Williamson Time

[Guest]

Has to be under 23's, players aren't physically developed always at 20 and you get late bloomers. I think it can be a bit disheartening playing out at NSW Cup venues wearing a different clubs colours in front of a few hundred people. I hope the bit about Tuigamala is a joke.

The Toyota Cup is a very poor competition and does not prepare players for the NRL. In fact, many of the clubs are no longer playing their best juniors in the NYC. Most of them are in the QLD Cup and some are returning to the NSW Cup.

Hopefully, one of the initiatives mooted by the Independent Commission comes to fruition and they reinstate the reserve grade or premier league competition at least.

For those of you thinking Ryan Williamson is ready for the NRL didn't see the game last sunday. Sure, he looks strong with the ball but the 'Dogs went his side every time either through the hands or in the air. They scored a lot of their points down his side on Sunday. He was defending with Du Plessis and they were in trouble all afternoon.

[Guest]

Under 23's would be good but a compromise could be to allow 5 over age players per side.

[Guest]

Under 23's would be good but a compromise could be to allow 5 over age players per side.

Once upon a time, you played Jersey Flegg, Harold Matts, Presidents Cup then Under 23's and Reserve Grade before you got a look at First Grade. 5 Senior grades before first grade.

Now it's Harold Matts, NYC then NRL.

At the Bulldogs they firmly believe that a player has to do their apprenticeship and get the right grounding. The NYC is not seen as the gateway to the NRL.

Good examples are the difference between Karl McNichol (Filiga) and Ben Barba.

McNichol was seen as potentially equally devastating player as Money Bill and the club had his programme mapped out. People constantly blew smoke up his arse and he believed that he should be playing in the NRL. Karl thought $200,000 a year made him ready for the NRL and joined the Sharks under the worst talent manager to have ever sat in a coaches box. Does anyone know where Karl is now?

Barba on the other hand, as much as he has grumbled, whinged and sooked has done and will continue to do the work necessary to prepare him for the NRL. He looks like he is going to make it now, 12 months ago we had doubts. The comparisons with Jonathon Thurston circa 2004 are now rife amongst the faithful.

Players that can bypass the lower grades, fast track their apprenticeship and have long successful careers in the NRL are very rare. Fittler was one, Lamb, Sterling, Daley, Alexander are others. Exceptional players that would have been exceptional in any era.

Williamson does look good but give him an extra year or two (or three) he's only young to learn his trade and you will have a much better rounded player better equipped for a long career in the NRL.

[Guest]

Once upon a time, you played Jersey Flegg, Harold Matts, Presidents Cup then Under 23's and Reserve Grade before you got a look at First Grade. 5 Senior grades before first grade.

Now it's Harold Matts, NYC then NRL.

At the Bulldogs they firmly believe that a player has to do their apprenticeship and get the right grounding. The NYC is not seen as the gateway to the NRL.

Good examples are the difference between Karl McNichol (Filiga) and Ben Barba.

McNichol was seen as potentially equally devastating player as Money Bill and the club had his programme mapped out. People constantly blew smoke up his arse and he believed that he should be playing in the NRL. Karl thought $200,000 a year made him ready for the NRL and joined the Sharks under the worst talent manager to have ever sat in a coaches box. Does anyone know where Karl is now?

Barba on the other hand, as much as he has grumbled, whinged and sooked has done and will continue to do the work necessary to prepare him for the NRL. He looks like he is going to make it now, 12 months ago we had doubts. The comparisons with Jonathon Thurston circa 2004 are now rife amongst the faithful.

Players that can bypass the lower grades, fast track their apprenticeship and have long successful careers in the NRL are very rare. Fittler was one, Lamb, Sterling, Daley, Alexander are others. Exceptional players that would have been exceptional in any era.

Williamson does look good but give him an extra year or two (or three) he's only young to learn his trade and you will have a much better rounded player better equipped for a long career in the NRL.

Good post.

The quandry for the clubs is when a player is head hunted by another club with the promise of a first grade spot as you mentioned with McNicol. The club can take the moral high ground and let the player go, but given that most player managers blow smoke up their young chargers arses, a lot of talent will walk out of the club as a result.

Its a fine balancing act that the clubs need to do to keep the young players happy and at the club while keeping them grounded and giving them time to develop in the lower grades. Most clubs will give the young blokes a sniff by training and trialling them in the top grade so the players know the clubs intention and also get a dose of reality. Similar to what the Roosters have done with BJ and Blair so far this season.

The clubs also have to try and minimise the influence the player managers have on the kids and keep them out of the media. The latter is a tough one for the Roosters give their media profile - particularly that of POS. Although I rate POS as a talent scout, it pisses me off when he announces to the media that he has signed the next Israel Folau...

[morley101]

McNichol was seen as potentially equally devastating player as Money Bill and the club had his programme mapped out. People constantly blew smoke up his arse and he believed that he should be playing in the NRL. Karl thought $200,000 a year made him ready for the NRL and joined the Sharks under the worst talent manager to have ever sat in a coaches box. Does anyone know where Karl is now?
.

Playing in the Bundy Cup for Wenty.....

[Kingbilly]

Put very well IMA.
I tried to type something similar but could not quite get it right,.
But what you said hit the nail on the head and its very true.,

I personally can't be bothered watching too much NYC because its not that good and its full of big units with pea hearts. The only time I really watched it was to see mates sons playing.