Harold-Mathews Grand Final

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Ordinarily many of these players would have played SG Ball this season, and Flegg next year.

Any ideas why we'd hold them back? Players who dominate at a certain level can be fast tracked to boost their development. Could see Miller playing some Flegg towards the end of this season.

Also why do you believe NSWRL will extend the age group decisions? This was made due to COVID, these issues have since passed and there is now no need or benefit with those temporary measures.

SG Ball needs to be aligned with schoolboys comps, a short season which aligns with school requirements (both educational and footy). Having 18-19 year olds playing SG Ball for 8 weeks really serves no purpose, and leaves these players in a limbo where they suddenly don't have footy for the rest of the year unless they get promoted to Flegg and so their development stalls. There needs to be an urgent push to re-align these comps with their original age brackets.

It’s difficult because if they revert to 16s & 18s, the first year they do it, a bunch of kids are going to miss out. This of course was the same reason they changed it during COVID, because players were being denied their crack

Not sure they can go back now.

A lot of the Wests premiership winning Matt’s team played three years in that comp.

From memory the ages of these comps have only ever moved in the one direction. Matthews Cup started out in the 70s as an under 14s long weekend carnival.

 

[momo_amp_medo]

A HOST of NRL clubs are already circling members of Western Suburbs victorious Harold Matthews side.

The Magpies won their first Harold Matthews title when they beat Cronulla last weekend.

Already the likes of Luke and Kit Laulilii, Jordan Miller and Tallyn Da Silva have attracted interest from rival teams.

 

[balmain boy]

A HOST of NRL clubs are already circling members of Western Suburbs victorious Harold Matthews side.

The Magpies won their first Harold Matthews title when they beat Cronulla last weekend.

Already the likes of Luke and Kit Laulilii, Jordan Miller and Tallyn Da Silva have attracted interest from rival teams.

Of course they will all attract interest, we just need to make sure they all enjoy playing together, see a pathway at the club, and want to stay. Wouldn't expect many to leave yet.

But yes we should fast track a number of these players to SG Ball/Flegg. Just because someone is still eligible for a younger age group doesn't mean they should only ever play at the age group they're currently at. If you're good enough to play flegg at 17-18 that's great, let them play.

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Magpie Memoir Magazine https://issuu.com/theeyeofthestormmagazine/docs/magpie_memoir_-_issue_18_may_2022_?fbclid=IwAR12qhUS2UxMxmvcwnLwafIQxsRahQM9fGWf0ijEpDsryMfkpi4SAtzKL68

Matthews Cup Final series coverage from yours truly ...

 

[balmain boy]

It’s difficult because if they revert to 16s & 18s, the first year they do it, a bunch of kids are going to miss out. This of course was the same reason they changed it during COVID, because players were being denied their crack

Not sure they can go back now.

A lot of the Wests premiership winning Matt’s team played three years in that comp.

From memory the ages of these comps have only ever moved in the one direction. Matthews Cup started out in the 70s as an under 14s long weekend carnival.

SO be it, if some of the lesser rated players fall through the cracks it's not a major loss. The best players will always be playing in one of the grades. We can't design the whole youth system to protect a small number of fringe squad players. There's still comps they can play in and get another shot in due course.

 

[weststigerman]

There are about 5 players in there we should have locked up long term. I agree on fast tracking them to Flegg. A few of them look physically ready to make the jump now.

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

There are about 5 players in there we should have locked up long term. I agree on fast tracking them to Flegg. A few of them look physically ready to make the jump now.

I disagree. These boys are under 17s this year. Let them play a little SG Ball in 2023 before contemplating Flegg. There’s no rush. Let them go back and play with their mates at school, junior clubs etc.

 

[Needaname]

Article from the other day, interview with Matt Bettsy regarding our pathways structure, progress and planning.
A good read, a bit of detail also regarding the Wests HM side.

It’s relevant for this thread or the Junior Pathways thread none the less.

Former Cricket Australia specialist strengthening pathways at Wests Tigers

The Western Suburbs Magpies capped off a stellar year in the Harold Matthews under 17s junior representative competition winning the final against Cronulla

everythingrugbyleague.com

 

[weststigerman]

I disagree. These boys are under 17s this year. Let them play a little SG Ball in 2023 before contemplating Flegg. There’s no rush. Let them go back and play with their mates at school, junior clubs etc.

I guess it depends what they do with the age groups in 2023, but I don't think it's unreasonable for them to be playing flegg round 1 2023 if they're up to it.

 

[balmain boy]

I guess it depends what they do with the age groups in 2023, but I don't think it's unreasonable for them to be playing flegg round 1 2023 if they're up to it.

Take Matamua this season. He played 2-3 games in Ball then moved up to Flegg. I can see a similar progression for the likes of Miller, Lualili etc

Also depends on their schooling, are they scheduled to play schoolboys comp next year? But then we've also had schoolboys skip Flegg and NSW Cup and go straight to the nrl, eg benji, lawrence, or straight to nsw cup eg Hoffmann.