I believe, and history proves it, the Eels small window of success ( early to mid 80s) was achieved from a core group of experienced players combined with a group of young superstars that came through our junior systems. Throughout the past 25 years the Eels have had successful years in junior competitions but for some reason this success hasn't continued through to NRL level. This could be due to several reasons. Not keeping the best players. Developing young players that perform as juniors but struggle to step up to NRL level. Have the Eels been developing the wrong kids? Do the Eels have the right talent scouts searching for the best kids? The Eels list of junior developed halves and dummy-halves is way below par. Surely more can and should be done in the junior development systems at the Eels. Some clubs with very little juniors have had regular success over the past 25 years. Melbourne and the Roosters in particular.
Replies
The nepotism uncovered in the pathways review a few years ago may have had something to do with not keeping the right kids. Also, some we have kept only excelled at juniors because they were giants there and once they played against other big blokes their 'ability' was found to be lacking.
Which giants are you talking about?
Andre
Well we continue to have perennial losers (Nathan Brown) and flat out dopes (MON) in our coaching and recruitment ranks, how on earth are we to identify and develop real NRL level talent can you name one in the last ten years ?? that is rep quality, elite and a target for other NRL teams ?... The last come from the Smith/Crusher Cleal era. In 2014 nepotism and moneyball tactics prevailed......lets see what JR can do and his two assistants (unknown quantities) not Brown.
It all comes down to the people indentifying and selecting these juniors who may or may not have the potenital to move up the grades successfully, if they arent good at what they do then progression for the juniors will inevitabaly stall. It all starts with the front office and we all know that we lack in this area, just take a look at the Storm, Panthers and Roosters for example.
The Eels have a big enough chequebook to make plays for the highest calibre people and bring them to the club
but nobody wants to come Stevo