Some girthy changes could be coming to the NRL in 2026. The rules and competition committee have slapped a quartet of proposed changes on the table and now handed it over to the clubs and RLPA to now come to a consensus. The Tip Sheet explores the four theoretical rules changes and how it could quite literally change the game for the Eels.
Christmas has come and gone but it was the Dragons who played the role of Grinch after they snuck in and stole the signing of Keaon Koloamatangi away from the Rabbitohs and Eels. Sixties and Forty20 look at how Parra were pipped at the very end and what the club does now.
Catch the stream from 7:30PM!
We bloody hell need to sign outside backs now , otherwise we r trouble, this is frustrating, I’m over the we are the club that’s likes to keep signings private what crap!!!!
Calm down, the club is perfectly aware of what they need. Get a life.
Listened to your podcast boys, great job. Now, on to my views on the rule changes. Just a couple of queries.
1. The team scored against choice to kick off or receive. I go back to the Parra v Saints game in ’24. We led by 44 to 4 mid second half, Saints made a great comeback to get to within 4 points at the end. If this new rule was in back then, there is no chance in hell Saints would have got within 20pts because we would have elected to receive the ball which in turn halts Saints momentum. How many games last season did teams make second half comebacks even being up to 20pts behind. It just takes the momentum away.
2. My second query revolves around the 6 player bench. I think it would be a near certainty that Joash and Samrami will be the 18th and 19th players. What happens if a player like Moses has to leave the field for a HIA, the natural replacement would be Joash. Moses passes his HIA and returns to the field, does that mean that Joash automatically become one of the 4 bench players which inturn we lose one of our original 14 to 17. I like the idea of the 6 man bench, but it could be detrimental to your planned interchange as well.
1) They tried the try scorer kicks off rule in SL on 97 and it didn’t work. What ended up happening was that teams who conceded a try often turned the ball over from the kick off and were immediately under the pump. It resulted in just as many blowouts. The NFL use this rule because offensive possessions can last for up to ten minutes, that is not n issue in RL. It’s an unneeded rule change, and eventually teams will figure out the best way to use the rule and it will no longer be the “tactical innovation” PVL and Abdo envisage.
2) I’ve long believed we should have an extended bench ala soccer. I think it’s the best way to develop young playmakers for the future in today’s environment. It’s not just for cover for injuries, but if you’re in a blowout game, winning or losing, you can take off your starting playmakers and bring on the young fella for the last 20 minutes and give him valuable minutes. They could still play Cup footy and air in the bench. I’m not worried about bench rotations, most teams only really 3 or sometimes even two bench players for most of thw 80 minutes and like to leave at least one benchie fresh for the last 20 minutes if they can. Bottom line, the game needs to develop more depth in quality playmakers, this rule will help.
Brett, I extended my thoughts beyond just playmakers. I think that option of gaining experience extends to all on the cusp of a debut or early in their career.
Why would keon give up 1.1 million dollars to sign with Parramatta. League life is limited and most players would have taken the longer deal.
If he’d signed a shorter deal, there’s no chance he’d receive a 1.1 million extension at turning 33. The dragons deal is flawed imo
I agree. You look at Jason Taumololo his 10 year deal was crazy. I think that the 4 year deal the Eels offered was on the edge of reasonableness.
Forwards are statistically the most injured players on the field. I think we just move on and look for the next best option. We have a lot of players coming off contract in 2026. It should not be hard to secure some good signings.
I agree Chief. Once they upped the years and the coin, it would have been a full on bidding war to get him. The extra year was one thing. An extra year with more coin and a ratchet clause starts to get into the no go zone
My first thought is that the new rules would benefit parramatta.
I like our bench depth and we have a nice selection of good forwards who offer something different
We also may have an extra half in the bench (Volkman or Joash) plus as spare fullback in Joash too if Iongi goes down.
I also think our style doesn’t rely on having big forwards like BA days to front load and get in front or have possession advantages to win.
We could probably adapt to this style easier since our team is pretty fit and mobile, with a mix now of X factor back rowers and a lot of youth through the team, who usually adapt the quickest to new rules, etc.
Thoughts?
I agree Muz. I think it suits Parra very well
It’s a shame to miss out on Koloamtangi, his numbers in the middle were elite tier right up alongside Hass.
We now know we have this money that we can spend. And we need to spend it on outside backs. There are quite a few who are available for 2027. Kelly as has been mentioned, Averillo who is rumoured to be going over to Super League, Will Warbrick, Jonathan Sua, Phillip Sami, Tyrell Sloan. Of the past 4/5 seasons we have started the new year with question marks over our backs whether it be starters, depth or both. We could probably pick up 2 or 3 of those players for how much we were set to spend on Koloamtangi. If we can pick up 2-3 backs alongside some Flegg players pushing up we’re in a far better position with regards to backs.
Missing KK is disappointing, more so because it would be good to see the Recruitment team succeed rather than fulfil the common narrative that they are not competent. That said, I think the young crop of props, Tuivati, Brown and Talagi are genuinely exciting and I’d much rather be producing our own Nathaniel Whyte than paying a million for the last four years of someone’s career. I wonder, as well, if KK was to be our forward leader then wouldn’t we want someone more motivated by the badge than the dollar.
Paulo is our Bob O’Reilly and we just need to give him the support to take our young tyros to their first major win. I know it may not be popular but I think Jack Williams is the man to lend that support and keep the Eels heart and passion going.
I am more concerned for Moses, I feel like he needs a partner in crime, someone else who has his fight and competitiveness and is also a peer. He had that with Gutho and I thought Lomax would provide that kinship, but it seems Lomax is more about pushing himself than fighting for the team. Who in the backline is ready to be that real partner, to play at origin level and die for the badge with MM? Is that JAC – is that enough?
They’ve decided to go youth in the spine, so, maybe a widened centre is the way to go… a modern day equivalent of Jamie Lyons, is there a mick Cronin equivalent, god I wish.
Sorry mate for me Jamie Lyons doesn’t exist. Sorry but agree about everything else
Tanky, you’re the best. Jamie who???
Almost forgiveable, almost then he signed with Manly. Forever forgotten.
Haha
There is an obvious reason why there is criticism on the recruitment team. Since losing the 6/7 players at the end of 2022, there has not been adequate replacements, we were fortunate to get a coaching reset which has been a massive help. However, there is a reactive look to recruitment rather than proactive, and the roster has been short backs even when Lomax was on board, losing our only rep level signing and back by releasing him, no question it was the right thing , but the cupboard remains bare. We shouldn’t be targeting more projects/reserve graders .
For a club the size of the Eels , it’s an embarrassment in failing to secure elite players, anyway we can hope there is a fair bit happening but can’t be confident when they trumpet signings like Murchie, Momoseia, etc. Does anyone think any other club aiming for the finals would have Tago and Alemeddine close to the only back ups, or pushing Samrami into the backline, he was moved onto the edge for a reason surely.
The roster was and is lopsided, and until we see action comparable to clubs like Roosters, Dogs and even Raiders and Sharks who at least go for it, we will remain a mid table team. Awful for the reach and size the Eels have.
New Years wish is simply sign some decent backs.
Well said mate
Agreed – it’s putrid planning and recruitment. Centres and wingers have been a weakness for years and years and we largely continue to grab players from the scrap heap. Ryles was a big positive but the recruitment is akin to a bottom 2 club. Year on year we see good players leave and players of lesser quality brought in. At some point we need to get serious about winning the comp because there is no indication this club is deadset on winning comps. It’s simply looking for a decent finish to spin to fans. The gf appearance where we didn’t turn up at all was a bonus that had everyone patting the sled on the back except for Moses (according to a few Parra players in interviews). Anyway, the short point is that having BF to rely on Samrani, nanva, and Richie peninisini is diabolical roster planning when we just let go an international and soo winger. Missing out on KK adds insult to injury. Good player development needs to be supplemented by sharp recurrent t and we just lack the people in those positions to get recruitment done right imo
The narrative we miss all good players is also really annoying RE Keon.
Why can’t we give props to our club getting Iongi, Papalii, Williams, Fox, De Silva, profiting Ryley smith, or getting Pezet (regardless if it’s one year) it makes us more competitive until the next halves rise in experience.
St George paid overs for Keon considering his age, it’s a risky deal due to his deal length & age.
We’ve already had players get on long contracts with us who were elite and dramatically under performed or just lost their hunger.
If we signed Keon and he didn’t continue to be Elite for years in a row, or got a few bad injuries or a slump in form…
All of the eels doomers would have blamed MON & Ryles saying “see, we can only get good players if we pay overs or give them too long contracts.”
We’ve honestly been just flat out lucky Paulo has lost weight and had a career resurgence – he was a flat out bench forward only a few seasons ago, NONODY expected him to be like he had been in 2025.
Keon will be what 32 when his deal is up? If it’s a 5 year deal at saints..
I’m a fan of Keon. Hopefully he has a good 5 years for saints. He is NSW blue – who could wish bad things for him.
But I’m personally of the belief the eels will already be hunting for the Pezet replacement (or another Moses back up) and watching the market closely, incase no other Eels are truly ready for the #6 & #7 duties in 2027.
Ryles is a Bellamy cadet. Craig’s philosophy on why he’s been successful is that it’s been so important that they’ve had such a strong spine, he admitted they’ve been “lucky there” a humble way to say his had an elite spine virtually every season.
Jason Ryles in my view isn’t stupid and you’re seen how he’s stacked out dummy half position with ultimately two of the top tier up coming hookers in the whole NRL.
We do need Snr forwards who can fill Paulos shoes.. I agree.
But for me Jason Ryles is a spine first investment coach who understands you can’t win a comp in this game with a poor spine.
I think his priorities are locking down our best spine players, then buying another elite (or quality) half for 2027 post Pezet.. none of our back up halves are proper game organising halves good enough to keep us top 4 competitive.
Jason did a rebuild for 2025 and now he isn’t desperate or needing to sign loads of players. You could argue retaining our new stars is actually more important.
I know our R & R needs work. But I trust Jason Ryles. Look at his players who joined eels under him, or got promoted under him at parra.
I trust that he will have us strong, and won’t be risking butchering our salary cap long term just to win bidding wars.
BTW, no clubs in today’s market are buying premierships anymore by winning bidding wars.
The meta of the game is clubs winning it are mostly building their own players, having very experienced spine & forwards, and surrounding themselves with youth & inter club developed jnrs.
If winning bidding wars or just buying the best players won you comps in today’s Meta of the game – Roosters would still be dominating and wining premierships.
The Eels will not win a comp the comp trying to buy up players like the Roosters or bulldogs do.
Our only chance is to do it like Jason Ryles is doing. If Roosters can’t buy premierships anymore – what chance do the Eels have of doing that way?
Spot on Muz, they do forget the players Ryles signed, not one of them has been a dud. Keon will be turning 29 early in his first year with Saints, I’m glad we didn’t get him, imo, he is overrated.
Mick we obviously don’t have the pull an 3rd party deals roosters, Dogs, bulldogs, Storm have
But credit where it’s due – we did a clean out and rebuild for 2025
Result? Zero dud players signed
And we signed a LOT of different players, some who had little (to no) experience
And promoted internally – all winners / successful experiments giving them first grade opportunities
Beggars can’t be choosers – we ultimately have amongst the best young Hookers, fullbacks, and young forwards in our ranks
I’d rather we retained our best talent and continue building like we are
We DO NOT have the 3rd party shady deals like the dogs, roosters, broncos, etc to win over best talent on open market
Our best strategy is to continue doing what Jason Ryles is doing – focus on youth + mix them with experienced vets
Muz, the Dragons flew KK in by helicopter to help seal the deal. Where did Parra go wrong? They should have put KK on a plane and dropped him off mid air along with MON with a contract and got him sign it on the way down. If he refused then we cut parachute strings.
The principle? If we can’t have why should another team. It’s a new style of signing elite players and I have a feeling it might just work.
Thanks for the podcast fellas, and enjoyable listen as always.
Happy New Year to you both and all the TCT crew. I’ll be scanning the Castle Hill RSL socials for images of sixties moving to some old Countdown songs!
More seriously a few comments:
Rule changes – I think we always need to look at these in the context of how will coaches use these to their advantage. I remember when Matt Elliott was a regular on ABC radio. Any time someone called in with a suggested rule change he would straight away say “as a coach this is how I would exploit that rule”, didn’t even have to think. He would then say all coaches look to break rules to their advantage. Nothing new there I know but I would suggest that is probably the best way to analyse new rule suggestions.
Keon – disappointed we missed out. But enough here have made the case for looking elsewhere in terms of positions for the club. While I understand you chaps aren’t journos I wonder if an open question to MON is worthwhile (please forgive if you did this I haven’t had the chance to listen to the interview with him yet). Something along the lines of “there is a lot of criticism of you and recruitment for missing out on big name players and having a roster out of whack, how would you respond to those critics”? Again, apologies if you did something similar.
Young players coming through – I do hope the current crop of players consistently mentioned are able to realise the potential everyone seems to mention. As we know many don’t. As said they don’t have to become superstars but good consistent quality first graders who earn their spot.
Happy New Year to everyone again and I look forward to all the TCT content in 2026.
I don’t give a damn about missing out on KK, hopefully one or two of Brown, Ryder and big Sam might become very good young props and this helps us keep them.
My wish list with the cash we have is to extend Dylan Walker for another 2 years, (his last 3 games of the year when we beat warriors, Roosters and knights and he started all those 3 games he was outstanding and set those games up)
Sign Tyrell Sloan (wing, centre and back Ryles to make him tougher)
Sign Jaxon Purdue for centre or five eight
Pay overs for Purdue to get him and Sloan will not cost too much
Actually if extending Dyl Walker meant we lost Charlie G I would have to re think that one.
I think Charlie can be our long term ball playing lock.
I think Samrani could make a fist of being a winger.
His hit ups would be very strong in the back end and he is as big as Lomax and sivo and would not be much or any slower than Sivo was.
I could see him scoring those close range try’s as Sivo did so well.
Sorry Tony but I disagree. Samrani is not half the player lomax or even sign was. He’s too slow laterally for centre and, has limited experience on wing (plus slow in any event with a huge turning circle). The fact we even are contemplating Samrani as starting in first grade or driest cab off rank tells me we aren’t serious about doing the best we can. It’s a monumental drop off going from lomax to Samrani in the backline but it’s typical of the failures in recruitment we have seen for many years. As someone above said: tolu koula , Sloan, Murray tualagi or Jason Purdue are all must better (or we go for a red hot young rookie winger from another club as raiders have done well over the years). We need to stop overrating our depth in backline as it’s piss weak in backline (not forwards)
I think Lomax was terrible last season from the soo series onwards.
His defensive reads were all over the place and he did not catch a Moses bomb.
I never said Samrani would be better than Lomax at his best but never underestimate what good coaching can do for a player.
He is a big unit and is not scared to run hard, you never know.
Look I’m not going to cry over KK – there is more to come in a year or so I feel.
As for the rule changes – gee they can mess our game up.
You can’t paper crack over poor defence / lack of concentration etc.
Winners kick if this occurs is like kids footy. Teams will work it out and go from there and the better teams will have strategy here to accommodate it. PVL and co have lost me with this and tbh they lost me a while back.
Extra bench players is sensible.
But no doubt the refs will still be avg
Losing a prop forward to a club prepared to pay him a million bucks a season at age 34 is just the way things go. I’m relieved that we didn’t try to match that offer. We’ll see the development of some elite talent at prop through 26, assuming that the players involved can get opportunities in Cup. We are strong in current ability and potential in the halves and at full back. Hopefully Miller Steven, Penisini, one of two others develop through the year in the three quarters.
Gold Coast bulletin are reporting today that Brian Kelly has signed with parra but didn’t mention length of contract