Why Talagi's inevitable departure to Penrith spells crisis for Parramatta

Young and emerging superstar Blaize Talagi has confirmed that he will leave the Parramatta Eels at the end of the 2024 season and will reportedly join the Penrith Panthers from the 2025 season and beyond.

The 19-year-old made his debut in Round 2 in a 28-24 win over Manly and has played regular first grade games this season in the centres and has even spent time at five-eighth, fullback and on the wing.

After a lean season with the club and his services being in high-demand across the competition, Talagi informed the Eels on Wednesday of his desire to pursue other opportunities.

The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis told SEN that a deal between the Panthers and Talagi’s management had been completed and both parties are waiting to formally announce the signing.

“The Parramatta Eels put in a great offer for Blaize and had promised him that he’d be their starting fullback,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“Blaize has decided to go to Penrith and he will be on a three-year deal.

“The reason Penrith can’t announce anything yet is that Parramatta haven’t waived off the 10-day cooling off period.

“Penrith won’t be able to say it’s a done deal until after that 10 day cooling off period.”

It is another massive blow for the Eels whose 2024 season goes from bad to worse. After sacking coach Brad Arthur midway through the season, Parramatta have only won a single match and are in a race to avoid the wooden spoon with perennial strugglers in the Wests Tigers.

Additionally, the departures of young stars Ethan Sanders and Matt Arthur are serious causes for concern to Parramatta fans according to Carayannis.

“Talagi is a Parramatta boy through and through,” Carayannis added.

“He has a brother at the club and he came through the pathways.

“Arthur, Sanders and Blaize were meant to be the start of the rejuvenation of the Parramatta nursery which had been neglected for quite a while.

“With Blaize leaving, it’s like manly losing the Trbojevic brothers because they have come through the Manly system and have their roots firmly in there. That’s what the Talagi family is (for Parramatta).

“It’s a big, big blow for Parramatta.”

SEN’s Andrew Voss believes that the alarm bells should be ringing internally at Parramatta.

“It’s a crisis if you can’t hold on to your young players,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“How do they make this place look attractive again? What message does it send that Blaize Talagi is leaving the club?

“For me, it’s a full blown crisis at Parramatta.”

The Eels travel to Auckland to take on the Warriors on Friday night. Talagi has been named in the centres.