Josh Hannay has spoken for the first time about the Eels coaching job.Credit:Getty
“In and around that there’s some young talent with Blaize[Talagi],J’Maine Hopgood is on the fringes of Origin,some strong outside backs.
“From the outside looking in,there’s a lot of parts to that roster that do look appealing.”
Hannay has had stints as an interim head coach at the Sharks and the Cowboys,as well as traditional assistant roles,including currently being Billy Slater’s right-hand man for the Maroons.
Des Hasler had also earmarked Hannay as his successor at Manly,only for the premiership-winning coach to be sacked in favour of Anthony Seibold.
“The one thing Des did,and I would like to think Parramatta will be the same in their search for a coach,is Des did his homework,” he said.
“He spoke to people I had worked with and alongside to help him form that opinion;that opinion didn’t come from nowhere.
“I’d like to think Parramatta will go down a similar path with their search for a head coach.”
Hannay is contracted to the Sharks until the end of 2026,although head coach Craig Fitzgibbon wouldn’t stand in his way if a top job presented itself. Asked if he was ready to become a head coach,Hannay said:“Do you truly know if you’re ready until you sit in the chair?
“I feel like,given the path I have taken,I couldn’t be more ready. The big question would be,if Parramatta is interested,if they do their due diligence and homework,that question would be answered for them. They wouldn’t have to answer it.”
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Meanwhile,Barrett said he was better for his previous experiences as a former Canterbury and Manly head coach.
“Plenty,certainly a hell of a lot from the previous jobs,and I’ve certainly learnt a lot since I’ve been here for the past 18 months,” Barrett said.
“There’s bits and pieces you pick up and things I would certainly do different. I’m excited about the challenge for the rest of the year.”