@everett said:
It would be an interesting to read stats on how many junior so called "Super Stars" go on to successful NRL careers.
I have been on this Forum for a number of years and read other Forum member's comments on the next Super Star in our ranks and for whatever reason only a handful make it.
Marion Seve was suppose to be the next Steve Renouf (sorry about spelling) yet so far he is playing QLD cup. I think Renouf was one of the best centres I have ever seen so I was eager for Seve to kick on due to our issues with centres over the years.
Another player known as "Mighty Mouse" apparently carved them up in lower grades then his career did not kick on.
Seems like some kids peak in the junior years.
I appreciate Teddy was identify as a future star and those predictions were spot on.
Given the success of Grant and ET I think the way forward is to have a mixture of talented youth and experience hard head NRL players. Melbourne seem to be successful with this formula.
They do a bit of research into this stuff.
The best indicator of making it to the NRL is playing Junior Kangaroos. A really high percentage play at least 1 game of NRL, something like 90% and about 40% play more than 50 games.
A big indicator of success is those that go right through and play NSW Primary schools, School U/15 (CHS, CCC's etc) and NSW U/16, U/18\. If a player makes all those teams they generally get to first grade (Pete Mulholland quoted me once 3/4 I think or something high anyway). Interestingly if they make all of them except primary schools the percentage falls. Craig Gower,Blake Austin, Wade Graham, Lachlan Coote and Mitch Aubusson are few I know that did that.
In most age groups there is 2-5 players (depending on the year) that everyone acknowledges as a stand out, most times they get to first grade as well, they usually fit into the category above as well. Most of the stars fall in here, Moses and Brooks for us, recently Curtis Scott, Latrell Mitchell and Bryce Cartwright. but Fittler, Gower, Nathen Cayless, Owen Craigie, Greg Inglis, Ryan Hoffman all those types.
The bolt from the blue players are a lottery. Lots of players come and have an amazing year from no where, many kick on, many dont. So often a young bloke will come and be blistering for a year or 2, but from the blue, many of these guys get big wraps on forums and stuff, but not all kick on. Jay Mullaney and Marion Seve are good examples (Seve is still a chance) of players that fit this category. Matt Moylen went the other way, he kicked on and played first grade.
The thing is the first time people see these guys now is in 20's, and if they happen to have a great year, it is assumed they have always played like that.
There is also heaps of players that are not stand outs as juniors, but stick at it and keep improving and turn into great players.
