Juniors - Pathways General Discussion

[Oldman]

I’d keep 2 teams,
It’s not about winning it’s about unearthing potential NRL quality players and with 2 teams we have twice the number of kids getting that opportunity.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I’d keep 2 teams,
It’s not about winning it’s about unearthing potential NRL quality players and with 2 teams we have twice the number of kids getting that opportunity.

That's the best reason for 2 sides.
The point of contention is if they poach/sign players from wherever, they go to the Magpie sides?
Then it becomes biased.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Check out my depth chart per position of our pathways prospects. Some good discussion points.

Post in thread 'BWG Pathways Prospects into 2027'

Yesterday at 2:21 PM

Here is my crack at a depth chart of our pathways prospects per position (those not on a Top 30 in '27).

Note: age turning next year in brackets.

Fullback
Attard & Bryenton (20) - Brookes & Oitmann (21) - Kanaan (20) - Isdale & Aroyan (18)
Summary: Not sure whether Bryenton will be top 30 so included him here. Unsure if Brookes will return. Rumoured addition of Nassar (21) too. Otherwise very good prospects.

Wing
Huahulu, Glassie & Bryenton (20) - Nicholas (21) - Lanyon (19) - Kerr & Aroyan (18)
Summary: Some exciting prospects coming through. Rumoured addition of...

• BlackWhiteGold

• 

 

[Yossarian]

Ironic because the argument put forward by some is that a single Wests Tigers team would not work because of the travel expectations for kids in the SW

I just don’t see the benefit. What kid from Campbelltown is going to travel if they miss out on the “A” team? I would think the more players who get a chance the better.

 

[Yossarian]

That's the best reason for 2 sides.
The point of contention is if they poach/sign players from wherever, they go to the Magpie sides?
Then it becomes biased.

Even that I could live with although you’d think a case by case consideration would make more sense based on positional need and where they’re based.

 

[king_sirro]

I just don’t see the benefit. What kid from Campbelltown is going to travel if they miss out on the “A” team? I would think the more players who get a chance the better.

Apparently the "excuse" is that they want the kids plating together and coming through together. Now, how often has there been an age group where 4 or more players come through all together to be top liners? The excuse is a cover up in my opinion.

 

[Red88_Tiger]

I just don’t see the benefit. What kid from Campbelltown is going to travel if they miss out on the “A” team? I would think the more players who get a chance the better.

Maybe with the various home grounds they want them to get used to travelling for a home game 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

 

[pawsandclaws1]

What are peoples thoughts about the club putting all the best players in the Magpies Matts and Balls teams and the remaining players in the Balmain teams? Essentially habing an A and B team.

For me, i see it as plain stupid. If they are going to do that, then just have one team. Why enter "B" teams only to get flogged every week.

That being said, maybe this move will help with the stupid myth some have that this is a Balmain oriented merger, although im sure they would still complain

It would be logical if the combined team was branded as WTs.

 

[innsaneink]

Where has this been mentioned @king_sirro

Often balmain got a lot of kids from Parra trialling with them , those that missed the dev squads
North Sydney JRL and Manly would be keeping an eye on proceedings at Balmain JRL, though its not a real strong junior comp...that said there are exceptions every now n then

 

[king_sirro]

Where has this been mentioned @king_sirro

Often balmain got a lot of kids from Parra trialling with them , those that missed the dev squads
North Sydney JRL and Manly would be keeping an eye on proceedings at Balmain JRL, though its not a real strong junior comp...that said there are exceptions every now n then

I know a few players and a number of staff. Im not prepared to say specifically where i heard it though. I doubt its a secret as far as Im aware

 

[Red88_Tiger]

What are peoples thoughts about the club putting all the best players in the Magpies Matts and Balls teams and the remaining players in the Balmain teams? Essentially habing an A and B team.

For me, i see it as plain stupid. If they are going to do that, then just have one team. Why enter "B" teams only to get flogged every week.

As far as the b teams. These kids have got to play somewhere and the area is big enough for a side as well. As ink has said you get other districts kids that want an opportunity aswell. It’s also not a definite that they would get flogged every year.
You also have to remember that it’s not always the gifted kids that mature in to decent players as seniors. A team with a chip on their shoulder will always play harder against the a team
In every team at the bottom of the ladder there’s a few decent players. Sometimes losing can shape a young player’s resolve. But I’ll agree that it often goes the other way if they aren’t semi competitive