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/
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Lol. And im Mclovin it. Haha 😂 😄 🤣
Has the Chief ever been wrong??
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.
Good points, LB & Super.
When the time comes that we have to bite that bullet, hopefully one of them has proven themselves to be the elite choice - a good position to be in.
Currently, really like the way Ryles is using them both.
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.
I wouldn't say head and shoulders as Smith has had an average game here and there and this year started slowly with uncharacteristic performances. Sunday he was much better but also had a bad pass to Walker on Dragons line. He has a bit to work on too but he is 23 with only 25 games to his name. Both boys will get there but both are so different in styles.
Its like Canberra, Starling is Da Silva and Brailey is Smith. But they start Starling.
But to say Smith is head and shoulders ahead I feel is not the case. Defence yes but other areas he needs work. He is ahead, enough to start but not light years ahead.
I've said it before, but a hooker rotation of both Smith and TDS has the potential to be the best in the comp, you have a workhorse, and an attacking threat. If you cannot get that in one player, best you can do if have it in 2 players.
Right now they're both a work in progress as they're both young and raw, give Smith another full season and he will honestly be up there with Robson and Brailey for NSW discussions. Tallyn has a high ceiling due to his attacking ability, but defence wins games.
This doesn't have to be a one or the other conversation. Give them both good and fair contracts and try to keep them on the roster as long as possible. Ryley has the upper hand here as he can offer a bit more flexibility because of his defence.
Nailed it!
can't see why we'd let Ryley go so long without securing him when it's clear how great they can be for us as a pair.
id absolutely hate for us to he looking for someone like Ryley A gain!
Is the current NRL ruck simply too fast for an 80 minute hooker? If you say "yes" then it's obvious a Smith/TDS combo is a good idea: a high work rate machine followed by a creative.
If you say "no" you're probably going to point to a player like Harry Grant, who has played 80, 60, 80 mins so far this year. BUT Wishart has played 25 mins per game, and the Storm play him in the middle to absorb some tackling load for Grant.
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