Parramatta eels next five-eighth is looking more and more likely to be an external signing as we really don't have the answer internally. The main candidates the club will be looking at are Chanel Harris - Tavita 27, Kodi Nikorema 32, Jack Cole 22 and Luke Metcalf 27
The main two Eels candidates are currently Ronald Volkman and Lorenzo Talititiana.
Volkman is still relatively young at 23, has performed well in the past few games, but I don’t think he's the club’s long term solution. If he was in the club's plans, he wouldn't be off contract this year. Also if he was in Rylsey's plans, why did he have Pezet along side Moses all pre season and during the early rounds - forget Volkman he's out of the running.
Lorenzo Talititiana. He's only 18 or 19. He's played a few games in cup around 15. Lorenzo hasn't yet debut in first grade and Volkman, who isn’t even signed for 27 has the jump on him. Its nearly mid season so if Ryles was considering Lorenzo for 2027, you'd think he would have at least gotten a taste of fg and would need half a season as Joash did last season. Lorenzo is also very slight in stature and he will most likely stay in cup for another year or two unti lhis body fills out - it won’t be Lorenzo
Joash- if it was Joash he wouldn't have been training at fb in the preseason with Pezet and Moses calling the shots. It seems like Joash has been scrapped from the idea of 5/8.
For mine its between Chanel and Metcalf. Tannah Boyd has just committed to a three-year deal. So three into 2 doesn't fit, and both are NRL standard
So Its a dead set toss up between Metcalf and Metcalf
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Feels this way from the outside, Cap. Ryles must have his reasons, defence?
Or it could just be that Volkman has made himself un-droppable currently, he's been great & has clearly worked very hard on his defence.
Sure Lorenzo will get his this chances, feels like the perfect season to get some game time into these 'future is now' players.
I think you're overlooking some of the issues some of those players had. Sam Walker struggled physically for several years when he started first grade. He got dropped to reserve grade in 2023.
Dylan Brown missed half his first season due to stress fractures in his back.
Lorenzo will finish this year having played more than 20 games in NSW Cup.
Let me draw you a comparison. Isaiah Iongi. Came to use with nearly 2 full NSW Cup seasons under his belt and slotted straight in to fullback in a new side.
Being patient with young guys sets them up better in their development.
Ryles has shown he's prepared to throw juniors in when needed, He's just not going to throw them to the wolves. Especially when you have Volkman playing his guts out at 5/8 and legitimately earning his spot.
Good points, Super.
Iongi also came along in leaps & bounds once playing first grade, though. His ball-play especially and isolating defenders / draw and pass, which he struggled with early. HIs support play was non-existant early also, which he's obviously worked hard on.
Not questioning what you are saying or Ryles - he knows better than any of us who is / isn't ready - more that just some players develop best playing grade, and had Iongi had the opportunity to play more first grade sooner, would he have (considering he was at Penrith at the time)?
To your point, this is where we have to trust the coaches who know. Everyone just keen to see Lorenzo start.
Some of the people that provide their opinions on Lorenzo have barely seen him play a game lol.
What are your thoughts, EA?
EA, good point. I've only seen a small sample size (looks talented). I liked what I saw in the trials. You've seen a lot of him, week-in, week-out. What's your view? Is he ready? The potential long-term solution at six?
NOS and HOE, I believe he is the long term solution at 6 but I would not be rushing him into the NRL spot just because he is the future. Our team is decimated by injuries so let the team find some consistency in its team selection with the players returning and give him a chance towards the end of the year. Imagine the criticism he is going to receive in this current side.
While other young halves have made their debuts, Lorenzo is smaller than the likes of Joey Walsh. So, like any young half that was not named Dylan Brown, he has work to do on his defence. His defence in the junior grades was actually very strong to point he would put shots on players and fold them in half. I think he is adjusting to playing against grown men which is harder to defend against. However, again injuries have not helped because every game it feels like he is defending next to a new centre. backrower, winger, etc.
He leads NSW Cup with LBA and is second on TA. And similar to what I said in defence, that is with doing it with a new halfback, backrower, centre, winger every week.
Give him the NRL pre-season to make the 6 jumper his for next year.
NOS, I suspect everyone just wants to see tomorrow start today. Which is entirely fair. We're all sick of mediocrity.
But when is change more symbolic than practical? I'm sure JR is weighing both up?
Daz, for sure, completely agree.
Been another tough season, we are all looking for hope for the future?
As you know Ryles has made a few points around this publicly (not throwing players in) despite the injuries, and he knows these players games & where they are mentally more than anyone.
Just hope fans show a lot of patience with Lorenzo when he does start? It's going to take years from here, not months, not a few rounds.
Yeah giving Lorenzo a debut late in the year doesn't hurt, it can help a lot but throwing him in and saying "off you go" is not good with the team the way it is now.
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