Promising Juniors Thread.

[TheRev]

Hard to know what Hayden looks like in 1-2yrs if he's patient, he looks like a footballer, and if he was a fullback I'd say he's a good enough size. But as a centre he's probably not thicc enough, and as a winger he's not rly tall or thicc enough..

He's sort of stuck between positions, there are always exceptions though, who would have thought fuller or kini could make it in the nrl.. And the fox made it as a small winger.. Its possible but u need some sick footwork /linebreak potential to make up for what ur lacking in size... I dont think he has that, but he's rly solid, maybe he could replace Val in 2028..but its hard to keep players in reserves for that long.. Not impossible but definitely a tough road.

Apart from heidke, noone else bar feagai for 2026 is looking like a centre prospect, even lyric is on the wing now, I'm not an afu fan, brumble is having a hard enough time on the wing.. Lawson also probably wing.. Its not good.. Burton played ctr the other week and looked good, but he's like 16ish, and I think he's a fullback most likely. Not a lot of outside backs in our system.. Unless we go external, or we r srs about turning Nick into a talakai style centre.
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[jodragon40]

Hard to know what Hayden looks like in 1-2yrs if he's patient, he looks like a footballer, and if he was a fullback I'd say he's a good enough size. But as a centre he's probably not thicc enough, and as a winger he's not rly tall or thicc enough..

He's sort of stuck between positions, there are always exceptions though, who would have thought fuller or kini could make it in the nrl.. And the fox made it as a small winger.. Its possible but u need some sick footwork /linebreak potential to make up for what ur lacking in size... I dont think he has that, but he's rly solid, maybe he could replace Val in 2028..but its hard to keep players in reserves for that long.. Not impossible but definitely a tough road.

Apart from heidke, noone else bar feagai for 2026 is looking like a centre prospect, even lyric is on the wing now, I'm not an afu fan, brumble is having a hard enough time on the wing.. Lawson also probably wing.. Its not good.. Burton played ctr the other week and looked good, but he's like 16ish, and I think he's a fullback most likely. Not a lot of outside backs in our system.. Unless we go external, or we r srs about turning Nick into a talakai style centre.
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It would appear that the club is heading in that direction with Nick T obviously because of our lack of depth

 

[Eric]

Hard to know what Hayden looks like in 1-2yrs if he's patient, he looks like a footballer, and if he was a fullback I'd say he's a good enough size. But as a centre he's probably not thicc enough, and as a winger he's not rly tall or thicc enough..

He's sort of stuck between positions, there are always exceptions though, who would have thought fuller or kini could make it in the nrl.. And the fox made it as a small winger.. Its possible but u need some sick footwork /linebreak potential to make up for what ur lacking in size... I dont think he has that, but he's rly solid, maybe he could replace Val in 2028..but its hard to keep players in reserves for that long.. Not impossible but definitely a tough road.

Apart from heidke, noone else bar feagai for 2026 is looking like a centre prospect, even lyric is on the wing now, I'm not an afu fan, brumble is having a hard enough time on the wing.. Lawson also probably wing.. Its not good.. Burton played ctr the other week and looked good, but he's like 16ish, and I think he's a fullback most likely. Not a lot of outside backs in our system.. Unless we go external, or we r srs about turning Nick into a talakai style centre.
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He's built a bit like Brian T'oo. Not as big but probably will be in another year.

 

[Mug Fan]

Jake got given the game ball from Josh Jackson for Player of the Match.

 

[redv13]

Jake got given the game ball from Josh Jackson for Player of the Match.

Well deserved, he played well

 

[jodragon40]

Jake got given the game ball from Josh Jackson for Player of the Match.

Has a good engine in him

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Just work on his tackling technique

Put him under the tutilage of Jack.

 

[Mug Fan]

Jake H is going to need a bigger Trophy room.
Last night he won the Blacktown City Sports person of the year award.

 

[jodragon40]

Jake H is going to need a bigger Trophy room.
Last night he won the Blacktown City Sports person of the year award.

Keep his feet firmly planted on the ground please. Can we possibly keep the majority of our up and coming stars from 2027 on?

Couchman x 2
Halangahu
Nick T
LPT
LKT
H Stewart
Egan

Then you have Lui, Reed, Cyrus, Buchanan, the Rumbles .

Big ask

 

[Mug Fan]

Keep his feet firmly planted on the ground please.

Jake and Cyrus were at the games yesterday, they didn't have to be after being given time off.
His feet are on the ground after flying back from Qld.

 

[jodragon40]

Jake and Cyrus were at the games yesterday, they didn't have to be after being given time off.
His feet are on the ground after flying back from Qld.

Now that in itself shows me that we have turned our poor culture at the club around. Even before BBQgate saga we had a bad reputation of ill discipline and having cliques .

I would say 2019 - 2023 were the darkest days so much in fighting and lack of direction. Even though there is the father and son issue going on at the moment I feel generally we have been building a better culture at the club.

Well I hope so.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Heard him speak in an interview after the origin 19’s game when asked if he’ll play this season in first grade

His response was class - basically said he’s got a lot of things to work on and the coaches will know when he’s ready to go

ELITE mentality from a superb young player

Also it’s off topic a bit and late as well but listened to the SEN interview Jake did with Joel and Fletch
I CANNOT stand when media members/people in general practically bay for young players to go elsewhere if the club their at is struggling

I counted 3 times during that interview they referenced leaving to go to Perth or one of the ‘top’ clubs

It’s absolute rubbish and something I hate, doesn’t just happen with our club either

 

[Mug Fan]

Also it’s off topic a bit and late as well but listened to the SEN interview Jake did with Joel and Fletch
I CANNOT stand when media members/people in general practically bay for young players to go elsewhere if the club their at is struggling

I counted 3 times during that interview they referenced leaving to go to Perth or one of the ‘top’ clubs

It’s absolute rubbish and something I hate, doesn’t just happen with our club either

Under broadcast agreements clubs have to make players available for post match and TV show interviews for Fox and Nine, not sure what radio is involved.

It's a no win situation for struggling clubs with loaded questions fired at them.
Then dumb fans run with it.

 

[TheRev]

I know Jacob says all the right things, but I was really hoping for a nice long slow boring year in Flegg (or Cup), felt like he was getting sugar hits every few weeks all last year with all the rep games he kept getting picked for, and thats nothing like what nrl football is.. its brutally hard.. its a long grind.. and were gonna lose more than we win without any trophies along the way... but hes earnt his origin spot and the accolades I guess, though I thought there was lots of good players on thursday, but Jacob always seems to get the M.O.M. accolades.. maybe stood out more with his size, and noone really took the game on from the blues side when I think about it, if one of Woods or Rodwells many runs had come off, they probably would have gotten it, but they had a 0% strike-rate really.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Just work on his tackling technique

After watching the full game am changing my view on Jake. Nothing wrong with his technique, (tho not quite up to Jacks standard) plus he pulled off one or two important tackles. Moves well laterally for a big dude. Still maintain his future lies in the middle and he has captaincy cred.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Buchanan did what was expected. Not have much ball to be honest to make any sort of impact. Was impressed by Stanley-Traills contribution. Figured he was older than he is.

 

[jodragon40]

After watching the full game am changing my view on Jake. Nothing wrong with his technique, (tho not quite up to Jacks standard) plus he pulled off one or two important tackles. Moves well laterally for a big dude. Still maintain his future lies in the middle and he has captaincy cred.

To my eye there is but everyone is entitled to their views. My advice, and you can take it or leave it is, perhaps to watch some other games not just one. Just my views

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

My advice, and you can take it or leave it is, perhaps to watch some other games not just one.

I am usually on the same age with you sir but have to call you out over this odd request. I watch plenty of our games, three every week. 4 with the U19s. So not sure what you are driving at. I have had a change of view with Jake past few weeks and specially after U19s as he is now more involved in A and D and showing his full range of skills, even an offload.

I know if we are to have any future it lies in our juniors and we are blessed to have a good crop with hi promise. But is their pathway going to be a tuff one due to our our coaches obsession with only playing his imports over superior home based players. Willie Talau must have some disgruntled footy players under his charge.

 

[jodragon40]

I watch plenty of our games, three every week. 4 with the U19s. Not sure what you are driving at sir.

I am saying when he goes low he tends to mistime some of his tackles and misses and this is not a 1 off thing. Needs attention in my view.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Jasais Ah Kee a good chance of returning to Penrith after 2026