Peter Gentle is poised to make a return to Parramatta to take charge of the club’s academy as the Eels plot a homecoming for former junior star Blaize Talagi.
Gentle, who was Manly’s head of football before quitting last month, was formerly an assistant coach to Brad Arthur at the Eels more than a decade ago.
He is now set for a return to the Eels, replacing James Shepherd at the helm of the Eels academy. Shepherd has joined the Bears as an assistant coach.
Gentle has a long history in the game and has had a multitude of different roles at clubs including being a one-time interim head coach at the Broncos.
His return comes as the club plots a potentially bigger arrival in Talagi.
Talagi still has another year on his contract at Penrith but is set to become a free agent on November 1 as Penrith devote their energy to retaining some of their biggest stars, chief among them Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo.
There has been a school of thought that Penrith could look to allow Talagi to move for next season, which would free up salary cap room to help them keep the bulk of their team.
An Achilles injury in Penrith’s final game has clouded that move, but the Eels are believed to be keen on adding Talagi back to the club as early as next season. The plan is to initially play him in the centres with Parramatta have a lack of depth in their outside backs next year.
He would then move to five-eighth in 2028 when Jarome Luai leaves for PNG. Talagi’s younger brother Ryda made his NRL debut for Parramatta this year.
The Eels will also make a million dollar play for Newcastle centre Bradman Best next month.
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2nd rate 5/8 but may be these buys show a lack of confidence in Lorenzo.
We showed a lack of confidence in Talataina when we offered him a deal where he isn't even top 30 until the final year, when he turns 22. Blaize Talagi has been top 30 since he was 19 years old.
Gentle? God give us strength.
I thought you said we were back with Rush?
Even Rush can make mistakes. Haven't you?
Any way show me where I said ''we are back with Rush'
This story doesn't make sense?
Initially going after him as a centre for next year but he will likely miss most of it due to his injury and then him going to 5/8 in 2029 when Luis leaves. What about Talatina?
Not sure about this. He hasn't set the world on fire at 5/8 and is up against a long term injury. Could the Eels sign him, yes but for anything specific, doubtful.
Hasn't set the world on fire? He is 21 and already played 60+ NRL games. At the same age, Luai had played 4 games. Even Nathan Cleary hadn't played many more games than Talagi at the same age.
Blaize Talagi's trajectory is fine.
You probably should tell the panfers then....
They'd know already. They're the ones who picked him 40+ times at such a young age. Unfortunately they overpaid for him and need to clear cap space to re-sign their leaders:
"Talagi’s departure would alleviate salary cap concerns and allow Penrith to focus on keeping the trio of Cleary, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo.
Fellow Code Sports expert Brent Read added: “The other factor is this is Penrith’s salary cap situation. They’re trying to keep a lot of guys and you can free up money next year if Blaize goes.
“It helps you keep the rest of that roster. It’s a big decision to make in the off-season.”
Cleary is being widely linked with a $1.5 million-per-year move to the PNG Chiefs.
Offloading the likes of Talagi could enable the Panthers to match the Chiefs’ offer as they desperately attempt to keep their star man."
NRL star ‘may not play again’ as Panthers’ Nathan Cleary plan emerg...
Burton over this guy any day of the week
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