Eels Blogs

Please remember to read this first: https://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/ea-rookie-reports?commentId=7033964%3AComment%3A2998205

Welcome to the Rookie Report 1 of where I look at the rookies to watch from our NRL to NSW Cup team. Before I do the report, I will put out a list for a predicted full-strength team for all three sides. Please remember, the purpose of the blog is not to argue who is going to play where in the NRL team but rather just show roughly what the team will look like so we can see where our rookies will be spending most of their time. In the following team list:

• Green = top 30 contract
• Yellow = development (supplementary) contract
• Orange = train and trial or junior contract with upgrade in the future
• Red = junior contract (some may have upgrades that I am unaware off)

NRL Team                                                                                                                                          

 NSW Cup team:

Jersey Flegg Team:

 Notes:

• The only 2 players that are Jersey Flegg eligible across these two NRL and NSW Cup team is Joash Papali’i and Charlie Guymer who both turn 21 in 2025.
• The BOLD player in the Jersey Flegg team are players who will start the season in SG ball and may get promoted into the Flegg team. The Flegg team prediction may not be very accurate considering player movements across those grades is not easy to track.

 Isiaih Iongi – Fullback (turns 22)

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZHqokzW2Lk

General/Player information

• A player that everyone here will know about as he is expected to take the vacant fullback spot left by King Gutho. Only 21 this year but been playing NSW Cup since 2022 so certainly has done his apprenticeship.
• At the start of 2024, he was regarded as the best fullback yet to play NRL. He has been learning the past few years from Dylan Edwards which is great. His defensive game is quite good.
• He has great explosiveness/acceleration and footwork which allows him to frequently break tackles and exploit small spaces. His top speed however is probably average. He is good under the high ball too and is very good with support play.
• He still has to work on his ball playing. So please remember, like any young player, he still has a few areas to improve on. His yardage is not as good as Edwards either as he is a smaller body. He also needs to eradicate handling errors from his game too.
• Only negative for most of us here is that he is actually a Queenslander.

Potential = 4/5 - He has a pretty well-rounded game for a fullback that is only turning 22 years old. I can see him being a great fullback for us, but currently, I cannot see him being an elite level fullback currently.

Potential representatives’ achievements = Will be pushing for the fullback spot for Tonga.

Progression prediction = Our consistent number 1 for eels this year. He will make a successful jump from NSW Cup to NRL. His role will not be overcomplicated given this is Moses and Browns team to run. His speed and acceleration will complement the space that Moses and Brown create for him.

Player comparison = Mixture of Keano Kini and Dylan Edwards

Key Statistics

• 59 NSW Cup games, 17 tries, 31 try assists
• 2024 = 164 m/game, 4.7 tackle breaks/game, 36.5 fantasy points/game

Arthur Miller Stephen – fullback/wing (turns 23)

Highlights: none

General/Player information

• Unfortunately an ACL in December 2023 completely ruined his 2024 season before it even started. Given the injuries we had this year, no doubt he would have played more NRL this year if fit.
• AMS glides along the field like Bula and has that good natural instinct. He is pretty quick (one of the fastest at the club) and has good footwork. His playmaking game is not that good and definitely an area of weakness. He also has to improve on his handling errors.
• Will be interesting to see if he has bulked up this off-season as he is on the skinnier side. He probably will have to especially if he has lost a bit of his speed from the ACL injury.

Potential = 3/5 - Need to see how he returns from injury before increasing it. Need to work on rounding his overall game up.

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = Spend the full season in NSW Cup rotating between fullback and wing. The position will depend on whether Papapli’i is in cup or NRL. I do not see him playing any or much NRL this season.

Player comparison = Jahream Bula

Key Statistics: none on NSWRL due to not playing 2024

Joash Papali’i  - Fullback and Winger (turns 21)

Highlights: https://www.yowutube.com/watch?v=Qo2K3M9NvWU

General/Player information

• A player everyone on here has heard about in your new signings. Has played 2 years of NSW Cup despite only turning 20 this year.
• This year in NSW cup he rotated between fullback, wing and the 14 role.
• Has good acceleration and speed but nothing too amazing. He has good footwork but probably has better play making than Iongi.
• Again, some work to do on his overall game.
• If you see his NSW cup stats, his meters/game is a bit underwhelming sometimes as well as his tackle breaks. A big pre-season and I personally would love to see him develop into a 14.
• He can goal-kick too.

Potential = 4/5 - I know some people may put him at 5 which I can understand why but he just lacks that elite level acceleration, speed, footwork or tackle breaking ability to be seen as an elite level talent at this stage.

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = this is quite hard to predict because it is still not absolutely clear what Ryles has planned for him. He could be purely seen as a fullback/winger or does Ryles try to develop him into a 14 that can play any position from 1 to 6, 9 and even maybe a lock like Watson. For now, I believe he will be pushing for a starting spot round 1 on the wing (I think Iongi has the fullback spot covered) since JAC is suspended and Simmo may be eased in through cup. Then depending what Ryles wants I believe he will be either playing fullback in NSW Cup predominantly or as the NRL utility on the bench.

Player comparison = Jayden Campbell and Sua Fa’alongo

Key Statistics

• 36 NSW cup games, 6 tries, 23 try assists
• 2024 = 113m/game, 1.95 tackle breaks/game, 32.7 fantasy points/game

Brock Parker – Prop and Lock (turns 23)

Highlights: none

General/Player information

• Our NSW Cup player of the year in 2024. A no thrill player. Not the biggest of props but he is a hardworking and consistent player which is why he probably one that award. His minutes in NSW Cup really increased throughout the year (80min in one game) as injuries decimated the team.
• He will probably never be more than a depth player, but you always need these types of players in your top 30 to manage your salary cap and knowing you will get consistent performances from your depth players.
• He is a prop but played a lot of lock in NSW cup because we did not have a genuine lock or depth this year due to injuries.

Potential = 3/5

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = Play the full year in NSW Cup continuing to develop. He will be trying to earn a top 30 or development contract for 2025. May sneak a NRL debut if injuries/suspensions are bad.

Player comparison = Makatoa

Key Statistics

• 2024 = 23 games, 28 tackle breaks, 83m/game, 93.6% tackle efficiency, 37 fantasy points/game

Ethyn Martyn – Winger (turns 23)

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WGWcOJTwv0

General/Player information

• A player that started getting attention from many on here at the start of 2024. But if you watched him in 2023 when he first came to the eels in Jersey Flegg, you could always see his amazing raw ability.
• Unfortunately, I believe his development this year was hindered by injuries and the club. He suffered a long-term hamstring injury after finally making it into the NSW cup team. Unsure why he did not start the year in NSW Cup to be honest. Additionally, out of his 8 games, he only played 4 games in his best position on the wing with the others being fullback and centre.
• Currently in rehab (unsure of injury or duration) but hopefully back quick and back into pre-season.
• Martyn possess elite level acceleration and a good top speed, coupled with great footwork and agility. Makes him a brilliant finisher. Despite not being the strongest, he manages to break plenty of tackles per game with his footwork. You never want to try tackle him 1 on 1 with his ability to always beat you with that footwork. A natural try scorer whenever he has played for eels in cup or flegg.
• Martyn with his raw ability is still fairly new to rugby league and hence still needs to work on a few things such as his defensive reads and catching the high ball. This will come with experience in NSW cup and let’s hope he lives up to that potential. Ideally he could be JAC long term replacement.

Potential = 5/5 - I believe he honestly has the ability to be an elite level try scorer on the wing.

Potential representatives’ achievements – n/a

Progression prediction = Playing a lot of games on the wing in NSW Cup learning the game to complement his raw natural ability. If he manages to absolutely kill it in NSW Cup, he may manage to get a very unlikely NRL debut this year. At this stage, there are few outside backs ahead of up even as a backup role.

Player comparison = Alofi Khan Pereira

Key Statistics

• 8 NSW cup games, 8 tries, 1 try assist, 113m/game, 5 tackle breaks/game, 37.4 fantasy points/game

Ronald Volkman – 5/8 and Halfback (turns 23) 

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GetLOjV8W8s

General/Player information

• Poor bloke with the shoulder reconstruction. I am actually happy we signed him. In 2023 he was one of the best NSW Cup players as he topped the points scored and try assists in NSW Cup for Warriors. His statistics in other areas were great too from memory. Unfortunately, he was not able to fully translate his ability to the NRL when given the few chances. But that is understandable because he was only 21 years old in 2023. He could potentially be first choice back up at both 6 and 7.
• He has good deception, acceleration, passing and short kicking game. He is a small body so will always be a target in defence.
• I believe he is more of a 6 in the future and NRL as he lacks that kicking game to be a 7.
• Decent goal kicker too. Will have Moses, Lomax, Hawkins, Papali’i and Volkman.

Potential = 4/5

Potential representatives’ achievements = back into the Samoan team

Progression prediction = Will push for the number 14 spot if he can show he can play 9 too. Otherwise, will be playing 5/8 in NSW Cup and should absolutely kill it there. Too good for cup.

Player comparison = Kodi Nikorima

Key Statistics = none on NSWRL due to not playing 2024

Charlie Guymer – Lock and Backrower (turns 21)

Highlights: none

General/Player information

• Interesting transformation it has been for Guymer. Been with eels since HM where he was a centre. Then transitioned to the backrow in SG ball. Then moved to lock in NSW Cup which I believe is his best position.
• Has a great tackle technique and work ethic to be in the middle. I think he lacks the explosiveness and lateral movement to be a backrower to be honest.
• Is highly regarded at the club and surprised he is not on a top 30 contract already. Was the SG ball captain in our 2023 winning season.
• What an NRL debut. Not because he had a spectacular try. But because how he outshone and outperformed our senior forwards (tbf were poor) with pure fire and grit. Absolutely tackled his heart out with some big shots on big names players like Murray. Was I surprised? No. Maybe did not expect him to be that brutal, but he was folding players in cup on the regular.
• Unfortunately his chance to play more NRL was cut short with that syndesmosis injury.
• He does need to work on his defence under fatigue. In NSW Cup he would sometimes miss some important tackles under fatigue. But as he gets fitter and develops through the pre-season and being older, this will slowly be removed from his game.
• Do not expect barnstorming runs etc but just someone who can hopefully generate quickplay the balls and work hard in defence.

Potential = 4/5

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = I believe he will start the year in NSW Cup at lock forward. However, will spend a lot of time on the NRL bench filling in for vacant spots created by injuries and suspensions. He will be constantly pushing our senior forwards for a spot in the NRL team which should be great for team performance. I think he will be a mainstay on our bench in 2026 latest.

Player comparison = Liam Martin/Ruben Cotter

A player I have compared him a lot to for the past couple years is Jurbo and Martin. However now that I believe Jurbo is on the decline, I believe a good middle to compare him to is Cotter. A smaller body shape but like both Martin and Cotter, complete workhorses that can hit hard and fearless.

Key Statistics

• 16 NSW cup games, 28 tackle breaks, 90.4 tackle efficiency, 101m/game, 37.9 fantasy points/game

Ryley Smith – Hooker (turns 22)

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltrbWI1cMEQ (old)

General/Player information

• A player that is generating a lot of talk amongst the community here. A rare dual Australian schoolboy in cricket and rugby league.
• One of our best players in Flegg in 2024 and was good in the minimal opportunities he got in NSW cup. Like most people know now, he is very very fit. He built like a nugget like Brandon Smith but plays very similarly to Harry Grant. He loves to run the moment the markers in the opposition are not there or struggling to get square. Importantly, he has the acceleration (just below Cook) to take advantage of those opportunities and smartest to use his middle forward close to the try line.
• Like many small hookers, the challenge of Smith will be his defence. He does have a solid technique, but NRL is obviously a different beast. I am confident he can have the defence for it though.
• Expect a big year for him with no star 9 at the club, he will be pushing hard in the pre-season to go up the pecking order. Could put himself in front of Lussick within the pre-season itself.
• People may question why he has not played much NSW Cup yet and thats because he has 3 hookers on top 30 contracts in front of him.

Potential = 4.5/5

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = Play a lot of NSW Cup. He will be putting a lot of pressure on Lussick and Hands. I expect that it will not take him long to start over Lussick in NSW cup and than put the pressure on 9 and 14 for a spot in the NRL line up. I expect him to make his NRL debut at some point this year and earn a top 30 contract extension.

Player comparison = Harry Grant/ Brandan Smith

Key Statistics

• 2024 = 3 NSW cup games, 97.4 tackle efficiency, 23 fantasy point a game, 25min/game

Will Latu – Backrow (Turns 22)

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FXtm-t8s-k 

General/Player information

• I remember watching Latu in the 2023 Flegg season and thinking he is definitely one to keep an eye on. He had some brutal hits and ran the ball really hard. He started this year in Flegg again and was an attacking weapon. A big and powerful runner that would break tackles and/or offload. Pretty mobile too. A halves dream in Flegg. He eventually made his way into cup round 11 and played 5 games. Just when he started to translate that Flegg form into NSW cup, he unfortunately suffered a leg injury ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
• He is one of the players currently doing an NRL pre-season without a top 30 or development contract which shows that Ryles sees something in him.
• If the club can unearth the potential of him and Tuilagi, we will have two very destructive backrowers in attack and defence. One player I am definitely keeping a closer

Potential = 4/5

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = A mainstay in the NSW Cup team that will be pushing for a development deal or top 30 contract in 2026. Cannot see an NRL debut with a few experienced backrowers ahead of him.

Player comparison = Kelma Tuilagi

Key Statistics

• 5 NSW cup games. 43m/game, 28min/game, 91.1% tackle efficiency 14.4 fantasy points.

Toni Mataele – Prop and backrow (turns 23) 

Highlights: none

General/Player information

• A player that the club rated a couple years ago but has not kicked on due to injuries. In his first year of NSW Cup, he was a raw talent as a damaging backrower. However, the following season he lost form and was poor defensively which saw him demoted to Flegg. Hence, he transition to a prop rather than a backrower. His lateral movement and miss tackles were an issue to be a backrower.
• This year Mataele started NSW cup on the bench before a long-term hamstring issues kept him out. He returned and played backrow or middle from the interchange. Ideally, he is now a middle but injuries in all grades meant he played backrow in cup at times. His performance when returning were quite strong which is promising for 2025.
• He is still quite an athletic forward and powerful. But he needs to have an injury free patch and find consistency and form. He is off-contract so needs to lift to get a new deal. Make or break year.
• His minutes in cup sometimes were very low for an interchange middle, but this year his minutes should be increased and that will help decide if he does have a future at the club and NRL.
• Reminds me of Joe O who had decent mobility and athleticism at the Broncos. However, moved from backrower to the middle as they started to struggle on the edge.

Potential = 4/5

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = Play off the bench in the middle rotation throughout the year in NSW cup. Could perhaps make an unlikely NRL debut if there are injuries/suspensions and if he finds consistent form.

Player comparison = Joe Ofahengaue

Key Statistics

• 2024 = 9 nsw cup games, 73m/game, 87.5% tackle efficiency, 21.1 fantasy points/game

Jordan Samrani – Backrow and Centre (turns 23)

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iXV2TQuykI

General/Player information

• 2023 (broken ankle) and early 2024 was unfortunately disrupted by injury.
• He played centre, backrow and on the interchange for the dogs NSW Cup side.
• A perfect number 17 that can play centre and backrow. Has just enough speed to play in the centres.
• He is a very strong runner of the ball and can run good lines which is most of his NSW cup highlights.
• Capable of having those games at centre where he breaks plenty of tackles and runs for over 200m.
• I believe his future is at 17 but perhaps NRL wise, he is more of a 2026 player to watch.
• I have not seen much of him to know his full game and weaknesses. All I know is that after the injuries and with the size on him, he can struggle sometimes laterally which means he is more suited to the backrow these days.

Potential = 4/5

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = Play a lot of NSW Cup as a 17 of the interchange. He will provide that value of covering centre and backrow if injuries happen. Very unlikely for an NRL debut.

Player comparison = Dylan Lucas

Key Statistics

• 2024 = 16 NSW cup games, 6 tries, 50 tackle breaks, 125m/game, 90.1 tackle efficiency, 33.1 fantasy points/game

Jock Brazel – backrow (turns 22)

Highlights: none 

General/Player information

• A player that was highly regarded at the club but perhaps has now fallen under the pecking order. A captain of our SG ball and Flegg team once and an Australian schoolboy. However, he unfortunately did his ACL a couples years ago.
• Last year he rotated between Flegg and cup was honestly underwhelming (first year back from ACL). This year, I believe he started the year pretty average but then started to find really good form in cup.
• He is a player like Martin that will do the hard stuff in attack but is not suited for it really. Would often see Brazel struggle to make meters when used as a battering ram as he is not a destructive or big boy. Quiet lean to be honest. He was never really used as a line-runner which was unfair on him and it would probably be his best quality in attack.
• Brazel’s strength comes from his line speed, work ethic and contact in defence which is where he really stood out this year. He ended the season in Flegg as they were a chance to make finals.
• I really thought Ryles would like this recent form, however to my surprised he is not doing an NRL pre-season but is rather a NSW Cup pre-season. As I said, his defence is pretty good, but perhaps Ryles’ needs to see him recapture some form with the ball in hand.

Potential = 3/5

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = Play a good number of games in NSW Cup and do his best to try earn an NRL contract.

Player comparison = Liam Martin

Key Statistics: cannot fine on NSWRL. Not sure why.

Josh Lynn – halfback (turns 21)

Highlights: none

General/Player information

• Brought over from QLD in 2023. Another of your SG ball winning members from 2023. A player that does not have an amazing highlight reel as he normally plays that steady hand role in teams
• He played a lot of games in NSW Cup this year but if I had to be honest, he looked out of place in most of those games. In defence, he would get exposed many times with poor defensive reads or just missed tackles.
• As I said, he just plays that steady hand. He does not have any x-factor about him with his kicking, passing or running game. He was never a star player in the grades but just did his role in a team filled with stars in SG ball.
• I like to be positive in these reports, but I genuinely do not know if Lynn will be anything more than a back up player if he makes the NRL. The good thing is that he still young and has plenty of development left in him so perhaps he is a late bloomer.

Potential = 3/5

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = Steer the team around and have a solid season in Jersey Flegg. Will play a few games of NSW Cup when given the chance if Volkman and Hawkins are called up to the NRL or injured.

Player comparison = Kyle Flanagan

Key Statistics = not available

Richard Penisni – Centre/Winger (turns 20)

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri7UbdestR8

General/Player information

• Like his older brother, Richie went to Kings school and played union but has been in the eels pathway for a while. Richie had a great 2023 season where he even made his NSW Cup debut at 18 but that unfortunately ended with a concussion after just 4 minutes.
• For the 2024 season the club had planned big things for Richie however he did his ACL very early in the season. The club still kept an eye on him as he was involved with the club and even went to Darwin for the game against Dolphins. Now he is back to good fitness.
• Richie looks like an athlete. He is slightly taller than his brother. He has a really similar play style like Will especially through the juniors. He has the ability to break tackles or set up his winger. Importantly, Richie has been a good defender in junior footy too. While he lacks that high level speed and acceleration, he has that power and athleticism. So as you can tell very similar to Will.
• Like any athlete, it may take Richie a full year to properly recover from the ACL, but he seems ready to have a strong year. Top 30 contract next year shows how much the club view him as a top prospect.
• I believe his future will be as a winger.

Potential = 5/5 - Both brothers have the potential to be a top-level centre. They are good people, train hard and got that power and athleticism to be strike centres. With Gasnier, and good players around them, the sky is the limit for them. Please note, at 18 years old, Will was better than Richie. Now the ACL would have hampered that further.

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a. Probably would have been in contention for the under 19 origin team in 2024 if fit.

Progression prediction = With the Fox suspended to start the year, there is a good chance that Richie will start the year in NSW Cup. However if every player if available, Richie may have to spend some time in Flegg to accommodate for the full squad getting game time. But given the club view on him, Richie will be given every opportunity to stay in the cup side and even be a smoky to make a NRL debut at some point this year. His brother did it at 18, so no reason he cannot do it at 20.

Player comparison = Will Penisni

Key Statistics = none

Api Twiddle – Fullback and 5/8 (turns 21)

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYXo_aGOlgc

General/Player information

• A kiwi that in my opinion was our best player when we won the SG ball competition in 2023. But funny enough he is one of a few that is yet to make their cup debut from that team. When he had that amazing 2023 SG ball season, Twiddle did earn a call into the Flegg side that year, but he struggled to make an impact and made many errors.
• In 2024, Twiddle found his form again and was arguably the heart and soul of the Flegg’s team attack. Rotating between fullback and five-eight throughout the season, there were often games where he was involved in nearly all or every single try.
• I wanted him to play NSW Cup this year at 1 or 6, especially over Lynn and our lesser outside backs. However, not sure why he could crack into the team. Does always bring the concern, but I am confident he will make it in 2025.
• Since he joined eels in 2023, I have compared him to Tedesco for just the way he runs and attacks a defensive line. He will try exploit any game with power and decent acceleration and speed. Importantly, when he plays 6, he has a good passing game whether it be short ball to his backrower or a cut out pass. Actually reminds me a bit of Moses the way he does it if you watch the highlights. He even has a great short kicking game (grubber) that has produced plenty of points this year.
• He actually just joined the clubs NRL pre-season training this week. Someone to really keep on eye on. Plays with real passion and enthusiasm. He could make a decent utility and even moulded into a centre.

Potential = 4/5 - need to see him in cup before increasing it.

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = Play the year at fullback in Flegg. Will be fighting to be the reserve 1 and 6 in the cup side. So should make his cup debut at some point this year. He is reportedly getting a development deal in 2026 which show the club do rate him and want to keep developing him.

Player comparison = James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses > just watch the highlights

Key Statistics: none

Mohammad Alamadine – Winger (turns 20) 

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu-lh3BEb1w

General/Player information

• Another of the players from our 2023 SG ball winning team. The only player listed in this report that played SG ball in 2024 as well.
• I remember watching him in 2023 and some of his highlights looked too easy. In simple yardage carry’s he would get a line break from going through tackles and either score himself or set up a player. He did it a few times that season. In 2024, while he did not have those absurd highlights, he still had a strong year.
• He has a similar running style to our own Bailey Simonson, but his yardage carry’s are like Brian To’o. Alamadine is like a pinball to start the sets where he will regularly breaks tackles or beat the first man and make plenty of meters. The modern winger that we have lacked for a while at the club. He is a might impressive finisher whether its diving for the corner, cutting inside or just beating a defender with power. He showed all these impressive skills from try scoring to starting sets in his 2 NSW cup game in 2024. It was a shame he did not get more NSW Cup games.
• Alamadine like To’o does not have that elite pace or acceleration but just that elite meter eater and finisher we lacked for years.
• Alamadine main area to improve is his defensive game, especially his positioning on the wing which is a famous problem at the club.
• However, I am confident with another year of development, he will continue to grow and be an important player of the future. Invest in him, he is a goodie.

Potential = 5/5 - when your compared to Brian To’o it explains that potential.

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = Play a lot of Flegg to start the year but will be pushing to play NSW Cup games given his potential. If injuries do happen to our outside backs like last year, Alamadine and Penisini should be playing heaps of NSW cup.

Player comparison = Bailey Simonson and Brian To’o

Key Statistics

• 2024 = 2 NSW Cup game, 2 tries, 1 try assist, 7 tackle breaks, 121m/game, 37 fantasy points/game

Sam Tuivita – Prop (turns 20)

Highlights: none 

General/Player information

• x 2 under 19 blues origin representative. Was eligible for SG ball in 2024 but played the full season in Flegg. Enforcer prop for our 2023 SG ball winning side.
• A big and mobile forward that has a big motor. Also has a late offload in his game. His dominance is really similar to how AFB can be. Made his NSW Cup debut at 18 in 2023.
• There is a lot of hype around Tuivita since he is already on a top 30 contract but also some worried because he could not make the NSW Cup side.
• My opinion is that middle forwards take time to progress through the grades. Especially big ones like Tuivita. They are used to just using their size to dominate teams in the junior grades but that does not work anymore in open age footy where plays are equally as big or have really solid defensive techniques. So I believe the club is being patient with Tuivita and developing his overall game. Those small 1%’ers that he probably got away with in the lower grades. Getting rid of that baby fat, working on defence and fitness.
• Hopefully gets some time in cup so we can see him in open age footy. Moa should hopefully be a good coach for him.

Potential = 5/5 - Given his size and his play comparison, it is clear why he is seen as an elite prospect.

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = Rotate between the Flegg and NSW cup side. Will be in NSW cup if there are injuries and suspensions to players in those teams. Hopefully gets game time in cup this year.

Player comparison = Addin Fonua Blake

Key Statistics = none

Saxon Pryke – Lock and Prop (turns 21)

Highlights: none

General/Player information

• Jersey Flegg player of the year in 2024 and a member of the 2023 SG ball winning side.
• Pryke played Flegg as well in 2023 and looked like he was developing very well. He has rotated between prop and lock however has mainly played lock. He is not a big middle but loves the physicality of the game. Would run and tackle hard. Really similar to Cotter and T Harris. However, watching him in cup, would make you question the comparison.
• I must say I was not impressed in 2024 whenever he was given a chance in NSW Cup. He was mainly used towards the end of games for short stints. But he would have handling errors in him and would come up with some poor misses in defence. Unfortunately this was happening on the regular and you could really notice it when watching the moment he came on.
• He is contracted for 2026 as well so I am hoping after a good pre-season right now, developing his body in the gym, learning, etc he will find his feet in NSW Cup this year. The club clearly rate him to extend his contract so hopefully he is able to translate is Flegg performances into NSW cup.

Potential = 3/5. Unfortunately have not seen him take it to the next level yet to rate him higher.

Potential representatives’ achievements = n/a

Progression prediction = Rotate between the Flegg and NSW cup side. Will be in NSW cup if there are injuries and suspensions to players in those teams. Hopefully finds his feet in cup.

Player comparison = Ruben Cotter and Tohu Harris

Key Statistics = none not sure why

Aprox. 5800 words later,

EA