The Academy....

[DP1990]

Here is a hypothetical question:

What if the guys in the academy aren’t that good , what do we do then?

Open the cheque book and go shopping !

[rcptn]

They won 9 games all year and fluked wins in the last 3/4 weeks when the season was dusted these guys are shit they've been blown away in the trials, the broncos and Penrith next week

NSW Cup and Flegg have won there trials SamKerrFraud

[Schooner]

The cup team had a lot of injuries last year. At the end they won 6 games (I think) including against the best teams. They had Toia back for those games and brought in some of the best kids from S G Ball and Flegg. Most of the players from those last games are now in our NRL squad or close to it. They were all very good at the lower level but it's going to be painful playing several of them at once in NRL. I think we should write this year off and start playing the young guys for big minutes in the positions they should be playing next year. We had 6 halves/five eighths play in the trials and most of them played in the back row or at hooker. I'm happy to support them if they are losing as long as they are putting in. We might have to rest them some weeks if they find constant NRL too intense.

[Billy Gunn]

It is fair to say that the Academy is producing good quality players, but you can't throw them all in together and expect instant results.

Overall I think the Academy works but not buying a few experienced players to fill the void of those who left.

[caz]

you can throw players in too early. not all experience is good experience. hard to get the balance right. also, bit early to be writing the season off after one game

[TumutChook]

They've been completely out of their depth in 3 matches against NRL opponents this year besides Toia that's all I care about. We are ****ed.

What a flog comment & it shows 0 knowledge of not just League but sport in general. As mentioned they did have a great back half when fit, but not sure how you can then leap to the conclusion they must be crap as we lost to the Broncos & and hat they will get beaten by the Riff next week. Over the last few years the riff have pumped us every time, Broncos did a number on us as well when we had Manu,JWH,Keary etc, so therefore they all must be crap. They’re now playing against men who have played Origin & Internationals yet you expect them to step up & be at that level?
Absolute moron.

[Lockie]

I agree to extent although hard to fault tonight given we did debut Toia, Foketi & Losalu… which to be honest I actually all 3 held their own and showed some signs of promise.

Love the shot Foketi up on Haas even if it was 2nd man in, this kid can hit!

Foketi has some real mongrel in him and Losalu still has some growing to do but his technique in defence is really good . I’m loving watching them come through , including Toia and Steep ,both of who will be 10 year players for this club .

These guys are just the first of many coming through the junior bases that the club has started building , which one day will be the strongest in the league . First grade isn’t winning the comp this year and they are not winning next year either . But our time will come again . In the meantime I’m going to sit back and enjoy watching the side develop . Strap on ,it’s going to be a fun ride .

Love the Roosters weather they win or lose .