Tallyn Da Silva says leaving Wests Tigers “was the best thing” for his career as he settles in at Parramatta on a lucrative deal until the end of 2029.
The deadline day transfter has allowed him to begin training with the Eels immediately and line up in Jason Ryles’ rebuilding team next week against Penrith.
Da Silva was considered a leading part of the next generation of talent the Tigers were building themselves around, alongside Lachlan Galvin.
But he has now followed his close childhood friend out the door, after being stuck behind Api Koroisau at dummy-half.
“I’ve already been behind [Koroisau] for three years. I think if it was an extra two or three it would hinder my development and ability to make a name for myself,” the Campbelltown junior told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Leaving the club was the best thing. An opportunity has arisen and I’ve taken it with both hands. I’m happy to be there.”
Jason Ryles. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)
Da Silva’s move to Parramatta gives the Eels a genuine talent at No.9, after they have struggled to find a top-tier replacement for Reed Mahoney since his exit after 2022.
Koroisau is off contract at the end of next year, but the Tigers have decided to prioritise keeping the 32-year-old over Da Silva.
The younger rake said he and his management team were honest and up front with the Tigers throughout the negotiations.
“We sat with them many times and said we wanted to stay, but at the end of the day if you choose to go with Api then we will have to look elsewhere for my development to become a football player,” he told the SMH.
The Knights were the initial frontrunners for his services with Manly and the Cowboys also in the race but the former Westfield Sports High School student chose to remain in Western Sydney.
Meninga sets sights on Preston
Canterbury forward Jacob Preston is Mal Meninga’s top priority for the Perth Bears with the second-rower’s days as a North Sydney junior making him the perfect marquee name for the expansion franchise to build around.
Meninga is keen to begin negotiations with the 23-year-old fringe NSW representative after he was looking to hand him a Kangaroos debut at the end of last year before he was unavailable due to injury.
Preston played in the North Sydney juniors before linking with Canterbury where he has made every post a winner in 48 appearances since his debut in 2023.
Jacob Preston celebrates Canterbury’s win over Cronulla. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Complicating the pursuit of Preston is the fact that he is under contract until the end of 2027, which is the Bears’ first year in the NRL, so the Bulldogs would have to release him early if Meninga is to get his wish of having him on board, potentially as captain, when Perth enter the competition.
“He’s certainly on my radar, no doubt,” Meninga told NewsCorp. “He is a great player. I’m a fan of Jacob and being a Norths junior doubles our interest.
“We are starting fresh but to have that Bears’ DNA is a bonus. If he becomes available, why wouldn’t we be in the market for him?”
with AAP
