Ryley Smith has opened up about the apprehension of Tallyn Da Silva joining the club, but has said they both lean on each other and it works well. Seems Ryles has definately been clear in communication with both lads over their roles to make them happy and content. Now, both are young (23 & 21) eventually Da Silva will want to be a starter of course. Smith is free to negotiate in November. That will be a big decision for Parramatta moving forward on their future at the position. But for now, both players can just develop and get better at what they are doing.
I was a big advocate for Da Silva, mentioning to give him time and a pre-season to get better. Then seeing him in pre-season i was underwhelmed and unfairly turned on him, putting support fully on Smith. He shut me right up on Sunday in a performance that i contend won us the game. Purely by changing momentum as soon as he was on. Now will he do that every week at this point? No, but his confidence would sky rocket, as would the notice of Smith who wants to keep his starting spot.
Though right now, Smith is the type of Hooker that suits starting and Da Silva suits coming off the bench, just suits it 100%. By 2028 would that change? Perhaps it could swap. But with Da Silva signed til 2029, the expectation must be he is to put a lot of pressure to be the starter and not just be a bench, impact player. Though with PNG set to talk in November and Smith off at the same time, it is a big decision for Parra moving forward. The hope would be by the end of 2026, Da Silva's minutes go up from 55/25 split to possibly 45/35 split. Perhaps even with Smith staying on the field playing Walker's role and with Walker starting and possibly could start for the year with Hopgood out, that could be an avenue where Da Silva comes on, Smith stays on and occupies that middle of the field to feed forwards and assist Moses & Pezet.
Though in conclusion, it is great both of them understand their role while also encouraging healthy competition.
https://www.zerotackle.com/eels-hooker-opens-up-on-thriving-one-two-punch-combination-231848/
Replies
Think it should be obvious to both of them how they are a one, two punch which suits them both.
theres no way TDS could start I'd hate to think how we'd be eaten alive in the middle. We are playing them both to their strengths and the teams betterment. If TDS wants to start he'd be not playing to teams advantage simple.
the fact we haven't signed Ryley long term is still disgusting to me.
most love the kid whats not too? Reckon fans would be furious if we let him go it wouldn't be whats best for team to let him talk to other clubs. We'd be back to square one without him imo.
Fans are forgetting da silva is that he eligible to play for jersey flegg for the next two years. He's very young and is being criticised too harshly by some fans.
His game against the Dragons proved he is elite in his age group, and Ryles along with the club made one of the best decisions in years in having him at Parramatta
Agree, Chief.
There are some really good signs with TDS, we just have to be patient with him.
He looks like he will be very dangerous in attack & thats something we haven't had at hooker in a long time.
I love the 1-2 punch with Ryley Smith & its only going to get a lot better from here.
Though say Smith goes in 2028, does Coinakis become that new 14 option? Is there another Hooker we may look at?
Tough decision for the club moving forward.
Let me tell you all something. If Bushie was still coach there would be no da silva and no Ryley Smith
Boods Arthur would have been earmarked as the eels long term hioker and Hands would be keeping the seat warm for him
Thats how the club rolled with Arthur calling the shots
Bushie would want zero opposition and boods the rails run. The people who called the club on if arthur was fired we would lose Boods the next big thing - where are they now because boods is on the outer at Newcastle
Does BA pay rent to live in your head 100%?
Can't we keep them both, LB?
Or are you thinking both TDS & Ryley will want to be 80min hookers at some stage?
Being an 80 minute hooker is what delivers the big pay packet and the rep jerseys. Long term I imagine we lose one of TDS or Smith, especially if Coinakis continues developing. That's just the reality. The Sharks had the Brailey brothers , Melbourne had Cheese and Harry. But eventually you have to bite the bullet to select the right hooker to be the 80 minute option. The good thing for us is with Coinakis in the lower grades we could keep one of TDS or Smith and still roll with 2 hookers if need be.
I think most, if not all Hookers want to be 80min or the main man. Da Silva at least would want to be starting at least. If Smith is, then he might look at PNG for example.
We can keep both, Da Silva is contracted til 2029, so if he wants to kick stones then that is on him. But while this year and possibly next year the way it is now can work and both Smith and Da Silva are content, Da Silva will eventually want to be the starter.
Agree Chiefy, we need patience from the fans, his Manager, and Tallyn himself. I have no doubts he will be elite in a year or two.
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