After the reports of Jonah Pezet's bombshell career decision - where he intends to sign with the Eels for one season before moving on to the Broncos long-term - Parramatta fans have been left to ponder what powerbrokers at the club are planning for the five-eighth role going forward.
However, Jason Ryles and his staff have an ace up their sleeve in rising gun Lorenzo Talataina, who could become the perfect complement to superstar halfback Mitchell Moses as a ball-running half.
If the Pezet deal gets across the line, the Storm playmaker will give the Eels an opportunity to make a genuine premiership push in 2026 and let Talataina develop in New South Wales Cup before graduating into the first grade side.
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Who is Lorenzo Talataina?
Talataina is a teenage sensation rising through the Eels' junior pathways and looks to be a long-term prospect for the club.
A ball-running half, Talataina was named the SG Ball Cup player of the year in 2025 after a stellar season in blue and gold.
He also got a taste of reserve grade this past season, where he crossed for two tries in his eight appearances.
Off the back of that breakout campaign, Parramatta extended and upgraded his contract until the end of the 2028 season.
The way the deal is structured, Talataina will join the club's development list in 2026 and 2027, before landing in the top 30 in 2028.
After the deal was signed, Eels general manager of football spoke to the club's designs on Talataina being a significant part of their future.
"It’s incredibly exciting to retain homegrown talent like Lorenzo, who has come through our Eels pathways system," he said.
"Lorenzo has match winning capabilities with his speed and skill and has worked hard on his game.
"We are proud of the way he has developed, both as a player and a young man, and look forward with great anticipation for the years ahead."