Is that because Wigan give their kids an opportunity though? The only way kids reach SL level is by playing SL. You cannot become a SL player by not playing it.
The moment you don't play a youngster because they arent ready is the moment they will never be ready. Not 1 single golden generation player was ready when they was given a chance, not one. I think Corey will play Friday but hes not ready. How can he be? Hes never played at that level but the kid has talent and ability all he is lacking is the opportunity and patience.
We simply haven't given lads enough chances in recent years.
In 2016 we had a nightmare year which meant in 2017 we joined the cup a round early and played Donny, Walker and Mikolaj played and did well and their careers went on from there. Had we had a good season in 2016 those 2 would probably never have had that chance. That cant be right can it?
Weve some terrific talent at the club, not all can make it, not all can fulfill their potential but that shouldnt be down to a lack of opportunities.
Hats off to your commitment to youth rugby by the way Marty. The question for me is about getting the balance in the side right. Too many youngsters in at the same time, you risk getting physically dominated and throwing games. Very, very few 18 year olds can handle mature SL players physically.
With Walker, Newman and Oldedzki all learning, people forget how young they still are. I don’t think we’d want too many more Academy products in the same side as them but we do need to bring 2-3 more through next year somehow.
This is kind of what I’ve been talking about: there is no way this Leeds squad will be at peak next year with the reliance we have on home-grown talent. When these lads are playing toward their full potential in a few years, hopefully different story but this is certainly not a situation with a quick fix.
Going to be fascinating to see which lads step up in pre-season and the friendlies - the opportunity is there for them.
Is that because Wigan give their kids an opportunity though? The only way kids reach SL level is by playing SL. You cannot become a SL player by not playing it.
The moment you don't play a youngster because they arent ready is the moment they will never be ready. Not 1 single golden generation player was ready when they was given a chance, not one. I think Corey will play Friday but hes not ready. How can he be? Hes never played at that level but the kid has talent and ability all he is lacking is the opportunity and patience.
We simply haven't given lads enough chances in recent years.
In 2016 we had a nightmare year which meant in 2017 we joined the cup a round early and played Donny, Walker and Mikolaj played and did well and their careers went on from there. Had we had a good season in 2016 those 2 would probably never have had that chance. That cant be right can it?
Weve some terrific talent at the club, not all can make it, not all can fulfill their potential but that shouldnt be down to a lack of opportunities.
You say we have not given lads a chance over last few years, well that simply is not true, Walker is 19 and first choice Newman the same, oledski 20 Cameron smith 20 all regulars this year. We cannot just throw another 4-5 more teenagers in and say have a go. They need to be brought through more steady. Couple more at a time. Some have been sent out on loan to play open age and they will be ready for 4-6 games next year and one or two may force their way into starting spots,
We give people a chance but they have to earn it and show they are up to it, what none of us see is these lads training and playing in opposed training sessions with the first team, the coachs know who is ready or not not us.
Hats off to your commitment to youth rugby by the way Marty. The question for me is about getting the balance in the side right. Too many youngsters in at the same time, you risk getting physically dominated and throwing games.
An accusation a fair few Wigan fans used to throw at Wane as although they could see the players develop, there was a feeling that a club of that size should have challenged more than they were doing at various points of his tenure. Mind, they did have to put up with players then being sold just as they were attaining a decent standard.
The fans, the members, the people there.. from the day I stepped foot onto that field at the AJ Bell Stadium,I knew I would love that club for the rest of my life. "Jackson Hastings"..
Worry a little bit every day and in a lifetime you will lose a couple of years. If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But train yourself not to worry. Worry never fixes anything.
Mary Hemmingway, US journalist,widow of Ernest Hemmingway (1908-1986)
The Stupid Neither Forgive Nor Forget The Naive Forgive And Forget The Wise Forgive But Don't Forget
"I am not young enough to know everything" Oscar Wilde Irish Playwright (1854-1900)
One likes people much better when they're battered down by a prodigious siege of misfortune than when they triumph.
Just wondering as this is a slight thread drift re: youngsters my boy who plays for Folly Lane Under 8's had an away game at Pilkingtons St. Helens today and as we were leaving the Leeds Rhinos team coach was pulling up there anyone know why ? do they use the coach for your youngsters
The fans, the members, the people there.. from the day I stepped foot onto that field at the AJ Bell Stadium,I knew I would love that club for the rest of my life. "Jackson Hastings"..
Worry a little bit every day and in a lifetime you will lose a couple of years. If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But train yourself not to worry. Worry never fixes anything.
Mary Hemmingway, US journalist,widow of Ernest Hemmingway (1908-1986)
The Stupid Neither Forgive Nor Forget The Naive Forgive And Forget The Wise Forgive But Don't Forget
"I am not young enough to know everything" Oscar Wilde Irish Playwright (1854-1900)
One likes people much better when they're battered down by a prodigious siege of misfortune than when they triumph.
Have we conveniently forgotten Mathers, Lee Smith, hall, sonny, mags, burrow, jkb, ablett, ward, bailey etc... And that's not to mention the huge number that have had to leave Leeds to even get a game and gone on to be great players all thanks to the education they got in the Leeds junior ranks.
We have an extraordinary history of producing talent. People forget that the Winfield era were so good that youngsters couldn't get in because we were so good. Sometimes it's as though people want us to play kids just to prove we have kids to play.
When we were on top all the club's were asking why their kids weren't as good as ours. I despair at times on here.
I've not seen Johnson of late but he reminds me of a young Sinfield in terms of playing like an old man.
Last tiime I saw him he still looked like he needed to develop physically a bit before SL.
Wire would be the last pack I would have picked for him to play but if he does debut I trust we might decide to play some prop forwards as well.
The last thing he needs is to play with a load of Oompa Loompas against hill, cooper, Clark westwood Murdoch masilla and the geezer who leads with his elbow
Have we conveniently forgotten Mathers, Lee Smith, hall, sonny, mags, burrow, jkb, ablett, ward, bailey etc... And that's not to mention the huge number that have had to leave Leeds to even get a game and gone on to be great players all thanks to the education they got in the Leeds junior ranks.
We have an extraordinary history of producing talent. People forget that the Winfield era were so good that youngsters couldn't get in because we were so good. Sometimes it's as though people want us to play kids just to prove we have kids to play.
When we were on top all the club's were asking why their kids weren't as good as ours. I despair at times on here.
Also we have 2 young lads in the running for SL young playee of the year this year