It’s like they don’t recognise those clubs also have more than 0.5 origin players and some top tier internationals making up half their starting 17.
The players discussed are a very small portion of the overall talent at the good teams - being a much larger percentage of the talent here, won’t make them better players.
It’s also like they’ve not been paying attention the last decade or so - with our Naiqamas, Rankins, Mbyes and Klemmers.
I also don’t think Luke will make it in the NRL, he doesn’t have enough about him to compete with the modern day wingers. And he won’t be protected, like he could be in 1-2 of the top clubs.
He’s basically a smaller version of a Nofoaluma type player… I like the kid, just don’t see a world where he’s an NRL Winger.
Might make it as a back up fullback and finish his career with 20-30 games?
I see your point.
Thing is, I disagree about the amount of high quality players difference between Penrith/Storm & the Tigers.
Don't get me wrong- I'm not saying the Tigers are 'better' than those clubs. However, just looking at last season as an example- Terrell & Taylan May, Luai, Bula, Turuva, Sam Fainu & Koroisau. I would say these are the 'star' players in the club stables.
Let's compare that to a team like Cronulla, who regularly play finals football. Hynes, Mulitalo, Katoa, Fonua-Blake, McInnes, Nikora, Trindall, Kennedy.
Or maybe the Bulldogs? Galvin, Xerri, Kiraz, Burton, Crichton, Preston, King, Kikau.
Is there THAT big a difference? Enough difference for 1 club to be finals contenders & the other wooden spoon contenders?
The Storm are gold standard in overall quality with Munster, Hughes, Utoikamanu, Blore, Grant, Faalogo, Coates, Warbrick. They just added Hetherington.
As a collective though- the board here wants to pick up Kamikamica from the Storm. Hetherington essentially replaces his spot on the bench. If the Storm prefer Hetherington, why are we slobbering all over Kamikamica?
My point has always been we are THIN on quality depth. I think across the board, our top 15-17 players are comparable to most of the top squads in the NRL. But as soon as injury, form or suspension kicks in, we are playing untested players compared to clubs like the Panthers & Storm who replace front liners with guys like....Hetherington...Lussick...
Know who we bring up next season if injury hits? Tristan Hope, Charlie Murray...
There's the difference in good clubs to bottom feeders.
