Eels Blogs

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  Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 February 15, 2026 at 8:02pm

  The fact that Ryles put Ryda Talagi on midway through the first half shows how highly rated and the respect Ryles has for him. Unlucky to get that knock, but he looked bigger than nearly every player out there. Only 19.  Well proportioned athlete 
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  parra supporter February 15, 2026 at 8:11pm

  Was there any update on ryda? Was he filled out with the hia and if so, is he ineligible for a run next week?
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    Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 > parra supporter February 15, 2026 at 8:55pm

    Possibly rested id say.  No use risking him 
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  Angry Eel February 15, 2026 at 8:15pm

  When you think about it, at the moment we really only have 4 locked in players in the forward pack

  Paulo

  hopgood

  williams

  walker

  then we have a long list of competition for spots

  tuivati

  JDB

  Katouga 

  Kelma Tulagi

  guymer

  Doorey 

  moretti

  T Brown

  W Latu

  We effectively have 9 forwards fighting for 4 spots. 
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    EA > Angry Eel February 15, 2026 at 8:23pm

    JDB is definitely going to be in the team. Probably starting 13
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      Angry Eel > EA February 15, 2026 at 10:05pm

      Yes I believe he will start there but this will also be one of Ryles's biggest challenges over the next couple of years. We look like we have some very talented players coming through looking for opportunities. Ryles may have to make a tough call on someone like JDB to show some of these younger players they have a future at the club. Will Latu is off contract at the end of the year and won't stick around if he's not going to get a go
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        Coryn Hughes > Angry Eel February 16, 2026 at 8:37am

        

        Again this is the making of the club we don't want easy choices talent wise we want to make JRs decisions as tough as possible.

        As an example Saxon Pryke I see a lot of Jmaine Hopgood in the way he plays similar sized player but may need another year so a guy like JDB is perfect to smooth that transition and he's at the right age to mature mentally and physically.

        Same same with our middles in a year or 2 Paulo out Tuivaiti and co step in that's the position we are building for ourselves as a club.

        Hooker I'm still not sold on TDS but with Smith there it's a great position to be in all we have to do is continue stacking the talent.

        We have a position of weakness in the outside backs and at 6 we are positioned well in the market to land a big fish.

        Another thing I don't do is get to excited about a guy like Twidle fantastic display last night but like Iongi last year I'm looking at what he does without the ball and look at bomb diffusal and getting numbers in the right spot with his communication there more so as important with a fullback.

        It's a reason I mention Sam Moa as that's all I concentrated last night defensively was first contact and ruck control because I'm thinking Melbourne middles and Harry Grant if we don't get that right we'll get ripped a new one down there.What I saw last night was positive and a great start to the year.I really want to see more.
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        EA > Angry Eel February 16, 2026 at 8:37am

        Latu is dev this year and top 30 next year.

        But I do agree that the RR team have to chose between juniors and exisiting players in the near future.
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    Coryn Hughes > Angry Eel February 16, 2026 at 8:26am

    Exactly how we want it now we just have to have that sought of competition in the outside backs.

    This is what protects us from the salary cap and all we have to do is keep the correct players.That's the key.

    Continue stacking the talent.
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  Mallee57 February 15, 2026 at 8:15pm

  Fletcher is an excellent goal kicker