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.
Replies
Can't agree with that EA, Bamblett is the mosy exciting runner of the ball in our club. By far. And he'll glide thru the middle at the 1st chance he sees and regularly makes lots of yardage. It would be criminal to lose him. And he continues to do it playing 6, even though 1 is he's best spot.
Even though Llongi as we know is signed for several years, do we discard Bamblett because the spot is 'occupied' or do we retain him, play him in another position to the time arrives when he will be an excitement machine.
Any good player like Llongi when overtaken by a better talent, can be finessed out of the club and we get refunded.
Llongi is a good player but I can see Bamblett being a real star.
Think your underatting Iongi's talent here.
Watching today, Bamblett at fb is not even close to Bamblett at 6. His strengths are so much clearer today as he is playing fb. Quiet confident him at 6 wont work.
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
Do not worry those atheltic middles are coming through.
Yep but the problem is we are burning Moses prime the time frames aren't matched up.We need these types now to maximise the mentioned.
We wont be winning a premiership with Moses, he's starting to slow down, our window was 2020-2022
Oh yea I am well aware of that and unfortunately accepted that the club won't fix it in time
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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