The Eels acquisition of 20 year old former rising Bulldogs star, Joash Papalii, poses one critical question.
How should he be utilised?
The response is simple if you don’t consider him ready for his NRL debut. He’s young so you play him at fullback in NSW Cup because that’s where he’s made his mark thus far.
His selection as fullback in the NSW 19s Origin team back in 2023 further justifies taking that route.
However, if you rate his talent too prodigious to omit from an NRL team looking to add speed and elusiveness to their attack, then the question becomes more complex. It takes a deep dive into the hypothetical.
Joash Papalii inks his deal
Let’s examine the stats thus far.
Joash has played 36 NSW Cup games across the last two seasons, with 31 of them at fullback. He’s played one game on the wing, and four games off the bench.
At 166cm (around five foot, five) and 82 kg, he’s a compact stature, and would be one of the shortest fullbacks in the game. But height is no longer a factor in such a role. Rather, speed is becoming the desirable commodity.
A quick examination of Papalii’s highlights package reveals that he’s blessed with pace, and certainly his acceleration off the mark holds him in good stead. The 39 tackle breaks in NSW Cup in 2024 speak to his elusiveness, the 15 try assists indicate he can set up supports.
After receiving the Bulldogs SG Ball Player of the Year Award as a fullback in 2022, Joash was accelerated to play mostly NSW Cup in 2023.
Though he was making inroads as a fullback during his time in both junior and senior football at Belmore, some club decision makers also saw his potential in the halves or even dummy half.
Joash Papalii
It’s easy to understand why.
As a fullback, he’s already part of the spine and possesses playmaker credentials. And his step is lethal. He primarily defers to his left foot but can jump off either.
Watching him at Eels training has been entertaining. In drills and opposed, he’s left opponents grasping at thin air. Sometimes, due to the nature of the drill, he’s mesmerised the defender with only the space of a phone booth to operate in.
And so to the question of how to best utilise his talents.
Should Jason Ryles believe that he’s ready for first grade, only one genuine possibility arises.
An interchange role.
Circumstance could see Joash earn selection in the opening round on the wing (more on that in an upcoming post), but he has minimal experience in that role.
Only injury would rule out Isaiah Iongi as the first choice fullback.
Of course, the dilemma arises as Papalii has primarily trained at fullback, and as attendees at the open training sessions will attest, he’s caught the eye, flashing in the manner of his highlights package. (See below)
From my perspective, I believe his entry to first grade could be via the number 14 interchange role. Not necessarily as the back up dummy half, though his former employers perhaps saw him that way.
Rather, he could be that additional playmaker bench player that has recently emerged in the game. The added benefit is that his pace and skill set could also cover injuries across the backline. Perhaps he could also cover for Brendan Hands, who otherwise is heading for 80 minutes per week.
Imagine his impact around the ruck as the opposition forwards tire.The Eels already have two of the fastest halves in the premiership in Moses and Brown. And Iongi is another threat in the spine. Adding Papalii would bring a new dimension to Parra’s attack.
How do you prepare for such a role?
If it’s going to happen, that will probably reveal itself at training very soon into the new year.
Regardless, it’s a refreshing change that the Eels depth leads us to debating how to find a place for such a talented player.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Looks like a game breaking 14 to me. A PJ Marsh multiplied. Tired opposition would dread him. Got that ability and spark to change the way the games played in the dummy half area. Exciting prospect.
I reckon he features Prometheus
Imo Joash is the type of player impossible to leave out of the team. Not sure of his defensive abilities but appears a stocky player so maybe ok as a replacement hooker for short stints or even a genuine utility on the bench only carrying 2 forwards and backup hooker.
Imagine Riley Smith, who is also fast and elusive, coming on after 20-25 minutes as say a lock along with Joash as hooker and the momentum they’d create with their speed.
Whatever happens it is something that all clubs seek but few have and we perhaps have the ability to change the game thinking outside the box.
I did not realise he was only 5’5. Very small but league is full of small players who have excelled. Will be interesting to see what the coaches do with his skill set. If he can fill in for 10-15 mins at hooker that would be good as would provide hooker and backline cover. But defence in middle would be a problem.
I think he’s tough enough for short stints there Ron. But what a threat in attack.
I think he would be enormous off the bench a math winner for us
That’s the choice for Ryles Macca.off the bench his role would definitely be to make an impact.
I reckon a number 14 for sure the question gets more complex if ryley smith pushes for a spot as well given his talent in the case could u play winger given his footwork and speed he could be quite elusive and brake the game open from kick returns
The fox on one side joash on the other makes parra a very quick team on both sides of the fields if either half can get on the outside of a defender should be quite dangerous
Maybe the game will evolve to the stage with forward mobility that you could carry both on the interchange. I don’t think we’re there yet but it wouldn’t surprise if some coaches experiment with it.
I don’t see him as our fullback going forward. IIongi is likely to be our long-term fullback, especially considering the investment we made in him, reportedly $400k, which is a significant amount for a one-game NRL player, even with his clear potential. As for Joash, I see him more as a utility player at 14, if he makes it at all. His height could be a limitation in the modern game unless he’s utilised in a hooker rotation.
He’s been dynamic in the preseason thus far Avenger. As I said, he’s not going to get fullback off Iongi, but if he’s good enough, where does he fit?
Avenger in each grade he has played so far he carved up even with significant height disadvantage there’s a long history of short players being great at rugby league.
Brian to’o is the shortest winger basically in the comp who was told too small for wing when young. He has been far & clear the near wing over the last 5 years.
We can’t move forward as a club with a 1 fullback approach. That mindset is why we could not win in guthersons absence. It’s a flawed roster dynamic to put all chips into one play and wing it praying for no injuries or the NRL side collapses.
I say we run him at fullback in cup, then in certain games when our coaches think it’s best run him in the NRL 17 to gain experience in 14 or wing positions.
We do want to give this kid NRL experience moving forwards so that we are not sitting ducks like in the past whenever our fullback got injured we could not win a game.
Papalii has been an elite talent with a height disadvantage at every grade and has not effected him. Speed and ability to make shit happen is far more useful than just height. He will also get us plenty of penalties due to his height, they will have trouble tackling him legally. Much like To’o who goes low into tackles. Joash often does something similar. It works a charm.
Whatever we do we need a minimum of two fullbacks who can play at NRL level. Injuries do happen. Our club can’t win a premiership until we have depth. I see this kid as a possible future star eel.
I think it’s a waste being a dummy half when you’ve got top 1% fullback results all through the lower grades. But obviously I would support whatever our coaches think will work best for the team. But we need 2-3 fullbacks on our roster who can fulfil NRL duties without our team falling to pieces moving forwards.
The old eels mindset of one player for one key position is partially why nobody gives us a chance to win a comp. We’ve always been one injury away from losing nearly every game. It would be better (like all good clubs do) to have 2-3 fullbacks in the club who are specialists and can do the job.
That they’ve promoted Joash immediately into top 30 to me means Riles has a plan for him so he’ll be in the team. In what capacity is what we all ponder about but Riles definitely has a plan imo which we’ll see as the preseason progresses. Hopefully 60s will tell us soon as it becomes clear.
True glen I hope we sit him have a hit out early next season. Our team typically performs generally very well early in the season. I would like to see him debut while the teams sailing ok, rather than debut for us potentially when shits hit the fan so to speak if there’s injuries or an eels mid season form slump. Having papali’i debut whilst brown and Moses on the park should help him debut more successfully. I don’t like when our jnr stars only get game time when there’s a massive form slump or injury crisis in first grade. Hopefully he does not get exposed to that incase it dents his confidence.
I think our mid season slump is more about lack of replacements in multiple positions not giving the incumbents a rest to recover from niggling injuries. That has now been fixed in one off season with all positions covered. One would wonder why it was so hard previously with no cover or often underwhelming recruits bought in.
Again like most I didn’t realise his height limitations, we’ve seen greg marzou at the knights have similar skills but height has caused him a lot of issues, I’d play him at 14 to give hands a break and guessing lussick will only be used due to injuries
Ivan, I think the height is only an issue for the wing spot. Other spine positions are fine. But that impact interchange role seems tailor made.
Even though he’s 5’5″ he doesn’t look or play small… I’m wondering if he’s the next Ben Barba. That mix of speed, elusiveness and guile. Very exciting.
That’s a fair comment Muz. It’s why I replied elsewhere that he’s tough enough for stints covering dummy half
The best winger over the last 5 years Brian to’o has probably been the shortest but by far the most consistent.
Height can only be exploited maybe 2-3 times per game (avg) if you are defending on the wing when Arial attacks come into play.
What he does posses which sixties mentioned is speed + elite ability to break tackles. Two resources which the parramatta eels have desperately needed over the years.
I actually think long term he might become a better player for the eels than iongi. But that’s in a 3 year timeline. In the mean time being our regular cup #1 and occasionally in the NRL 17 for games where our coaches think he is needed could be a perfect mix to introduce him to NRL whilst developing his trade at fullback in cup.
A rookie fullback is highly likely to get decently injured, lose confidence, or cop a few niggles in his first NRL season. I think it’s a big mistake if we don’t hedge our bets. We need papali’i playing at fullback most weeks at cup. So he is ready to step up if Iongi goes down.
But obviously a 14 spot would be super exciting to watch. But he will not develop his trade as a fullback if he is not playing regularly in that position at the eels.
Muz, that’s great reasoning and an opinion well articulated. As I said in the post, he’s young. If he needs time to develop his craft,that’s all good. What I will say is that because he was accelerated through the grades at the Dogs he’s already had the best part of two seasons at fullback in NSW Cup. That doesn’t preclude another year or so there, but he isn’t a player who has only been in age footy recent,y.
Sixties, the other idea I was thinking about is Joash playing on the wing outside of Lomax. Papalii’s height disadvantage would be minimised with Lomax’s superb aerial ability’s. You see smaller wings like Brian to’o get attacked regularly from kicks with minimal damage done to him. Moses, Carty, Lomax, papali’i on one side is a seriously dangerous attacking side. The only issue I can sense is a reserve grader taking up a wing spot in the club who’s notoriously bad record of defending attacks on our edges. If he can defend a wing decently, we all know his running game would cause problems to every team.
I don’t see wing working. There’s a fair difference in height between too and papalii. Even sua faalongo and keanu kini are 10cm taller than papalii – he would get brutalised on kick returns, defence (eg against dom young, delete Cobbo, Saab, both Mel round wingers, mulitalo etc) and in airial contests. We need to focus on defence – any attacking flair is good but the risks on wing are too high for me
Ron his kick returns are very good often leading to line breaks, tackle breaks, fast acceleration. Would cause damage to tired defenders even from our own try line on kick return. I agree defence would be the main issue at wing. MON said on the podcast that they are still after another outside back. defence on the wing should be priority or we risk having poor try line defence again.
Muz, I’m going to pose the question in an upcoming post about the wing.
4 or 5 years back, i would have questioned why we’ve purchased a player of Joash”s stature, the way the game has sped up with its rules, has definitely advantaged the smaller speed men.
He could definitely slot in off the bench and play a few positions. Iongi i would say can also play 6 if need be. He’s quick, has great footwork and has a very good passing game.
I don’t know if Ryley Smith has a chance to be a contender for a bench spot, but if he can, he could be in the mix aswell.
I will explore the bench selections in an upcoming post. I’m really keen to see what happens at training after the new year starts.
Merry Christmas .
And Merry Christmas to you too
Chiefly 1 you talk about the game being sped up by the NRL. What I am being told is that even the referees are being judged by their ruck speed. This is not going away anytime soon. Valandys and Abdo are behind it.
It’s Abdo picking the referees now not Anessley or Maxwell. He is using stats fed to him by their team of statisticians.
They are taking the saying “a fast game’s a good game” to the extreme John.
5 foot 5 !!! Damn that’s tiny.
Personally I’m dead against putting him anywhere near the wing.
It’s a specialist position and we don’t need a makeshift player there.
Likewise he’s never really played 14 so again we are manufacturing a role.
I would think the extra defence at 14 would really take away his positives.
I reckon we just have a look at both Iongi and Papalii and decide who deserves the fullback spot more on merit.
The other goes to the NSW Cup.
We will have injuries so both players will get their chances.
Agree spark we will see the outcomes then decide it sounds like. Ryles is from speed & mobility focused clubs who aren’t afraid of small fast players. Ryles obviously didn’t see evidence of his height holding him back or we would not have signed him. As 60’s mentioned, he accelerated through the lower grades. I saw this kid tear up parramatta in multiple different grades over the years.
Papali’i sure wasn’t too small to make our parra players look silly. He tore us up, dodging eels defenders like we were stuck in the mud a few times. 😆 So I’m glad he’s with us now. This kid will leave many players grasping at thing air (as sixties already mentioned). I don’t think people understand how good he is at avoiding being tackled.
As usual the negativity from Parramatta supporters has come to the fore.
I read 29 comments and not one reference was made in comparison to Bevan French, he has French written all over him.
The height reference is only a negative if it proves so, French was plagued by references to being “rag dolled” I think at this comparative age he looks stronger than French through the thighs. I think also the refereeing is much sterner against “rag dolling” now.
Finally while arguing about his position, the wing is perfectly set up with JAC out for the first 3 rounds. Most fullbacks have come through or been utilised as wingers. I think at one stage in recent times rep football had 3 fullbacks playing for 2 wing positions. i.e. if is going to make it as a fullback, then he will “eat” the wing. Just like Bevan French did (he didn’t like the wing, notwithstanding) but he played his best football for Parra there before being “bastardised” by poor selection processes.
Make no mistake BA was instrumental in killing his confidence when encouraging him to come back early after advising his “posterior” ligament removal. It took him over a year to recover from that as his confidence was taken from him by his inability to adjust to an initial drop in pace and step. he should have been allowed time to heal with it’s removal, BA impatiently did something similar with Tepai Moroea when he also was too young and encouraged to play with a chest injury,
French is now one of the best players in the world and has effectively given the “bird” to the NRL….. lets hope we do not do something like that with this kid. He is “gold” if he is brought along with time on his side.
Think Pap and all the other smaller statue players that now abound. God knows how we managed to get him, but it looks like someone at the dogs was also lacking in vision.
The gooses on here that want to negate him already because of his stature should be a warning that they should never be involved in a selection process.
I have noted in replies that Papali’i is strong and does t play like a light framed player – and that was in reference to playing at dummy half and in relation to defence. I have an upcoming post about wing options for the first round Poppa. Stand by.
Well said Poppa and my sentiments exactly. The NRL is littered with small stature, light weight players causing havoc to defences. Think Papenhausen, Kini, Walsh, Ben Barba, Steve Ella (going back to 80s) as 5 to come into my head and this obsession with big, tall players by many is the mindset that has let slip many a good small player thru our fingers. Think its the fight in the dog not the dog in the fight!
Poppa good points I think a smaller stature light, elusive, fast accelerating back could work very good in our side with big forwards who provide great offloads and opportunities in around the ruck. I think in time he slips in like a duck to water in our first grade side in time. Fans will have to practice patience with him (and iongi) are only 20 and 21. Gutho was 30. It will take some time & practice from us eels fans as they adjust to first grade.
Hi Poppa, I hope you’re well.
Interesting comparison you make although I don’t recall Bevan having the same acceleration and power when changing direction that Joash seems to possess. Perhaps my memory of Bevan has faded.
The bulldogs may very well regret letting him go, they have a rich history of misjudging their own talent. Allowing Thurston to walk was one of Rugby League’s greatest retention blunders. They allowed Nick Meanie to walk, I think he’s a better fullback than Tracey, more recently they allowed Alamoti to walk. Let’s hope Joash is their latest regret.
Joseph they also let Reed Mahoney go too. They always let good players go. Word is from dogs supporters it’s because ciraldo is a defence first coach and papali’i isn’t yet available in his squad for the nrl back 5. Let’s be honest – they have Blake Wilson there who can’t get a run there barely and he quite literally ran rings around our backline. The backs at dogs now is solid as a rock. Backups there (eg wilson) are stronger than some of our regular starters.
I forgot about Reed Muz, they told him he was too small and now look.
The Bulldogs do have good outside back stock but they do need a number 7 of note to go further.
Joseph, good to hear from you, that comparison with French maybe right but I haven’t seen enough of young Papilli to get that observation.
My initial observations are that Papilli is much thicker through the trunk and upper thighs than Bevan. My comparisons for this exercise was more selection on the wing and will his lessor size be a prohibitor
We still have to prove that Ryles has built a defence in the outside backs that saves the 10 points a game it gave away last year.
Physics says that 82kg isn’t going to stop anyone near the line.
Simonsson is 8 inches and 15 kg heavier and he only learnt how to tackle effectively last year, and even then, only in the centres, but I still blame Arthur’s (inherited by Barrett) defensive structure for that.
Inevitably there will be games lost in the backline due to injury or suspension and the depth we lacked last year will be what makes or breaks us.
Flexibility will be key.
He could end up as FB, Wing, hooker, 6 or 7 if injuries warrant it.
I honestly believe he has the bench strike capacity. I guess we’ll soon see.
Zero tackle just did an article top 5 halves pairings.
They’ve got Lachy Galvin & Luai above moses & brown.
The nrl media world is a clown world.
I hope somebody at the eels is showing these ridiculous articles, should we need any more motivation for 25’ to kick ass.
It’s absurd. Two test halves ranked below an Origin five-eighth and a rookie.
And we’re getting the wooden spoon according to Fox Sports lol
I agree, they listed the Tigers halves and Reynolds and Hunt ahead of Parra. Not to mention Blaize who will be lucky to even get a start as Cleary’s partner, especially when they see with their own eyes the kid is a turn style in defence.
There are only two candidates in such an exercise Moses and Brown and the Storm halves.
Where these journalist’s get off is flabbergasting, do they actually watch the game or just read the rhetoric.
Can someone remind them that Moses is the current Australian Half and likewise Brown the Kiwi version…….I cannot believe this shit, after the Fox Sports idiot having us as the Wooden Spooners, there should be a lot of so called sports journalists looking for jobs if Parra does what I expect!
Poppa now that Jerome left panthers. The only other power halves Combo in same level is Penrith with Hughs & Munster.
The other halves pairs are either old (broncs) or too green with Galvin.
The anti eels bias is because we played shit this year with Moses our. These clowns in media probably don’t even take that into consideration.
The avg TCT reader would be a more accurate NRL knowledge source than half the clowns employed by fox sports & co.
Is storm* sorry. Not panthers 😂 Blaize won’t be their 5/8 all next year. He is years off being a strong NRL defender. It would be a miracle if they can make the kid defend like a first grader in 1 off season.
Poppa, I saw a snap of Nathan Hindmarsh arriving at a MurdochFox party, perhaps Hindy could have a word with some of his workmates about their Eels IQ (or lack of it).
Lol. Fox News Eels iq – 14
Hunt is the fill in at the Broncos. He will go back to 9 when Mam completes his suspension.
I sure these Journalists (?) do this for clicks
Don’t count on the NRL to give a decent suspension, not to the Broncos. They’ll be as lenient as the judge was with Mam. Remember Brown was given a large fine and 5? weeks, I expect Mam with get less for a far more serious crime.
John, it seems like man who’s committed far more serious crimes will get softer punishment than Dylan brown.
Imagine if Dylan brown drug drove + drink & drove + CRASHED into a family and (allegedly) badly injured a kid or lady? I can’t remember.
The car I think was unregistered too. AND.. he was unlicensed.
If mam gets off easier or with similar suspensions then QLD & the nrl have gone woke retard and let this kid off with severely weak punishment due to his cultural heritage or plain was kissing of the bris broncos.
If this kid man doesn’t get 2x longer than brown got it’s a joke.
I have no problem seeing him in the 14. Think he might pop up a few times in 2025 like Hayze Perham did a few years ago. I think JR will manage him a lot better though.
If there is any sort of comparison with Perham, then we are on the wrong track.
Perham whilst honest, will never be anything but a Reserve Grader.
If there is any sort of comparison with Perham, then we are on the wrong track.
Perham whilst honest, will/was never anything but a Reserve Grader.
Poppa, I never saw anything from Perham that compares to how Papalii is training
You can say that again Craig, Oop’s i just did……
Poppa you go look at old games or highlights of perham vs an under 20 year old papali’i it’s night and day difference. Fans will have to be patient tho, the kid is 20. No doubt it’s a big jump to navigate first grade’s challenges.
He has speed and acceleration to break tackles and leave players looking silly. We haven’t had any young players in our system like this for a long time. It should help us at the bare minimum of reserve grade should our coaches decide he is not ready yet.
I don’t think he is ready for 1st grade yet as a starter or bench player.
As much as I appreciate 60s reviews on training I have to take them with a grain of salt.
This season it has all been about how brilliant papalii and his elusiveness has been, a few years ago it was Jakob Arthur and his vision.
I hope he excells in reserve grade and puts pressure on others but he needs to find his feet 1st
It’s all good Willis. I get that you view my training takes with a grain of salt. And it’s fair enough because it’s all internal drills and scrimmages. But I usually identify a player or two that stands out. And I’m never on my own with those takes because other visitors to training usually come away thinking the same. When it comes to Papalii, I began this post by saying that if you don’t consider him NRL standard then the decision is straight forward. He plays fullback in Cup. But, not only has he stood out for me, I also received many texts messages and DMs after the open training sessions. He is an NRL player in the making. Whether you think he’s ready now or not.
Entertaining article Sixties, thank you.
He’s not a winger, I highly doubt Ryles signed him as a winger.
A utility position makes the most sense, he’d be the last player tiring forwards would want running at them.
Buckets did say we are looking for another outside back, it would be safe to assume the club is looking for a winger.
Muz, I knew a guy from school who used to write for Fox sports, he was the guy who never played or followed any sport. If you’re old enough, you probably read some of his articles on Rugby League back in the day.
Jo That’s funny Joseph. He never followed or watched any sport? Lol. Sounds like a Fox journalist.
He thought it was hilarious too, his family owns a popular food business which I still go to. He works for Westpac these days.
Hope you had a good Christmas mate, I ate like a pig and woke up hungry, go figure.
Classic anecdote Joseph
JAC and Simmonson won’t be available early on.
I’d tip Russel to get one of the spots. The other will be up for grabs.
How’s Haze look. Any better? His acceleration and turn speed the last few seasons suggested his time is up as a player unless he regained some of this.
I hope Joash is a gun but if you read the Kennel most said he was average this year amd just hasn’t kicked on plus a bit small. Let’s hope they got this wrong and he is electric.
J Raven, I’ve just tackled the wing question in a dedicated post. Sean gets one spot if Bailey is out.
I couldn’t comment on how Haze is looking in terms of pace as he’s been in rehab – as reported by the Eels injury update.
J raven Joash had injuries and as most players do form slowed a bit after it. Dogs let go of many good players. They said Nick meanie was avg too. He is now a gun at the storm. They let go of Reed Mahoney. He become one of the nrls best hookers. Alamoti was near Penriths best player last grand final, they let him go too. Jonathon Thurston as well. They have loads of depth over there even Blake Wilson can’t get a permanent starting role. We jumped through hoops for him and couldn’t even sang him by offering him guthos fullback position. It sounds like they have a lot of options. Wilson is a walk up start for us and is stuck in cup at the dogs. They have significant depth over there in just about every position besides props and quality half backs. Where’s we have elite halves, good forwards, weak on NRL experienced backs options.