Reserve Grade : Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:14 am
Sam Tomkins has tweeted, "I think it’s criminal that a reserve grade isn’t compulsory at every SL club. This article is worth a read for anyone wondering why it is so important. Nothing in reserve - why rugby league could lose generation of talented players". Most players back reserve football. (Not sure I can put link on but its in the Daily (when you look and see yourself back in).
Fans favourite Arona is now 29 but he didn't make his first team NRL DEBUT till 22! Dean Hadley is 25 hasn't been given his proper chance with Hull until this season.
Kirmo was given his SL DEBUT at 22 & farmed out on loan to us at 25!
Justin Horo 31, didn't make his first grade DEBUT till 23 years old!
Our star player Fiffita didn't make his first grade DEBUT till 25! It's easy to forget how old these players were on debut or when they got their chance. Obviously not deemed good enough at 21, 22, 23+ but now rocking the show!
Too many youngsters with potential are going to be lost unless clubs realise players take a while to mature like the above named players and keep faith. Theres no point in having a pathway at clubs through Scholarship, U19s if they then get bombed for ready made costly seniors.
Our SL clubs fringe youngsters in the game are on peanuts compared to the NRL boys.
I have watched a few reserve games earlier this year and really enjoyed it. Hopefully the comp gets going and youngsters throughout the game can flourish.