Here’s how I see it playing out. I’ve always felt Footy Dean was on the outer at Parramatta. If you remember the final four games of the 2025 season, Dean dropped out of the side completely when Iongi returned from injury, pushing Joash Papali’i into the five-eighth role.
What stood out to me was that Dean didn’t even feature in reserve grade — he was nowhere to be seen for the final rounds or the finals. That seemed strange at the time and hinted that he may have already been out of the club’s long-term plans.
Now, with Pezet’s arrival and Dean reportedly heading to the Super League, it makes sense that Pezet has been brought in as a reliable backup to Mitchell Moses, allowing Joash to retain his starting position at No.6. Given Moses’s recent run of injuries, this looks like a smart move by Ryles — having a quality half ready to step in if needed.
To start the season, we’ll likely see Moses at halfback (7) and Joash at five-eighth (6). That said, Joash is still very young in his career, and there’s always a chance Pezet could slot in at six during the season if Ryles feels Joash needs a breather or a fresh perspective.
Overall, this looks like a well-balanced outcome for the club — exactly what Ryles probably intended. With a capable backup secured and Joash keeping his place, the team’s chemistry remains intact. It avoids the disruption of bringing in a short-term “stop-gap” player, something many feared would happen.
Replies
Very true that Hawkins did not play Cup late in the year and Talataina played a lot of NSW cup.
Why would Pezet leave Melbourne where he has been stuck behind there 2 halves and sign for 1 year at Parramatta to be a depth signing playing NSW cup?
Pezet is definitely starting, but can pencil in Moses to miss like 8 games at least so it's not like Joash won't play nrl at all. It's just a smart move by Parra to fill a gap for the time being
This would be the only possible reason why this deal is good. If Pezet is signed to be our back up in nsw cup. But I am a bit confused how Volkman & Lorenzo than fit in nsw cup.
He hasn't been signed to be a backup, watch anasta's podcast posted in another blog. He is coming to win a comp according to anasta and he is going to teach the club how to prepare and compete.
What fucking garbage. Club doing everything to cover up how fucking horrendous they are. This is easily the first big thing that has lowered my opinion of JR.
My thoughts on MON and the RR team were already shit.
He said the eels wanted a long term deal so that blows the bs about only wanting him for 1 year out of the water.
It's all fucking bullshit, we are the cuckolds of the nrl.
Other reports state that we didn't want him long term, only for the year, but who knows, these journos will say anything to sell a story.
Anasta is his manager you would think he would know.
Do you think the Eels will go on the market come November to sign another 6 or will they stick with what they have in 2027? The Eels did lie and say they wanted him for just the year originally, that they like what's coming through but now it seems they wanted him long term. Who knows what they want, everything seems complicated with them? Maybe they should just sign a versatile player that can play 6 and be moved around later.
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