It’s silly season. We’ve gone through the finals, the World Cup and the November 1 deadline after which, NRL players who are out of contract for 2024 can discuss terms with other clubs. With that in mind, we’re launching Smart Signings, our new series on who NRL clubs should be targeting to address their biggest weaknesses, using the players that are actually available to them.
Parramatta might be the most obvious place for Smart Signings to kick off, because they are the closest to a Premiership team that we have beyond the actual Premiers.
Parra went toe to toe with the Panthers in the Grand Final, and beat them twice in the regular season, so they’re well into their ‘premiership window’, as much as I hate that phrase, and theoretically the team who need the least surgery to their squad to go one further next year.
That’s fortunate for them, as they really don’t have any wiggle room. They’re in the process of attempting to re-signing their halfbacks, Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown, and have already given big deals to their starting front rowers, Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
From a tactical perspective, that works. They’ve got a clearly defined style of play, based around their middles battering in the front door and creating second phase that gets their stellar playmakers running. Parra also love to make the field very wide indeed, with wingers who ‘hold the paint’ as Brad Arthur puts it, which in turn creates gaps along the seams.
If you wondered why their back rowers, Shaun Lane and Isaiah Papali’i, seemed to have so much success last year, there’s your answer. More than one opposing coach commented on angle running, too, which is also a product of larger than average gaps between players, which came from really stretching the field.
Papali’i has (after a fashion) departed to the Wests Tigers, but Parra seem to have already done their replacing with J’Maine Hopgood, Jirah Momoisia, Jack Murchie and Matt Doorey all added to the squad in the back row, along with internal candidates Elie El-Zakhem, Toni Maetele and Luca Moretti from NSW Cup.
My early bet would be Hopgood – who led the NSW Cup for offloads while at Penrith last year – and has impressed when given a first grade crack, or El-Zakhem, who was similar dominant in that key statistic and proved at the World Cup with Lebanon that he can cope with better competition.
Reed Mahoney is their other major loss, but he comes with a direct replacement in Josh Hodgson, my expectation is that he holds down that role as best he can for at least next year.
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
What is Parramatta’s problem?
The big issue that Parra faced, as anyone who read our tactical breakdowns of the NRL Finals will know, is maintaining intensity.
They could bash teams early, especially when Paulo and RCG were involved, but the better sides realised that you could wait out the storm and watch them fade.
This was evident from miles out, and screenshotting their average metres per set conceded stat became something of a meme for all the coolest kids in rugby league land.
It made for pretty bad reading: they could make metres seemingly at will, especially when the second phase was flowing, but haemorrhaged yards in the other direction.
Inevitably, when the whips got cracking, they ran into teams that could halt their charge. Parra proved unable to do the same, lost the yardage battle and thus the match. They might well have lost in the Prelim against the Cowboys, but got a fair blast of variance and iced their opportunities to progress.
When it came to the GF, the metres they could make through the middle dropped as their forwards tired, whereas Penrith’s backline-oriented yardage production kept chugging along.
Who could solve it?
The answer to this is quite simple, particularly if you follow Parramatta. Brad Arthur knew this problem existed, even though he said multiple times in pressers that it was fine, because he went in for Martin Taupau and David Klemmer, two arch big men, late in the season.
Neither were able to switch at the time and Klemmer has subsequently moved to the Tigers, but Taupau remains available. Why he isn’t already locked in, I don’t know: they need a bench big man, someone to work 15 minutes either side of the break while Junior and RCG have a breather.
Taupau was quietly very good last year: he averaged 11 hit ups for just shy of 100m per game, plus 19 tackles, despite only playing 38 minutes. Even factoring in a little decline due to age, he’s levels above Oregon Kaufusi – now departed to the Sharks – and the same defensive output as Junior Paulo despite ten minutes fewer on the field.
They also lack experience and leadership a little, with the final bench forward spot generally rotating between Ky Rodwell and Wiremu Greig, or not being used at all, as Arthur often played with 16 or, sometimes, even 15.
Taupau would likely want a little security and, at the age of 32, is probably only good for a year or two. Beyond him, Rodwell was voted Rookie of the Year and will likely be pushed further, while Larry Muagututia, who played u-19s Origin last year, is on a train and trial.
Is that all?
Parra are generally good beyond their two forward vacancies. Their spine, centres and wingers are basically locked in.
The only question, actually, might be around having too much depth as they cycled through left wing options (Bailey Simonsson, Hayze Perham and Sean Russell) and had them all look good, plus Haze Dunster who missed the entire campaign. Upcoming winger Matt Komolafe is also a standout at Flegg level.
There’s always the 17 jumper, because Arthur so regularly ignores it, with one of Makahesi Makatoa, Nathan Brown, Bryce Cartwright or Jake Arthur liable to find themselves underutilised on the bench.
Brown might bolt to a club that’ll give him more playing time, but with Hopgood, Doorey, El-Zakhem and Murchie all legitimate options, I wouldn’t worry too hard.
Nat
Roar Guru
England? Wayne Bennett not Wane.
Albo
Roar Rookie
They have one of the largest junior nurseries in the league . Any chance they can develop a few local forwards for their pack ? They have one local product in their pack in Junior Paulo. Surely they can develop a couple more forwards from home, rather than opt for some out of form journeyman again ?
Glenn
Guest
They've bought Asi who imo they'll train to be the 14 and backup hooker for Hodgson. Can also cover multiple backline positions.
Justin
Guest
Api Korisau.. You must have missed him being involved in 4 GF’s , with 3 GF Wins. With 2 at Penrith & 1 at South’s .
Chris
Guest
He may not wish to go to England? If he’s seeking a club that’s doing well here? He may not find one. As who’s making the cap space for a veteran forward , who’s not at his best.
Panthers
Guest
There’s the obvious point that also seems to have been forgotten here. There’s no doubt that Parramatta have to up their offers to keep some players at the club. Have also already bought replacement players, for those that have left the club. So unless they release a few lesser players, they probably can’t afford to buy Taupau. As he won’t fit into their tight cap space. So why would they get rid of other players, to buy a veteran forward, who’s not at his very best?
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
the Problem with Parra is they can turn it on against the top sides and then have a barry crocker & lose to the cellar dwellers the following week. the good teams can win ugly even when they are having an off night.
Larry1950
Guest
Hit the nail on the head concerning the loss of Mahoney, TB & A01, he is the Eels greatest loss. The majority of hookers (an anachronism in NRL now since the ball is fed behind the lock almost) stand then pass. In the late 60’s, I was coached by an ex-international prop who hammered the point that when a dummy half’s head comes up before his pass, you could guarantee the pass would be looped & slower than ideal as the hands follow the head. Still applies under today’s 10 metre rule. Mahoney, Robson & Grant are really the only three who can consistently feed their runners with quality ball while also having the game awareness to run or kick. Cam Smith was the best over a lengthy period & there are still some shockers in the NRL who hold their spot. ps: have you seen how many disgraceful dummy half passes come from wingers filling that role, they completely disrupt their team’s momentum. They should have to take a hit up through the middle every time they stuff up.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Poor diet
Tom G
Roar Rookie
He was a colossus for us in his first few years but it looked at times like he was phoning it in for the last couple of years with only glimpses of his early days.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
It could prove to be Arthur’s most inspired pick up from Manly since Anthony Watmough. Seriously though Marty has been great for Manly during lean times. He’s still got plenty in the tank as long as he’s sparingly used. Not sure about his price tag
Noel
Roar Rookie
I've said it before, Guler, in my view, is a sneaky good player. Doesn't seem to get noticed, but I'd have him in my pack.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
If it's just to collide for 30' a week I'd have a shot at teammate Sipley before Marty for roughly the same coin, failing that Josh Kerr from the Dragons couldn't possibly be happy. But Guler from the Raiders, big body with feet, disappeared for 10 weeks or so mid-season, looking to be unlocked.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! And I think they are pretty limited bringing the ball out of defence with their back 5. It puts more focus on the forwards for yardage. Gutho likes to get involved, but Sivo , Simonsson, Blake, & Penisini are not great metre eaters.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Taupua seemed to lose his aggro and I think he lost the respect of his team mates at times. Seemed to be turning up to collect his money and not damage himself too much. Goal achieved I'd say.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
For the right money he'd be OK, at this stage of his career the only records at Parra that he might set is the Bench press in the gym. Personally I think if you are going for a 25 to 30 minute impact forward 2023 Marty is not my choice :thumbup:
Gus O
Roar Rookie
Taupau stopped accelerating into contact for the past two seasons and has been really disappointing. He did accelerate into contact in his last couple of games in 2022, but I thought a big part of Manly’s issues over the past two seasons have been inadequate go forward from their pack, and significantly Taupau wanting to offload rather than charge. You can’t blame injuries to backs for the lack of go forward from the forwards. If Manly had their choice they might have preferred to retain Addin Fonua-Blake and let Taupau go. Anyhoo, I’m glad Taupau is not coming to my club, but I hope a change is good for him and he finds his best footy.
Nat
Roar Guru
Agree with all points but where Marty might find himself is waiting for Moses and Brown to confirm. I doubt Parra will be committing any more $ before getting those two locked away - if they have any. I can’t see Marty jumping at a train and trial after the big coin he has been on. I wonder if Wayne has a spare $350K?
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
100%. Additionally, Mahoney was always willing to step back if a Gutherson saw an opportunity out of dummy half, and would let him go. Hodgson won't do that. He wants that opportunity to run. The other component. Mike refers to Arthur's regular choice not to use his whole bench. He will now have a hooker incapable of playing 80 minutes. So he will have to have someone who can play hooker on the bench every week. Whether that is Jakob Arthur (it isn't, he is a stop gap solution) or Mitch Rein (it shouldn't be), there are several potential problems staring the Eels in the face at the moment
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think Taupau could be handy for them with a reduction of minutes. RCG and Paulo play big minutes so 30 minutes for Taupau could work. If they’re looking for much more, maybe not… Mahoney for Hodgson on paper seems like only a mild downgrade but it comes with a fairly significant difference in playing styles You mention Parra’s width, angles and creating spaces on the edges. Some of that comes of the back of second phase play and some of it comes from Mahoney’s service and those bullet like 25 metre passes off the deck. That’s definitely not Hodgson’s go and despite his creativity and skills around the ruck he gets in the way of the Raiders attack at times or puts on plays where his team mates didn’t look exactly sure what he was up to How will Arthur manage that change of game around the ruck? How will Hodgson fit in with Moses and Brown? These may be more important questions for mine than who their bench middle rotation is…