I will disclose right up front that i havent seen much of reserve grade but are we starting to blood our kids into the side this year with a view to them playing regular cup next year, good crop coming through, why we have a make shift team there now.
Maybe its one too many bourbons :)
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Not enough Bourbon's mate you better have a few more
Time to hit the Bundys mate.
The NSW cup team has been a cluster $%^& all year. The team literally plays every game with players hopelessly out of position. The retirement of Rein, The letting go of Arthur, the use of old man Rankin instead of up and comers. The list just goes on and on. I dont even know what the signing strategy or retention strategy is. The loss of young halfback Ethan Sanders as he was about to come into the Reggies side, straight after staring in the u/20's NSW state of Origin team to Canberra is another interesting decison. We have him for next year but he goes in 2025. Why put the effort in only to groom him for the Raiders after next season. Like i said Weird.
It's a mix of not enough depth in the backline, injuries/suspensions in first grade and promotions of young players as well as injuries in reserve grade.
There are young guys now starting to get a consistent run in reserve grade with a view to them joining the squad full time next year. Charlie Guymer, Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa, Jayden Yates, Toni Mataele and Brock Parker have all played NSW Cup this year.
In the next season or two we will see guys like Blaze Taulagi, Richard Penisini, Sam Tuivaiti and possibly Ethan Sanders in reserve grade as that SG Ball winning side matures.
Don't forget Jock Brazel and MA
I haven't seen the emphasis on development so badly managed as it is with our reserve grade side atm ever. And Brad arthur has a lot to do with this It seems that brad and his recruiting team prefer buying players with limited fg experience with zero potential as back ups.
Leumilumi, Cini, Murchie, Momoisea, Rankin, Now I hear harley smith shields.
But there's definitely more u20s coming into the line up in the last month, and they've already made a difference which could be due to Nathan Browns time with development