OFFICIAL Jersey Flegg Cup

[pawsandclaws1]

Rookie Watch: Top 100 young players yet to play NRL: 50-41​

MSN

 

[boonboon]

We do have to remember that Sukkar, Sam Fainu are still Flegg eligible this year and Kit, Tallyn, Mason for this yr and next and Luke still eligible for 26 and 27.

Your best Flegg eligible players usually aren't playing Flegg unless they are 18

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Are you rubbing it in with Zak Clarke?

Me, no. I posted if out of interest and of course for Jared Haywood.

 

[West's Rule]

Point is BWG, he was also very highly touted here for some strong runs, and aggressive defence. WT paid him out/moved him on, reportedly very disappointed in him like Miller. The Dogs throw him a bone through his connections with Crichton, and he didn't even see out a pathways pre season.

Strong runs and aggression just doesn't cut it as a middle in 2025. There are more attributes that need to be considered. If folks really want to analyse football, watch what happens off the ball. Marker movements, line tie-in, inside pressure, rip and line speed, pressure on the kicker, lateral movements, etc. Faagatu was awful with all of this. Just lazy. So was Miller. If Maataale was any good at it, he would still be at Canterbury because he was there last season under the eye of Gould and Ciraldo.

It's this type of poor talent ID that leads a club like WT to select a Broederlow over a Zak Clarke. I dare say you might be falling into the same trap with Maataale. Like Broederlow, he's standing out with some strong runs and defence, but that's moot if they're lazy, lose the ruck, miss their assignment, and put the rest of the team under pressure. The NRL squad already has a Royce Hunt.

They had a forward that had all these attributes for the first 6 rounds, got dropped then played big minutes against Penrith had a big game then gets dropped again.Watched all his games and was consistently solid, huge work rate.
The Dogs coach did his homework that's for sure, this Tigers team has got worse can't match it with the better teams.
This Mataale is a Penrith junior, played junior football with St Marys, then at Nth Sydney , then Balmain SG Ball then Canterbury now someone thought it a good idea to bring him into the Tigers Flegg team.Everyone has assessed him and moved him on , you got to have a big engine or you will not compete.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I jest. But he was in the WT system until recently. It says it in his bio.

I thought you may be but covered bases just in case. Our other junior, prop Clarke, now with the Storm I am sure will make an appearance.

 

[Vicious]

They had a forward that had all these attributes for the first 6 rounds, got dropped then played big minutes against Penrith had a big game then gets dropped again.Watched all his games and was consistently solid, huge work rate.
The Dogs coach did his homework that's for sure, this Tigers team has got worse can't match it with the better teams.
This Mataale is a Penrith junior, played junior football with St Marys, then at Nth Sydney , then Balmain SG Ball then Canterbury now someone thought it a good idea to bring him into the Tigers Flegg team.Everyone has assessed him and moved him on , you got to have a big engine or you will not compete.

Which forward are your referring to that played well for the first 6 rounds and then got dropped ?
As for where players were 2-3 years ago and have been let go by other clubs or by us previously, it doesn’t define who they are now.
Rugby league very much has constant sliding doors moments, particularly for young players who quite often just need a kick up the backside and a coach to show a bit of confidence in them to allow them to turn it all around and start producing their best.
The saying you are only as good as your last game often rings true.

 

[Dr_Ice]

We do have to remember that Sukkar, Sam Fainu are still Flegg eligible this year and Kit, Tallyn, Mason for this yr and next and Luke still eligible for 26 and 27.

Your best Flegg eligible players usually aren't playing Flegg unless they are 18

Yes this is true, but similar across all teams with the best youngsters playing up

 

[bbobb]

Does anyone think there is value in securing Alex Conti back to the Tigers? His path would seem to be blocked with Galvin, Woods, Cassius even Burton. He seems to bring a different skillset and reminds me a little of Jamal Fogarty. He organised the Dogs well and scored a nice try. Could develop as a handy backup to Latu or a 14.

 

[Vicious]

Does anyone think there is value in securing Alex Conti back to the Tigers? His path would seem to be blocked with Galvin, Woods, Cassius even Burton. He seems to bring a different skillset and reminds me a little of Jamal Fogarty. He organised the Dogs well and scored a nice try. Could develop as a handy backup to Latu or a 14.

Not a bad option at all.
You would think he would be interested if we offer him a top 30 contract to be our starting NSW Cup halfback and back up NRL halfback, he looks ready.

 

[Bellend]

The common theme that stands out about West lower grades is the lack of coaching and development in current and past players this is a area Conti and Clarke said was the biggest difference between tigers and their respective clubs. We seem in such a rush to promote and pass it off as we are developing players who will improve once they gain that experience in first grade. Well guess what it has not work to a great extent over the last 3 years. This is why we have not seen improvement in Mitch Taotua and Lachlan Broederlow for a example same mistakes and same inconsistent performances. The club needs to change philosophy.

 

[Merlot]

The common theme that stands out about West lower grades is the lack of coaching and development in current and past players this is a area Conti and Clarke said was the biggest difference between tigers and their respective clubs. We seem in such a rush to promote and pass it off as we are developing players who will improve once they gain that experience in first grade. Well guess what it has not work to a great extent over the last 3 years. This is why we have not seen improvement in Mitch Taotua and Lachlan Broederlow for a example same mistakes and same inconsistent performances. The club needs to change philosophy.

Richo said lower grades need to be flushed , rebuilt . There has been improvement since

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I

They had a forward that had all these attributes for the first 6 rounds, got dropped then played big minutes against Penrith had a big game then gets dropped again.Watched all his games and was consistently solid, huge work rate.
The Dogs coach did his homework that's for sure, this Tigers team has got worse can't match it with the better teams.
This Mataale is a Penrith junior, played junior football with St Marys, then at Nth Sydney , then Balmain SG Ball then Canterbury now someone thought it a good idea to bring him into the Tigers Flegg team.Everyone has assessed him and moved him on , you got to have a big engine or you will not compete.

I'll be sure to watch Mataale in those effort areas the next few rounds. I do know he was highly rated in the Balmain system by one of his coaches who was here then Gavan Sheehan, not sure why he left.

But on the eye test at the very least, he has brought ingredients lacking in our pack in the 2 games he has played (strong carries, post contact metres, good leg speed, strong contact, few missed tackles & someone who can be an enforcer).

Maybe he is playing with a point to prove, maybe he realises this is a final opportunity to impress before moving out of juniors ... I won't write him off because he was moved on from the Bulldogs. We don't even know the circumstances and how he has matured mentally & physically since then.

Fingers crossed the kid ticks those effort boxes over the rest of this season & displays consistency in his performance because we need a middle like him to flourish in pathways as we don't have too many.

 

[Bellend]

Richo said lower grades need to be flushed , rebuilt . There has been improvement since

When players can't draw a player and pass to a open player then that is a problem on two fold.
Lack of skills by player and coaches.

 

[tiger_one]

When players can't draw a player and pass to a open player then that is a problem on two fold.
Lack of skills by player and coaches.

And you see exactly that even in 1st grade ................ 🙄

 

[West's Rule]

I

I'll be sure to watch Mataale in those effort areas the next few rounds. I do know he was highly rated in the Balmain system by one of his coaches who was here then Gavan Sheehan, not sure why he left.

But on the eye test at the very least, he has brought ingredients lacking in our pack in the 2 games he has played (strong carries, post contact metres, good leg speed, strong contact, few missed tackles & someone who can be an enforcer).

Maybe he is playing with a point to prove, maybe he realises this is a final opportunity to impress before moving out of juniors ... I won't write him off because he was moved on from the Bulldogs. We don't even know the circumstances and how he has matured mentally & physically since then.

Fingers crossed the kid ticks those effort boxes over the rest of this season & displays consistency in his performance because we need a middle like him to flourish in pathways as we don't have too many.

You can watch the replay on Bar TV , count the Tackles and Hitups.
Then compare with the Dogs Props , it will give you a better inside to why the big score line.It could have been worse, Dogs missed five conversions.

 

[Vicious]

You can watch the replay on Bar TV , count the Tackles and Hitups.
Then compare with the Dogs Props , it will give you a better inside to why the big score line.It could have been worse, Dogs missed five conversions.

Our edge defence was a lot worse than our middle defence, that was the biggest problem.

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

Our edge defence was a lot worse than our middle defence, that was the biggest problem.

fullback was not good with his efforts in D either.

 

[balmain boy]

The common theme that stands out about West lower grades is the lack of coaching and development in current and past players this is a area Conti and Clarke said was the biggest difference between tigers and their respective clubs. We seem in such a rush to promote and pass it off as we are developing players who will improve once they gain that experience in first grade. Well guess what it has not work to a great extent over the last 3 years. This is why we have not seen improvement in Mitch Taotua and Lachlan Broederlow for a example same mistakes and same inconsistent performances. The club needs to change philosophy.

And the question is what do other clubs do that we still don't? Why are we the only club not developing players? Our training and coaching levels appear to be lightyears away from every other club, so why hasn't this changed in the last decade? Bring in a church from elsewhere and ask them to build our system modelled on what they learnt. How hard can it be?

 

[Vicious]

And the question is what do other clubs do that we still don't? Why are we the only club not developing players? Our training and changing levels appear to be lightyears away from every other club, so why hasn't this changed in the last decade? Bring in a church from elsewhere and ask them to build our system modelled on what they learnt. How hard can it be?

I’m my opinion development is about firstly identifying the things each player does well and highlighting them, but moreso identifying the areas each player needs improvement and constantly working with that player, including regular video review and stats review until these areas are up to standard or better.
Keep in mind one head coach will not physically have the time to put into each player to ensure this process is followed, so it’s reliant on the assistant coaches and support staff the get around each player individually and ensure the right messages are getting through constantly.
With some players you could keep working with them and telling them about the areas they need to focus on and improve every day for a full season and it either doesn’t sink in or they are just not good enough or willing to improve in these areas, that’s when as a club you have to ask the question does that player need more time or are they just not willing to follow instructions and improve ?
In saying all this the concerning part is that very few of our NSW Cup or Flegg players have improved over the last 3-4 seasons, so it makes you wonder if the right areas are being identified, if the right questions are being asked and video review highlighted to them ?
Another issue is the ones they have shown promise, but need to work hard on their fitness, it’s only really Sione Fainu that has really changed his body shape and fitness which is full credit to him.
Likewise the ones that need to bulk up/muscle up, not many have improved other than Talyn Da Silva and Heath Mason.
Of this seasons Flegg team nobody has really showed any improvement as the season has progressed and that is very concerning.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I’m my opinion development is about firstly identifying the things each player does well and highlighting them, but moreso identifying the areas each player needs improvement and constantly working with that player, including regular video review and stats review until these areas are up to standard or better.
Keep in mind one head coach will not physically have the time to put into each player to ensure this process is followed, so it’s reliant on the assistant coaches and support staff the get around each player individually and ensure the right messages are getting through constantly.
With some players you could keep working with them and telling them about the areas they need to focus on and improve every day for a full season and it either doesn’t sink in or they are just not good enough or willing to improve on these areas, that’s when as a club you have to ask the question does that player need more time or are they just not willing to follow instructions and improve ?
In saying all this the concerning part is that very few of our NSW Cup or Flegg players have improved over the last 3-4 seasons, so it makes you wonder if the right areas are being identified, if the right questions are being asked and video review highlighted to them ?
Another issue is the ones they have shown promise, but need to work hard on their fitness, it’s only really Sione Fainu that has really changed his body shape and fitness which is full credit to him.
Likewise the ones that need to bulk up/muscle up, not many have improved other than Talyn Da Silva and Heath Mason.
Of this seasons Flegg team nobody has really showed any improvement as the season has progressed and that is very concerning.

Some very good points @Vicious

Just speaking off the top of my head, some 'no brainer' things that we should have/do to build the culture & development of the 'whole' club are:

1 Have sessions for the Jersey Flegg squad to come in and train with the NRL squad at Concord and also times to integrate with them (i.e. bbq after these sessions).

2 A staff member responsible for overseeing the development of players from Flegg, Cup into NRL - responsible for individual player development plans, training systems & overall consistency of systems from NRL down to Flegg.

3 Visibility & involvement of our top dogs Richo, Benji & NRL assistants at NSW Cup & Flegg training & games. Not all the time, just regularly.

4 Specialised coaching included at NSW Cup & Jersey Flegg level - wrestling, kicking, tackle techniques etc

5 Showcase our junior prospects in more club communication both to show the value we place in our pathways, give those players experience in media interview situations and build connection between this level and our fans.

DISCLAIMER - the above may already be happening, I doubt all of it is but it's just off the top of my head.