Parramatta have emerged as the leaders in the race for promising 20 year old rake Tallyn Da Silva. There is a chance for Da Silva to leave Concord by Monday for the June 30 cut-off period with the Manly Sea Eagles, Newcastle Knights and North Queensland Cowboys all interested in the Western Suburbs junior. Da Silva met with Jason Ryles earlier in the week. There was talk of a swap deal being presented by the Wests Tigers that would have seen Da Silva go to Newcastle with KPP, Tigers bound in 2026, heading to Wests early. That deal has reportedly fallen through.
All the clubs bar Parramatta that have expressed interest in Da Silva have a coach that is under pressure. Da Silva is considered one of the most promising Hookers to come into the game in a long time, just turning 20 and playing 21 games for the Wests Tigers.
Parramatta being favourites should be no surprise considering our cap space and chance for him to start right away. Manly are the next best option, with manager Mario Tartak having numerous Manly players on the books already including Haumole Olakau'atu, Jason Saab and Nathan Brown. However, Tartak also has Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Doorey and Toni Mataele at Parramatta so the manager connection is just as strong at Parra than Manly.
Manly also have a need for a Hooker immediately with Lachlan Croker, Jake Simpkin and Gordon Chan Kum Tong not meeting the standards to be consistent Hookers for the club. NQ have a hole with Robson leaving but not til 2026 and Newcastle have a hole with Brailey moving to Canberra and Crossland now being seen as a Lock forward.
If Da Silva signs with Parramatta and is granted the chance to join immediately, he will start in Round 19 v Penrith.
Replies
So basically your saying to Ryley Smith your a backup even though TDS hasn't done a thing to prove he's a starter at the Tigers.Does he not have to earn a spot.I mean if he beats out Smith ok but if Smith is doing a better job than him and I'm starting TDS ahead of him imo that's a problem.
Coryn do you really believe Ryles would bother signing a Hooker this young if Smith was already the future? We have Coinakis in lower grades to push Smith eventually as well.
Do you really believe Ryles is just going for Da Silva to be a back-up?
Yeah could say let them fight it out but to get Da Silva he will be paid starter money. Why go through that? Why not just use Smith until Coinakis is ready to go?
He wanted Starling he wanted Brailey now wants Da Silva, he wants a Hooker and not one to back-up. Now if Smith beats him so be it but Ryles is being Da Silva with the intention of him being our start in 2026 at least.
I understand to though as a lot here have nose out of joint over this play since they love Ryley Smith and feel we do not need Da Silva. Seems Ryles believes we do, or another Hooker of some sorts.
I must be amongst the small circle of people on here that doesn't see much in Smith. He seems like he has some potential to be a regular 1st grader , maybe even solid. But is he the " it " player we need ? Not saying the other kid is either, but I don't see enough in Smith for us to be content he's the future, Temu Mahoney .
We have quite enough just ok or adequate type players. We need game breakers and superstars. Ain't no other clubs lining up to sign Smith.
And who would these game breakers and elite talent be exactly.While it's all well and good saying this the chances of a club like ours landing the top 5-10% on the market is slim at best.
What we have to do and I've said this for years is spread the recruitment gaze and take some risks but we won't we'll rinse wash repeat.
I don't think Ryles has ever been sold on Smith. Not sure why, but it seems Ryles knows what he wants in a hooker. Maybe he sees Smith as a good backup, but won't be an elite hooker. I suppose we'll wait and see.
Think you need 2 pretty good 9s regardless in todays nrl, can't just throw 80 minutes onto Ryley smith every week he'll work himself into the ground. Another 9 off the bench is definitely needed
Yes and no, depends on how you play. Look at top 4 teams. Canberra run two Hookers. Dogs run 1 Hooker and a 14 that can play it if needed. Melbourne have a 14 that can play it if needed and Warriors sometimes have a 14 or a strict 9 on the bench depending on Egan's health.
Smith would add value off the bench to change it up.
Maybe Ryles sees Smith as a Brandon Smith 14 who can play some dummy half and also a ball playing middle. Might be setting him up to do a Walker type role in 18 months time as well
I mentioned that too, if he was sold he would not go for Da Silva, he has seen a lot of Smith already to make a sort of judgement whether to go all in or not.
Manly have rumoured to pay 3 yrs 650 K is that starting hooker money is it.
All I'm saying is we want players that have to fight for there spots especially if they aren't star quality.We don't want unproven players who've done nothing who are just guaranteed a spot.This isn't how we build a strong culture and if I'm JR that's what I'm selling.If it's rumoured that he didn't want this we don't want him.If a 20 yr old kid comes in demanding or wanting a starting spot after doing nothing at the Tigers and we gave it to him I'd say that's more of an issue.
Its back to the Smith/ Lussick combo till further notice.
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