Harold Matt's made second week of finals
SG Ball making GF (going undefeated in regular season)
2nd in Jersey flegg
Top 4 in NSW Cup
Looks like forwards and halves are deep while outside backs is thin
Our pack looks of the future great Sam Tuivati, Will Latu, Jeziah Fanu, Demascus Neemia, Tony Matale, Ryda Talagi.
Lorenzo Tailatana (SG ball player of the year), Twiddle, Hunt, Lincoln's Fletcher, Lachlan Cokknias.
Obviously not all of them will be stars but haven't seen this amount of talent in a while.
Hopefully 3-4 make debut next year.
Replies
Hopefully.
You never get it soughted it's a continual process of improvement like any other part of your club once you think your soughted someone overtakes you.
Pathways on paper look great now we just have to see the transference and stacking of talent to FG that's the key.The above results while nice and all if we don't get the mentioned the pathways aren't soughted.
What concerns me Yeah Man, we have been in this position a lot of times with our junior teams making finals, winning comps etc etc, in large, our system has failed to transition those players into very good Eels first graders.
'In the past our system falls down with
1). Identifying the talent at an early stage and retaining them. Players like Mitch Moses, Lachie Galvin, Luke Keary, David Klemmer, James Maloney, Daniel Tupou, Paul Gallen, Reagan Campbell Gillard and Matterson were juniors that left and come back. In Recent times we have Sanders, Talagi, M Arthur all played rep / state of origin and were not able to be retained.
2). Providing a club that Juniors want to stay at and an atmosphere of being wanted, and treated fairly. Recent examples could include young Hindmarsh and young Cayless playing at Penrith and Roosters.
Untill we find out where we are going wrong with retaining the right talented juniors year after year. I can't see us improving on identifying and retaining the best talent.
Surely we must look at the Administration / Recruitment & Retention / Negotiator / Contract Closer / List Manager / Junior Scouts areas and discover where we are going wrong . Find out the system or the person or both with whom is dropping the ball year after year, I can't see us improving our transisition of juniors to good Eels first graders ratio anytime soon, without working out where or whom is stuffing up in identifying and retaining those best talented juniors. I'd submit that until these areas are fixed and improved on, we will continue to bleed talented juniors to other clubs that can spot them and can whoo them into their systems.
Really up to Ryles if he wants to give juniors opportunities they will stay.
The Pathways is coming along fine. WE are definately getting to see plenty of kids with potential . WE need to ensure that they are still surrounded by quality seasoned pros in NSW CUP etc. These kids are moving very quickly from Sg Ball to Cup and then NRL. I can see at least these guys being players to develop and have faiith in moving forward :
Lorenzo Tataliana Best player in Sg Ball and already making himself the standout in Flegg. One of the most gifted players I have seen in years. Not a matter of IF but when.
Chris PETRUS ( only 18 in December ) but is a machine who will only get better and better. Great engine, fantastic defensive technique.
Cameron Bamplett - Playing Jersey Flegg, still in year 12. Has a very high footy IQ. Fullback is his go and he just reads a game so well and can play 5/8. Growing into his body still but has all the skills.
Ryda Talagi - Young Front rower from SG Ball now playing Flegg. Good motor, nice feet and has an off load in him. Defensive is a work in progress.
Max POPO injured in Sg Ball Grand Final and is out currently. He is a great player, huge motor, tackles at reallly high effectiveness and can also play short or long. Ideally I see him as a 13. Not big by any nature, just built tough.
We as a club need to keep building becuase if we can bring through 3--4 in one crop we will be closer to a premiership than we ever have been ,
What about de stradis, isacc jim and polley?
Dom De Stradis runs great lines and works hard. He is like Briton Nikora. Small built. Under 100kg. He is 21 so older than the above.
Polley is only 17 this year so is SG ball next year unlike the above. He will be a gun.
Jim is a big boy and IMO a bit overrated.
PT are you a bit worried about Moey. He has gone backwards this year. Looks very slow too.