Juniors v Developed

[Juggler]

And if you're from Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Kingaroy, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Rockhampton and Gladstone you're a Broncos junior

No they're not. That's Souffs.

[Juggler]

Yeh and if you are from Kempsey your a Queenslander

No, you're Souffs through & through.

[Headless Chook]

What about Norfolk Island - They are now part of Queensland as far as the provision of Government services goes - whose juniors are they - Broncos/Titans/Dolphins/Cowboys ?

They will allocate them to us and then the press will hammer us for not providing enough funding for development

[Seventy Five]

Local, developed, bought; I couldn't give a toss really. Its a professional sport. The name of the game is to win and with the resources at their disposal the Roosters do this better than anyone..

Having the most juniors or development players does not win you premierships. What wins premierships is having leadership that instils a winning culture. Our leadership on and off field is the best. It is why we are a destination of choice for players, parents and agents alike.

Gallen is blinded by envy and the pig headed inability to differentiate between some of the feel good characteristics of amateurism from the now realities of professionalism.

It will always be great to see a local kid come through the ranks but if that doesn't happen, it in no way delegitimise s the success of a team or club like ours or any other in the world of professional sport.

[redwhiteblue]

Local, developed, bought; I couldn't give a toss really. Its a professional sport. The name of the game is to win and with the resources at their disposal the Roosters do this better than anyone..

Having the most juniors or development players does not win you premierships. What wins premierships is having leadership that instils a winning culture. Our leadership on and off field is the best. It is why we are a destination of choice for players, parents and agents alike.

Gallen is blinded by envy and the pig headed inability to differentiate between some of the feel good characteristics of amateurism from the now realities of professionalism.

It will always be great to see a local kid come through the ranks but if that doesn't happen, it in no way delegitimise s the success of a team or club like ours or any other in the world of professional sport.

It only seems to be a big deal and obsession in the minds of the likes of people who post comments on the likes of the SMH websites about Roosters constantly stealing or poaching from other clubs.Ironic since Souths imported an entire family over from the UK and paid for them in lima beans apparently as according to Rusty, "Only the Roosters do chequebook rugby league.."

Around the world in other elite sports, it doesn't appear to be an issue, even in the UK Super League. Moz has played for Leeds, Warrington, Salford & Bradford and I'll bet most fans don't even know where he was born.

[The Lip]

Yeah Gallen has missed the point completely, as so many do. There is a clear distinction between pathways and development. What Gallen is on about are pathways...the junior leagues that he refers to where you can call yourself a local junior...in his case Parramatta provided that pathway. The thing its, the coaching and systems you correctly refer to here are are 100% managed by the junior clubs so in the other example about Radley and his brother, the coaching by Lam was through the Clovelly Crocs, not the Roosters, even though the Roosters provide the pathway.

Once players get to their mid to late teens, NRL clubs become interested and the NRL clubs THEN start to develop the NRL player...that is what Gus is saying and what so many stupidly miss.

Look at Souffs juniors...they do a great job but that is not Souffs, the NRL entity - again, there is a clear distinction. Do those kids who play for Mascot etc do so with a Rabbit on their chest or a Souffs Juniors emblem? The latter of course and when the players are of age, the NRL entity takes over and hopefully develops those players. Most NRL clubs, including Souffs put literally nothing into their Junior leagues (Penrith do and ironically so do we, as small as it is). I'm involved in the Cronulla junior league and on Grand Final week for the juniors, some teams get to play on Shark Park which is great, however the NRL entity charge their supposedly own junior league to use the ground - I think that says it all.

Anyway, rant over. Gallen is a fool and shouldn't be put on the same panel as someone like Gus, who while painful at times knows this area better than almost anyone.

Cheers good post

[Bruce Pickett]

Yeah Gallen has missed the point completely, as so many do. There is a clear distinction between pathways and development. What Gallen is on about are pathways...the junior leagues that he refers to where you can call yourself a local junior...in his case Parramatta provided that pathway. The thing its, the coaching and systems you correctly refer to here are are 100% managed by the junior clubs so in the other example about Radley and his brother, the coaching by Lam was through the Clovelly Crocs, not the Roosters, even though the Roosters provide the pathway.

Once players get to their mid to late teens, NRL clubs become interested and the NRL clubs THEN start to develop the NRL player...that is what Gus is saying and what so many stupidly miss.

Look at Souffs juniors...they do a great job but that is not Souffs, the NRL entity - again, there is a clear distinction. Do those kids who play for Mascot etc do so with a Rabbit on their chest or a Souffs Juniors emblem? The latter of course and when the players are of age, the NRL entity takes over and hopefully develops those players. Most NRL clubs, including Souffs put literally nothing into their Junior leagues (Penrith do and ironically so do we, as small as it is). I'm involved in the Cronulla junior league and on Grand Final week for the juniors, some teams get to play on Shark Park which is great, however the NRL entity charge their supposedly own junior league to use the ground - I think that says it all.

Anyway, rant over. Gallen is a fool and shouldn't be put on the same panel as someone like Gus, who while painful at times knows this area better than almost anyone.

Great post.

One thing though, I think the 4 junior clubs associated with Easts have both their badge and the Sydney Rooster badge on their jerseys.

In fact so do the Parra juniors.

[Vee08]

What does it matter? Junior pathways/nrl systems… end goal, win premierships!

For what it’s worth, I know 2 young teens, that came from another pathway/system that are truly being developed under the RWB regime, & loving it.

Like life, when you have a healthy “teacher/student” / “employer/employee” / “coach/player” relationship, you can only reap positive gains! Just my opinion.

[redwhiteblue]

What does it matter? Junior pathways/nrl systems… end goal, win premierships!

For what it’s worth, I know 2 young teens, that came from another pathway/system that are truly being developed under the RWB regime, & loving it.

Like life, when you have a healthy “teacher/student” / “employer/employee” / “coach/player” relationship, you can only reap positive gains! Just my opinion.

Very valid points and please post on here more often. I've used the workplace analogy myself on here..we spend a big chunk of our days at work and culture, support, and a positive and healthy work environment is vital for good mental health too.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

I know its doesn't make one a junior but I find it interesting how many players such as Mini, LOD, Flash, Teddy, Walker and now Lodge, while not "local juniors" have come out publicly saying that they were Roosters fans as kids and dreamt of playing in the RWB. That surely influenced their decision to play for the Roosters, even though they didn't grow up in the area.

[redwhiteblue]

I know its doesn't make one a junior but I find it interesting how many players such as Mini, LOD, Flash, Teddy, Walker and now Lodge, while not "local juniors" have come out publicly saying that they were Roosters fans as kids and dreamt of playing in the RWB. That surely influenced their decision to play for the Roosters, even though they didn't grow up in the area.

See how the younger ones grew up watching the great teams from 2000 onwards who started making those grand finals are now players themselves..thanks to Graham Murray and Sticky and all the support staff who helped start that amazing run..and Nick Politis of course..making it a dream club and a childhood ambition for someone like Teddy as one example to pull on the jersey and win a grand final too..not every player gets that dream..many don't..