This blog expands on some pathways and development issues raised in Hoe's Pezet blog through a brief dialogue between Angry, HOE and NOS.
In principle, it revolves around holding juniors back from first grade, which, in essence, is what the Pezet deal does as the "bridging players," a stop-gap before the rookies and juniors are ready.
It raises obvious questions. Should we be developing players more through first grade than we are? Why is Parramatta stuck in the concept of longer-term development in the minor grades, specifically Reserve Grade NSW Cup?
In principle, I support the “you are ready when you’re good enough” theme supported by the likes of Angry and LB; rather than holding back players from first grade experience.
We’ve seen plenty of players leave for that "blocked pathway" reason: Sanders, Talagi, Stefano. Pezet, ironically, is also a case in point.
Image: Papali’i (above), 21, played 13 first-grade games (4 at five-eighth, 4 at fullback and the rest off the bench, wing, or rake).
What is Joash Papali’i’s future, now?
He was the post-Dylan “Future is Now” project and beat Hawkins for the six, who subsequently left on account of falling further down the first-grade pecking order.
Although Papali’i is a work in progress, he has proven he’s up to the task and probably could do with more development work at first grade. Playing against better players will make him a better player.
He certainly missed a mountain of less tackles than Boy Wonder, Blaize Talagi who misses 6-10 per game recently, and was a weak-link on Panthers' vulnerable left-edge that was part of their undoing this year.
But what is Papali’i's future role moving forward after he was supposedly the ‘six in the making,’ albeit a work in progress? Back in reserves to hone his playmaking skills? Then what of Lorenzo, another budding six? Or is he being groomed as a Wishardian utility: jack of all trades, master of none?
If Papali’i isn’t “ready,” how far back is Lorenzo?
And if Papali’i isn’t really Ryles’ ideal vision for six moving forward, will Lorenzo be given a go sometime this year, or held back? A point made by Angry et al.
The curious thing is you’d think Papali’i is more “ready” having had a fair crack at first grade.
Image: Lorenzo Talataina (19), a skillful ball-runner, seen as a potential long-term NRL six but not yet ready — debuting at Cup level in August 2025. He’s extended on an NRL development squad for 26-27 before an NRL contract in 2028. We may see tidbits of him at NRL (26-27) if Ryles sees he’s ready.
Mental and Physical Maturity, yes, but...
Now let’s assume the physicality aspect is addressed: It’s a good point that Hoe and Nos make with regard to mental maturity.
On that, Hayne was handled badly! He needed a senior player to mentor him off the field. We’ve seen Reece Walsh in recent years in a similar bracket. Walsh, for all intents and purposes, as an early starter, has only now learnt the maturity required.
So back to the thrust of me writing this post, with regard to young players and their development.
Reserve Grade football no longer provides a healthy background for development unless you have the right process, structure, and coaching.
Parramatta’s record in Reserve Grade has been atrocious (this year past being an exception with some green shoots). Cayless may have learnt something, though I have previously not had any respect for his coaching ability. I do accept, just the same, that everybody with a depth of intelligence can improve and correct errors. We will see in the next 12 months whether Cayless is that (learnt-by-experience) person.
Too many people here seem to think there is a necessity for players to experience Reserve Grade before being ready for FG.
That may be the case with clubs like Penrith, who have proven that necessity somewhat. They didn’t hesitate to put Casey McLean straight into first grade... first lesson... if you are good enough, you will just teach them bad habits playing with numb nuts in Reserve Grade.
Parramatta being a basket case with little vision (up until now) is an example, and in my opinion, the reason we have not brought juniors through proportionate to our overall junior base.
So to reinforce the theory of developing through Reserve Grade is, in my opinion, a subjective exercise, and one we (Parra) need to spend a lot more effort on in our pathways.
It seems we can get them through JF and Ball etc., but the real results need to be written in Reserve Grade.
These comments leave plenty of room for discussion, and I have not presented any “how to do this” exercise.
Replies
Life is full of risks, we have to be prepared to take some. My take on angry's comment from the other blog is our overall reluctance to give young players an opportunity. Citing individual instances where young players have either succeeded/failed on their arrival in first grade for the most part is pointless. There's a whole host of players from our district that have gone on to success at other clubs. Our odds of success improve with increased opportunities. Also delayed gratification is important, for the most part they're not going to be world beaters immediately but they might if we give them a chance.
Beautiful rhetoric Adam, so we don't have a problem and if we do, we can't do anything to help it!
"Citing individual instances where young players have either succeeded/failed on their arrival in first grade for the most part is pointless"
"These comments leave plenty of room for discussion and I have not presented any how do this exercise".
I'd argue that reserve grade is a better place to learn than the NRL, and the only reason to play a youngster in the NRL (rather than NSW Cup or Qld Cup) is because you have to, i.e. he is in your top 17 players and is being paid accordingly.
Remember, the NRL is only 80 minutes each week, and bench players (and many starters) play fewer than that. Most of the learning occurs at training through the week. Then on game day this is tested rather than learned. There is even the risk that the player will learn the wrong lessons on game day, when mistakes are punished and stakeholders (e.g. media, fans and even administrators) apply external pressure. This can make young players risk averse when what you want is to teach them how to take calculated risks. Reserve grade is the place for this because nobody really gives a fuck if the team loses. Its purpose is for players to practice skills, demonstrate their ability and acquire match fitness. Winning in the lower grades is a low priority, unlike the NRL, where winning is the top priority and player development is secondary to that.
Poupou Escobar
I don't disagree with you Pou, you always have a perticular way of identifying issues. Maybe we are on a different cause as against the "pure" factors you identify. I suppose I am more esoteric in my approach to the issues I am trying to identify, if you were writing a text book I am sure your answers would be the correct ones.
one does not wanting to sound like " flogging a dead horse " poppy , but in all honesty regarding all opinions in recruitments ,potentials and developments i sincerely hope parramatta could reach out to bring J .Hayne into the coaching staff obviously to identify ,coach and develope skills etc and yes believe it or not mentor off the field as well, after all we've taken a chance in the past on the likes of a. johns. McGregor etc , regarding skill coaching but enough said and without stating the obvious for all reasons I sometimes think he's journey is just night quiet over . do you concur or wot poppy ?
Interesting response Christeel, I am unashamably a Jarryd fan and yes I think he has a wonderful football brain.
I agree we could do a lot to encourage his involvement for a number of reasons, not just because of his knowledge but also as a recognition of his service, In principle I agree with you 100%.
kill me now
I am sure someone would miss you notwithstanding Randolph.
Natural talent players make poor coachs
Hayne sees things plays before most others. if you know much about him, you would know that he expresses his footy brain very well. Would make a very good coach, if given chances after his Fiji stint.
Should be welcomed back into the footy fold after having his legal issues thrown out and overturned. An absolute great of the game, dual Dally M medalist.