During the off-season i am looking at various positions some questions around them. I started with Lock, now onto Hooker.
Coming into 2026, Ryley Smith had the clear running, based on 2025 form, to start in 2026. Tallyn Da Silva, upon his move from the Wests Tigers, was still finding his feet while learning to be an 80 minute Hooker. When Da Silva was signed, the thought process from many here was "We have Smith". Then the realisation was could we see a Grant/Smith combo that Melbourne had for many seasons? It was to some a weird signing, though Ryles made it evidently clear from start. He chased Tom Starling, Jayden Brailey and finally Da Silva. He wanted another Hooker; Starling and Da Silva being the two that are similar in play styles. Anasta even said Ryles said to him he wants a more attacking style Hooker. Smith is more of the high workrate style Hooker as opposed to Da Silva who is a speedy attacking style.
Da Silva started the year slowly, he looked off the pace and not open to contact. As the season progressed so did he, to eventually become the clubs first choice Hooker. The thing to consider, even i needed to myself at times, is realise how impressive it is at 21 to play over 50 games and to start playing 60+ mins every week to then be the leading try scorer? He won some doubters. The Ryley Smith crew is still alive and well, though Da Silva is the future that Ryles banked on. It helps too he is signed til 2029.
Now comes the dilemma, who backs Da Silva up? Ryley Smith or Harrison Edwards. For Ryles it depends on what he wants. During the year, many were confused on why Ryles opted for Edwards over Smith. When we signed Edwards a lot were perplexed, it clicked for me that he was being signed as he can play Hooker. It was exactly what Ryles saw in him, particularly a week after Smith made his sternum injury worse and we had no 3rd string Hooker. But the confusion was actually explained by Ryles in the presser after Newcastle clash. Many either didn't hear it or chose to ignore it as he was loud and clear on his reasoning.
The reason for preferencing Edwards was he wanted both his specialist Hookers, Da Silva and Smith, to play big minutes and they cannot do that being in the same 17. Edwards allows him to play one in NRL and another in Cup without carrying a specialist on the bench. Edwards can play Hooker and cover the middle and even an edge if called upon. No world beater but solid in what he needs to do. Many thought Smith was hurt therefore that is why he was not playing, well if that was the case i doubt Cayless would have played him for 80mins nearly every week.
So does Ryles do the same in 2027? I would lean towards yes. Many have said Smith could be the Brandon Smith type player. I think that plan, if there was one, may be gone. I think Ryles would have had a chance late in the year to use Smith off the bench in a different role to see how it goes with Da Silva, instead he kept Edwards in there for all bar one game against Souths where Edwards went back for more game time. Smith can be that starting Hooker for first 20-25, then Da Silva comes on and does what he needs to do with a fatiguing middle. Though is that benefiting Smith playing only 20mins a game? Edwards can do the basics fine, Smith does the basics well, neither i feel are going to overtake what Da Silva can do despite his flaws. Smith is a better defender, his passing off the ground is better and demonstrates the ability to put a decent kick in, Da Silva can improve in all those areas as he goes. Edwards, minus the kick, can do them also. Smith is the better Hooker than Edwards, but Edwards versatility gives him the edge, particularly when the role Ryles wants for his 2nd Hooker is to cushion the fresh forwards and hold the middle in defence while feeding the forwards and halves when asked. He has shown he can do that just fine, therefore why have both Da Silva and Smith cut into each others minutes?
Some clubs still play two specialist Hookers. Personally, i prefer the Utility type with flexibility. Though with the 6 man bench you can carry Smith for example and have another forward. But if all 4 are used and Da Silva goes down, you have a position that not anyone can fill. If you put a random in there to fill a spot, it throws your attack completely out of whack. That is why i like the Utility as they are needed if necessary, if not they can do another role.
Both Smith and Edwards are free to talk to rivals come November 1. Smith will get interest from clubs looking for a Hooker or those that play a two Hooker system. Edwards i doubt gets any interest, i reckon there is a chance he signs for an extra year and Ryles will try to bring a junior, like Coinakis for example, through as the 3rd string and prep for 2029 as them as Da Silva's back-up. Unless a role is changed for Smith, i doubt he stays as he will be able to get regular FG at a few other clubs.
Though i will say, if Da Silva was to go down during the season, having Ryley Smith as a back-iup is a pretty good consulation.
Replies
I think you need to ask ...who has the most upside?
Edwards has ZERO.
Smith has some at least but - how much!?
With Edwards, you have a broad base of performance stats that will quantify what he'll give you in any given game. He's a plodder at best and a bum at worst.
With Smith, you have energy and enthusiasm but some skill and size issues. He's definitely an off the bench option that offers more than just filling a hole.
Another question then arises...what does the team need on any given week? A consistent plodder or an enthusiastic point of difference?
Long term, I would invest in Smith as it looks like he might turn into a half decent back up utility or better. Whereas, Edwards has peaked.
I went through their upside in that Smith offers more as a Hooker but does Smith want to be a starter or a back-up? I bet starter so therefore he will sign elsewhere in 2028.
As for asking what does the team need, Ryles has answered what he believes and he feels the benefit of a Utility like Edwards who can do the defensive work that Smith does and get by with his distribution.
He more likely feels playing Smith for 80mins in Cup is better for the squad than having him play 20mins each week. For a 23 year old with 32 NRL games, he needs to keep playing and Ryles has demonstrated that belief.
Edwards has low upside, as to why I said nobody will chase him come Nov. 1, but makes him perfect for what we want, a cheap back-up option that is not a specialist. Though low upside he also is just fine as a first grader.
Smith should be the starting hooker, da Silva isn't a 80min player, he's good for a 30 min stint, da Silva makes a lot mistakes and misses a lot of tackles, better off bringing him off the bench, this will limit the errors in him
Ryley Smith to start every game. Defence is light years better.
TDS misses alot of tackles.
but perfect to run around later in both halves at tired forwards.
service is quicker with Smith too.
9. Smith
14. TDS
piggy / marsh combo
Only issue is, with TDS/Smith being Riddell/Marsh, is Smith has only shown to be a specialist Hooker. He hasn't shown, to Ryles at least, that he can be a Lock. Ryles had the chance to trial him but didn't do it.
It depends on which middles Ryles surrounds the starting hooker with on the park all up.
You can't have 4 either slow or lazy defenders who lose the ruck after 10 minutes.
Smith had an off year last year, due to injuries, lack of fitness after injuries maybe and second year syndrome.
He can however, command and lead an efficient line chase when on and has heart.
I doubt with how Da Silva tracked in 2026 he ousts him as the starting 9, and I do not see Ryley as a 13 just yet.
If he is able to clear himself of injuries and reach his peak fitness it will go a long way to securing the 14 role.
Edwards boasts a very high defensive rate but offers little service for a rake and can not attack his way out of a wet paper bag.
He probably floats as a 18 or 19 player option to commence the season.
Da Silva is more intriguing in 2027.
He has more air in his lungs now with more minutes so if he can approves his timing in defence as a unit with his middle partners then that would go a long way for him starting next year.
If you surround him with Hopgood, Williams (I personally want him on the edge) and Leniu to start maybe our attack may flourish and our defence will not be taken for a ride.
This means you can have Tuivaiti and Paulo come on and cause some havoc.
The way they approach their strength and conditioning this off season will go a long way to how they improve in 2027.
Fair reply HH. I like your thinking about Edwards as a 19 as he is a perfect player for it. He sits and waits for a chance when needed. If not needed then so be it. It is harsh to say but works in his favour, he has already hit his ceiling as a player so right now it is not about development more so just using him where we can, for as cheap as he would be.
The big knock on Da Silva, and positive to Smith, is defence. I think Da Silva's first contact needs work still though. However, we did see late in the year he got used to playing big minutes and his effort areas started to improve. He is not 22 til April. One positive for Da Silva is he did improve as he went on, he didn't go backwards.
Smith to start and TDS on the bench.
TDS is an attacking asset that's for sure but the amount of mistakes that he makes when making decisions, or just rushing passes leading to errors is appalling!
I'd like to see Ryley Smith been given more chances.
Though he is still a kid and a lot of his good plays were from taking risks. Ryles seems to trust him and wanted an attacking style Hooker.
It will be interesting to see how Smith fits into Ryles' plans apart from being a back-up.
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