Former Parramatta captain Tim Mannah is adamant the Eels can challenge for next year’s premiership despite the uncertainty surrounding some of their stars.
With skipper Clint Gutherson crucially re-signing until the end of 2025 on Saturday, Mannah hopes hooker Reed Mahoney and prop Junior Paulo will follow suit.
Forward Ryan Matterson and talented youngsters including Haze Dunster, Oregon Kaufusi, Jakob Arthur and Hayze Perham are also off-contract.
And while second-rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Marata Niukore have announced they’ll respectively join the Wests Tigers and Warriors in 2023, Mannah believes the planets could align before they depart.
“The last couple of years and heading into 2022, it’s probably the best squad that Parra’s had for many years,” Mannah told The Roar on Monday as he helped the Supertee charity pack costumes for sick kids.
“So the chance is there [to contend for a title] and there’s a lot there for Eels fans to be really excited about. I think next year’s going to be a really big year for the Parramatta fans.”
Brokering a new long-term deal with fullback Gutherson was important for the Eels at the end of a week where it was revealed Dally M Second-Rower of the Year Papali’i had knocked back an extension.
Locking down Mahoney, who recently dined with Bulldogs officials, and NSW Origin prop Paulo is now the club’s main focus.
Mannah is cautiously optimistic the pair will stay.
“Every player will have their own journey,” he said.
“Gutho, where he’s at in his career is obviously different to where Junior’s at and that’s different to where Reed’s at.
“You can’t just lump them all together and expect that just because one’s got done they’re all going to go bang, bang [and re-sign].
“But you’d like to think that’s a great start, keeping the captain on board. I think the positive is Junior wants to stay, Reed wants to stay and the club wants to keep them both.
“It’s always a great start when you’ve got players that want to be there and a club that wants to keep them. When you have that kind of starting block, the rest hopefully usually falls into place.”
Mannah said it was vital that Parramatta retained Gutherson.
“He’s someone that so much of the culture driven at the club comes through, so I think it was a no brainer to make sure they sorted him out,” he said.
“I’m glad they could get it done now and he can put it behind him and begin preparing for the season.”
A one-club man, Mannah played 233 NRL games in the blue and gold, finishing up in 2019.
The four-time NSW prop was happy to lend a hand at Parramatta Leagues Club on Monday, joining in the assembly of Supertee gift packs for 1000 of Sydney’s sickest children.
Founded by tradie Jason Sotiris in 2018, Supertee provides specialised medical superhero costumes to lift the spirits of sick children – empowering them to find “strength through imagination”.
The Supertee gift packs, which will also include comics, stickers and messages, will be received by patients in the Mount Druitt paediatric ward, Blacktown emergency ward, Nepean Hospital paediatric ward and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
For Mannah, a long-time Ronald McDonald House ambassador whose brother Jon – a Sharks and Eels NRL player – died from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2013, it’s a cause close to his heart.
“You always walk out of [visiting kids in hospital] so encouraged and so inspired by the families,” Mannah said.
“So many of them are going through really tough circumstances and their attitude and their outlook on life is such an inspiration for anyone that meets them.
“My family and I, we went through a situation with my brother when he got sick … When you’re going through a tough time, family find a way to get through that tough time.
“They get a bit more strength than you’d think they’d have.
“To see something like [Supertee], where they can actually make a real impact on kids and their families, is a huge plus.
“I know for sure that this is going to make so many kids so much happier.”
Sotiris conceptualised Supertee after his daughter Angela was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2013. Angela is now in remission but Sotiris is still determined to assist others.
“We set ourselves a little bit of a goal,” Sotiris said.
“We want to help 5000 kids by Christmas. When we look at all the hospitals that we supply around Australia and the number of beds, we want to get a free Supertee to every kid spending Christmas in hospital.
“If people can donate to our Christmas appeal, which is at supertee.org.au – it’s $250,000, we’ve never set a target that high.
“But coming out of COVID and seeing what all the families have gone through, especially parents with sick kids, we want to try to muster as much support as we can.
“We operate on the basis that we want to provide a free Supertee to any child given bad news – and we do that because of the kindness and generosity of other people.
“If there’s a family reading this article that needs one, please get in touch. We’re not only about asking, we’d also like to give as well.”
A $45 donation ensures a sick child receives a Supertee gift pack.
EagleWal
Roar Rookie
Good service from dummy half is vital and vastly under rated. As a Manly fan closely watched how much Lachlan Croker was missed, and his service is satisfactory not brilliant. I get very frustrated watching games and the firts receiver is ctaching the ball at knees, head, behind him etc... Those minor moments make a massive difference to go forward.
chud
Roar Rookie
Yes... yes you have.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
I'd agree with just about all of that. I disagree, strongly, with "fingers crossed" that he becomes a Dog. That said, he is exactly what the Doggies need, and can understand why you are chasing him/offering the big bucks.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
AMD, I understand your theory, and think you're probably on the money, at least in some team structures. Personally I'd still prefer to have a dummy half that provides quality service than (effectively) have an extra forward who provides average service from dummy half, but it would also depend on the overall team structure/strategy.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
First up: Tim Mannah, what a good man. That said, while it is nice if accurate that Reed and Jnr want to stay, it is another thing if they do. I like my job for the most part, but have seen an opportunity to apply for a role worth an extra $30k a year. To me that matters.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
While i don't disagree that it is poor list management of contracts to have many finishing up at the same time, i think it is a long bow to parcel that up with on field form - especially considering they played Melbourne and Penrith pretty well.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Best passing game in the comp both sides from the ground. Improving rapidly as an attacking option in good ball as well. I wouldn’t trade him for anyone. Defensively very very good.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
If Reed, Jnr and Matto are extended I doubt this is a disaster. Reed and Jnr are obviously the priorities. The bulk of this side has been together for a while now and at some point they have to start rotating young talent in. Otherwise they’ll end up with a full rebuild on their hands in a couple of years. No one wants that and it will be costly. The Storm and to a lesser extent the Roosters have been masters at this for a while now. By keeping the core group together, young guns take unders to enhance their early stage development and veterans/journeymen rise. He spine is the key and Reed has come on in spades this year.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I rate Mahoney highly (and not just because the Dogs after him :silly: ) He’s got the best pass off the ground I've seen in league - he’s like a quality rugby halfback. Flicks it straight off the deck 30 metres accurately to both sides. It’s close to a unique skill in league His work rate is high. I think his defence is fine - a lot of smaller blokes need assistance in the middle Encouragingly, his attacking game and footy smarts improved markedly from 2020 to 21 which shows he’s still improving. He had 13 try assists in 2021 - highest for any hooker in the NRL - and from just 17 games The Dogs have been linked to every off contract player over the past couple of years and I take most with a grain of salt, but this is one I’ve really got my fingers crossed for…
Redcap
Roar Guru
Hi Almighty, My theory is that, at least for the next few years, distribution from dummy half is not going to matter as much as it has to date. Many teams are setting up off a lock or hooker standing very close and flat to the ruck (like a Cameron or Brandon Smith, Isaah Yeo, Jake Trbojevic, Et Al) because it's much easier for a player in an upright position to throw a good pass to a half standing wide, or switch the point of attack. As you point out, there's also the defensive aspect. Somebody like Mahoney would still have a place, but won't be as valuable. Then again, I'm wrong about almost everything.
Larry1950
Guest
I like the variety Mahoney gives from dummy half, particularly his kicking skills. He’s quick, good pass & a reliable defender, not many 9’s can stop the big runners one on one. Brandon Smith is more robust but his dummy half passing is abysmal, like those useless wingers when they throw a looping ‘harbour bridge’ pass from dummy half. what you gain from one player, you lose from the other so it depends on what the team needs.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
AMD & Succhi, I think you both may be right. I rate Mahoney highly as a 'tradional/even Cam Smith era' hooker. His service from dummy half is amongst the best, he can tackle, he can kick, he can run. He can't 'muscle' his way through the line and he can't (single handedly) tackle the middle forwards one on one. Coincidently I was having a debate with a Storm supporter today re B. Smith, and I've had a similar debate with others previously. I acknowledged he is a great player, can understand the big $ offers etc, but my arguement is around where he plays/how he fits within a team. I don't rate his service from dummy half that highly (I think he's about average at FG level) but if you want/need some extra defence through the middle, an 'x' factor forward etc. he'd be the man. I hope we can retain Mahoney.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
Sam, I don't see it as mismanagement, but I don't like being in this situation either. We've got a number of players who have played above their pay grade, and because of that we can't keep and pay them all market rates, let alone overs. In a way it's a good thing, in that we have/are becoming a club that can build/rebuild players again. I'd be the first to admit that it wasn't that long ago Parra, and not necessarily all the clubs fault, that we were forced to pay overs and these players often went backwards. I'd much rather be in this position, where players want to stay but ultimately leave because we can't match/get close enough to what other (potentially desperate) clubs are offering. I'd also much rather be in a position whereby we are offering players with potential (either young or career turnaround players) short term deals than get stuck with over paid underperformers. Can we/could we have managed the situation better? Yes, I definitely think so. Is it dire? No I hope, but also think/believe, this is just part of a transitional period for the club, for tn better.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Yes AMD, I think he is a hard worker and undoubtedly tough - but I’m not convinced he’d be in the top 4 or 5 hookers in the NRL. Hope he proves me wrong in 2022.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
2-6 in finals over the past decade, and one of those wins was against a 12-12 team that had a points difference of -150. They are a decent team, no team better against the ordinary teams, but nowhere near good enough to compete with the top teams for multiple weeks in succession when it counts
Redcap
Roar Guru
I quite like Mahoney - good passing game and gets through lots of tackling. My concern with Mahoney is that the position might be moving away from players like him and toward guys like Brandon Smith, Cam McInnes and Harry Grant. Hybrid hooker-locks.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I am probably in the minority here but I don’t rate Reed Mahoney. I reckon he is an average, maybe slightly above average 9. Have I missed something?
Rellum
Roar Guru
Reed Mahoney is the player the Dolphins should be chasing first up
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Round 12: Rabbitohs 38 vs Eels 20, Round 20: Rabbitohs 40 vs Eels 12. I assumed you were referring to the Bunnies as one of the "two top teams" as they were, after all, Grand Finalists and 1 win adrift of the eventual premiers after the regular season. :silly:
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Sam. They didn’t do too bad against two of the top teams.