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
The fact that Ryley hasn't been secured by us to this point is an absolute rubbish decision!
We must not take him for granted. As much as he seems to love playing for us money talks to all!
same as Sam it's ridiculous...fact we've allowed both of them to get to this stage unsecured by us is pathetic.
was bloody well clear after two outings in FG thry are dead set keepers!
Look put it this way, you cannot sign Smith long term without selling him that he will start. You also cannot sign Smith long term and expect Da Silva not to start wanting out.
So it's a big call of who they want.
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.
Saying it is disgusting is wrong words Macy, sorry feel that is a little over the top. Smith extended til 2027, i think that is fair. Also, who is to say he wanted a long term deal? Maybe he was happy with a deal til 2027 then have a look what's around since we brought in Da Silva. Also, not saying you are but let's not blame MON either as Ryles wanted another Hooker all along to pair up with Smith and MON did his job getting one.
To say disgusting though? We do not owe him anything, he is signed for next year and if he is getting even better we will re-sign him further.
Don't forget Ryley was upgraded to only a development contract it's not like he cost us much at all. We ought not take him for granted.
pretty clearly he is a player we ought not to let go to any longer... he clearly gives us his best and his best is pretty damn good.
you seem to see as one or the other is that right? I see it as a one two and if Ryley was to he signed elsewhere we are clearly up shit creek based on our ability to sign ready 'Maders'. Haven't we got enough signings to consider elsewhere? Our one,two punch is an area we have sorted for now why risk buggering it up?
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%?
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next