Both try a piece so far.
What could have been, we'll never know.
Big Steph did well ealier with the Storm.
That's probably the best Eels juniors we've produced the last 3-4 years but all 3 left home.
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Talagi's defence is still terrible, he just has better defenders around him that makes it look like his defence has improved.
He still is an easy target, he cost Penrith their GF bid last year.....a lot of shit in this blog with"rear vision" driving.
There is no way Sander's would have stayed and I actually think he is doing well at Canberra under a specialist halves coach. Talagi has been brought up between the Cleary's and Casey McLean outside of him, we would have dropped him by now if we had to deliver him.
LB is spot on with the fullback comments and in saying that he (Talagi) would never have made it as a full back, he is a natural 5/8 but is not tough enough defensively or fast enough for his one strength for running a line.
Talagi is doing a good job inside a machine at Penrith, no machines at Parra yet!
Agree Poppa, I do think Talagi will improve by having better players around him teaching him how to defend, but he is absolutely still the priority target for oppositions teams.
Rather than concluding Talagi would not have developed if he statyed at the Eels, because our defense is so bad, the other way to look at it is to ask why Talagi's defense is bad at the Panthers? Basically, WHAT IS HIS EXCUSE?
What in the Panthers' record provides Talagi an excuse to remain a crap defender? The Panthers have been perennial minor premiers (2020, 2022 and 2023) and grand finalists 2020-2024, winning 4x 2021-2024. Talagi starts at Panthers in 2025 and they finished 7th in 2025 before winning two finals matches to bow out in the preliminary final to eventual premiers Broncos. Talagi has the Kiwi Intl' centre on one side, an established backrower on the other, and the Australian fullback calling the shots behind him.
What is Talagi's excuse to still be a defensive turnstile? FYI Talagi just topped the Panthers missed tackle count (7) despite his side winning 30-18 vs Raiders. WHAT IS HIS EXCUSE?
Well the only thing I can say to this is Mitchell Moses defense was questionable at best when he first got here and it improved much like his halfback play.I guess if we are looking at Talagi and judging the real question much like Mitchell's defense is that it or does he need more time will he get better.Ivan Cleary had no qualms in picking Talagi I think that says enough really I don't think he'd just take Talagi if he didn't think he was worth the squeeze.
I do recall reading somewhere just after Talagi joined Penrith that they were shocked about how far behind he was in footy knowledge. It took them some time to bring him up to speed. He didn't play the first 6 weeks if I recall. Not sure what that says about the systems at the Eels. If this is indeed true (and not just a swipe at the Eels), would explain why our up and comers take so long to develop.
His defence is still crap, and was targeted last year in some of those clutch games at the end of the season, which I believe was the difference between them winning and losing. His misses just aren't as consequential as they would be if he was still at Parra.
Sanders is still developing, but he has a good system around him. He has Ethan Strange next to him who is a wonderful defender. I don't think he would have that at Parra.
I feel like that comment about him being behind was more of a strategic swipe bragging about 'their' superiority in player development. He was raw, and we had to throw him in first grade early so we didn't lose him, they probably didn't realise just how raw he was, is probably closer to the mark.
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