Starting 2026, Jack de Belin was signed from St. George Illawarra to be an experienced middle in our squad, particularly at Lock where he can be a link man workhorse. J'maine Hopgood was our starting Lock before that, however he was moved to Prop in 2025 to simplify his role in order to get form back. He ended 2025 postively, leading to de Belin's signing being understoof as Hopgood would be starting at Prop for the season. Issue is, de Belin showed very early on he was washed and regressing, while Hopgood played 63 minutes before his season was cut short due to an ACL tear. Even then by Round 3, de Belin had already been dropped and Hopgood was coming off the bench. Not that he would spend the entire year on the bench but he was already set to be in a here and now rotation from starting to bench and vice versa. de Belin was not dropped for Hopgood so to speak.
Dylan Walker started at Lock, though Ryles realised his value was coming off the bench. Saxon Pryke then took the role as starting Lock to finish the year, pretty much playing the role that Ryles expected de Belin was to be. That work horse middle that can rack up big minutes, run, pass and tackle.
Now come to 2027, de Belin's option was not taken up, Walker, Hopgood is returning and no middles as of yet signed. So who is our starting Lock for 2027 but also in the future? Hopgood is free to talk come Nov. 1. In four seasons at Parramatta, two of them have been cut short from injury, the other two he played a full season. if history is anything to go by Hopgood will play a full 2027 season. Though, is he the pencilled in Lock for the future? Well he is 28 next year, would be one of the most experienced forward in the team. Though, his move to Prop was also a game changer in his career, though was a move that was only needed at the time and him moving back to Lock now would be good for him and the team?
If we signed Leniu, then that pretty much forces us to move Hopgood back to Lock. A role that he has shown he can play at a high level, he earned an Origin selection playing Lock for Parramatta. With Leniu, Tuivaiti, Williams, Brown, Moretti, Doorey and Paulo* (*depending on extension), Hopgood moving to Lock is more out of necessity than it is best for him.
Though the question also should be asked, do we want to extend Hopgood past 2027? Hopgood would be on a decent salary, however, i doubt he asks for too much more considering how much he played over the past two seasons. So keeping Hopgood i think many here would not begrudge at all. Though Saxon Pryke is signed til 2028, though different style of player to Hopgood, with the former more of an 80' and/or 90's type of Lock. Nothing wrong with that either.
Another option is Williams. The reason i say Williams depends on what Ryles does with Kautoga. Su'A signed til 2029. He will be starting. Williams is the better edge, though he also can be a very good middle. Depending on whether Ryles is all in with Kautoga, we could see Williams as a middle moving forward. Who also gives us flexibility as he can easily slip onto an edge mid game if needed. Is Williams a great Lock? Well he is not really a ball player, though as a middle, yeah he is good. Though he is a better edge.
Then comes the future. It seems where all this links to is Jackson Koina. Young Lock we snatched from Brisbane, who grew up an Eels fan, entire family are Eels fans and the kid even goes about his days off wearing Eels gear. This is the definition of what Ryles wanted to build at the club. Koina is also very athletic for his size, he has a great all round game where he can run well, pass as a link man, defends well and tirelessly, can also put a hit on and his motor runs constantly. He is a Patrick Carrigan clone. Come 2027, he is 20. Does Ryles start to blood Koina for him to take over as starting 13 come 2028? Could Koina end 2027 possibly starting? It is a big move for a 20 year old to be starting in the middle though has been done in the past. Though in the favour of both, they can play Prop and the other can play Lock. Though it is also something to consider as going with Koina for the future is cheaper as well.
So Hopgood more likely starts at 13 for 2027. But does eventually move back to Prop and someone like Pryke take over at 13? Or does Koina get groomed to be that 13?
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