Promising Juniors Thread.

[Edward]

o The point I was trying to illustrate is that virtually none of the 2019 side have kicked on (sloan a maybe), thats how the pyramid works.. the NRL is the most elite of the elite of the elite.... so if we get 2-3 of this 2024 SG squad into regular 1st grade... that would be a huge boon for us.. the rest of our short to medium term squad improvements will be coming from external.

o Aaron Schoupp btw has played 54 first grade games, thats more than the average nrl player plays.. so its far from a complete failure.. but he has never been able to hold a 1st grade position... despite opportunities @ the Dogs, GCoast and Manly.

Amone still might come good. If he manages to stay out of jail.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

so if we get 2-3 of this 2024 SG squad into regular 1st grade.

Fair point. If we hold onto them I see Finau L, Loko Jr, Jake and Jesse as certs, with TPH, Afu, Te Moananui, Ackers, Hutchinson good possibilities.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

RFM has had a few good games.

Yes he has, but dont think he has the engine to play full or big mins week in week out. Take note when watching, he tends to drift in and out of a game, similar to BMM under Griffin.

 

[Edward]

Fair point. If we hold onto them I see Finau L, Loko Jr, Jake and Jesse as certs, with TPH, Afu, Te Moananui, Hutchinson good possibilities.

The winger, I think his name is Williams, might be the No.1 certainty. I guess there is but I haven't seen a weakness in his game.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

I guess there is but I haven't seen a weakness in his game.

I have. He can be found out in defense on occasions. But he is still a kid and that is fixable. A toss up between Finau Latu and Loko Jr for my #1 pick.

 

[TheRev]

I'm a Williams absolute fanboy, but a few games in flegg and he only seems to pop up for 1 or 2 moments a game currently.. id rly like to see him go looking for the ball.. supporting the forwards too... he should be a real standout at this level.

Again absolute no guarantee any of them kick on.. but id atleast like to see Williams get 12mths in NSW Cup at some stage soon, and see if he keeps growing.. raw speed & acceleration puts his potential so much higher than your average back... we need to give him every chance for success.

 

[Edward]

I'm a Williams absolute fanboy, but a few games in flegg and he only seems to pop up for 1 or 2 moments a game currently.. id rly like to see him go looking for the ball.. supporting the forwards too... he should be a real standout at this level.

Again absolute no guarantee any of them kick on.. but id atleast like to see Williams get 12mths in NSW Cup at some stage soon, and see if he keeps growing.. raw speed & acceleration puts his potential so much higher than your average back... we need to give him every chance for success.

I only saw him in SG Ball. In it, he had all the skills of a very serious winger. Give him a bit of time to adjust to the older age group.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

RFM has had a few good games. Last week he was very good. A few weeks ago as well. Can't remember the game but I remember he played well. Also in the first round against Gold Coast he surprised me.

All his good games have been when he was on the edge, he is not a middle.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

I was thinking about this the other day.. as excited as I am about our Dragons and Steelers SG squads this year.. we are 5 years on from the 2019 Steelers SG premiership.. we should be swimming in star 1st graders.. yet.. that has certainly not been the case..

The well known members of the 2019 winning squad were:
Stewart, Sloan, Schoupp, Feagai(s), Amone, Sullivan, Muhleissen, Coric, Shereb, Herring

Now some of those went on to play some first grade.. none of them bar 'maybe' Sloan are looking like longterm first graders.. maybe we could have converted 1 or 2 more if our club was in better shape in terms of developing talent.. but it is a great example of how few make it through from U19 to the top grade, they cap out on skill or endurance, or their deficiencies wont fly against elite competition (this was stewarts downfall.. I was sure he'd be the one).

I am still hopeful about the 2024 Crews.. but this roster management (first grade and development) is a permanently moving malleable piece of absolute bl**dy artistry.... its why we are in the position we are in.. it was not maintained or prioritised over the last 5 years or so.

This was a good team not so much a team full of good players.
Covid amd miss management stuff them up.
If they were brought through together we could of had a better result.
Staying together Flegg 20-21 Cup 21-22 23 FG 23-24 would of seen a stronger unit.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

No bother putting this in the Kangaroo thread.
This has to be the most perfect first half of footy I have seen. Was by an Aussie Schoolboy side that toured the Old dart 5 years ago, unbeknown to me.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

All his good games have been when he was on the edge, he is not a middle.

Not in same class as Luch whose spot Flanagan wont return to him.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

the NRL is the most elite of the elite of the elite

Yes, a point emphasized by this Aussie Schoolboy side in the above vid. Other than Stephen Crichton, Dearden, Madden, Best, Pele and Nui, no idea whether the other 11 made NRL level.

 

[Eric]

Yes, a point emphasized by this Aussie Schoolboy side in the above vid. Other than Stephen Crichton, Dearden, Best, Pele and Nui, no idea whether the other 12 made NRL level.

Feagai's were both Aus schoolboys, weren't they?

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Feagai's were both Aus schoolboys, weren't they?

If they were, they are not on this tour.

 

[Morgan]

Next year I hope.

I get the feeling that out of him, LPT and Latu, Latu might be the best of the lot in NRL.

Seems the least likely to be affected too much when he's not so big compared to the opposition.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

Next year I hope.

I get the feeling that out of him, LPT and Latu, Latu might be the best of the lot in NRL.

Latu is my pick to make it first. He is making light work of Flegg.
Haven't seen last week's stats but week before was impressive.
156m in 40min
Hamish 164 in 70
Webster 116 in 47
Laughton 95 in 58
Hutchinson 21 in 15

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

156m in 40min

Blowed if I can find Flegg stats. You have a link?
Finau's PCM must be enormous too.

 

[Chris M]

Latu is my pick to make it first. He is making light work of Flegg.
Haven't seen last week's stats but week before was impressive.
156m in 40min
Hamish 164 in 70
Webster 116 in 47
Laughton 95 in 58
Hutchinson 21 in 15

I hadn't seen the stats but watching him, I got the impression he's the best of them. And I rate all very highly.

 

[Edward]

Not in same class as Luch whose spot Flanagan wont return to him.

I agree Luch is a better backrower but there is something said for bringing him on against tiring defence.

 

[TheRev]

Latu is my pick to make it first. He is making light work of Flegg.
Haven't seen last week's stats but week before was impressive.
156m in 40min
Hamish 164 in 70
Webster 116 in 47
Laughton 95 in 58
Hutchinson 21 in 15

Its a rly good call.. when a player can quickly come in and dominate a grade-up, its a bluddy good sign they can move up again quickly..

I keep thinking about Talagi (eels) and Tamale (saints), 19yr olds, Talagi deadset steps 1st graders at will.. Tamale @19 is easily big and strong enough to play first grade.. its more just he wasnt our priority.... so early.. most of our 19yr olds are just finding their way in Flegg or maybe barely coping in NSW Cup.. crazy how some kids seem to sail through.