External signing likely for Eels’ next five-eighth

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

It will not be a current Parramatta player.

When you consider how our halves played in games when we were going well over the past couple of years, you had Moses leading the team around and Brown supporting him. They came together to put on attacking raids, and that put doubt into the defenders. they expected only Moses to produce the killer plays, but with Brown chiming in, it could have come from him also. It also gave us options either side of the ruck.

We need to get back to that. With Moses we don't need a topline 5/8, but someone who is willing to support Moses and has the skills to put on plays as needed. At the moment we have Volkman, Papalii and Talitaina all in contention for that 5/8 spot. I wonder if Ryles intends to trial them all out in that spot in the back half of this season to see where they are at? Do either of these players have the skills we need? Probably not at the moment, but they have all grown over the past 12 months, and no doubt will continue to grow.

If I were R&R, I would be looking to fill a massive gap in our outside backs. Other teams have shown that skills there is worth putting money into.

"I think Nikorima is more than good enough, but I don't think we are at that stage. Your points are very valid Daz, but regardless of who it is, I would like to see a backline that offers more than the current one. Defence being the important missing…"

"When you consider how our halves played in games when we were going well over the past couple of years, you had Moses leading the team around and Brown supporting him. They came together to put on attacking raids, and that put doubt into the…"

"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 &…"

Replies

Trent May 12, 2026 at 9:24am

If they get anyone from outside my guess will be burton
Longfin Eel May 12, 2026 at 9:57am

When you consider how our halves played in games when we were going well over the past couple of years, you had Moses leading the team around and Brown supporting him. They came together to put on attacking raids, and that put doubt into the defenders. they expected only Moses to produce the killer plays, but with Brown chiming in, it could have come from him also. It also gave us options either side of the ruck.

We need to get back to that. With Moses we don't need a topline 5/8, but someone who is willing to support Moses and has the skills to put on plays as needed. At the moment we have Volkman, Papalii and Talitaina all in contention for that 5/8 spot. I wonder if Ryles intends to trial them all out in that spot in the back half of this season to see where they are at? Do either of these players have the skills we need? Probably not at the moment, but they have all grown over the past 12 months, and no doubt will continue to grow.

If I were R&R, I would be looking to fill a massive gap in our outside backs. Other teams have shown that skills there is worth putting money into.

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