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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D Brown has been paid on potential for several years, and is now at N'castle on a v high salary and needs to step up; he had one good season (22) for us. Wish him well
Too many halves careers are being destroyed by putting them in too early. Kade Reed at saints was highly regarded but playing in a bad team means his confidence is dropping each game and he will probably be replaced and disappear. Putting Lorenzo in now won't help his development so hopefully he can bide his time, bulk up and work on his defence. In his favour is Moses will take most of the blame for loss but we need to be better before debuting someone like Lorenzo. Maybe with Sua defending next to him would be better than some of poor defensive back rowers we currently have.
Some of the best halves didn't debut until their early 20's, Cody Walker was 26yo and the storm system had Hughes as a Fullback and Cronk as centre and utility before taking control of the team at 23yo, Hynes transitioned from fullback as well. Moses despite early promise didn't really start living up to potential unti later in his career as being a half as a teenager is bloody hard and now with social media, non stop news cycle and multiple shows and podcasts analysing performances it is even harder. They hype up the next big thing then find negatives and tear them down.
Joash playing fullback is probably good development for a running 5/8 but his defence will need a lot of work in the off-season if he is to transition.
I would love to have Chanel but still think Ryles is looking internally with either Volkman or Joash and Lorenzo to transition in when injuries or as a utility which is how Melbourne system have done it for years.
I think people are short changing Volkman a bit. Attacking wise id have Volk ahead of Renzo right now.
Renzo is better at tempo and shortsides but Volk creates stuff out of nothing and is able to break the line when running.
I dont see the need to rush Renzo right now. Let him develop further in Cup.
Look at whats happening to Kade Reed. Dragons fans hailed him as the saviour prematurely which is too much pressure on a kid in a losing side
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