The Parramatta Eels have been named, alongside the North Queensland Cowboys, as possible suitors for South Sydney Rabbitohs prop Davvy Moale. Parramatta have been listed as interested in the 22 year old Cook Islands international, he has played 70 NRL games for the Rabbitohs and agreed to a one year extension for 2026. Souths had originally offered a two year extension, to which Moale declined in favour of a one year deal, with speculation he had an eye on Perth.
Souths more likely are now deciding to let Moale go now in favour of freeing up cap space to get Gold Coast back-rower David Fifita. Moale's intent on a one year deal could be a very clear sign of his intention to try and get to Perth, though i do wonder if it is he wants to leave Souths in general or if he just needs a stop over before heading to the Bears.
Let's say we get him, is it a good pick-up? Yes, i believe it is. He is only 22 and already played 70 games. He has hit that bracket of 50 or so games where you become a first grader. He has the experience to start and can be a damaging runner of the ball and is strong in defence. Being only 22 is promising for Ryles to get a hold of and make a weapon in our forwards. If there is a concern it is Bennett gave him the task to improve being a professional and fix certain areas of his game or he wont be extended. Souths did extend him but there is something happening to where Souths are happy to let him go now and he is only content staying for a short time.
Getting Moale would make Williams' move to the edge permanent and for the 2026 5/8, whether it is Papali'i, Pezet, Talataina whoever that is promising to have Williams on your outside. With talent like Funa-Iuta and Christopher Petrus also coming through they replacements in the future and depth for the next 2 years max.
For NQ it makes sense since Jordan McLean is retiring, they currently have Taumalolo and Neame starting but on the bench of late have interchanged between Thomas Mikaele, Harrison Edwards, Sam McIntyre then debuting juniors like Marley Bitugane and Kaiden Lahrs. They need forwards, considering they also lose Cotter to Origin during the year and use Edwards all over from Prop to Second-Row to Lock and even Hooker.
I fear Perth is where he ends up long term, with a stop over somewhere for 2026 until then but if we can nab him it will be a nice pick-up.
Replies
Team desperate for middles would probably just take him for the year as a serviceable option for frf. Maybe like manly or saints could use it
Unless it is a stop over for Perth.
Is he substantially any better than our current bench players? If the answer is; not really, then stick with our current bunch and juniors. Try for someone better.
Kolomatangi is who we need to get not this Temu substitute.
But is Koloamatangi going to be available. All well and good saying "Get this player" But they have to be available and are their current team going to let them go? I mean if he is available 100% go for him, but with him being important to Souths and Perth coming in with cash it would be hard to get him unless we massively overpay.
Moale has more potential than the likes of Doorey and Guymer in the middle for sure. I see him as an improvement nonetheless.
I'd be surprised if he didn't go to Queensland. Probably get a definite bench spot there. I like depth but I think we already have enough of these middles with all the same ceiling. Ryda and tuivti are the 2 young guns at the moment
If we signed him i believe it would be a spot in the 17.
What's the point if he's intent in heading to Perth. Eels need players to commit medium to long term in my opinion otherwise it's continual replacements
Again, no. We don't need good goers. We have plenty of good forwards. Only the big fish would improve us.
A guy like a Lindsay smith would do wonders for us, going to be a few good middles hitting the market but getting them to join the club is the difficult part
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