‘It’s more difficult keeping local players now’: Eels junior glory days under threat before SG Ball decider

Parramatta is one of rugby league’s top breeding grounds, but ahead of Saturday’s SG Ball decider pathways director Nathan Brown says talent retention is getting harder. Here’s why.

Parramatta Eels SG Ball 2023, NSWRL junior reps.

With more junior reps silverware than any other club, Parramatta has the chance to enhance its reputation as rugby league’s premier breeding ground when its SG Ball side faces Newcastle in Saturday’s decider at Leichhardt Oval.

After finishing the regular rounds in fourth spot with the worst defensive record of all six finalists, the Eels have staged a remarkable turnaround. In conceding only one try last week, the Eels advanced to the grand final after ending the season of minor premiers Canberra.

For elite pathways coaching director and former NRL coach Nathan Brown, the transformation comes as no surprise.

Nathan Brown, Parramatta’s Elite Pathways Coaching Director. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

“James Shepherd, the head of elite pathways and coach Steve O’Dea have done a terrific job. On the field the boys have improved their ball control and that has allowed half Ethan Sanders to kick to better positions on the field,” said Brown.

With a mix of talent led by skipper Charlie Guymer and fellow Junior Blues including Sanders, Sam Tuivaiti and speedster Blaize Talagi, the Eels’ surge also reflects maturing bonds and a strengthening brick wall defence.

“They’re a decent young group of kids, five or six trained with the NRL side in the pre-season and a lot of the boys have been together over the past few years and certainly seem to enjoy each other's company,” Brown said of the Eels’ strong camaraderie.

(L-R) Ethan Sanders, Charlie Guymer and Blaize Talagi will be key to Parramatta’s title chances.

This weekend against competition leading try scorers Fletcher Sharpe and Ethan Ferguson, the Knights will pose another unique challenge.

“Sharpe is a very good support player, he’s got the Ryan Papenhuyzen hairstyle and he plays a lot like him too,” said Brown of the imposing fullback.

“He's fast and turns up in good spots. And Ferguson’s obviously very talented, but it’s not just those two, the Knights have a number of strong ball carriers that can beat people.

Newcastle’s Fletcher Sharpe shows his class.

While Brown says the club would be wrapped with a 14th title, he also acknowledged the bigger picture.

“Everyone wants to win on grand final day,” he said. “It gives a great memory but ultimately the club and head coach want to know if there’s talent that are going to develop into first graders.

“Both clubs have got some genuine first grade potential running around this weekend, so long as they make the right sacrifices and choices away from the field to give themselves a good shot.”

And on continued success in the junior space, Brown didn’t shy away from the immediate challenges confronting the pathways team.

“Parramatta has a big junior base and has been very successful. But with a lot more player agents these days it’s more difficult keeping local players.

“So there are challenges now to keep the younger players because of how transient the business is.”

For a closer look at league’s next generation of stars, the four match program gets underway at Leichhardt Oval from 12:45pm on Saturday, with the SG Ball decider kicking off at 2:30pm.