This blog expands on some pathways and development issues raised in Hoe's Pezet blog through a brief dialogue between Angry, HOE and NOS.
In principle, it revolves around holding juniors back from first grade, which, in essence, is what the Pezet deal does as the "bridging players," a stop-gap before the rookies and juniors are ready.
It raises obvious questions. Should we be developing players more through first grade than we are? Why is Parramatta stuck in the concept of longer-term development in the minor grades, specifically Reserve Grade NSW Cup?
In principle, I support the “you are ready when you’re good enough” theme supported by the likes of Angry and LB; rather than holding back players from first grade experience.
We’ve seen plenty of players leave for that "blocked pathway" reason: Sanders, Talagi, Stefano. Pezet, ironically, is also a case in point.
Image: Papali’i (above), 21, played 13 first-grade games (4 at five-eighth, 4 at fullback and the rest off the bench, wing, or rake).
What is Joash Papali’i’s future, now?
He was the post-Dylan “Future is Now” project and beat Hawkins for the six, who subsequently left on account of falling further down the first-grade pecking order.
Although Papali’i is a work in progress, he has proven he’s up to the task and probably could do with more development work at first grade. Playing against better players will make him a better player.
He certainly missed a mountain of less tackles than Boy Wonder, Blaize Talagi who misses 6-10 per game recently, and was a weak-link on Panthers' vulnerable left-edge that was part of their undoing this year.
But what is Papali’i's future role moving forward after he was supposedly the ‘six in the making,’ albeit a work in progress? Back in reserves to hone his playmaking skills? Then what of Lorenzo, another budding six? Or is he being groomed as a Wishardian utility: jack of all trades, master of none?
How far back is Lorenzo?
And if Papali’i isn’t ready for Ryles’ ideal vision for six moving forward, will Lorenzo be given a go sometime this year, or held back? A point made by Angry et al.
The curious thing is you’d think Papali’i is more “ready” having had a fair crack at first grade.
Image: Lorenzo Talataina (19), a skillful ball-runner, seen as a potential long-term NRL six but not yet ready — debuting at Cup level in August 2025. He’s extended on an NRL development squad for 26-27 before an NRL contract in 2028. We may see tidbits of him at NRL (26-27) if Ryles sees he’s ready.
Mental and Physical Maturity, yes, but...
Now let’s assume the physicality aspect is addressed: It’s a good point that Hoe and Nos make with regard to mental maturity.
On that, Hayne was handled badly! He needed a senior player to mentor him off the field. We’ve seen Reece Walsh in recent years in a similar bracket. Walsh, for all intents and purposes, as an early starter, has only now learnt the maturity required.
So back to the thrust of me writing this post, with regard to young players and their development.
Reserve Grade football no longer provides a healthy background for development unless you have the right process, structure, and coaching.
Parramatta’s record in Reserve Grade has been atrocious (this year past being an exception with some green shoots). Cayless may have learnt something, though I have previously not had any respect for his coaching ability. I do accept, just the same, that everybody with a depth of intelligence can improve and correct errors. We will see in the next 12 months whether Cayless is that (learnt-by-experience) person.
Too many people here seem to think there is a necessity for players to experience Reserve Grade before being ready for FG.
That may be the case with clubs like Penrith, who have proven that necessity somewhat. They didn’t hesitate to put Casey McLean straight into first grade... first lesson... if you are good enough, you will just teach them bad habits playing with numb nuts in Reserve Grade.
Parramatta being a basket case with little vision (up until now) is an example, and in my opinion, the reason we have not brought juniors through proportionate to our overall junior base.
So to reinforce the theory of developing through Reserve Grade is, in my opinion, a subjective exercise, and one we (Parra) need to spend a lot more effort on in our pathways.
It seems we can get them through JF and Ball etc., but the real results need to be written in Reserve Grade.
These comments leave plenty of room for discussion, and I have not presented any “how to do this” exercise.
Replies
Not sure about coaching, initially, but I could see JH in the coaching box casting his eye over the game, using his footy IQ spotting pressure points, weaknesses, threats and opportunities. He could see things others don't.
He may see things others don't, but is the juice worth the sqeeze?
Yes it is.
The fact is Randolph you have never been in his shoes, but it seems you think you can assess what he oiffers, having never been there yourself. Now the latter can't change but your want to be more expansive can.
Your account is anoher one of beautiful rhetoric, I could never employ you in either management or coaching because you cannot think out of the little box you paint yourself in. Very similar to Adam in his post.
That doesn't mean your unemployable, just restricted.
The examples are similar, you would not have a JAC or even a Dyllan Walker, you would have sacked Semi Ramrada and never take a gamble on a hunch or a view outside of your limited imagination and understanding of risk.
Have you ever been one out in a large group and fight for your points and opinions. I want those views and argue them till we have exhausted the idea or been convinced it won't work.
If you can't do it, encourage your children to do it. You will then be a "coach" to them.
"Have you ever been one out in a large group and fight for your points and opinions"
I do it on the regular. At the co-op or on the Pub Balcony..do I seem shy to you? I am not a fake personality on here. IRL I can be a proper fucking handful. I live in a region where my veiws on lots of topics differ from most farmer types. It doesn't affect how I think or express myself. I just choose my battles and language(you need some humour when argueing against a group, it can disarm folks) when I get into it with them. Some I am good friends with, some not so much and some are just ignorant cunts. Some respect you for pushing back, others despise you for it. That's life for folks who aren't Milquetoast weasely types
I didn't argue against Semi, Jac or Walker. I am argueing against Coach Hayne. Rub this comment in my face if he succeeds at it
YOU.....you are the one who flys with the flock and revises history(delete-delete-delete)
Let other clubs get into a bidding war for Hayne's services. They deserve him
"At the co-op or Pub Balcony"....you told me you don't drink much and I have never called anyone an ignorant c**t the whole time I have been on here ....I am no prude, god only knows but I hate the "word" and never want to get that far down in the gutter, fuck is as good as you will get from me.
Just lose the word coach from the discussion and focus on a different type of role, I accept actually being a coach can be quiet restricting, being a mentor or advisor is closer to the mark....a little like Bluey said.
Have you ever been a coach or had a coaching background Randolph?
"Cunt" is punctuation at the local pub.
I don't drink a lot, but you do understand the function of pubs in country towns don't you? Stop acting ignorant....and don't be a cunt about it
Yeah good point.
Ryles said the 6 jersey is up for grabs with Joash and Pezet likely to battle it out in the preseason. Nothing is set.
Also heard Brandy had a big wrap on Lorenzo saying the kid could move.
To be fair, Ryles also said Iongi and Papali'i would battle for Fullback spot this year. Iongi came to pre-season much later than Joash. We all knew Iongi would get it.
Sometimes that can be media speak.
Pops, good blog.
Ryles has shown he’s not afraid to blood rookies and juniors and give them a go: Ryley, TDS, Kautoga, Papali’i, Samrani, Tuivaiti, Iongi.
It’s never going to be a perfect process, some players will leave if they “feel” their paths are blocked to firsts or development is better elsewhere.
And the talent recycling we’re upset about (“helping the Broncos”) is just part of reality. How many years did the Storm put into Pezet? Look how much talent Penrith nurtured and later lost; Iongi and Hopgood among them.
Regarding this Pezet-poked idea of “holding back” players in reserves, there are two main issues I see.
The first issue is Papali’i. The main one affected by the Pezet stop-gap. How he responds this year will say a lot about his character and tenacity. The club values him highly, and next season could be decisive depending on how Ryles uses him in firsts. His utility value is priceless, even if one is probably his best position and he needs work at six. Papali’i has had two seasons in reserves (Dogs) and a few with us. Not that long. Iongi and Hopgood spent three to four years in reserves and then hit the ground running in first grade, albeit in Penrith’s premier system.
In truth, others in line for spine positions have barely done time in reserves. Lorenzo (eight games, debuted in reserves this August), Twidle (18 games, debuted this year in reserves). Some aren’t even ready yet: Fletcher Lincoln (Jersey Flegg) or the touted Sualli clone with better ball skills, Risati (Harold Mathews). Are we asking to skip reserves?
The belief that 18-19 yos must be thrown straight into the NRL because others have is flawed, naive logic. Ryles isn’t running a finishing school with age quotas.
The Eels are keeping the pathway to firsts as clear as possible, though Ryles admits it “won’t be black and white.” Most young talent is now locked in with clear progression. Jezaiah Funa-Luta and William Latu have development and NRL deals for 2027, and Twidle trains with firsts ahead of a development contract. They’ve also stopped POs (after going overboard on the Browns, Talagi, Moses, Penisini, and Mattos). The key point here is players have signed contracts and agreed to the panthways process, so they get it.
The second issue is mental-emotional. If some players share the mindset of fans over this Pezet deal — and see Papali’i, whose passion for the badge is undeniable, as unfairly treated, rather than understand Ryles’ strategy — it could unsettle the group. I don't think it should, but you never know. Thing is club value Papali'i. In the worst case, it would be a temporary setback next year and force Ryles to re-evaluate who’s on the bus. You can’t have the tail wag the dog.
Firsts is a big step up from reserves, and never a replacement, but our pathways/reserves might not be a basketcase. The Eels seem to be heading in the right direction with pathways under first grade, winning the Club Championship for the first time since 2008 and investing heavily in pathways.
All you can do is keep improving, and the Eels look determined to do that in the Ryles era. The top end finally feels aligned which I don't think it ever quite was in the previous era.
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