Is it poor performance, poor selection, poor junior development or does BA just prefer experience over up and coming juniors?
In the off season many of us were very excited with Moeroa, Pauli, Folau, Matterson, Goodall, Lavaka, Tui & ZDC graduating from a talented Holden Cup team and putting pressure on the NRL team. Lets have a quick analysis of them:
Moeroa - Extremely talented junior touted as a future SOO player. He should be in the NRL team, not in the NSW Cup team. Ironically, when both Moeroa (2015) and Pauli (2014) were touted as future SOO players they both got dropped!!!!!
Pauli - Only just got his first call up. Without Jr Paulo we need his size for better balance.
Folau - Shown some very good form but with Radradra likely to return will he move to the right wing to replace Faraimo or be dropped? I'd expect he will be dropped due to his poor handling.
Matterson - Top 25 NRL contracted Matto has slipped from grace and is now in the Ron Massey Cup team which is arguably a 4th tier comp (behind the Holden Cup). It is usually career ending for an NRL contracted player when dropped to the Ron Massey Cup. With Foran on the books for 2016 where does it leave Matto?
Goodall - Started off in the Ron Massey Cup but got promoted when injuries struck our first grade backline. But for those injuries probably would still be in the Ron Massey Cup. Many thought he would get a gig in first grade.
Lavaka - Holden Cup try scoring sensation can't get a gig in the NSW Cup with Englishman Crooks blocking his way. After the Auckland 9's many thought he may debut in Round 1. Unfortunately he debut in the Ron Massey Cup not the NRL.
Tui - Many senior guys that write on this site listed Tui as first grade backup but he has struggled to get onto the bench in the NSW Cup and is a regular in the Ron Massey Cup. Can someone please explain?
ZDC - With our Holden Cup team being strugglers in 2015 I would have thought ZDC would be a starting hooker or at least an ideal no.14 in the NSW Cup by giving him experience playing against men. ZDC has shown in last year and this year's trials that he is ready to play against men so why is he not a regular in the NSW Cup, particularly since Matto has been dropped?
I think BA is getting a bad rep for not supported his juniors. What do you think?
Replies
Well i see that Tepai is in the junior Kangaroos team ZDC is in the junior Kiwis team (i know these are the junior squads but still a great achievement )and Fabian goodall is in the Fiji Bati team to play PNG so Goodall is good enough for a National squad (Yes i know it is only Vs PNG)but can't make NRL so what is it that Brad see's at training that stops him giving these boys a go
I think BA is right. Our jnrs are ridiculously overrated. The last great group of juniors we had was the Hayne era where Smith, Mateo, Inu and Hayne came through. Very disappointing considering the size of the pool
Didn't hodgkinsin from the doggies come through to
He maybe right and in the end he is the coach so it is his choice but if he doesn't want them he should just tell them to move on and keep recruiting from the outside
I think some will be tapped on the shoulder by season's end which would be disappointing.
Then i think they should do that tap sooner rather than later so the boys can see if they can get a spot elsewhere for 2016
Its a business and the clubs can be brutal and string players along until they find someone better.
Yeah i do understand that and i know we have issues i just hope thatsome of these boys get given a go sooner rather than have them they decide to move on and play for another
Yeah i know just think it sux for them to do that to them
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