The Mole exclusive; Wests Tigers facing battle to retain Tallyn Da Silva

The besieged Tigers are facing a new nightmare with several clubs, headed by the Eels showing interest in talented young hooker Tallyn Da Silva.

In the week in which the club lost brilliant playmaker Lachlan Galvin to the Bulldogs, the battle to retain Da Silva is of critical importance.

The problem is that Da Silva knows he has the quality to be a starting NRL hooker – but can’t achieve that goal at the Tigers, with veteran Api Koroisau is still playing great football for the club, is the team captain and is currently negotiating a new deal.

READ MORE: Dally M leaderboard paints grim picture for Queensland

READ MORE: ‘Friendliest’ Origin build-up spells disaster for Maroons

READ MORE: Stepson of AFL champion among mid-season draft hopefuls

Parramatta have struggled for a class hooker since losing Reed Mahoney to the Bulldogs in 2022 and Da Silva would be a great addition to their ranks.

Da Silva’s manager Mario Tartak confirmed to Wide World of Sports that five rival clubs have expressed interest in the classy hooker.

“Tallyn loves the Tigers – this isn’t a Lachlan Galvin-type situation,” Tartak emphasised.

“We can’t talk to clubs at this stage but five have told me that if Tallyn goes to the marketplace, they are keen.

Watch the 2025 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.

“It’s up to the Tigers to decide what they want to do but if Api stays, chances are Tallyn will have to go.”

North Queensland could also use a good dummy-half after losing State of Origin star Reece Robson to the Roosters.

LEAGUE GREAT’S FIERY TEMPER

There’s a former Test and State of Origin forward who is trying to do the right thing by the game by giving back to grass roots footy.

He’s playing in his local junior league and his experience is helping a lot of up-and-comers, but he has also created some angst by being sin binned three weeks in a row and teammates aren’t happy about being left a man short at crucial stages of matches.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

I won’t name and shame him because he is basically trying to do a good thing.

The guy was a fine player in his day but always had a short fuse – and appears to be getting crankier in his old age.

GOLD COAST STAR DEALT BIG SETBACK

Talented NRLW back-rower Rilee Jorgensen won’t play at all for the Titans this season after delicate back surgery late last year.

Jorgensen – who stands out with her strong running and pink headgear – was hoping to make a return before the end of this year’s season.

But the Titans have decided to err on the side of caution and have told Jorgensen to spend the year in the gym, ensuring she has no further problems and can return fighting fit in time for the 2026 campaign.

KNIGHTS SPEEDSTER IN DEMAND

A host of clubs are chasing boom Knights fullback Connor Votano.

Votano joined the Knights full-time squad this year but is finding it hard to get a start behind Kayln Ponga and now Fletcher Sharpe, who had a blinder against premiers Penrith last weekend.

The 19-year-old from Gosford is held in high esteem by the Knights, having won the Kurt Gidley Award for the Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year in 2023 and playing for NSW under 19s against Queensland last year.

Votano is signed with the Knights until the end of 2026 but two rival clubs have told me he is set to change colours well before that.