Penrith are poised to secure Blaize Talagi after the young Parramatta player informed Eels management that he will decline their offer to remain at the club in 2025.
Talagi’s decision represents a significant setback for Jason Ryles, who is set to take over as coach, as the young talent has opted not to stay for Ryles’ inaugural season.
Instead, according to AAP sources, Penrith’s arch-rivals are set to capitalize on Talagi’s choice, with only administrative formalities remaining before finalizing the deal with the Panthers.
Talagi’s anticipated move to Penrith represents a significant boost for the club, especially following the mid-season departure of centre Taylan May. With the impending exits of winger Sunia Turuva and five-eighth Jarome Luai to the Wests Tigers in 2025, Talagi is expected to fill a similar salary cap position as May while offering versatility in both centre and five-eighth roles.
This development is a considerable setback for the Eels, who made substantial efforts to retain Talagi after his debut with the club in March. Despite Parramatta’s efforts, Talagi opted not to take up the option to remain with the Eels for the upcoming season. His departure comes at a time when Jason Ryles, formerly an assistant coach at Melbourne, has recently begun planning for his new coaching role at Parramatta.
The pitches made to Blaize Talagi and his agent Isaac Moses included enticing proposals such as the potential to play fullback in the future, along with a lucrative and long-term contract. Despite these offers from Parramatta, Talagi has decided to join their fierce rivals, Penrith.
This move compounds Parramatta’s loss of two promising young talents within a year, including teenage half Ethan Sanders heading to Canberra in 2024. Additionally, hooker Matt Arthur, part of their emerging spine, is exploring options after his father Brad’s departure as coach.
For Parramatta, this means adjusting to a future without Talagi, with only three players currently secured under contract for 2026 and beyond. CEO Jim Sarantinos expressed disappointment but acknowledged the club’s efforts to secure Talagi’s long-term commitment.
While Talagi had also attracted interest from St George Illawarra and Newcastle recently, Penrith’s appeal as three-time premiers likely played a significant role in his decision. His impending signing with Penrith marks a rare acquisition for the club during their championship-winning era, following the addition of Isaiah Papali’i from Wests Tigers for the upcoming season.
Panthers second-rower Liam Martin expressed enthusiasm about the potential addition of Talagi to the team, highlighting the excitement surrounding his possible arrival.
“It’s the first I’ve heard of it … but he is a massive talent and an exciting prospect.”
This statement likely refers to the news about Blaize Talagi potentially joining Penrith, emphasizing his talent and the excitement surrounding his potential arrival.
Meanwhile, Penrith are also dealing with internal issues as star winger Brian To’o reportedly feels unsettled at the club. The Panthers intend to hold discussions with To’o and his management in the upcoming days, though this situation is understood to be separate from Talagi’s potential signing.
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