Outgoing Eels star reveals real reason behind shock club switch

Jed Wells

09-09-2024•3 min read

(Getty Images)

 

One of the NRL's premiere young talents, Blaize Talagi made headlines earlier this year when it was announced he was departing Parramatta en route to the Penrith Panthers. 

Just 19 years old, Talagi burst

If you want to be a success, like the Storm. How far do we go.

As we wave goodbye to this year from hell, and enter the Ryles era of the Parramatta Eels. I wonder what our team will look like next year. A lot of our fans want just about all our players to remain at the club. Its a sad day and honestly we get wh

R27 Spoon Bowl v Tigers: "You Tense Up" and "Sh*t Yourself" - Hindy

The "Bronze Millstone" by Angie Whitson Sculptures: History can be a Millstone around one's neck.

According to H.G. Wells: "History is a race between education and catastrophe".

The Eels and Tigers, knee-deep in this Wellsian World, meet in Friday n

Make Parra Matter Again

I know an NRL 360 Story.  However a committee of former players are looking to form a group to make constiutional change in the club.

These include Brett Kenny, Ray Price, Eric Grother Snr and Jr, Ben Smith and David Liddard.

I am all for former player

Can Ryles shake off the weight of history?

Jason Ryles becomes Parramatta's first rookie coach since Brad Arthur himself took over the reins a decade ago. And with that, he faces down the prospect of lifting an Eels squad that has severely underperformed since the 2022 grand final.

Facing dow

Round 27 Team List v Wests Tigers

Last game of the season.. let's hope we can lift for this one. Avoid the point & leave 2024 behind us, have a big off season & come back in 2025 revitalised under a new coach & regime. 

1. Clint Gutherson (c)

2. Maika Sivo

3. Will Penisni

4. Blaize Tal

Poppa's Corner: My prediction is for top 4, next year...Yes, 2025

I posted that prediction on Hoey's Blog and had some interesting feedback.

Of course I am right Hoey, Tad and Mick... When I have I ever been wrong?

I look down the page/ post and we are still worrying about the Tigers game.....it doesn't matter, doe

Here We Go Again: The Story of the Season

Graphics produced by the Eels' Club

At 44-12 with over ten to go, I was thinking "Wow". Sixty seconds later it was: "Here we go again".

Yet again, we implode at the back end conceding 28-0 in 11 minutes.

It coincided with Gutherson (above) leavin

R26 v DRAGONS: QUICKFIRE STATS SYNOPSIS

Image produced by the Eels' club

It's the 42nd clash between these two clubs.

The Dragons are desperately hanging on to 8th and need to keep winning against the last placed Eels - playing for pride and future contracts. The Dragons have the worst

Hopgood extending until end of 27

At a function where he has announced he has extended.

Round 26 Team List v St George-Illawarra Dragons

1. Clint Gutherson (c)

2. Maika Sivo

3. Will Penisni

4. Blaize Talagi 

5. Sean Russell

6. Dylan Brown

7. Daejarn Asi

8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

9. Brendan Hands

10. Shaun Lane

11. Kelma Tuilagi

12. Bryce Cartwright

13. Joe Ofahengaue

Interchange:

14. Joey Lussic

Mannah with Graham: Where does Ryles start?

Yesterday, former Origin and Eel 233-gamer, Tim Mannah spent an intriguing two hours on James Graham's Bye Round podcast. They discuss the road ahead for Ryles. The lessons learned from the Dogs' rise this year. Daniel Anderson's genius. Matt Ca

Analysing the coaching hires

Link to Official Club Statement Confirming Appointments

So I was writing a comment on the blog, thought you know what to entertain myself and annoy a certain few here i thought why not just write my own blog about it to say all i want to say. Over

R25 v Broncos: There is no Terror in the Bang or the Trim

Image above is produced by the Eels' club

"There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it," Alfred Hitchcock assures us. 

Eels' fans might anticipate bangs-a-plenty beyond the spectre of another wooden spoon and the rocky road ahe

Poppa's Corner: An Old Man's Perspective of an Immortal

Ron Coote: Now, the 14th Immortal; well-deserved.

There's a post I have made on another blog, but this one is to honour the view of one old man and another that just passed.

Now in my perception, I always thought that Raper was a certainty, and I

Isaiah iongi

The Parramatta Eels are delighted to announce that Isaiah Iongi has signed a three-year deal with the club.

The 21-year-old will join the Eels for the 2025 NRL season and remain at the club until at least the end of 2027.

Parramatta Eels General Mana

Roster Concerns for 2026

You may have seen this discussed by Gus on Channel 9. Apparently the Parramatta Eels only have 5 players contracted for 2026 and they are Charlie Guymer, Zac Lomax, Mitchell Moses, Junior Paulo, Bailey Simonsson. (Source - https://www.zerotackle.com/

Round 25 Team List v Brisbane Broncos

1. Clint Gutherson (c)

2. Maika Sivo

3. Will Penisni

4. Blaize Talagi 

5. Sean Russell

6. Dylan Brown

7. Daejarn Asi

8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

9. Brendan Hands

10. Shaun Lane

11. Kelma Tuilagi

12. Bryce Cartwright

13. Joe Ofahengaue

Says A Lot without Saying Much

A supurb article about the Eels by Paul Gallon. He hits the nail on the head and talks about what a lot of us have been saying for a long time. 

EXCLUSIVE: 'Ridiculous' player contracts that have to end under new Eels coach, writes Paul Gallen

Jason

Poppa's Corner: Island Culture and what do we know about it.

Apologies as this blog is essentially the basis of a post I made in reply to a discussion about Sivo and the perceptions we have of him as a player.

My focus is mainly from a culture and communication perspective and not so much the specifics of his