I can't wait for Gus to burn Parramatta twice in one year. Parramatta, as well 4 other clubs, are keen for Wests Tigers Hooker Tallyn Da Silva. I have mentioned in the past that Ryley Smith is good, but i never felt Ryles was overly sold on him as the future. Went for Jayden Brailey earlier on for some experience, then went for Tom Starling. Hooker is a position Ryles wants to tackle and Da Silva could be the player.
Da Silva is contracted to Wests until 2026, though with Api Koroisau about to extend until 2028 at least, Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has conceded Da Silva could go elsewhere for game time.
If this link is true, i think it will be a nice signing. 21 NRL games, just turned 20 and seen as one of the brightest Hookers in the game today. Has creativity at the Hooker position if anything and is a natural leader. Da Silva is raw but talent is there. Other clubs that might be on look out for a Hooker are the North Queensland Cowboys, Manly Sea Eagles, Canterbury Bulldogs, Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers have recently been said to be looking at Hookers. Manly is intriguing as they have connections to his agent Mario Tartek. Canterbury will use Hayward but Da Silva's connection to Galvin is a key talking point for his connection to Belmore.
With Reed Mahoney's release from Canterbury being imminent, that could help us as the attention and desperation for Da Silva lessens with another option available for Hooker needy clubs.
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I agree BM.
Smith can be developed in aspects of his game to suit Ryle's master plan.
I see Da Silva in the Matt Arthur mould, smallish frame, has some upside and looking for opportunities to show case his talents in more than a semi part time role.
Parramatta will sign any player as long as they are the only club chasing the player .
Even then we are still at risk of someone calling them an hour before they sign and them boarding a plane to Brisbane so quick they arrive still in their Eels training strip. I wonder if Tapau ever posted the kit back we gave him?
im not sure we need him do we? i think Smith is doing a great job and have a few youngers coming through. Spend the money elsewhere imo.
I have no issue if we sign a Hooker. At the same time i am not against us keeping Smith as the starter and using the money elsewhere. We have a need for a Prop or two, Back-rower or two and a 5/8 before a Hooker.
My opinion we don't need him. I reckon Smith is going a great job.. We have juniors coming through.. I'd be spending money elsewhere.. In Ryles I trust though..
Every club has more than 1 starting quality hooker, you need at least 2 with a decent 3rd option. Hookers carry a heavy workload in the middle among the big boys, they tend to get injuries.
The issue for parra as I see it is if ryley gets injured next week out for long period who plays 9. Parra definitely been another nrl ready option will tallyn come for that doubt it I expect he will go to the dogs and that wa sowmthing that got glavin over the line we wouldn't offer in not dropping ryley
I'd rather have Smith
I like the idea of running 2 good hookers... and operate them just like we did with Brad Drew and PJ Marsh - which worked a treat. Ideally 2 slightly different style hookers and with one able to play as a quasi-13 if needed... that one, the more 'robust' one starts each half with ideally the eyes up zippy one coming on back end of each half against a more tired ruck defence. Aim for an even 20 mins each and vary as required subject to game flow. Best of all worlds then... varies the attack dependent on stage of game, don't burn out 1 hooker, back up middle if required. They don't have to be 2 top shelf 9's either.
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