For the first time in many decades there are a number of extremely talented young halfbacks currently plying their trade in SL. I've already stated that Lewis Dodd is a freakish talent but there are others including Harry Smith at Wigan, Mikey Lewis at Hull Kingston Rovers and Will Pryce - who will be joining the Knights next season. Lewis is the most off-the-cuff and instinctual of the group. Quick, elusive and with a real competitive edge that would instantly make him a fan favourite. Smith is the most structured with a superb kicking game (which doesn't fall apart under pressure) and fast hands. Dodd has the strengths of both with an outstanding organizational brain, freakish self-confidence and a defensive game which makes him very difficult to target as the weak link most halves can often be. Pryce is the son of Leon - an superb full-back and stand-off who played many games for Great Britain. Of all of these he is unquestionably the most dangerous runner - particularly in broken-field situations where his explosive acceleration and foot speed terrorize defences. He lacks the organizational brain of Dodd and Smith in particular - but when you are that athletic it's far less of a problem.
All of these kids are between the ages of 18 and 20 and have many years of production in front of them. Whilst Dodd, Lewis and Smith are all under contract it should be possible for a clever recruiter to broker a deal providing the SL clubs are being reimbursed with appropriate value. Obviously money talks. But money isn't going to fill the void left by them leaving. Top halfbacks are incredibly rare and the selling clubs will find it difficult to replace such talent. I believe the trick would be to devise some kind of deal which would see any transfer fee supported by young talent going the opposite way. The NRL has a huge production line of extremely capable young players who often struggle to break into the first team because there are no slots available. Eventually they become jaded and disillusioned with playing lower grade football and drift out of the game. If some means by which such talent could be sent over to SL where they could gain first team experience and develop over a year or two before returning I think it would be possible to create a mutually beneficial relationship between the NRL and SL. Because simply barging into a SL club with a wad of cash and cherry picking the best talent without giving up something in return is just going to annoy the clubs and make recruitment that much more difficult.
All of these kids are between the ages of 18 and 20 and have many years of production in front of them. Whilst Dodd, Lewis and Smith are all under contract it should be possible for a clever recruiter to broker a deal providing the SL clubs are being reimbursed with appropriate value. Obviously money talks. But money isn't going to fill the void left by them leaving. Top halfbacks are incredibly rare and the selling clubs will find it difficult to replace such talent. I believe the trick would be to devise some kind of deal which would see any transfer fee supported by young talent going the opposite way. The NRL has a huge production line of extremely capable young players who often struggle to break into the first team because there are no slots available. Eventually they become jaded and disillusioned with playing lower grade football and drift out of the game. If some means by which such talent could be sent over to SL where they could gain first team experience and develop over a year or two before returning I think it would be possible to create a mutually beneficial relationship between the NRL and SL. Because simply barging into a SL club with a wad of cash and cherry picking the best talent without giving up something in return is just going to annoy the clubs and make recruitment that much more difficult.
