted in favour of one of MONs ideas. Then I'd cancel memberships of anyone that's liked a post online mentioning MONs name. Ploppa and his whole family , and his families / familles , would have lifetime bans.
So many things do get done.
Set up a recruitment retention team that finds out everything about a current and perspective player.
From their relationships to their likes and dislikes , vices, favourite colour , family members birthdays , career goals ect ect using this to advantage in contract talks.
We need to understand how to keep players by making them and their families too comfortable to leave whilst playing their best footy giving us an advantage in a salary cap sense by having them on the books for a discounted rate.
Have partnerships with financial advisors who provide players with financial advice simultaneously sourcing outside sources of income (TPAs) for current and potential recruits.
One example could be starting up a local charity that businesses can donate to which helps the local community and pays parramatta players as ambassadors.
Buisnesses get a tax break while having access to Eels stars, while the community benefits. Win , Win.
In the Off season , every player gets specialist sprint training.
Then player specific training , edge backrowers work on line running and offloads with specialist coaches .
Props work on late footwork and offloads in traffic ect ect
Make the club a point of difference to entice prospective players.
Ive mentioned before go after the WAGS , create a group where the WAGs go to fashion events, movie premieres, Balls, day spas all documented on social media prompting an envious lifestyle ultimately to drive jealousy amongst the WAGs of our rivals maybe a reality show.
Have a crèche at both our training facilities and game day so families are looked after.
Parramatta leagues becoming a developer , buy units offering players off the plan discounted rates taking minimal deposits before completion allowing players to make a massive profits to help us get players on the books for less.
Fund end of season trips to destinations in the US and Europe that players and WAGs promote all over social media , once again to promote envy amongst our rivals.
Source a sponsorship from a luxury private jet provider so the Eels travel in class and comfort once again promoting envy.
Access to free education with our partners at private schools and universities for both player and their families.
Have our own medical centre at our training facility which operates as a community medical centre but provides immediate medical treatment for our players with radiology , Physios , reform Pilates , GPs everything our players and their families need throughout a season which is accessed quickly .
Keeping our players fit and healthy both physically and mentally as well as building their wealth and education.
💯 it's pretty much an nfl model all codes down this way structually are heading towards.
Character is huge in the big scheme of things when recruiting players.
Investigating and testing a persons intelligence and alike is also an uninvestigated method in the recruitment process also.
Much like rugby Union we aren't there as a code as yet but onething we can do is be strong culturally within the building.
Its one of the reasons I post in my mental skills thread the Crusader and AB ethos around how they build within there walls it's just a huge benefit not quite discovered by us as a club I feel.
I like what you are saying Bup. You have to let the coaches coach, but there's no reason why the club can't set a goal for players to remain fit in key areas.
Focussed training and health would definitely go a long way to address some of the issues we have seen with that in recent years. In fact we have some of the best medical facilities in the country in the Parramatta / Hills area, so let's use that to our advantage.
Maybe need to inject a bit more sports science as that is an area that could be lacking. The club should look to build in that area and partner with some of the nearby Universities, who already have the knowledge and facilities.
I think Lorenzo looks the next 5/8 to be given a chance in 26
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