Not long after fielding a call from Isaac Moses, the manager of rising rookie Blaize Talagi, and processing the news that they didn’t want to hear, the Parramatta hierarchy was left in a position they never want to be in again.
Talagi had decided the chance to replace Jarome Luai at arch-rivals Penrith was a more appealing prospect than replacing Clint Gutherson as the long-time fullback at the Eels. It is a knockback the blue and golds didn’t see coming and is a significant setback for Jason Ryles.
The incoming coach has been working in the background since finishing up early at the Storm, adding dual-code player and coach Scott Wisemantel and premiership-winning prop Sam Moa to a new-look brains trust.
However, the signature Ryles most craved was that of Talagi, a rookie-of-the-year contender who has been a rare bright spot for a club in danger of finishing the season with the wooden spoon.
Parramatta’s pitch to Talagi was compelling: an average salary of $525,000 over the next three years for a teenager who has made 13 first-grade appearances.
The counter-offer from the Panthers, a clandestine bid hatched several weeks ago, also held appeal. This was a chance to play alongside Nathan Cleary at a club in a premiership window rather than one embarking on a rebuild.
The future of Eels star Mitchell Moses may come into question.Credit: NRL Photos
However, the Eels felt they could do no more. They had fast-tracked Talagi’s debut, the skipper was prepared to step aside from his preferred position and officials spent time at his hospital bedside after the local junior suffered a collapsed lung in a City-Country under-age match.
So when Moses informed Parramatta of his client’s decision on Tuesday morning, it wasn’t the call they were expecting. While there is a 10-day cooling-off period, it will take longer still for Parramatta powerbrokers to cool down after the lengthy negotiations. During that time, they have missed out on the opportunity to move on contingency plans, such as back-up Dolphins custodian Trai Fuller.
Unfortunately for the Eels, the news could get worse. Much worse.
Moses also manages his namesake and relative, Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses, as well as fellow star Will Penisini. Like Talagi, both have “options” in their contracts that allow them to become free agents long before their contracts expire. The agent also has some of the best young talent in the Parramatta catchment area on his books.
While the club may wish to see the back of Isaac Moses, they may instead see the back of the Moses they wish to retain. After steering NSW to State of Origin glory, the only box left to tick for Mitchell Moses is a premiership. If his manager is prepared to steer the promising Talagi away from Parramatta, why would he keep his gun client there if there isn’t a rapid recovery under Ryles?
Parramatta have indicated they will steer away from the “option” contract clauses that are there for agents to exploit. However, there could yet be more damage done. The players the club is trying to rid itself of, Ryan Matterson and Maika Sivo, have activated clauses to stay.
The players the club wants to keep, however, now hold all the power.
There is every chance Talagi’s brother Ryda – a promising prop who captained Parramatta’s under-16s last year and is an Australian Schoolboys representative – is likely to follow Blaize to the foot of the mountains.
Blaize Talagi will not be part of Jason Ryles’ rebuild at Parramatta.Credit: NRL Photos
There is also speculation that Dylan Brown could be gone at the end of next year if he opts out of a contract that could end in 2031. It would be a disastrous outcome for a side that will farewell promising youngsters Matt Arthur and Ethan Sanders at the end of the season.
So where to now for the Eels?
With Talagi going to Penrith, enquiries will be made about the prospect of Brian To’o coming the other way. While the NSW winger may be looking for a change, it’s more likely to come at the Tigers or Bulldogs.
Marquee recruit Zac Lomax left the Dragons to play centre rather than wing but could be considered to solve the Eels’ custodian conundrum. Otherwise, the answer will have to come externally at a time when there is precious little talent on the open market.
Ryles opted not to accept the Dragons head coaching role – one that eventually went to Shane Flanagan – due to the enormity of the task. Now he must find a way of closing the gap between Parramatta and a pace-setting Penrith side that has just poached his most promising prospect.
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