tiger_scott
Well-known member
I thought it might be worth discussing the different styles each team are using to build their teams. These are my thoughts on each. Happy to be corrected though, if you think that I've missed the mark. Order as per last year's table finish.
Penrith Panthers: Biggest developer and user of juniors from their area. A couple of imports, where needed, such as Kikau and Korisau (junior anyway?). Sustainable
Melbourne Storm: Still doing their big 3/4 approach. A couple of superstars, surrounded with competent 1st graders. Rely on the esteem club is held in in order to get their pick of these support cast members. Not sure how this approach will go when Bellamy is no longer at the helm.
Parramatta Eels: Should be better. Should be similar to Panthers, but haven't quite got there. Buy too many from outside rather than "growing their own". Could rectify this and become a powerhouse, fortunately too much infighting currently for this to occur.
Sydney Roosters: Use the sombrero to only buy elite talent. Success has also given them the advantage of winning most bidding wars. If the money on offer is similar, a greater chance at a premiership the deciding factor for most except the most loyal clubmen. Probably will continue their success until Politis rides off into the sunset.
Canberra Raiders: English attracting English. They were smart enough to see the talent in the Superleague and grab enough of them to make it down under's northern England. Weather not a concern for them either. Not a bad model.
South Sydney Rabbitohs: Come play for the Gladiator & indigenous brotherhood. Both strategies work well for them.
Newcastle Knights: Selling the lifestyle of Newy to good players wanting out of Sydney. Need to build their juniors again though as it looks to be expensive still to attract elite talent and make them relocate.
Cronulla Sharks: Aging roster. Good at grabbing a few players from an opposing team at a time, i.e. recruiting a few Tigers or recruiting a few Panthers in a group. Can't quite pinpoint their strategy.
Gold Coast Titans: Trying to copy Melbourne, buying a few top shelf players. The GC lifestyle would be a good selling point too. If they can have on-field success, watch out, players will flock and success should be sustained.
New Zealand Warriors: Poor buggers. Located in Australia again. Should have the pick of NZ, unfortunately Aussie clubs scout and poach the best and brightest and get them over here on scholarship. They really need to identify/protect these elite players and get them in their system.
Wests Tigers: Set a price when recruiting/renewing and stick to it (tick). Identity gun juniors a year or two away from debuting/playing firsts and sign them (tick). Build a COE so you become a desirable destination finally (tick).
St. George Illawarra Dragons: Currently adding a few top dollar imports to locally grown. Seem to identified the wrong top $ options (Tigers can relate to this sadly). Should really focus on the Illawarra region and get those juniors flowing into the team.
Manly Sea Eagles: Spend big on a few players and hope for the best. Looks like it works for them if injuries stay away. Don't seem to have lot in the way of juniors coming through though.
North Queensland Cowboys: Recruiting locals and waiting for their next JT. May actually need a splash of imported talent in the right places to be competitive while they wait for him.
Canterbury Bulldogs: Buy the best they currently can. Hope that some sucker takes their rejects to make room in their salary cap (Tigers, please don't buy Hoppa or DWZ).
Brisbane Broncos: Should get back to what they do best and just get the best kids in Queensland to play for them. Unfortunately, they now have Storm, NQ and GC competing with them for these. Need to restore their shine for this strategy to be successful again.
Thoughts?
Penrith Panthers: Biggest developer and user of juniors from their area. A couple of imports, where needed, such as Kikau and Korisau (junior anyway?). Sustainable
Melbourne Storm: Still doing their big 3/4 approach. A couple of superstars, surrounded with competent 1st graders. Rely on the esteem club is held in in order to get their pick of these support cast members. Not sure how this approach will go when Bellamy is no longer at the helm.
Parramatta Eels: Should be better. Should be similar to Panthers, but haven't quite got there. Buy too many from outside rather than "growing their own". Could rectify this and become a powerhouse, fortunately too much infighting currently for this to occur.
Sydney Roosters: Use the sombrero to only buy elite talent. Success has also given them the advantage of winning most bidding wars. If the money on offer is similar, a greater chance at a premiership the deciding factor for most except the most loyal clubmen. Probably will continue their success until Politis rides off into the sunset.
Canberra Raiders: English attracting English. They were smart enough to see the talent in the Superleague and grab enough of them to make it down under's northern England. Weather not a concern for them either. Not a bad model.
South Sydney Rabbitohs: Come play for the Gladiator & indigenous brotherhood. Both strategies work well for them.
Newcastle Knights: Selling the lifestyle of Newy to good players wanting out of Sydney. Need to build their juniors again though as it looks to be expensive still to attract elite talent and make them relocate.
Cronulla Sharks: Aging roster. Good at grabbing a few players from an opposing team at a time, i.e. recruiting a few Tigers or recruiting a few Panthers in a group. Can't quite pinpoint their strategy.
Gold Coast Titans: Trying to copy Melbourne, buying a few top shelf players. The GC lifestyle would be a good selling point too. If they can have on-field success, watch out, players will flock and success should be sustained.
New Zealand Warriors: Poor buggers. Located in Australia again. Should have the pick of NZ, unfortunately Aussie clubs scout and poach the best and brightest and get them over here on scholarship. They really need to identify/protect these elite players and get them in their system.
Wests Tigers: Set a price when recruiting/renewing and stick to it (tick). Identity gun juniors a year or two away from debuting/playing firsts and sign them (tick). Build a COE so you become a desirable destination finally (tick).
St. George Illawarra Dragons: Currently adding a few top dollar imports to locally grown. Seem to identified the wrong top $ options (Tigers can relate to this sadly). Should really focus on the Illawarra region and get those juniors flowing into the team.
Manly Sea Eagles: Spend big on a few players and hope for the best. Looks like it works for them if injuries stay away. Don't seem to have lot in the way of juniors coming through though.
North Queensland Cowboys: Recruiting locals and waiting for their next JT. May actually need a splash of imported talent in the right places to be competitive while they wait for him.
Canterbury Bulldogs: Buy the best they currently can. Hope that some sucker takes their rejects to make room in their salary cap (Tigers, please don't buy Hoppa or DWZ).
Brisbane Broncos: Should get back to what they do best and just get the best kids in Queensland to play for them. Unfortunately, they now have Storm, NQ and GC competing with them for these. Need to restore their shine for this strategy to be successful again.
Thoughts?