Player overlooked by Panthers floated as Tallyn Da Silva's replacement at Tigers

Yahoo

15 hours ago

The Wests Tigers have upgraded the contract of 18-year-old hooker Jared Haywood, and it goes some way to explaining why the club was comfortable letting Tallyn Da Silva walk. Da Silva has made an immediate switch to Parramatta, leaving Tigers fans fuming that the club would let another highly-rated youngster leave.
Da Silva and Lachie Galvin were though to be the future for the Tigers, but are now at the Eels and Bulldogs respectively. The Tigers have opted to prioritise veteran hooker Api Koroisau, and are on the cusp of agreeing to a contract extension with the 32-year-old.
It meant Da Silva didn't have much of an immediate future at Concord, but will get much more playing time at Parramatta. Tigers fans have been left fuming over the decision to let the 20-year-old Da Silva walk, with many questioning what the plan is for when Koroisau retires.
And a key move this week appears to answer that question. The Tigers have upgraded the contract of 18-year-old prodigy Haywood - believed to be one of the best young hookers in the game - and given him an NRL deal until the end of 2028.
The teenager will join the Tigers' top-30 roster from 2027, and could find himself as the club's long-term No.9. He's been on a train-and-trial deal with the Tigers this season, which was recently changed to become a full-time one.
📣 The Wests Tigers have upgraded the contract of 18-year-old Jared Haywood — one of the best young dummy-halves in the game.▪️ Overlooked by Penrith at Harold Matts trials▪️ Now locked in until the end of 2028▪️ Joins Tigers Top 30 in 2027▪️ Captained SG Ball side▪️… pic.twitter.com/oa332vNk7h
— NRLCentral (@centralNRL) July 2, 2025
Hayward was captain of Balmain's SG Ball Cup side (Under-19s), and won the NRL schoolboys grand final with Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown. He also earned selection in the Australian Schoolboys squad in 2024.
Interestingly, Haywood tried out for the Penrith Panthers' Harold Matthews side (Under-17s), but was overlooked. Whether it comes back to haunt the Panthers remains to be seen.
RELATED:
Roosters and Rabbitohs premiership winner reportedly set to retire
Calls for NRL rule change after Wayne Bennett hit with brutal ban
Haywood played in the pre-season challenge with the Tigers earlier this year, and impressed a number of first-grade players. "He's trained with us a few times and he's a really exciting prospect," Alex Twal told .
"First and foremost, he's a really respectful kid and I think any kid that is sort of building off a foundation of being a good kid, they've got a long career ahead of them. I'm looking forward to taking him under my wing and showing him what it takes to be an NRL player week in, week out."
As for Da Silva, Tigers captain Jarome Luai admits he can understand why the 20-year-old jumped ship to the Eels. Tigers officials agreed they were happy to allow the youngster to look at rival clubs if they re-signed Koroisau, and they eventually decided to let him make a mid-season switch before June 30.
"It's a bit disappointing for the club and us as a playing group," Luai said. "We see the potential he has and the biggest thing for him was more opportunity.
"It's understandable for a guy that is behind Api. It's a tricky one. Everyone is entitled to that opinion, what they want and what they are chasing. All the best to him. I think he will get more opportunity at Parramatta anyway. He's going to be a very good player for a very long time."