Eels Blogs

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.