Big Breaking**** updated ***** luke metcalf expected to ask for permission to leave today
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
Replies
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.
Great to hear, EA. Thanks.
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.
Walker has been a defensive turnstile. Chooks brought DCE in to teach him despite him having years of FG. Brown was out early with back issues, right? Katoa was let go and signed elsewhere. Mamm was surrounded with veterans like Reynolds and Hunt.
We could go on but isn't the point that most halves don't hit the ground running, either suffering injuries or having on-field issues or requiring veterans around them etc.
They're always long term projects and their debut seems less about just them and what's around them. Do we want Lorenzo T to be like that poor Dragons 7 thrown to the wolves?!
Yep tend to agree. Give the young bloke an opportunity
Not sure, last year Ryles threw the likes of Tuivaiti and Smith in with very limited open age footy experience. Against Melbourne in Melbourne of all games. They turned out alright.
Now is it Ryles sees Talataina as not as good as thought? Doubt it but a possibility. Or sees Lorenzo as a big key to success in the future, wanting to be as cautious as possible to not effect his confidence later. Though at the same time I don't think there is ever a perfect time to debut a young 5/8.
I do agree the best way to learn in NRL is to play.
Halves debut (early or not) when they have shown they can handle reserve grade consistently. Talataina has shown glimpses but he isn't there yet.
Isaiya Katoa is a notable exception. He played a single NSW Cup game before his Dolphins debut, but he was 18 and had a blinder. And he was still a very speculative signing by the Dolphins. Dylan Brown only played half a dozen reserve grade games before his debut but he dominated and didn't have a single bad game. Talataina has had a few shockers, especially in defence.
Sounds as though Volk will get snapped up if we don't lock him down soon, and Lorenzo will stay and develop while we hopefully land Metcalf or CHT.
If we replace Volkman with Nikorima then MON can get rooted.
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 11 Next