weststigers
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2009
- Messages
- 3,476
Juniors is just one part of the puzzle.This happens to a lot of clubs with large catchments for junior talent. Given that we are positioning ourselves as a development club, the number of promising juniors coming through will increase. A number of things we need to realise:
1) We can't keep them all and we will inevitably lose some promising juniors to other clubs. An example away from the Wests Tigers: Ethan Sanders, the U19s NSW Blues halfback (with Latu Fainu at 6), was part of the Eels system. He was reportedly signed by the Raiders from 2025, after the Eels locked up Moses and Brown on long term deals. And back to the Wests Tigers and Latu Fainu, we've poached the Fainu brothers, despite them being in the Manly system for a number of years.
2) We have to back our coaching staff to identify the juniors that will succeed at NRL level. Playing in the Australian Schoolboys team is certainly a big tick, but no means a certainty that they will make the jump to first grade. Just ask Brenden Santi.
3) We have to back our club to create a winning culture. Penrith are the absolute gold standard here. Whilst they are leaking their junior talent, they are leaving after first grade success rather than before it. Juniors are staying for the chance to play in that side and make history (not to mention the journeymen going to the Panthers for a chance to improve their stock). A winning culture will improve junior retention but will not guarantee it. For example, Panthers lost a 'prodigal centre', Wilson de Courcey, to the Knights, likely with the promise of a top 30 spot.
Our focus on the future is clear, with a large number of juniors either in the top 30 for 2024 or 2025. Hopefully the juniors that have been earmarked for success turn out to be the best in their positions.
You need to have a connected system, game philosophy and culture running through the club from top to bottom.
It means these juniors are ready with everything they need once they debut. Learning on the job is not the way to bring juniors through.
Penrith, Melbourne and to a lesser extent, Brisbane do this the best.