BigTime wrote:
I wonder if Albert is fully fit. Doesn’t seem to be playing many minutes. Parata also seems a little quieter. Then there are the kids. We sign them on one year, two year contracts but if they don’t get any game time how do they develop? Unfortunately we are too vulnerable to play the kids though so it’s catch 22. Additionally Skolars seem to have grown their squad so not automatic they can go there. This is Howarth’s second season and I don’t think he’s played yet and your point on Horsman in an earlier post was a good one. This is his 3rd season now he will need to push on. The sad part is that if we don’t renew contracts 90% appear lost to the game.
Maybe we're just holding them back a little, off the back of a long season and World Cup? I'm not too worried at the minute, but if we get another month down the line and it's the same, then I'll start getting concerned. Not sure I was completely sold on Parata at 13 against Batley, but there isn't really anyone else we can put in there currently that can do big minutes. Just more issues our late/disjointed recruitment has caused us I feel.
Good point on Skolars, article in todays League Express said this years squad (30) is the biggest they've had. Signed a couple of young Australians who look like they could be decent prospects and upgraded one or two from their own academy. If the heralded investment is forthcoming, that pretty much ties us off in terms of sending youngsters you feel.
I wonder what the rules are regarding younger players playing for Conference South Clubs? I.e. could we make players available to play for Wests or Chargers or the like and give them a chance to develop outside of Academy/Reserve Grade?
