The Parramatta Eels may have just found their next big superstar — and his name is Lorenzo Talataina.
As contract talks swirl around Jonah Pezet’s anticipated one-year deal with the Eels, insiders at CommBank Stadium believe they already hold the ultimate trump card for the club’s long-term future in the form of their homegrown teenage sensation.
Reports suggest that Melbourne Storm’s Pezet is set to link up with Parramatta for the 2026 NRL season, offering short-term stability alongside star playmaker Mitchell Moses before moving to the Brisbane Broncos the following year. While the arrangement might appear temporary, the Eels’ coaching staff — led by Jason Ryles — view it as an ideal bridge for developing Talataina into the club’s next generational half.
At just 18 years old, Talataina has already earned widespread praise after being named the 2025 SG Ball Cup Player of the Year, following a blistering campaign that showcased his elite footwork, composure under pressure, and game-breaking speed. Described by scouts as a “natural ball-runner with a touch of flair,” the young playmaker has quickly become one of the most exciting prospects to emerge from Parramatta’s junior system in years.
Having also featured in eight reserve grade matches, where he crossed for two tries and impressed with his fearless attacking instincts, Talataina is now set for an accelerated development pathway. His recently extended and upgraded contract will keep him at the club until the end of 2028, with structured progression through the Eels’ development list in 2026 and 2027, before joining the NRL top 30 squad in 2028.
Eels’ General Manager of Football expressed the club’s pride in nurturing such talent:
“It’s incredibly exciting to retain homegrown talent like Lorenzo, who has come through our Eels pathways system,” he said. “He’s got match-winning capabilities, incredible speed and skill, and we’re proud of the way he’s developed both as a player and a young man.”
With the Eels in a period of rebuilding and repositioning for future dominance, Talataina’s emergence provides a beacon of optimism. His potential partnership with Moses — or eventually stepping into the primary playmaking role himself — could define Parramatta’s next era of success.
As fans eagerly await the outcome of the Pezet deal, one thing is certain: the Eels’ future looks bright, and Lorenzo Talataina might just be the ace up their sleeve that changes everything.
