Re: Our youth system, does it hold us back? : Fri Jul 04, 2014 8:05 am  

jonh wrote:

Did Maguire rely on youth? He brought 3 world class players with him.

And those three were only here due to the salary cap issues at Melbourne otherwise we would have had no chance of getting them.

The club is financialy stable, we have won a lot more trophies in the last few years than in a long time, we have some fantastic young players in the squad and the club will sign player when needed - things look pretty good at present.

Of course there will be issues - players not developing as hoped, players wanting to leave for various reasons (including players being unhappy at contract offers, lack of game time etc) but that happens.

Looking at payers who have left over recent seasons most have either left after contracts expired (such as Richards), retirements (Deacon, Coley, Carmont etc) some for more money and a small number to play in union/aus - the actual number who have left for the latter reasons is quite small in reality.

Our youth system has given us a lot of talented players - I am pretty sure most other SL clubs would love to have the problems we have!!

Re: Our youth system, does it hold us back? : Fri Jul 04, 2014 8:32 am  

I think it is about getting the balance right. The youth system is without doubt a great benefit to the club. I think it is important not to be over reliant on it as bringing in selected antipodeans and more experienced players from other clubs is a benefit too.

I'm very happy with what IL has done so far however the recent rumours of Burgess and Sutton give me cause for concern. If a player has given good service to the club and repaid the clubs investment in him I have no problem with him wanting a new challenge. The two I mentioned haven't done that yet and should he held to their contracts.

Re: Our youth system, does it hold us back? : Fri Jul 04, 2014 8:48 am  

Eastbourne Warrior wrote:

I think it is about getting the balance right. The youth system is without doubt a great benefit to the club. I think it is important not to be over reliant on it as bringing in selected antipodeans and more experienced players from other clubs is a benefit too.

I'm very happy with what IL has done so far however the recent rumours of Burgess and Sutton give me cause for concern. If a player has given good service to the club and repaid the clubs investment in him I have no problem with him wanting a new challenge. The two I mentioned haven't done that yet and should he held to their contracts.

Exactly. Losing Tomkins and Mossop for example is understandable if you then use that cash to keep your most promising youngsters and build for the future. I'd have expected new long term deals to be signed by the likes of Burgess and Hampshire by now tbh.

If we start to get our best youngsters picked off on top of having some of our best players picked off you get left with too many of the lads who sit in between in the bracket of 'decent players'. They won't win you trophies unfortunately so we need to be careful.

Re: Our youth system, does it hold us back? : Fri Jul 04, 2014 8:59 am  

Yeh totally holds us back, 5 trophies in the last 4 years

Terrible

Re: Our youth system, does it hold us back? : Fri Jul 04, 2014 9:29 am  

no

Re: Our youth system, does it hold us back? : Fri Jul 04, 2014 10:00 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

Exactly. Losing Tomkins and Mossop for example is understandable if you then use that cash to keep your most promising youngsters and build for the future. I'd have expected new long term deals to be signed by the likes of Burgess and Hampshire by now tbh.

If we start to get our best youngsters picked off on top of having some of our best players picked off you get left with too many of the lads who sit in between in the bracket of 'decent players'. They won't win you trophies unfortunately so we need to be careful.

This

[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

Re: Our youth system, does it hold us back? : Fri Jul 04, 2014 10:58 am  

jonh wrote:

Did Maguire rely on youth?

As has already been stated, under him some of our talented younger players cemented first team places.

jonh wrote:

He brought 3 world class players with him.

No he didn't.

They only arrived in his 2nd season. Our view of what constitutes a world class player and a good player is obviously very different.

Re: Our youth system, does it hold us back? : Fri Jul 04, 2014 11:09 am  

We had a better season in 2010 under Maguire before we brought in Finch, Hoffman and Lima. I think we underachieved somewhat in 2011, yes it was great to get the win at Wembley and end our CC drought, but the effort it took to get there was a complete detriment to how we performed at the business end of the SL season.

Re: Our youth system, does it hold us back? : Fri Jul 04, 2014 11:23 am  

Id say that Hoffman was pretty close to world class but no t'other 2

Re: Our youth system, does it hold us back? : Fri Jul 04, 2014 11:41 am  

Hoffman is the current unsung hero of the NSW team imo. He's definitely a top draw player but there's still a few ahead of him as well.

In regards to the OP I really can't decide. On the one hand you how can a system that produces so much talent ever be a hindrance?

Then on the other hand if a insular approach is taken you can miss out on other talented lads.

I will say two things however:

1- I'd hate to see a day come where we close up shop and don't go for the big names. I'm 100% sure that some of our fans would like this but for me watching guys like Inga, Offiah, Renouf, Lam, Dallas, Hoffma, Piggy etc is an equal part of what makes our club great.

2- I don't think playeys should be developed in our first team. Players, outside of injuries, should only appear in the senior side when they are 100% ready. I don't want to see guys finding thier feet at this level in the side. They should be sent on loan to get that experience like Charnley was. The WRLFC first team should a place for the best of the best.