I do not think this is the case, considering we have been clear since November last year we wanted a middle and Paulo was to be given a 1 year deal. If Paulo is to retire or extend, it has nothing to do with Leniu coming to the club.
If Paulo does retire, does it hurt us? A little, he could have been a nice rotational forward for us. Paulo for one more year was enough for the likes of Talagi, Brown and Koina to get time under their belt before being regular first graders. At the same time, with Moretti and Doorey also still at the club in 2027, could we afford for Paulo to go without throwing our juniors into the deep end too quickly?
2028 is a big year for our forwards. Not only Paulo could be gone, but Williams, JBD and Hopgood could all also leave. We have kids to come in, thankfully, but would they be ready? Ideally, if things go the way we think and hope, our pack should be;
8. Tuivaiti
9. Da Silva
10. Leniu
11. Su'A
12. Kautoga
13. Koina
14. whoever is the utility
15. Talagi
16. Brown
17. Petrus
Not too much experience there but also a great crop to come through and build with for years to come. Popo as well will push alongside Nunn by 2028-2029.
Would you keep Paulo for 2027? Give him a rolling 1 year deal?
New NRL frontrunner emerges for Spencer Leniu, and what it could mean for an Eels veteran
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Good chance Spencer could be at Parramatta this year as the chooks want to bring Manu back for the rest of the year.
I'd love Leniu. Yes, he's been hit and miss, but still young and can be motivated. Considering Tuivati and Brown are being groomed as the big men, one more leg speed guy is needed that is an improvement on Moretti.
Also, I'd love us to get Hohepa Puru. 13 and 9 to a good level and can replace Walker and even allow us to use Ryley for a player swap if required (i'd rather keep Ryley btw). I think he'd be a smart signing.
Id like to see Ryley Smith instead of Da Silva. I don't think Da Silva has the smarts to play consistently at dummy half. He has shown a propensity to throw forward passes (alot!) and looks like a deer in the headlights.Is there any reason you have not included Smith?
Smith gets knocked around in defence