The Present and The Future

There's been much discussion on here about the players that have been released, the players recruited and where we sit with these movements.Let's examine some facts.Our cupboard has been bare since 2008. That was when we last won the NSW Cup. Since then nothing, let alone minimal finals appearances across the grades since then. This year we had nobody to cheer on after round 26 in any grade. This did not sit well with the fans and it certainly wouldn't have set well with Brad Arthur and the coaching teamSo what has he done about it? Where are we moving to?Looking at the 3 grades we can be blunt.NRL - very promising signs. Blokes putting in, injury factors, but lacking that final bit of class to get results over the line. Far too many games that were in the balance were lost late in the second half. Key recruits brought in to address this.NSW Cup - last. On their own. Far too many hyped or promising players just didn't put in.NYC - the season was over well before round 26. Very few players put their hand up to stay. The obvious exceptions being French, Fuimaono, Twal and Gafa.One of the keys to a successful club is to have a level of success in the lower grades. It's not always essential to win these grades (if your club has a wealth of talent in first grade with few injuries), but it remains an important component.What it does is this:Firstly, it creates COMPETITION for spots in first grade.Secondly, it creates a WINNING CULTURE. Players moving through the grades are moving through winning teams, not struggling teams, and carry a winning mentality with themFinally, a winning team in the lower grades provides the individual players with a better platform to SHOWCASE their TALENTS.IMPORTANTLY, it provides the fans with a greater interest in the overall performance of the club. Personally, I often relate back to watching 3 grades in the late 70s and early 80s and seeing near full grounds cheering on the lower grades. There are still a few tragics around (guilty) who'll get over to Wenty to watch the Magpies go round. Plenty of you follow Forty's blogs of the lower grades so I'm sure that you can relate to having an interest in their performances.I can see this strong club ethos as being a key factor in the recruitment decisions by BA coming into 2016.In addition to the obvious NRL recruits, there has been a strategy of the strengthening of Wenty through the influx of players who are all bringing something more to the team than what was on show in 2015.Cornish, King, O'Brien, Moss, Woods, Tanginoa, Schulte, Gutherson, Hasson - look at the youth in this group, let alone the smattering of first grade experience.With respect, and without unnecessary criticism, are there any concerns about losing players such as Matterson, Seffa, Goodall , Aloiai and others from NSW Cup and bringing the above players in?Many of the players recruited are on the level of contract that will have minimal impact on the salary cap.The picture is of a club recruiting for both immediate and future needs and looking to give the fans something to cheer for that extends from NRL to NYC . Our club's present and the future.

"I thought so to I'm not to worried about the attack but the defense is crucial.
First contact was great and I thought we handled them quite well.The fact there early tries were off kicks and lack of high bill diffusal is very fixable.
I think little…"

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Tragiceel November 2, 2015 at 6:45pm

Agree Sixties, exciting times ahead. I also remember the good times in the 70's and 80's and can't wait for a return to the good ol days. Like we have both said BA has been busy upgrading our current squad and has done a great job so far, I think there might be another surprise or two yet to come.

Who is Woods? Must have missed him.
- sixtiesboy > Tragiceel November 2, 2015 at 6:50pm
  
  From Wests Tigers. Yes, I believe that there will be two or three more to be added before the squad is finalised.
  - 3n5h7coqr27fi > sixtiesboy November 2, 2015 at 7:44pm
    
    Are you able to share now since the pre-season has started.
    
    Wonder if Jamal will be free to play now for the EELS since he would be getting a payout from the Panthers
sixtiesboy November 2, 2015 at 6:46pm

In planning for the future and examining who we keep against who we recruit, we are also making some smart decisions that will allow us to upgrade the contracts of certain players in our squad who are not on huge coin and are deserving of more.
Mitchy November 2, 2015 at 6:49pm

Good article Sixites, and I agree. We had three strong grades in those years, well I was old enough to recall the early 80's onwards.
I just hope our junior coaches etc from 15 years onwards are getting the right players, as this age forward is the key also. We seem to pick a lot of Polynesian guys in these ages and I don't have an issue with that as long as these guys are coming through and not as many are. I know they're young and not many get to NRL but the turnover seems quite a lot. I just hope we get the best in our squads.
- sixtiesboy > Mitchy November 2, 2015 at 7:09pm
  
  There's been a bit of a re-think about how we identify and bring young players through. The coaching changes are the first indication of this.
  - 3n5h7coqr27fi > sixtiesboy November 2, 2015 at 7:47pm
    
    You cant keep picking the Kiwi or Islander kids because they have size.
    
    They just never mature into top 1st graders.
    
    The only ones we should be picking are the ones who have the talent athletes with speed and who are not injury prone. Im sure our juniors are so used to winning that they fall into a heap when they get into under 20's when everyone has grown into their bodies.
Enforcer Eel November 2, 2015 at 6:56pm

Woods??
sixtiesboy November 2, 2015 at 7:00pm

I'm always far too verbose. However, to state simply - we've aimed to strengthen lower grades to ensure future success. The filling in my blog is the who and why.
How many Cameron Smiths are there?
Robert Lloyd November 2, 2015 at 7:04pm

I thought we had an exciting and a optimistic free zone up to at least January 2016? It was promised thus. But no, on the very first day of training, we get this rubbish. We got it last year and the year before and no doubt will get it next year as well. It always climaxs on the very obvious, wonderful job, Brad Arthur is doing!--like last year and the year before for example.

Wait till the nines tournament is completed and the trial games are completed and the first three competition games are completed, then you will have some idea how things will evolve for 2016. How can you be excited when we have waited 30 years without success?

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