Lasalo to ink new contract

Taniela Lasalo is set to sign a new contract with the Eels, which could be inked as early as this week.

Lasalo has been far and away the most improved Eels in 2011 emerging from his role as a backup forward to owning a spot in the Eel's starting back row. After an impressive pre-season, Lasalo has added a new dimension to the Parramatta forward pack which has lacked a powerful running backrower in recent years.

Speaking to 1Eyed Eel after another impressive performance against the Cowboys where he was the side's second leading forward in terms of both metres gained and metres-per-hitup, Lasalo said he was hopeful that a re-newed contract with the club would be finalised shortly and that it could even be nutted out this week.

Primarily a centre at Under 20's level, Lasalo made a permanent move into the forwards last year where he has quickly adapted to the position. He actually earned a debut in a brief interchange role in 2009 but then had to wait almost a year for a follow-up appearance where he impressive in Parramatta's victory against Brisbane. While he has always had the running game to make it as an NRL backrower, his defence and workrate has improved markedly over the past couple of seasons and he has subsequently arrived as a quality first grader that has moved passed all but Nathan Hindmarsh in the second-row pecking order at Parramatta.

"Paulo is a shadow of what he once was and is getting worse each year. He looks like he hates the collision these days. Sadly that is what he would display if kept around as a leader for our pack for others to follow. Sam T already seems to follow in…"

"Did you watch him play in this years final for Souths? He was owned by old man Gagai. Laurel went missing all game although he did pass the ball from dummy half a lot to the other outside backs to work it out of their end. Massive NO."

Replies

Ricky April 4, 2011 at 12:15pm

Wonderful, wonderful news!
Great news!

Gotta lock up the emerging talent, and Lasalo is exactly that!
nz eel April 4, 2011 at 12:22pm

great news. he's only gonna get better imo.
The Badger April 4, 2011 at 12:27pm

Excellent ...3 years (min) I hope.
HH - Love You Iongi Time! April 4, 2011 at 12:36pm

Give him 40% of Morts salary, 30% of Keatings and give him another 20K per year on top of that.

Great news. A rising star actually kept by the eels. No doubt SK has had a lot to do with this.
Vlozy April 4, 2011 at 12:48pm

Thanks Team! In PNG we get limited coverage on "Äll things Parra" and i applaud your input along with the rest to compensate for this. We get the mighty eel games which are televised and when Sterlo & Co do the footy shows but these are limited in terms of PARRA-Matters!

Thanks again 1 eyed eel. This is the Blue & Gold hub!
George Taylor April 4, 2011 at 12:51pm

Most of the boys(except Mr Jarryd Hayne) Tried that to keep Mr Kevin Kingston and the NRL stepped in and vetoed that attempt
EelMan April 4, 2011 at 12:57pm

This is excellent news he has been really solid for us this year.
Alfred Mateo April 4, 2011 at 12:59pm

That is awesome news-this kid is great!! He looks to be quite tall as well-any idea on his height? Only going to get better playing with Hindy
Make Parra Great Again April 4, 2011 at 1:23pm

About time.... Get him inked before the Dogs or Manly move in on him...

Great talent, he is getting better each week,. also starting to show how durable he is.
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" April 4, 2011 at 2:16pm

Hey this is great stuff.

No mucking around with "waiting for improvement"

Very positive move - got a good up and coming player - give him the assurance that we believe in him and let em rip.

HAPPY - HAPPY.