TLDR; more of the same things we already know. Article just gives more opinions - Proszenko says MA will most likely leave in the near future, Sattler proposes Gutherson to lock, Mannah agrees, uncertainty around Talagi, and Brown's contract.
Full article:
Incoming Parramatta Eels coach Jason Ryles has a monumental task on his hands in 2025 as he looks to return the famous club to the promised land of finals and breaking the premiership drought.
With the club winning its last Premiership in 1986, Ryles’ chances at ending the drought are very dependent on the club solving its salary cap crisis and securing the long-term future of its young stars.
Along with some of the uncertain future, Ryles also has to weigh up a positional change for club captain Clint Gutherson who has been rumoured with a move to the centres.
The Sydney Morning Herald's Adrian Proszenko discussed the future of one of the club’s future stars, Matt Arthur and how his decision to stay or go could affect the remainder of the squad.
“There’s really high hopes for Matt Arthur, he starred in the junior Origin game,” Proszenko said on SEN 1170 NRL Crunch Time.
“The word is he probably wants to leave, given that his dad has just left, I think he’s got a new agent who is looking at opportunities.
“He’s obviously contracted for the next little bit but whether or not that sort of becomes untenable.
“Where Gutho ends up probably depends on what players you can put around him.”
With SEN’s Scott Sattler suggesting that Gutherson should make the transition to lock, Parramatta legend Tim Mannah admitted he is a fan of the proposed move. Mannah: “I haven’t heard anyone say Gutho at 13, but the more it kind of sinks the more it makes sense.
“He’s definitely tough and he’s fit enough but the only thing that caught me off guard is if you ask any back how they felt about going to the middle of the field, they get very nervous.”
Sattler: “He can defend on an edge next to one of the halves, he can work down short sides, he can work down short sides and pick on players down the middle of the field.
“I think he’ll be a really good 13 at the backend of his career.”
Mannah: “He’s a competitor, so if you can find a place for him in the team they’re better a team with him.”
“I’m a big fan of Blaize Talagi I think he’s going to have a huge career but like we said we don’t know if he’s staying or going.
“The Dylan Brown topic, I’ve never seen a deal like that in my life, where you have a player with (three separate player options).
“The club has 21 players coming off contract in the next six months… it’s great for Ryles but the reality is BA was signed for the next two years, so that wasn’t part of the plan, they didn’t intentionally try to get 20 players off contract for Ryles.
“It’s worked out well but the list management needs to be looked at and how they can be better at making sure that they don’t expose themselves going forward.”
Replies
Yeah great would love to see Gutho make 30-40 tackles a game in the middle, no mind our forward pack is slow enough at it is.
Im not sure I rate MA as highly as some here.
Having said that the Arthurs have put themsleves ahead of the club multiple times and the decision should be made for him. Untenable because his Dad got fired after 11 years ? Give me a spell.
MA is at that age where you just don't know - it could go either way. We've seen plenty of young superstars fail to convert to first grade, and we've seen some late bloomers who didn't show a glimpse of their talent until their mid-20s.
He's getting picked in rep sides so he's obviously a big talent for his age. I think he'd be great to keep on the books, but I wouldn't put all my eggs in the basket of a young rookie.
As for wanting to leave because his Dad got the boot, yeah nah, don't buy it for a second. That's just NRL journos making up rumours for drama. I'm sure he'll test the market like any rookie with a name should, but I'm sure he'd also preference sticking around his friends at the club.
Neither Hands or MA is the solution going forward, Ryles and MON need to recruit an experienced crafty hooker - MA has long way too to go before being comfortable at FG level and size is an issue.
I agree, have any of you fellas had a look at Soni Luke from the panthers?
Soni has a decent short passing game, clever kicking game as well - we need experience in that position.
Hands was purchased as a backup utility - there aren't many other clubs where he'd make first choice hooker. MA is too young and inexperienced to be the main man next year so I agree that we need a serviceable first grade quality hooker to plug the gap.
Well said Cap, Hands was never brought in as a future starter. More so a "Let's see what he can do" guy who can play a few positions.
Ma wants to go let him go. Sounds like another agent trying to get his price up.
Yep. I rate MA and recon he will have great future. But I think regardless we need to find a quality number 9 for next year. I hope he lets us know ASAP if he wants to follow BA. A Brailey (9) and Gutho (14) combo next year could work with Hands (9) and MA (14) being the cup combo.
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