Shane Flanagan and the St George Illawarra Dragons are confident they can sell Blaize Talagi on a move to Wollongong as they prepare to meet the Parramatta Eel young gun armed with a family signing offer.
While the Dolphins are still in the hot seat right now, the Dragons’ offer to sign Blaize alongside his younger brother Ryda may be enough to turn the 19-year-old’s head.
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The Sporting Base has heard Talagi quite liked the Redcliffe sales pitch when he quietly spoke to the Dolphins, but being able to train and potentially play alongside his younger brother would be tempting for the rising star. That, combined with a clearer path into NRL stability, may be the turning point Flanagan needs in the signing battle.
If he likes the Dragons offer, he could join the Red V as soon as the 2025 NRL season.
#NRL whispers 🔴⚪🐉 Blaize Talagi and his family are meeting @NRL_Dragons officials this week. #RedV sales package includes also signing Talagi’s little brother Ryda
Jason Ryles expected to meet with 19yo rookie this week to “sell his vision for the Eels” too
(via @SMHsport) pic.twitter.com/PNJhdcJAIK
— The Sporting Base – NRL (@BaseNrl) July 15, 2024
The Dragons will face staunch resistance from Talagi’s home court though, with incoming Parramatta Eels head coach Jason Ryles also preparing to sit down with the in-demand youngster as soon as this weekend. While Ryles is still technically working for the Melbourne Storm, he’s been making preparations to lead the blue and gold.
The biggest pain point for him right now lies in the backs, with the first emerging challenges being retaining Talagi and selling new signing Zac Lomax on his vision for the future of the Eels.
Whether the older Talagi eventually picks Parramatta or leaves to join the Dolphins, Dragons, or even outside contenders the Knights—who have yet to formally offer the 19-year-old anything solid—it’s understood the Red V powerbrokers will still try and sign Ryda Talagi. He’s several years younger but is quickly proving himself, playing prop in the 2024 Australian Schoolboys squad.
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The senior Talagi brother has been red-hot in the NRL since debuting and has scored at least once in his last seven games for the Eels. He’s played in several roles, including on the wing and in the halves.
