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
I think there is a place for a 14 in the mold of a Wishart or a Tevaga even who can play Hooker but also other positions. Instead of strictly a hooker on the bench.
Smith/Da Silva combo is working and can work but for how long are one or the other or both willing to keep it as is?
Ultimately the clubs made its bed at hooker they've committed significant funds & years towards TDS so he's the guy going foward.The fact they are in no rush to resign Smith is like our situation at 6 Smith is the guy right now till he isn't.I guarantee you this if TDS game gets to a point where both parts of attack and defense match up Smith will be let go.
Now if TDS had middles like Mahoney maybe his development looks different because most weeks Mahoney got the armchair ride behind a pack that mostly played off the front foot that protected the 9 and enabled him to concentrate on the defensive side of things moreso.We aren't built like that anymore so you most definitely have to have the petrol to go full noise both ways.TDS at this point in time doesn't have that hence why Smith is still starting and is still in the equation at hooker.
Not necessarily Coryn. Contracts mean nothing. If we decide to keep Smith as the future 9, Da Silva then makes the choice to either see out his deal or ask for a release. Done, sorted.
Now, is Da Silva seen as the future? I would say his deal til 2029 says so, potentially being that future 9.
1 thing we know about Ryles is that he doesn't care what salary you are on, potential, years on deal or what you've achieved in the past, if you are not helping the team you are not picked. If Smith is better than Da Silva he will go with Smith.
You said as soon as Da Silva's game matches up to Smith's he will be gone, yeah I think that is the plan moving forward with Da Silva expected to be better than Smith, his attack already has more potential than Smith, just the stamina and defence.
But if come end of 2026 if Smith is still ahead of Da Silva and early 2027 the case, Smith will be kept.
We just extended him so no surprised we aren't talking right now.
Contracts mean something if anything we've learnt we don't have to look any further than the Lomax saga.
Regardless I think you don't pay the money upfront and give the years to TDS if you don't think he's your guy.I believe the Eels think that way and have squarely put the ball in TDS's court.
Smith definitely is the right now but I do think he is the bridge to TDS eventually a year or 2 down the track.As above the ball is in TDS's court I think he has a higher ceiling with the way the ruck is you need a running threat out of dummy half to keep the markers and A defenders at home I think TDS offers that more so than Smith.
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