The Mole: Teen 'superstar' the reason Tigers agreed to let Tallyn Da Silva walk away
The Tigers are quietly confident that Tallyn Da Silva's departure to the Eels won't come back to bite them.
Why? Because they have faith that they have a genuine superstar hooker coming through the ranks in local junior and Australian Schoolboy captain Jared Haywood.
The 18-year-old isn't quite ready for the hustle and bustle of life in the NRL just yet but has been elevated to the NSW Cup to play against grown men.
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By next season, he could be on the verge of NRL selection and he is a very special talent.
The trick now is keeping him away from the club's nemesis, controversial player manager Isaac Moses, and getting him on a long-term deal without any get-out clauses.
Tallyn Da Silva in action for Wests Tigers. Getty
PNG LEGEND TIPPED FOR COACH JOB
Senior figures in the PNG NRL 2028 franchise want Kumul legend Adrian Lam to coach the club when it enters the big league.
Former Souths coach Jason Demetriou and the ageless Wayne Bennett are favourites for the job, but Lam is gaining plenty of grass roots support.
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Officials feel having a national hero - which Lam is in the league-crazy country - would give the club a great start to life in the NRL.
Arguably the most famous PNG player of all time, Lam had a fine career with the Roosters, Wigan, Queensland and the Kumuls.
After retirement, he transitioned into coaching and was Mal Meninga's right hand man with the Australian team for several years.
Leigh Leopards manager Adrian Lam celebrates after the Betfred Super League. PA Images via Getty Images
He was PNG national coach from 2006 to 2009 before a dispute with officials saw him stand down.
Since then he has coached in Super League, achieving some fine results with north Wigan and Leigh Leopards.
TUSSLE OVER BEACH SPRINT CHAMP
The Raiders have beaten a host of clubs to sign a Queensland beach sprint champion.
Bailen Noy, a tall, powerhouse 17-year-old, has been playing for Wynnum in the Cyril Connell Cup this season and attracting plenty of attention.
So much so that he was inundated with offers and decided the Raiders would be the best fit.
The speedy youngster has signed a three-year deal with the Green Machine and will move down to the ACT to build up over the summer as he starts his journey towards the NRL.
The wing/centre is managed by former dual international Mat Rogers who is confident he has a future star on his hands.
'UNTOUCHABLE' RECRUIT LETTING TEAM DOWN
Which player who changed clubs this year has disappointed his new team with his attitude to training and match preparation?
The player concerned has stacked on the kilos, is taking short cuts during the week and isn't producing his best on weekends as a result.
But he is getting away with his poor attitude and is regarded as 'untouchable' within the ranks.
Why? Because he is a distant relative of the head coach.
