Future pathways, who will be in NRL soon and who do we build around and wait for?

Harold Matts making the GF, SG Ball winning the GF. It is a great time for the Eels junior pathways.

With the review and imput from Nathan Brown and James Shepherd it will only get better for us. Only thing is it can take time, real time before we reap the benefits the way Penrith have. Though the SG Ball squad has some exciting prospects that could transition to Flegg to further their development, of course there are some that will play SG Ball again next year, though i believe it is good for us as a club to place a few in Flegg to even debut in NSW cup at the end of 2023.

Out of the players, mentioned in my blog yesterday, there are a few who will be training full-time with NRL next year, more so due to positional needs.

Matthew Arthur being one of them, as at this stage we only have Brendan Hands contracted for 2024. Mitch Rein will more likely retire and JH has an option that still needs to be picked up, which unless injury strikes likely will happen. But need another hooker anyway so Matt Arthur is handy to have on a development deal. Another is Sam Tuivaiti, TCT have big raps and will more likely be a mainstay of Flegg for the year. Unlike Larry Maugatutia who had raps but hasn't fulfilled that potential, Tuivaiti could be different. Charlie Guymer also could be a tough player to have around the squad as a hard worker, was a Centre until moving to Lock this year, versatility would be key and an attribute BA loves. Also with Guymer he is the captain of the SG Ball squad, leadership skills on top of his versatility is key for his progression to the NRL squad. The De Stradis brothers, Dom and Rafaele, have raps on them as middle and edge forwards. LeBron Tuala, who was out for the GF, could turn into something but unknown. Richard Penisini, if half as good as Will, will be special and a nice Centre for us in the future, hopefully might keep Will at the club and fend away Union. Saxon Pryke is a big name too, Lock forward who i believe has played some Flegg before.

Then of course you have players that have already participated in somewhat of an NRL pre-season.

Ethan Sanders and Blaze Talagi both were around the NRL squad this pre-season gone, with Talagi possessing an NRL development deal. Talagi reminds me a little of Daejarn Asi, in that he has position versatility, being able to play 6 and in the Centres and maybe could even play some Fullback. Sanders is a 6 and 7, massive raps on him and with an SG Ball title on his resume it makes the prospect of replacing Moses in the future a little more palatable. Sanders is I believe only 18 or 19, so he is still two-three years off being considered for NRL. Maybe a role as a 14 could be enough to keep him for sometime, even with Brown's option for 2025 he could decline paving the way for Sanders who could be ready. Sanders could make his NRL debut in 2024 but 2025 is more likely.

It is exciting times, with I believe only Matt Arthur being the only one realistically playing FG next year due to the demand for depth at this position. Sam Tuivaiti also could get a look in perhaps.

But it is for the first time in a long time I will be keeping track of a lot of juniors and their progression through the grades. Jontay Junior Betham Misa is one I am keeping track off at the moment and looking forward to more. Another name is Cody Parry in Harold Matts who will graduate to SG Ball next year.

So Cody Parry is actually in SG ball but was injured and the coach didn't want to put him back into the finals. He is actually the best winger in our SG ball team and should play Flegg this week.
Blaze Talagi is a real chance for FG next year in my opinion. He could be like Dylan Brown and make that transition straight to NRL. I think he can partner Penisni in the centres. He has great versatility as he can play five-eight and lock forward as well. He is a mixture of Joey Many silkness and Asi solid defence.
R Penisni will also push for a flegg spot as well at centre. His future is bright as well and reminds me a lot of his brother. Went to Kings as well.
MA will probably get a development contract like JA and deservingly so. I recon he will play cup next year in stints with Yates.
Tuivaiti will be in Flegg the full year. Hard to see him play cup unless many injuries given the depth. His starting front row partner will likely play of the bench as well in Flegg.
Yes Jontay is probably looking to be a regular in NSW Cup by the end of the year.
I believe T Mataele will struggle to be in our team due our current stocks of Doorey, Carty, Lane, Matto, Davey and now Flegg and SG ball players coming through. From Flegg look out for our captain Jock Brazel who is a talented backrow who is first year back from an ACL.
Guymer played lock, but his best position is at backrow. Doesn't look very atheltic but a hard worker and good defender.
Saxon Pryke is another hard working player.
Sanders I believe could be ready as our back up halfback by next year. He should play Flegg immediately and than hopefully kick Rankin out of the cup side by the end of the year. Sanders and JA in the halves. Its a very realistic option.
Apu Twidle was the best player for us this year in SG ball. He is a fullback who probably draws comparisons to Teddy and Gutho. He could play fullback at Flegg immediately
Dom De Stradis is the better of the brothers. I doubt he will play flegg with Brazel already there and Guyer ahead of him.
The Matts hooker is gun however he is apparently leaving the club cause MA is ahead of him.
Lebron Tuala made his way to starting prop in Fleg when Tuivita etc were injured but than he got injured himself. I will try get an update on him.

Eels livewire explodes:

Fox Sports.

Reserve Grade Wrap.

Parramatta Eels have some cover for the No.1 jersey with a young gun electric at fullback.

Daejarn Asi was electric at fullback for the Eels, setting up three tries and running for 137 metres in their 44-10 win over the Knights. Zac Cini scored two of those tries — one off a pass and the other offer a grubber. He also got a linebreak, five tackle busts, 152 running metres and made 14 tackles with just one miss.

Picture 2022 signing.

"EA, how was Coinakis in Flegg? Do you think he is that good that he could overtake Smith in time as the starter, pushing in 2027, or is Smith the better prospect?"

"I tell you who Ryles should target and that's Donahue from the Dolphins
Tries his guts out and is as tough as nails.
When the rest of the forwards comes back from injury he won't have a starting position anymore so maybe worth a shot."

Replies

EA May 2, 2023 at 11:22am
- So Cody Parry is actually in SG ball but was injured and the coach didn't want to put him back into the finals. He is actually the best winger in our SG ball team and should play Flegg this week.
- Blaze Talagi is a real chance for FG next year in my opinion. He could be like Dylan Brown and make that transition straight to NRL. I think he can partner Penisni in the centres. He has great versatility as he can play five-eight and lock forward as well. He is a mixture of Joey Many silkness and Asi solid defence.
- R Penisni will also push for a flegg spot as well at centre. His future is bright as well and reminds me a lot of his brother. Went to Kings as well.
- MA will probably get a development contract like JA and deservingly so. I recon he will play cup next year in stints with Yates.
- Tuivaiti will be in Flegg the full year. Hard to see him play cup unless many injuries given the depth. His starting front row partner will likely play of the bench as well in Flegg.
- Yes Jontay is probably looking to be a regular in NSW Cup by the end of the year.
- I believe T Mataele will struggle to be in our team due our current stocks of Doorey, Carty, Lane, Matto, Davey and now Flegg and SG ball players coming through. From Flegg look out for our captain Jock Brazel who is a talented backrow who is first year back from an ACL.
- Guymer played lock, but his best position is at backrow. Doesn't look very atheltic but a hard worker and good defender.
- Saxon Pryke is another hard working player.
- Sanders I believe could be ready as our back up halfback by next year. He should play Flegg immediately and than hopefully kick Rankin out of the cup side by the end of the year. Sanders and JA in the halves. Its a very realistic option.
- Apu Twidle was the best player for us this year in SG ball. He is a fullback who probably draws comparisons to Teddy and Gutho. He could play fullback at Flegg immediately
- Dom De Stradis is the better of the brothers. I doubt he will play flegg with Brazel already there and Guyer ahead of him.
- The Matts hooker is gun however he is apparently leaving the club cause MA is ahead of him.
- Lebron Tuala made his way to starting prop in Fleg when Tuivita etc were injured but than he got injured himself. I will try get an update on him.
- Jack > EA May 2, 2023 at 11:29am
  
  I see you have the same wraps on blaze as me. I think he has some serious talent! The back rower jock when do you think he could be ready for first grade?
  - EA > Jack May 2, 2023 at 11:35am
    
    I am most excited about Talagi bevause thats a position we are seriously lacking. A centre. Than he has the versatility to play in the halves and lock forward. He probably is too small to play lock for the NRL rn, but as he grows into his body he can. I am most impressed with his defence. He really tries to tackle hard. Sanders, MA, Twiddle and Tuivita I am impressed about a well. However, given our current players only MA is the real chance to be a permanent feature in the NRL team soon.
    
    It's hard for me to tell because Flegg games are really hard to be able to watch. The ACL would definitely slowed down his growth and how early he can play first grade. Given the fact he has not even played cup yet, I would say he is still a couple years away.
- LB > EA May 2, 2023 at 1:05pm
  
  MA could do a JA and be a full-timer in NSW cup by 2024. JA was in NSW starting round 1 2021, he was only 18.
  
  Guymer for some reason reminds me of Ben Smith, just a toiler.
  
  Thank you for reminding me Parry is SG Ball.
  
  In terms of Mataele, it seems he has been a disappointment, his defence doesn't seem to be where it should be, reason why i believe Davey was signed to add some depth.
  - EA > LB May 2, 2023 at 1:17pm
    
    Yep Mataele is only on the bench now getting limited minutes. I believe Guymer will take some time to make it into NRL if he does. MA will be in NSW Cup next year for show on an NRL development deal I recon. Him and Yates will share the dummy half duties. Rein will retire and hopefully JH as well. Meni Luke who played thier in cup this week does look good as well. He is Soni Luke younger bro
    - LB > EA May 2, 2023 at 1:40pm
      
      Hopefully MA can start and Yates can come in midway through so MA can adapt. Or go the other way and start Yates and move him to Lock to give MA minutes.
      
      MA will make FG, whether people like it or not.
- GRABBITNRUN > EA May 2, 2023 at 1:40pm
  
  Great rundown.Thanks boys.I feel a bit isolated living in the bush but updates like that are gold.I wait on your further info on Lebron Tuala.He is an absolute giant we brought down from Logan I think and could be anything from early reports.
  - EA > GRABBITNRUN May 2, 2023 at 1:54pm
    
    Lebron suffered a hand injury which required surgery. I guess we will have to wait and see if he makes the Flegg side this year. He had injuries in the pre-season as well.
Jack May 2, 2023 at 11:25am

Blaze reminds me of Herbie farnworth, Joey manu the way he moves,skill, power. This kid is gonna be the best of the lot a lot with sanders and Matt Arthur imo. The whole squad has some serious talent, the eels need to be patient and keep them together
Blue Eel May 2, 2023 at 1:14pm

I like Zac Cini and Dajern Asi, both will likely see some first grade next year.

Eels livewire explodes:

Fox Sports.

Reserve Grade Wrap.

Parramatta Eels have some cover for the No.1 jersey with a young gun electric at fullback.

Daejarn Asi was electric at fullback for the Eels, setting up three tries and running for 137 metres in their 44-10 win over the Knights. Zac Cini scored two of those tries — one off a pass and the other offer a grubber. He also got a linebreak, five tackle busts, 152 running metres and made 14 tackles with just one miss.

Picture 2022 signing.

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