The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Parramatta Eels have secured their first recruit for the 2022 season, former Titans dummy half Mitch Rein.
In my recent Bumpers Up column I discussed the club’s pursuit of the off-contract Titan. Most supporters have been anticipating this news for some time.
At 31 years of age, Rein brings significant NRL experience with 208 first grade games on his resume. He spent the majority of his career with the Dragons after debuting with them in 2011, making him a contemporary of former Dragon and Eel Cameron King. He has since played one season with the Panthers in 2017, and four seasons with the Gold Coast from 2018.
Rein’s experience will mean solid service and the ability to read the play
The Eels targeted Rein after the loss of Joey Lussick to the Super League, and Nathaniel Roache to injury, left them without any specialist back up to Reed Mahoney for next year.
Depth in the hooker position proved to be critical for the Eels in 2021 when all three number nines found themselves out of action late in the season.
Calling on players such as Ray Stone or Will Smith for short periods off the bench is vastly different to hitting a finals campaign without a skilled dummy half. The ability to read the play and to respond to calls or over calls from the halves comes with experience.
Ray Stone and Will Smith were good enough to push for a place in the team on their own positional merits or from a versatility perspective, but many pundits have argued that the result against the Panthers could have been different with either Mahoney or Lussick in the dummy half role.
As things stand, the likely depth for 2022 will come from pathways utility Jayden Yates and from teenage Knights recruit Jacob Davis. Both of those players represent an eye to the future, but not a round one selection option for next year.
Will Smith’s decision to link with the Titans will place Rein in strong contention for a bench spot in the opening round. If Arthur decides to provide coverage for dummy half with his interchange players, that will pitch him up against Ray Stone.
Now a “former Titan” Mitch Rein
From a stats perspective, the veteran rake has 32 tries to his name during his eleven year career. During the 2021 season he averaged 56 running metres and had an impressive tackle efficiency of 95.8%.
Rein possesses a solid kicking game, though he was probably more productive as a kicker with the Dragons than he was with the Titans who seem to place less demand on their dummy half for that role.
I regard the addition of Rein as an essential decision by the Eels. Reed Mahoney has suffered two significant injuries over the last two seasons, and though I don’t perceive any health problems for him moving forward, it’s been proven that the club couldn’t expect him to get through a season unscathed.
A feature of Rein’s career that should definitely be noted is that he has fought for those 208 first grade games. His name hasn’t always been listed by experts as the first choice dummy half for each roster he’s been a part of, and that will again be the case at the Eels. Yet Rein has invariably forced his way into the top grade every season, and he will arrive at Parra with similar ambitions. That can only be a positive for the club.
Rein will prove to be a valuable contributor to the 2022 campaign, but as far as the longer term is concerned, all eyes remain firmly on the outcome of Mahoney’s contract negotiations.
Eels forever!
Sixties
The final point you make Sixties is poignant. The outcome of the contract negotiations is key. I would desperately like Mahoney to stay along with Gutherson, purely for that stability in the spine. All the top teams have that and it’s crucial. We saw what happened against the Pennies when we didn’t have that.
I am a bit of a Mitch Rein fan so I think he’ll be a decent depth addition to the squad, and may be able to give Reed a couple of pointers along the way perhaps.
I’m fairly certain that the Eels have had an interest in Rein in the past. I’m not sure whether it got to the point of negotiations, but like you, I’ve always admired his play.
Good signing, provides experience, and will reduce Reeds work load. Has a tendency to over play his hand at times, but if we can get his kicking game back on track, could provide a great point of difference
I reckon you can take it as given that he’ll be reigniting his kicking game at the Eels.
Yes I think a good signing as a short term depth piece. I agree with you and the other comments, Reed must be a priority for retention beyond 2022, I see multiple qld clubs are allegedly already eyeing him off…
He is definitely a priority, though I hope there isn’t too much of a bidding war. The last thing we need is inflated contracts as the squad is very balanced.
Good signing really. I would suggest that he will be on the bench a fair bit especially in the early games next year when Reed finally gets back. Am saying that as Reed should be nursed back a bit, to ensure his shoulder is right, & Rein being on the bench will provide good protection for any further injury problems, which I certainly hope wont happen also his signing again with the eels.
You also mention a couple of the young players, for me that is also an essential, but could only happen if there is Reserve grade comp again next year.
Cannot stand the title of the comp, Knock on affect cup, don’t we see enough of them without a trophy being there for the winner?
It’s is an unusual title Colin but such is sponsorship. I refer you to Lottoland and 1300 Smiles Stadium.
A great signing – is solid, has flair, really competitive and not a *ickhead. BOOM👍
well said Anon!
Nice pick up, a good quality back up. Now we turn our attention to retaining Mahoney.
Spot on Jimmy
But will we win a comp 🙂
Yeah, why not!
Wow how did you know that we would sign Mitch so far out!? Incredible work from TCT!