Parramatta have ear marked Penrith Five-Eighth Blaize Talagi for a return to his junior club. The Cabramatta junior debuted for the Eels in 2024 at Centre, then signing with at the time reigning champion Penrith Panthers to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves. Talagi had a PO in his favour to stay at Parramatta for the 2025 season and declined. Come to 2026, Talagi is coming off an up and down season that led to him being seen as a rare weakness in the Panthers system. Showing ability in attack, in defence he was targeted massively. Leading to him being dropped just before finals, to him eventually finding his spot in the Centres. He then tore his achilles in the preliminary final loss to Newcastle. Leaving his future, what was expected, to being a forgone conclusion he will be leaving Penrith.
Talagi is free to talk on November 1st. Why would Parramatta be interested in Blaize? Well his versatility. Had he not been hurt in the prelim i reckon we would have had more news about his return to Parramatta. He can play Five-Eighth, Centre and Fullback. That to Parramatta and Ryles is attractive to them. Some here do not rate Blaize at all, though Ryles and those at Parramatta do, as to why Ryles tried hard to keep him for 2025.
Do they see Talagi as an option to play Five-Eighth in 2028? Possibly. A Centre option? Again, possibly. A 14 option? Less likely for 2028 but still an option. Would Blaize want to come back? I think he would for a few reasons.
Firstly, coming back to surroundings familiar to him when he took a chance and didn't work out. He will know players in the squad from both his time through the lower grades and first grade at Parramatta and also the Samoan squad with Luai, Leniu and Su'A now signed. Secondly, Ryda has signed until the end of 2029. Being able to possibly play with his brother in the future will be a draw card for him. Lastly, we have spots where he can fit in and make the spot his own. He has a chance to rebuild his career with a path to a spot in the starting 13.
Do fans want him? I think it is split. One side say yes as he is talented and is still young enough, 22 next year, to develop further. I am in that camp. Then there is other side that critique his defence and some that say stuff him as he chose to leave so therefore we shouldn't take him back. I can understand that sediment, though also kids can make mistakes. He was 19 when making the decision, saw a chance to go to the greatest team of the modern era on the brink of their 4th straight title, chance to play next to Cleary and win more comps and possibly play Origin? I think most kids that age is taking it. Plus he probably thought Ryda would follow, which he didn't.
Then is the issue with his injury. A torn achilles, to those who are athletes and done the injury before, mention it is one of the worst injuries you can do. From who i have spoken to about the injuries, in my time with local clubs, though it has a lower re-injure rate, it takes longer for a player to actually get back to their best, if ever, than an ACL injury. For Talagi, who plays in positions that require sudden movement changes and bursts of speed, it could be a while before he is back to his best.
Talagi wont be back the earliest end of March and even then, by some miracle he returns, he will come back slowly through Cup and may take some time before even being considered to play NRL. Worst case is around end of June, early July. Then he will still come back slowly and might not be fully ready to go before the season finishes. So is he worth bringing in for 2027 and taking up a top 30 spot? It is a hard one as if you feel he is back after 6-7 months, he can be worth it as by Round 10 he could be ready to go for NRL and can be used somewhere in the 19. But if not, maybe just sign him for 2028 and Penrith can deal with his recovery as they see fit.
Either way i think getting him for 2028 is ok, he will be recovered, though may have not played in over a year so that needs to be considered. What does everyone else think?
Replies
Our own Eli Stephens will demand a decent commission if so.
Sloan can also cover fullback so it makes a heap of sense. If that's the plan then bring him in
Make sure you get at least 5% Eli
Kent also said we would get Galvin and Suli.
I still don't get the hype.
He kept his head just above the water in a Penrith system and now he will be able to gloriously swim in the Parramatta rapids?
Who knows how he returns after this injury as well.
I wish him all the best, however, it's a no from me.
Picture getting back with an Ex that wasn't even a good root. Bruh 😕
And came back with a Lambie prolapse.
How about the Wizards Alcatraz Sleeve prolapse We'll call it WASP Twas bit shit when that red headed fool took the piss with that rubbish Wiz but you've done yourself proud here mate even for you and it's a no from me
Currently getting over a bad injury.
He is already a turnstile in defence and that injury won't help much.
Also, if Penref couldn't fix his defensive failures, there's no chance in hell that we will
Yeah, that's my worry - the riff system is the best defensive system out there, Cleary the best player in the game. If your defence looks bad there it's a huge worry. He's only 22 but they worked really hard on him and it didn't help. I'm ok with getting him for 350k max but he would need to be a development player. He's behind Luai, Volk and Talantaina at half, he's an awful centre. Maybe wing + backup fullback, if the Foxx goes he can compete with Kelly, Simmo and maybe Sloan for a wing spot.
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