For years Parramatta fans have become more and more fed-up watching some of their best local talent turn into NRL stars at rival clubs.
And in what looks like a case of history repeating, the Eels are again in danger of dropping the ball on several fronts.
Just days after losing boom prop Stefano Utoikamanu to Wests Tigers, the uncertain future of fellow front-row prospect Oregon Kaufusi is causing huge concern.
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Two of the club’s elite youngsters have also signed with other clubs. SG Ball captain Trey Mooney has agreed to a three-year deal with Canberra, while Australian Schoolboy halfback Tyler Field has also been poached by the Tigers.
The Daily Telegraph has been told Kaufusi, 20, is on the radar of several clubs, mainly because the Eels have been dragging their feet during contract negotiations.
As with the Utoikamanu situation, Kaufusi is not off contract until the end of next season but given he is free to negotiate, it is probably no great surprise rival clubs are showing interest.
The Eels have been big spenders in the transfer market in recent months, securing Ryan Matterson from the Tigers and Reagan Campbell-Gillard from Penrith.
But some question the wisdom of not showing greater motivation to look after their own backyard given some mistakes from the past.
You just have to go through some of the names the Eels have let slip over the years, including Paul Gallen, David Klemmer, Luke Keary, James Maloney and Daniel Tupou, among others.
Prop Mooney is another outstanding forward prospect who was made SG Ball captain despite being a year younger than most of his teammates.
While the NSW under-18s representative is still a couple of years off being ready for the NRL, Mooney is said to be as impressive off the field as he is on it and shows tremendous leadership qualities.
The Raiders thought so highly of Mooney that Ricky Stuart has decided to give him a shot at training with the NRL squad over summer to fast-track his development.
Field is a five-eighth who has drawn comparisons with South Sydney’s Damien Cook because of his style of play after being shifted into dummy half this year.
It is said Kaufusi wants to remain at Parramatta playing under Brad Arthur but so far it seems the club’s management has been in no rush to get a deal done.
Like Utoikamanu, Kaufusi has come through the grades at the Eels and it would be a terrible setback to lose him just when it appears his career is about to hit the big time.
Kaufusi has had 10 NRL appearances but many believe he has the talent and determination to carve out a long career in the competition.
Replies
Before you all get your knickers in a knot take the time to read the article. No suggestion Kaufusi is set to sign elsewhere, article cleary states he wants to stay under BA at the Eels.
Seems to me the article has been written to make a big note story cause of what's happened with Utoikamanu and because we have a youngster off contract in Kaufusi, along with D Brown & Mahoney they must speculate going elsewhere.
This article was written to cash in on the hysteria from all the dopes involved in the junior system who've been rissoled as part of the junior rep clean out.
Spot on Poupou, also doesn't even say anything about Kaufusi even considering signing elsewhere
Can't wait for all the negative Nancy's to read this and twist this into a negative vendetta against BA & Mark O Neil.
Lurker you can't deny that O'Neil has approached our retention process the wrong way. He lacks urgency and as a result far too many juniors have walked away. His insistent attitude worked for Gutho but it won't work in all cases.
It's good that they're walking away. If they'd all stayed it would mean we were still listening to the wrong people and bending over backwards for managers.
Mack your absolutely correct, a few yrs back Parra relied on their juniors and it got them nowhere, recently a change of heart has seen them buying tried and true first graders. The question is does Parramatta want to keep their promising juniors hoping they will become first class players or go out and purchase first class players whom have already proven themselves.
Of course but it's not even a month into the 2020 contract season. Not every off contract player at the club has to be rushed to be signed as soon as November 1 ticks over unless there is serious threat from a rival club which in this case there isn't. Players that we want to retain will work out and sort itself out in due time and will eventually fall into place.
Because nobody wanted gutho. Cheap young players are always in demand. O'Neill is suss for the amount of players going to a dogshit club in the tigers. I'm actually trying to figure out how Oniell was the best we could do lmao. Say what you will about Gurr but he always had us looking professional with the new CEO we look like 2014 era Parra.
Bad word about being an eels junior is spreading more than ever before and it will fuck us over big time. Can't forget stabby fainu had this same issue with us not that long ago. The article cashes in our retention but I'm glad it exists.
Good. They can stop using our junior rep teams to boost their careers with other clubs.
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