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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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, 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?
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?!
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.
Well Ryles would be making that call to MON. He would say who he wants as 6 next year. MON is not just going to sign Volkman to long extension and Ryles prefers Lorenzo. Ryles will say what he wants either go with Lorenzo and maybe keep Volkman as back up for 2027 at least? How to do, or if he wants Lorenzo but not quite there get another stop gap. Not ideal again. But this won't be all on MON, Ryles will be communicating to MON on who he wants.
This is pure speculation on your part Chief, you don't have a good track record. I think Lorenzo will get a run, more likely around or after round 20 when, hopefully, we have a few players back. Besides that, 5/8 is the least of our worries atm, centre, wing and a middle forward are our priority. I think Xerri is ripe for the picking, hearing he will be dropped this week.
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