Watching Stars Develop (with thanks to Chris)

In a discussion I was having with Chris today, he was waxing lyrical about Junior and Tepai. He then stated that one of the aspects that he enjoys the most about being a supporter is watching the young players develop.I reflected then on the great job that Forty and Ham do in getting to lower grade and junior matches and keeping us all up to date with the development of some of the players coming through the grades. No doubt it is their passion and it must give them some pride to write up a player and then watch that talent come to fruition. In truth, how many people would be as excited about French without learning about him on this site.For those of us fortunate to have followed the Eels in the days of 3 grades on match days, watching a player come through the grades was easy for us all to take in.Nowadays, unless you're one of the few arriving early for NYC, or you're a dedicated fan like Forty and Ham, you rarely get the chance to identify talent yourself.Still, we can all enjoy watching the development of Tepai because of his youthful introduction to the NRL. But in the spirit of discussion, who is the greatest talent that you've ever witnessed in lower grades and which junior player, yet to debut in first grade, do you predict to be a first grade star.For the sake of variety, let's take Bevan French as a given.For mine, no junior players compared to Peter Sterling or Eric Grothe. Sterlo was a mastermind on the field even as a schoolboy star. Grothe was the most destructive winger I have ever seen, even from his under 23 days. When I first saw him I said to others that I had just witnessed someone unlike any player I had ever seen.Right now I think that Troy Dargan and Alex Twal are future first graders.I look forward to reading your responses.Thanks again to Chris for prompting this blog.

I was a season ticket holder in the Cronin stand in 1986. We used to watch all three grades in those days when there was nothing else to do on a Sunday but love your footy.

Being a 14 year old at the time, I was as keen as on my footy. It was opening day at the stadium and as I walked up the stairs I got to see parramatta stadium for the first time. I will always remember how good the field looked. Carpet.

Immediately I was struck by the skill and allusive running of our under 23 fullback, Danny Crancivich (spelling). He was amazing in the early days but like many junior talents, didn't really kick on. It must be so hard being a talent scout.

Anyway, I have heard big things about Turnbull in the recent u16 state of origin and I also understand he re-signed until the end of 2018. Hopefully he will kick on, forget his ties to QLD and stay blue and gold for a long career. Didn't realise the 1EE mock was already on him.

Thanks for the mention 60's.

"How about our 9s, grant played faster and quicker. By the time Smith or Dasilva got the ball the storms defence was already in our players face hence why we couldn't ball play. We need speed in the play the ball and play shapes. We kept going wide…"

"A successful year for us this year was always Top 8. Obviously we always want to dream of a Premiership, but this year is about Top 8 as success.
Now with a points differential of -50 odd after one blooming game we've really made this season hard…"

Replies

Speech June 16, 2015 at 7:38pm

Time to get back to the three games back to back. Nothing more boring than the big gap between the 20's and the 1st's. Watching the Refs warm up is really annoying. It was great to see the stars coming through and players developed batter with 23's and then reserves.
sixtiesboy June 16, 2015 at 7:47pm

With our future squads to contain 8 up and coming players, the identification of juniors with talent is an increasingly important process.
1Eyed Eel June 16, 2015 at 7:51pm

The player I loved watching in juniors was Kris Inu. Before he suffered his first knee injury, Inu just glided across the turf, had a wonderful step, the ability to bump off a player and just incredible natural athleticism. I've already put my curse on Travis Turnbull.
- sixtiesboy > 1Eyed Eel June 16, 2015 at 7:57pm
  
  I was always impressed with Inu's ability in the air as a younger player.
- Forty20 > 1Eyed Eel June 16, 2015 at 8:08pm
  
  >I've already put my curse on Travis Turnbull.
  
  YOU SHUT YOUR FILTHY MOUTH!
- Ham Sammich > 1Eyed Eel June 16, 2015 at 8:09pm
  
  Travis definitely was a standout in the Matts season. For a kid his age he delivers a nice pass and most importantly doesn't mind taking the line on, coupled with his speed it is a huge asset for him.
Ham Sammich June 16, 2015 at 8:07pm

I think Semi has been my favourite player to watch develop over the past couple of years. His first game was a trial at Bluetongue Stadium and we were up against the Roosters. The ball was kicked out and Semi was setting up for a line-out. Even sometimes now when picking the ball up from the sideline and passing it to his centre after a penalty Semi will have at least 1 foot over the sideline.
Chris June 16, 2015 at 8:09pm

I was a season ticket holder in the Cronin stand in 1986. We used to watch all three grades in those days when there was nothing else to do on a Sunday but love your footy.

Being a 14 year old at the time, I was as keen as on my footy. It was opening day at the stadium and as I walked up the stairs I got to see parramatta stadium for the first time. I will always remember how good the field looked. Carpet.

Immediately I was struck by the skill and allusive running of our under 23 fullback, Danny Crancivich (spelling). He was amazing in the early days but like many junior talents, didn't really kick on. It must be so hard being a talent scout.

Anyway, I have heard big things about Turnbull in the recent u16 state of origin and I also understand he re-signed until the end of 2018. Hopefully he will kick on, forget his ties to QLD and stay blue and gold for a long career. Didn't realise the 1EE mock was already on him.

Thanks for the mention 60's.
- sixtiesboy > Chris June 16, 2015 at 8:44pm
  
  Cheers Chris. It doesn't take much for an old timer like me to get nostalgic. If I was to pick a junior that still had a first grade career, but looked like a freak in the juniors, it was David Penna. I rely on blokes like Forty, Ham and Phil to learn about blokes like Travis Turnbull nowadays.
Parramatta Tragic June 16, 2015 at 8:49pm

Bob O'Reilly was the Fred Astaire of our game. There was nothing he couldn't do including thumping Pommie forwards in some of the toughest test matches ever played

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