The Eels’ long road back to becoming a development club is starting to bear fruit highlighted by the impending debut of young gun Blaize Talagi.
Parramatta had long considered themselves a place where junior players could prosper. But somewhere along the way the large junior base of players was not translating into a first grade player.
That is about to change with Talagi the first of the Eels’ new breed of homegrown talent as he follows in the footsteps of recent local products Sean Russell and Will Pensini to debut when he takes to the field against Manly on Sunday.
“It’s great for Blaize, great for our club and our future pathway players to see there is opportunity,” coach Brad Arthur said. “He has worked extremely hard. You don’t know when that time will come for them. He has done the work in the pre-season. He has always been a tough kid. That’s what I really like about him. That’s what the players like about him.”
At 19, Talagi was part of Parramatta’s under-19 SG Ball grand final winning side last year. He is the first to debut from that crop of talented youngsters but he won’t be the last with teammates such as Sam Tuivaiti, Matthew Arthur, Joshua Lynn, Charlie Guymer and Ethan Sanders all set to follow him at some stage.
Pensini’s brother Richard should play in the NRL too but a season-ending knee injury will rob him of any chance this year.
You don’t have to go back too far when the likes of Tim Mannah was almost single-handedly carrying the flag as a local product.
The last large group of talent produced by the Eels included the likes of Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu, Matt and Kris Keating, Tony Williams and Feleti Mateo.
Part of the change has been led by investment – with quality coaches at the grassroots level according to Parramatta’s head of football Mark O’Neill.
“The guys are getting a greater level of coaching,” O’Neill said. “More consistency with a high performance environment and we have a visible pathway for them to reach to the NRL. That’s inspiring for all our Eels elite players.
“Brad has put a lot of time and effort into them. A lot of the younger players have already experienced what an NRL pre-season looks like. Prior to that they’ve experienced an NRL shed on game day, before the match, halftime and after the match. Brad has provide time, effort and access to these young men and that motivates you.”
Former NRL coach Nathan Brown has come and gone but he case an eye over the emerging talent at the club.
Matt Arthur
Age: 18
Position: Hooker
Contract: End of 2026
Destined to be the club’s long-term No.9, bypassing SG Ball and Jersey Flegg to start the year in the NSW Cup, where he has excelled with 74m and 23 tackles a game, to go with three tackle busts and two try assists.
Ethan Sanders
Age: 19
Position: Halfback
Contract: End of 2024
Also one of the Eels’ NSW Origin under-19s contingent, but looks set to join Canberra next year. Has already shown off his kicking, passing and running game wearing the No.7 at NSW Cup level this year.
Blaize Talagi
Age: 19
Position: Fullback/centre/five-eighth
Contract: End of 2025 (player option)
Arguably the most talented player in the country under 20 years old. In two games playing fullback at NSW Cup level this year, he is averaging more than 150m a game, busted six tackles and set up two tries.
Joshua Lynn
Age: 20
Position: Playmaker
Contract: End of 2025
Queensland prodigy partnered Ethan Sanders in the halves for their SG Ball triumph and is now steadily developing his game with the Jersey Flegg side. Has the size and versatility to play a utility role if called upon.
Richard Penisini
Age: 18
Position: Centre
Contract:
Looked set to be the first of the club’s next generation to step up into the NRL but ruptured his ACL in early January that has ruled him out until 2025. There is the possibility of him lining up in the Eels’ backline alongside brother Will down the track.
Sam Tuivati
Age: 19
Position: Prop
Contract: End of 2025
Jersey Flegg
The NSW Origin under-19s star got a taste of NSW Cup at the back end of last year but has started this season in Jersey Flegg. The club has high hopes that he can be a long-term NRL front-rower at the club.
Charlie Guymer
Age: 20
Position: Second-rower
Contract: End of 2024
Captained the Eels to the SG Ball title last year and has now flown past Jersey Flegg to come off the bench over the opening two weeks of the NSW Cup, averaging almost 80m and 20 tackles a game.
The junior league level is in the middle of a three year strategic plan with registrations rising last season. More than 4500 boys play in the Eels district making it one of the largest catchments in the country.
“If you look at the program there are four levels,” O’Neill said. “The senior programs – NRL, NRLW, second-tier competitions. Then you have the junior representative programs, academy development squads and the junior league.
“There is a big pathway. Junior league focus is about opportunity and enjoyment, the academy is about development and improving baseline skill level whereas the junior rep programs is pre-elite where you’re preparing yourself for an NRL or NRLW career. Up the top it’s about sustained success.
With any development club it’s about retaining the talent we are developing. That can be challenging
“Many years ago there was a strong development mantra under the regimen of (former Eels coach) Brian Smith) who did so much in rugby league but also so much for rugby league in Parramatta. Many great players, coaches and administrators have come out of his philosophies or systems.
“We have to keep working and developing talent. As the game expands there will be more opportunities for more and more players.”
