Juniors - Pathways General Discussion

[cochise]

Yes. But if Storm or Roosters identify a gun in your system, good luck with that.

He also stated that other clubs they know the Tigers wants to keep them so they push the prices high.

 

[cochise]

That’s what you say publicly when you are the head of pathways 😂

I think it is pretty close to the mark, there are a number of kids on 3-5 year deals.

 

[cochise]

Come again? You saying clubs put in false bids to up the contracts of our juniors?

I'll have to listen back to Matt's exact wording but it was something like other club's know how much we want to keep them and they take advantage of that.

 

[cochise]

I’m sure we have most of them locked down. What I think happens though is when a dead certainty comes along, they’re the ones you are a big chance of losing to the big money clubs. Seems we have kept Tallyn and managed to snare Jahream and Pole so we’re doing some good stuff.

Jordan Miller is another tied up long term, but I think there are at least another 5-7 on long deals.

 

[cochise]

I don’t watch it so I can’t comment on the individuals. My point is the big money clubs have scouts out there who know their stuff. Every now and then a no-brainer comes along. Guys like Ponga, Suaallii etc. Without a cap you’re not going to stop the Storm and Roosters (and now Penrith) continuing to stockpile the best young talent. Pezet and Grant are good examples, players are choosing to play reserve grade for longer to eventually be a part of those systems.

It is a valid point and the reason they brought in an age limit of when clubs can sign contracts. A cap would be a good idea. The benefit we do have is we have 3 age group systems so we have many more places for these kids to play than the other teams.

Though we then need to get them down to one team for Flegg and is why you will see players at that age moving to other teams.

 

[jadtiger]

Someone posted we have signed all the potential guns we want already

Probably one of Sheens bum kissers would say that,in reality that would not be the case as you always have players who don't kick on and late developers who are overlooked

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Probably one of Sheens bum kissers would say that,in reality that would not be the case as you always have players who don't kick on and late developers who are overlooked

I'll put my trust in the knowledge of our junior development team who have done so much to revamp our juniors, especially the recruitment and retention in the Macarthur and Campbelltown regions. We've witnessed the young hooker Da Silva debut in NSW Cup plus the plethora of other youngsters from the good Wests' teams and Balmain including the half Alex Conti.

Also, it is not possible to retain every junior especially with the predatory clubs circling. Read the earlier post where Faagutu is under contract, wants to stay loyal to WTs despite Melbourne's interest. That is a great story which is often lost when it is easier to point fingers from afar.

 

[Tigers_Wests]

There was talk up here in Brisbane amongst people that are close to Chris Faagutu a few weeks ago that Melbourne were interested in signing him possibly when his contract with us is up in 25 or even trying to see if he can get a early release next year to join them. They've said he's told them that he wants to stay loyal to WT which is a good sign for us if what they're saying is true

Fa'agutu will be something special! One junior we need to keep, as he has NRL written all over him!

 

[Chipofftheoldblock]

Fa'agutu will be something special! One junior we need to keep, as he has NRL written all over him!

100% agree

 

[pawsandclaws1]

We’re heading for a second wooden spoon Paws. There might be good happening but until we see any fruit it’s a hard sell to the fan base. But you keep hoping.

Most of us on the forum (and no doubt many others) are hardcore supporters, not latte sippers from the Eastern Suburbs whose support for a team alters with the direction of the wind. As long as I see our junior ranks building with players like Bula, Tupou, Pole, Feledy, De Silva, Faagutu, Conti, Mason, Miller, Kanaan and many others I know we're headed for better times. This does not mean a premiership but a more competitive team.

 

[tiger_one]

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I doubt you can speak for most on the forum, I know plenty disagree with your opinions. You appear to me to speak for a small subset who blindly support the club through every single failure. You are part of the “we accept mediocrity” club.

Of the long list of players you’ve named I can say with confidence that Bula could be a part of the solution. The rest of them are kids with a dream at this stage.

You can be a hardcore supporter of a club - WTs, Wests and/or Balmain but not agree with management, how the club is run.or with the opinions of other supporters on the forum. In the end, we all support WTs otherwise we wouldn't be members of the forum. That is my view.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

To help us look ahead, I've created a team of our best SG Ball talent for 2024 if we did a combined Magpies & Tigers team. These kids will be either 18 or 19 next year with their age in '24 indicated.

PS. Obviously some of these kids like Da Silva will play higher grades but it just shows our strength in this age group.

SG BALL ALL-STARS 2024
FB: Heath Mason 19
WG: Riley Oitmann 18
WG: Daniel Waqa 19
CE: William Craig 19
CE: Navren Willett 19
5/8: Lachlan Galvin 19
HB: Alex Conti 18
LK: Kit Laulilii 19
2R: Sosefo Finau 19
2R: Keenan Lawandos 19
FR: Jordan Miller 19
FR: Lipina Ata 19
HK: Tallyn Da Silva 19

RES: Cameron Kanaan 19
RES: Luke Laulilii 18
RES: Mikey Nasser 18
RES: Marc Tannous 18
RES: Edwin Langi 18
RES: Dougie Tuala 18
RES: Ryan Polsen 19
RES: Aaron Keppie 18
RES: Denzel Schaafhausen-Mino 18
RES: Brendan Naicori 19

I'll do a Harold Matts team over the weekend.

Here is my take of a Harold Matts All-Stars (best of Magpies & Tigers) for 2024 - those kids who are 17 & 16 next year. Enjoy!

HAROLD MATTS ALL-STARS 2024
FB: Ali Karnib 17
WG: Paul Johnson 17
WG: James Bengura 17
CE: Heamsai Makasini 17
CE: Glassie Glassie 17
5/8: Onitoni Large 17
HB: Alex Isdale 17
LK: Peter Ta'ai 17
2R: Pheonix Godinet 17
2R: Will Jenkins 17
FR: PJ French 17
FR: Hayden Elkris 17
HK: Brooklyn Milford 17

RES: Ashton Large 16
RES: Siotame Havea Jr 16
RES: Malcolm Mailo 17
RES: Jake Jones 17
RES: Aaron Paea 17

 

[Kelce68]

Fa'agutu will be something special! One junior we need to keep, as he has NRL written all over him!

Better prospect than Miller in my opinion. And that's saying something.

 

[jojo]

Here is my take of a Harold Matts All-Stars (best of Magpies & Tigers) for 2024 - those kids who are 17 & 16 next year. Enjoy!

HAROLD MATTS ALL-STARS 2024
FB: Ali Karnib 17
WG: Paul Johnson 17
WG: James Bengura 17
CE: Heamsai Makasini 17
CE: Glassie Glassie 17
5/8: Onitoni Large 17
HB: Alex Isdale 17
LK: Peter Ta'ai 17
2R: Pheonix Godinet 17
2R: Will Jenkins 17
FR: PJ French 17
FR: Hayden Elkris 17
HK: Brooklyn Milford 17

RES: Ashton Large 16
RES: Siotame Havea Jr 16
RES: Malcolm Mailo 17
RES: Jake Jones 17
RES: Aaron Paea 17

You wouldn't have Ashton Large at 9 given he was named in the team of the tournament as the best 9 in the country playing up with this top age at last year's Australian Schoolboys?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

You wouldn't have Ashton Large at 9 given he was named in the team of the tournament as the best 9 in the country playing up with this top age at last year's Australian Schoolboys?

Yes probably should.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Just a quick update on where some of our pathways players are playing in local competitions.

Navren Willett - fullback in Taree City 1st Grade - Group 3.
Riley Oitmann (fullback), Luke Prebble (backrow), Ewan Xuereb (prop) - Camden Rams U18s - Macarthur U18 Gold comp.
*Will Craig (centre/fullback), Heith Pritchard (halfback), Jeremiah Leatigaga (backrow), Brooklyn Milford (hooker) - East Campbelltown U18s - Macarthur U18 Gold comp. *Will got a run in 1st Grade Macarthur comp too.
Sonny Edwards-Moeke (halfback), Livai Saukuru (prop), Nathaniel Gallagher (backrow/centre) - Narellan Jets U18 Gold - Macarthur U18 Gold comp.
Luke Keppie (halfback) - Picton U18 Magpies - Macarthur U18 Gold comp.
John Tuipolotu (prop) - Ryde Eastwood Hawks - Metro Combined Open Age.
Tino Tavana (fullback), Zak Clarke (backrow), Sonny Edwards-Moeke (halfback) - Narellan Jets 1st Grade - Macarthur 1st Grade comp.
Paul Johnson (wing/fullback), Brooklyn Milford (hooker), Peter Taai (lock) - East Campbelltown Eagles U16s - Macarthury U16 Gold comp.
Ali Karnib (fullback) - Liverpool Catholic Club U16s - Macarthur U16 Gold comp.

If anyone knows of others & their comp, please share as I'd like to follow their progress.

PS. Have not been able to find the underage comp that Onitoni Large is playing unless he's just playing school footy.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Just a quick update on where some of our pathways players are playing in local competitions.

Navren Willett - fullback in Taree City 1st Grade - Group 3.
Riley Oitmann (fullback), Luke Prebble (backrow), Ewan Xuereb (prop) - Camden Rams U18s - Macarthur U18 Gold comp.
*Will Craig (centre/fullback), Heith Pritchard (halfback), Jeremiah Leatigaga (backrow), Brooklyn Milford (hooker) - East Campbelltown U18s - Macarthur U18 Gold comp. *Will got a run in 1st Grade Macarthur comp too.
Sonny Edwards-Moeke (halfback), Livai Saukuru (prop), Nathaniel Gallagher (backrow/centre) - Narellan Jets U18 Gold - Macarthur U18 Gold comp.
Luke Keppie (halfback) - Picton U18 Magpies - Macarthur U18 Gold comp.
John Tuipolotu (prop) - Ryde Eastwood Hawks - Metro Combined Open Age.
Tino Tavana (fullback), Zak Clarke (backrow), Sonny Edwards-Moeke (halfback) - Narellan Jets 1st Grade - Macarthur 1st Grade comp.
Paul Johnson (wing/fullback), Brooklyn Milford (hooker), Peter Taai (lock) - East Campbelltown Eagles U16s - Macarthury U16 Gold comp.
Ali Karnib (fullback) - Liverpool Catholic Club U16s - Macarthur U16 Gold comp.

If anyone knows of others & their comp, please share as I'd like to follow their progress.

PS. Have not been able to find the underage comp that Onitoni Large is playing unless he's just playing school footy.

Oliver Lawry (halfback), William Malloy (wing), Emmanuel Kandidakis (centre), Joseph Delle (centre), Harrison Henson (wing), Elijaah Mataale (backrow), Cody Kelso (Lock) - Ryde Eastwood Hawks - Sydney Shield.

 

[balmain boy]

Oliver Lawry (halfback), William Malloy (wing), Emmanuel Kandidakis (centre), Joseph Delle (centre), Harrison Henson (wing), Elijaah Mataale (backrow), Cody Kelso (Lock) - Ryde Eastwood Hawks - Sydney Shield.

It's practically impossible to get team lists for these lower grade comps. Would seem unusual for Tuipolutu to be playing in a different side to the rest of these flegg boys. Surely they're all in Shield..? :/

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

It's practically impossible to get team lists for these lower grade comps. Would seem unusual for Tuipolutu to be playing in a different side to the rest of these flegg boys. Surely they're all in Shield..? :/

I'm just going off the team lists on NSWRL competitions site - https://www.playrugbyleague.com/Competitions/Association/nswrl-conference-competitions-14684

Lawry was in that team last week & now moved to Sydney Shield again.