“I LEFT UNFINISHED BUSINESS HERE AT PARRAMATTA EELS” – BLAIZE TALAGI TO RETURN IN 2027 AFTER COMPLETING PENRITH PANTHERS STINT
SYDNEY – 6 January 2026 – Parramatta Eels junior product Blaize Talagi has confirmed he will return to his former club at the end of the 2026 season, signing a long-term contract to rejoin the Blue and Gold after completing his final campaign with the Penrith Panthers. The 23-year-old centre and five-eighth spoke passionately of his desire to “finish what he started” at Parramatta, where he launched his NRL career before moving to the reigning premiers in 2025.
Talagi made the announcement at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium, alongside Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos and Panthers general manager of football Matt Cameron. “Parramatta is where I grew up playing footy – this is my home club, and when I left last year, I always knew I wanted to come back and help deliver success to the fans who supported me from day one,” Talagi said. “I’ve learned so much in my time with the Panthers and I’m fully committed to giving them everything I have in 2026. But my heart has always been with the Eels, and I’m determined to see through the vision we started building when I made my debut here.”
The young talent burst onto the NRL scene with Parramatta in 2024, making his debut in Round 3 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs where he scored a try in a memorable win. Across 19 games that season, Talagi found the try line 11 times and showcased remarkable versatility, slotting seamlessly into fullback, wing, centre and five-eighth positions as the team navigated a challenging campaign. His standout performances earned him the Eels’ Rookie of the Year award, establishing him as one of the competition’s most promising young talents despite the club’s struggles on the ladder.
Seeking further development opportunities, Talagi joined the Penrith Panthers ahead of the 2025 season – a move that accelerated his rise to elite status. He quickly became a regular starter, cementing his place as the club’s first-choice five-eighth and playing 22 NRL games, registering 11 try assists and forming a dangerous combination with Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary. His consistent form earned him selection for Toa Samoa’s Pacific Championships squad, where he made his international debut and played a key role in the team’s run to the tournament final, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the game.
Penrith Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary praised Talagi’s contribution to the club and his professionalism ahead of his final season. “Blaize has been an incredible addition to our squad – he’s adapted quickly, worked tirelessly on his game, and become an important part of our team culture,” Cleary said. “We’re excited to have him with us for 2026, and we’ll be supporting him to achieve his goals both at club and international level this season.”
Parramatta Eels head coach Brad Arthur welcomed Talagi’s return, highlighting the value of his experience and versatility. “Blaize was a special talent when he left us, and he’s now proven himself as a top-tier NRL player and international representative,” Arthur said. “His ability to play multiple positions and create opportunities for his teammates will be a huge asset to our squad. We’ll be cheering him on with the Panthers this year, knowing he’ll be ready to make a significant impact when he returns to Parramatta in 2027.”
Talagi will remain with the Penrith Panthers for the entirety of the 2026 NRL season, with his contract at Parramatta set to commence in November 2026 ahead of pre-season preparations for the 2027 campaign.”I LEFT UNFINISHED BUSINESS HERE AT PARRAMATTA EELS” – BLAIZE TALAGI TO RETURN IN 2027 AFTER COMPLETING PENRITH PANTHERS STINT
SYDNEY – 6 January 2026 – Parramatta Eels junior product Blaize Talagi has confirmed he will return to his former club at the end of the 2026 season, signing a long-term contract to rejoin the Blue and Gold after completing his final campaign with the Penrith Panthers. The 23-year-old centre and five-eighth spoke passionately of his desire to “finish what he started” at Parramatta, where he launched his NRL career before moving to the reigning premiers in 2025.
Talagi made the announcement at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium, alongside Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos and Panthers general manager of football Matt Cameron. “Parramatta is where I grew up playing footy – this is my home club, and when I left last year, I always knew I wanted to come back and help deliver success to the fans who supported me from day one,” Talagi said. “I’ve learned so much in my time with the Panthers and I’m fully committed to giving them everything I have in 2026. But my heart has always been with the Eels, and I’m determined to see through the vision we started building when I made my debut here.”
The young talent burst onto the NRL scene with Parramatta in 2024, making his debut in Round 3 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs where he scored a try in a memorable win. Across 19 games that season, Talagi found the try line 11 times and showcased remarkable versatility, slotting seamlessly into fullback, wing, centre and five-eighth positions as the team navigated a challenging campaign. His standout performances earned him the Eels’ Rookie of the Year award, establishing him as one of the competition’s most promising young talents despite the club’s struggles on the ladder.
Talagi departed the Eels in 2025 after exercising a player option in his contract to seek new opportunities, with reports from The Roar, ESPN and Nine highlighting his desire to play alongside star halfback Nathan Cleary at Penrith. The move also brought to light contract structure issues and management concerns at Parramatta, which the club has since addressed through a comprehensive review of its player retention and recruitment strategies.
Since joining the Panthers, Talagi has accelerated his rise to elite status. He quickly became a regular starter, cementing his place as the club’s first-choice five-eighth and playing 22 NRL games, registering 11 try assists and forming a dangerous combination with Cleary. His consistent form earned him selection for Toa Samoa’s Pacific Championships squad, where he made his international debut and played a key role in the team’s run to the tournament final, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the game.
Penrith Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary praised Talagi’s contribution to the club and his professionalism ahead of his final season. “Blaize has been an incredible addition to our squad – he’s adapted quickly, worked tirelessly on his game, and become an important part of our team culture,” Cleary said. “We’re excited to have him with us for 2026, and we’ll be supporting him to achieve his goals both at club and international level this season.”
Parramatta Eels head coach Brad Arthur welcomed Talagi’s return, highlighting the club’s progress since his departure. “Blaize was a special talent when he left us, and he’s now proven himself as a top-tier NRL player and international representative,” Arthur said. “We’ve made significant changes to how we manage our playing group and contracts, and we’re confident we can provide the environment he needs to thrive. We’ll be cheering him on with the Panthers this year, knowing he’ll be ready to make a significant impact when he returns to Parramatta in 2027.”
Talagi will remain with the Penrith Panthers for the entirety of the 2026 NRL season, with his contract at Parramatta set to commence in November 2026 ahead of pre-season preparations for the 2027 campaign.
