There is currently a great deal of discussion about Player Development, particularly around 15 and 16 years old players. The amateur Leagues are working to protect the amateur game from the ravages of the pro clubs on its players - wanting to take roughly twenty of each age group into the pro environment of each SL club. In the North West, that's 100 per age group they want to own.

By the time they get to 19, they fall into one of three categories. They have made Super League (very few), they will not make Super League, and are discarded, many never to play rugby league again, or are "maybes".

Many forwards are maybes. How many forwards are the done deal at 19, 20 or 21 plus?

The alternative is the loan or dual registration arrangement. If a lower league club has a Salford player on loan, but has a full complement of players who they have signed, is the loan player going to be played? No!

Where, then, do these players, who are not quite ready for SL first team, but unwanted by the club to whom they have been loaned, actually play?

The RFL's answer was that it wanted U23 teams. The SL clubs rejected that idea on cost grounds, preferring to go with Loan and Dual Reg.

The progression path for forwards in particular, but young players in general, is extremely limited by the system within which they play.

It would appear that buying in from elsewhere is the preferred option. And if you speak with an Australian accent, you must be good!

Shame about George Tyson if correct , I had him down as a safe bet to progress.
i think it hard to criticize the current coaching set up ,Evalds - Jordan Walne have fought off more senior squad to cement their place in the 2015 squad.
Harris stats ended 8 wins -1 draw from 20 , but 6 of those wins came in the last 9 games , and he has to be credited for bringing in Josh Griffin who ended with 8 tries & 27 goals.
the Championship players they have brought in they obviously have identified as having potential and more importantly fitting in with a squad system he wants to operate next season.
in some ways the step up from academy is purely luck ( injuries - and taking their chance ) , some times that luck never arrives .

Yes he does struggle with the usyes he does struggle with the correct use of that word!!

Yes he does struggle with the usyes he does struggle with the correct use of that word!!

My ironymeter has just gone critical.

I'm happy you all have nothing more exciting in your lives.