As i recover from Septoplasty surgery, i want to use the time to go through a few things on my mind to pass the time. Particularly with recent news happening with Parramatta.
In an interview with TCT, Parramatta GM Mark O'Neill said there is one spot left in the top 30, with a back more likely the priority of filling that spot. He did say they wont rule out upgrading a development player either; so the likes of Richie Penisini, Arthur Miller-Stephen, Jake Tago could all be candidates of being in top 30 if not upgraded already as there are a few spots most of us are stratching our heads over who they could be,
Though with backs in mind, it seems they are content with how they line-up in the forwards. I would love it if they got another starting Prop or Back-rower but if Ryles feels what we have is enough then so be it. Though makes me think, who will be the one to stand up from those who many would think wont do much. Ofahengaue and Paulo are the two starting Props, no matter what you think i believe they are two really good starting Props, Hopgood at Lock. Then depending on what Ryles does with the edge will depend on who the rotating middles are. Matterson would be the 3rd middle option, then the other middle spot on the bench would be between Williams or Lane, from pictures put up from TCT reports Williams was seen occupying the middle. Where Lane was in an interview with Denan Kemp on 'Bloke in a Bar' and said he would do whatever Ryles wanted whether it is playing on an edge, middle or off the bench, though preferably on an edge. Makes me think he could be a middle. For arguement sakes lets just go with a pack of 8. Ofa 10. Paulo 11. Williams 12. Tuilagi 13. Hopgood 15. Matto 16. Lane 17. Cartwright. So for me, it is not a bad pack, feel better with one more addition but still decent.
Now, that squad leaves open the chance for one of the depth forwards to stake their claim. As for straight out middles; Wiremu Greig, Luca Moretti and Sam Tuivaiti are your options. Can any one of them breakthrough for constant top 17 footy in 2025? Definately. Moretti suits what Ryles is apparently looking for, leg speed. Moretti is a small type Prop, more in the mould of Nathan Brown. Just throws his body at the line and gets quick play the ball. Defence needs some tuning but as a worker on the bench he most definately can find a spot in this squad.
Wiremu Greig for me is very odd. 2023, he had a breakout year. He was great off the bench for us. He was making metres, had a few 150+ games, even a 200+ metres game against Souths. He hurt himself mid year and came back late, since then was not the same. He left 2023 with a contract and NZ selection. Not sure what happened from there but his 2024 season was let's be frank rubbish. He showed fatigued and frustration in his play, at times not sure he even wanted to be there. Not sure if it was a fall out with BA, how he was in a little bit of a tug-o-war with other clubs before we secured him to now not even getting a look in. Attitude and fitness are definately factors that can turn any coach off, particularly most BA. Or could have been not fully recovering from his lisfranc injury, but it is not hard to notice a falling out with BA where he got one game under him in 2024, his next game was Round 13 where Barrett made the first handfull of his changes in charge.. Many here have already ridden him off, he is off-contract. I went back and watched his tape in 2023 (again got a bit of time of late), he looked fit and quite hard to handle. Though for someone like Greig, his size leads to being injury prone. He needed to become a big minute player, in NSW cup he would average 50-55mins a game. NRL is different standard but he is not a bit player, he can be that starting Prop. Now, based on pictures, he has come back looking good. Granted being off-contract always kicks a player up the arse, but 2023 has shown Greig is a talent. Many straight away say he is not athletic, the way he can run with his size at times is quite impressive. With Ryles at the helm, maybe Greig has more confidence coming into the season. does Ryles manage to pull something out of him? He only turns 26 in 2025, hitting into his prime years. But if by Round 10 Greig is on the outside looking in, his time in Parra will be officially finished.
Tuivaiti i have discussed before, EA will talk about him too. I see him starting in Flegg or maybe bench in NSW Cup. I have beaten a dead horse about the fact that we missed an opportunity to at least give Tuivaiti some game time in NSW Cup late in 2024, but we didn't. Now he comes into 2025 back more than he should have been, not saying he is behind in his development but we could have gotten a feel for him and he could have taken that into 2025. From the U19's Origins i have seen, i came away fine with him but not wowed. He seems to be in the mould of a Spencer Leniu off the bench forward. But i feel we need starters.
With Ofahengaue off-contract and 30 this year, Paulo 32, Matto and Lane 31 we need to find some younger middles for the future. Could we be doing a simple sleight of hand as we look for a Prop to bring over with that position group being the deepest still available. We apparently were keen on Terrell May, same with Leo Thompson, hell our name was even mentioned around Davvy Moale who is still unsigned. But i feel we need one more unless Ryles believes someone in the depth will pop their head through and have a defining season. Can either Greig, Moretti or Tuivaiti do it? Definately.
Replies
Ive seen a couple of podcasts over time where players who came through the grades with Luca firstly say he is crazy but then they say he is freakishly strong for his size.
I think Greig will benefit from the new regime, something went wrong for him this year.
Hearing nothing but good thing about Ryley Smith. Leapfrogged Lussick already and benefitting from having Brown as a hookers coach as is Hands.
Hands is taking advantage of coming into pre-season as the starter. He looks fitter and has now 38 games of experience. He would be more confident in his abilities now. People forget that last year was Hands first as a proper Hooker, before he was all over the place.
As for Greig, I think there is a gem in there, 2023 alone proved that.
Guymer is another who will likely get some games under his belt this season
I think Greig and Matterson will have a big 2025 season, especially Greig.
This kid needed a tough smart coach who can teach him how to play tough for 80 minutes and he has now got that with the Eels coaching staff.
Greig had some good coaching in 2023, but something happened in between that sent him off the rails.
No he didn't, he had a bash and barge head coach and a staff that backed the head coaches game plan of chase the collision. BA was never a smart tactical coach who could change a game plan to suit a opposition team.
Right so how do you explain his breakout 2023 season? He was at the club for 2 years prior and then had a good season. Sorry coaching needs to be commended for it. If it is not then you pretty much cannot commend Ryles for any players that do well this year.
There was talk that we were chasing Bunty Afoa, he would be a great addition. I think Williams will be used as an interchange middle, edges will be Tuilagi with a pick between Lane, Matterson and Cartwright. My only concern is the bench. Does Ryles carry a 14, Papali'i, Smith or even a Volkman. If so, that leaves 3 spots to be taken up by either, Matterson, Cartwright, Lane, Greig, Morretti, Guymer and I may have left someone out. It's been years since we've had this dilemma.
Aria was thrown around just after Ryles named his assistants. Nathan Brown must like him from his Warriors days. But his age is not great being 31 and we need future Props.
Of we did get Afoa we could do worse.
I think Tuilagi and Matto are our best edge, Paulo if he puts in will be 1 starting prop the other will probably Ofahengaue, lock Hopgood if he is fit hooker Hands bench will be Lane, Williams and the other 2 up for grabs depending how Ryles want his bench. Stand out for forwards I picking Tuilagi and Matto to be our best.
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