I think the quota cap is a different discussion. The cap isn’t increasing as it stands.
The change we may see from this is less nrl players coming at the tail end of their career for a pay day or past their prime but in place of that some talent that’s early 20’s who could be coming into their prime. That’s not a bad thing imo.
Most of the players come at the end of their careers are proven quality players. Most bring something to the comp.
I’ve no issue with those signings.
Bringing the young lads who are not getting a look in into the NRL (if they were they wouldn’t be coming) isn’t the way to go for me.
I appreciate it doesn’t increase the quota but it will increase significantly the numbers of players of lower quality.
As a club we have an excellent youth structure and we need to trust the process.
Should we get in to SL there is no relegation for 3 years, no need to panic buy players without genuine proven quality potentially blocking the pathways of young English players. I am aware we will have a depth chart of players in all positions across all development stages from scholarship to first team and if we stay true to that which I’m sure we will then I guess it could help us short term.
Looking at the bigger picture I’m of the opinion the quota is too high anyway. I appreciate we cannot just chop numbers but I would like to see us work towards a reduction of 5 within the next 4 years and then 3 within the decade.
I do believe it’s a short term approach if clubs jump on this.
I’ve no issue with good Aussies coming over and and players who can genuinely bring quality to these shores but can’t say I’m a fan of making it easier to bring players over.
No relegation for 3 years? Where do you get that from?
No relegation for 3 years? Where do you get that from?
See above…don’t actually know where I got that from but having read up it’s not the case, potentially a throw back to the franchise days in my head, but I am incorrect it’s an annual grading.
Most of the players come at the end of their careers are proven quality players. Most bring something to the comp.
I’ve no issue with those signings.
Bringing the young lads who are not getting a look in into the NRL (if they were they wouldn’t be coming) isn’t the way to go for me.
I appreciate it doesn’t increase the quota but it will increase significantly the numbers of players of lower quality.
Think you're missing the point of this change in the rules, the RFL have actually approached the government because the UK is being priced out of the "quality NRL players" so are only picking up the last payday guys, if these younger players were getting regular NRL games, they also would demand a high price, that the UK clubs can't afford, therefore opening up the talent pot by removing the criteria for 1st grade/international appearances allows good decent young talent that could be used in the UK/Europe competitions makes sense. However I do agree on your previous point that the quota numbers need to be reduce, down to 5 ASAP and as low as 3 makes sense. Also I agree with Manuel's point, Trinity should be spending more time with local community clubs developing talent there as early as U8/9's and YJARL need to stop allowing teams to just pop up out of nowhere using some random facilities, just because there's been a fall out at there old club. Teams like Crigg, Easmoor, Stanley and Normaton spend £1000's a year to run their clubs and have done for a number of years. Stop all these phoenix clubs appearing and invest longterm not short term fix's.
See above…don’t actually know where I got that from but having read up it’s not the case, potentially a throw back to the franchise days in my head, but I am incorrect it’s an annual grading.
Think you're missing the point of this change in the rules, the RFL have actually approached the government because the UK is being priced out of the "quality NRL players" so are only picking up the last payday guys, if these younger players were getting regular NRL games, they also would demand a high price, that the UK clubs can't afford, therefore opening up the talent pot by removing the criteria for 1st grade/international appearances allows good decent young talent that could be used in the UK/Europe competitions makes sense. However I do agree on your previous point that the quota numbers need to be reduce, down to 5 ASAP and as low as 3 makes sense. Also I agree with Manuel's point, Trinity should be spending more time with local community clubs developing talent there as early as U8/9's and YJARL need to stop allowing teams to just pop up out of nowhere using some random facilities, just because there's been a fall out at there old club. Teams like Crigg, Easmoor, Stanley and Normaton spend £1000's a year to run their clubs and have done for a number of years. Stop all these phoenix clubs appearing and invest longterm not short term fix's.
To me pricing out of NRL players isn’t a bad thing.
We are still going to pick up players like Fifita, French, Field, Croft, Hastings, Arona, Etc, we are just increasing the instances of lower quality player coming over. Players who are on the fringes of NRL will generally meet the criteria to come over they will have had a crack and not quite made it.
To me increasing the pool (effectively lowering the standard of it also) simply puts up more barriers for the developing English players.
I’ve no doubt there will be some gems over there playing at that level, but I’m also sure there will be some gems already playing the game who if they get a chance will rise to the occasion.
For me the biggest difference between the players is athletic ability. The environments in which they are coached and investment in that area in Australia is superior.
This to me gives us another excuse not to focus on investing in that area at all levels because why would we when we can just dig into the overseas market.
At some point we have to grasp the nettle to grow the sport in this country, I personally think the way to do that is through international success.
That’s not going to happen quickly however this move in my opinion is another step away from achieving this.
To me pricing out of NRL players isn’t a bad thing.
We are still going to pick up players like Fifita, French, Field, Croft, Hastings, Arona, Etc,.
The point is, we're not. What "new" players of this calibre have come in the SLE in the last 24months
The standard is being lowered because of the calibre/age of the players that are now "affordable and available".
Bringing in new young blood QC players is sensible as long as we don't flood the field with them, hence my agreement with your point in lowering the quota numbers
I don't really agree with either point. Lowering the quota won't give us better quality imports, nor will it increase the quality of home grown players.
Neither will limiting or increasing the player pool.
I'm happy they are letting us bring more in. The sad fact is many players playing in these leagues are good enough for Super League.
I've never bought into 'holding back a young players development' If they can't shift an average aussie, they aren't good enough......yet
The issue is still with the short term view of the clubs. You shouldn't have to put restrictions in place to get a club to develop their youth. They should be doing that anyway. But that's why we now need IMG.
I'd rather incentivise development than restrict the imports if we are going to do something.
The point is, we're not. What "new" players of this calibre have come in the SLE in the last 24months
The standard is being lowered because of the calibre/age of the players that are now "affordable and available".
Bringing in new young blood QC players is sensible as long as we don't flood the field with them, hence my agreement with your point in lowering the quota numbers
Jayden Nikorima, Bailey Sironen, Tom Deakin, Jack Murchie, Adam Clune, Herman Ese’ese, Jayden Okunbor, Franklin Pele, Manu Brown, Peta Hiku, Tyrone May, Lackie Miller, Matt Frawley, Paul Momirovski, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Rodrick Tai, Zane Musgrove.
All lads who are coming over due to bring fringe NRL players.
I think most of them will have more NRL pedigree under their belt than most of the lads I mentioned in the original post (most not all as Croft had a few years as a starting half).
There are plenty of others too who have been on the cusp on NRL but not quite made the step up.
My issue/concern is bringing over lads who are not even in the conversation for NRL but they will get fast tracked over our own developing players.
Last edited by jonh on Thu Jan 04, 2024 3:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.