“The whole way myself, my management and my family handled the situation, we were nothing but honest with the club,” Da Silva said.
“We sat with them many times and said we wanted to stay, but at the end of the day if you choose to go with Api then we will have to look elsewhere for my development to become a football player.
The Tigers decided to prioritise the re-signing of veteran hooker and club captain Api Koroisau.Credit: NRL Photos
“I’m very grateful to the club for understanding that and taking it on board. The way myself, my family and management have gone about it, it was only fair … there are no hard feelings there at all.
“I’m pretty confident in my skill and I’m backing myself to prove I can be a full 80-minute starting hooker at some stage.
“I’ve played 22 games, a lot of them have been off the bench off the back of Api. Once I get the opportunity, I feel I can prove myself and show that I can be that player.”
Da Silva had no shortage of suitors. Manly, Newcastle and North Queensland were all keen on his signature, but the pitch from Parramatta coach Jason Ryles and assistant Nathan Brown convinced him the Eels were the best fit.
“I think it’s good to have all that noise finally stop, all the contract drama,” the Westfield Sports High School product said after reporting to Eels duty for the first time on Tuesday.
“I’m very privileged, it’s a good opportunity for me to take this. I’m very proud to put the colours on, I haven’t even put the jersey on, but it’s a rich club. I’m very happy to be there.
“I never saw myself playing for them, but as you get older that [Tigers-Eels rivalry] just goes out the window. You forget about that rivalry when you were younger, and now I’m just very proud to be a part of it all now.”
Loading
Da Silva said he appreciated the chance to learn his craft under Koroisau.
“He’s such a good person,” Da Silva said. “He took time out of a few training sessions to teach me a few things. I think for the first three years, I couldn’t have asked for anyone else to develop under.”
The Eels have the bye next week, with Da Silva hoping to make his club debut the following round against Penrith.
“I’d love to, that’s my goal, to play NRL every week,” he said. “If I’m lucky enough to put on that Eels jersey next week, I’d be stoked. Obviously I’m still new there, still learning all their systems and getting used to all the boys, but I’ll put my best foot forward to be chosen in that team next week.”
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.
