Since Mark O’Neill joined Parramatta in 2019, the club’s junior development output has fallen well short of expectations, with very few genuine NRL-standard players progressing from the system into the top 17. Despite strong junior pathways on paper, the transition from development squads to consistent first-grade performers has been limited, leaving the club increasingly dependent on external recruitment to fill key roster spots.
The main players to emerge in this period are Will Penisini, Sean Russell, Haze Dunster, Jake Arthur, Oregon Kaufusi, and CharlieGuymer. Outside of that small group, there has been little sustained production of long-term first-graders, raising serious questions about the direction and effectiveness of the club’s development strategy under O’Neill.
Developed players who have come through the system in nearly a decade under O'neill
Haze Dunster ( no longer here)
Will Penisini
Shaun Russell ( leaving)
Oregon Kaufusi ( no longer here)
Charlie Guymer
Saxon Pryke
Ryley Smith
Sam Tuivaiti
Blaze ( Panthers )
In summary in the 8 years O'neill has been football manager, Parramatta only have 3 regular first graders in 2027 that have come through under him Penasini - Smith- Tuivaiti. Guymer isn't a regular top 17 player
3 players! Compared to clubs like the Panthers its a disgraceful comparison. None of the players brought through are anything above your average player. Are we going to stand for this ? Our club should be brimming with developed talent whether the be Parramatta juniors or brought into the club's systems through flegg and reserve grade
There's no elite talent, there's no players pushing for Origin or higher rep duties, there's zero, Nada, zilch.
This is exactly why Parramatta is where we are today, a failing club relying on the desperation of signing elite outside talent which will require extreme over payments to get here - its just not going to happen.
For mine unless there are changes in the Eels hierarchy, get ready for another 5 years in the bottom half of the competition.
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Lol meeik, cmon mate you either support o'neill or want him axed. Get on the choo choo meeiks. No sitting on the fence with sprinters in your anus 😝😝
2026 you can see it now 😂 2026 🤦
2023 for me but you know it's what it is.
Parra aren't actively seeking any better candidates in there board or footy setup.In there minds they believe what they have is good enough.They believe the process setup is on track going foward it matters not what the fans say or believe there right they have the power we are just an echo chamber with very little power here especially and that's ok.
They believe what they believe and that's that.
Twal left in 2017. MON came in 2019.
Get facts right and leave agenda at the door.
Well that's a good thing, it means we have good talent. If they weren't looking we have real problems.
Koina is signed til 28' and Talagi til 27'. That's the positive. The other big one is Petrus.
Bamblett could be on their radar.
Apa Twidle was talked about for many years as being the next young prodigy by yourself and every eels site
What im saying is until these guys are regular first graders nothing has been achieved to exonerate the fact that in 2027, we only have 3 current developed players under O'neill's management, who we can say are regulars in the 17. And none of those are above average football players. Zero
And the one forward who we can say may have a hope of representing in the future, is 5 months off being able to negotiations Sam Tuivaiti - thats mark o'neill for you - the king of laying future platforms. .
Bottom 4 the next 5 years if not 10. Sarantinos its your duty to do a job as you are in the firing line as we speak
Big San will leave mark my words. If not the bears or chiefs, it will be the dogs. Good luck Mark o'neill
Nothing will happen with o'neill. All the front office protect each other. Jim has no balls he just looks at the membership and thinks all is good. This club has gone backwards everytime we look like turning the corner we fall back down. There seems to be a wait and see approach. Someone was saying the other day on fb where is the money gone?
Right, and what i was saying is in all the hysteria of others flying around trying to nab our juniors, it should be that way as it means we have good juniors.
We have signed two of the big three til next year at least so they wont be at Perth. Petrus i do not know on yet.
I'll go in defense of MoN here and not only us but development was hurt with Covid there was basically zero development for 18 months nie on 2 years the competition was on hold in the junior grades for a long time.
Right now when we talk development I've mentioned this over and over start looking wider and further profile your development what I mean by that is have a look where the games going and profile players you want to develop for certain positions as I mentioned this a while back and used the Roosters as examples they profile a certain body type character type for there fowards that 5'10-6'2 105-110 odd kg explosive and physical aggressive athlete for there foward pack now compare it to what we have coming in ours the type of player is completely different but that's there plan so be it.
I have a look at the middles and edges we have now and they still feel very linear and straight line not overly aggressive and not overly athletic the direct opposite of what the game says you need today but if that's the plan so be it.
Ai could do a better job than both Sarantinos and o'neill
Chief, keep fighting the good fight. I don't know who has to go or who has to improve but that list is Terrible. It's even worse when you look at whom they didn't keep or were unable to keep as the juniors progressed through. That's more telling I think.
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