There has been a lot said of the Wests Tigers having the best crop of young players. Does everyone agree?
We do potentially have a very good team, however potential is not always realized. There is a big risk of relying too heavily on too many younger players. Many of our players Brooks, Moses, Sironen, Simona and Sue etc are yet to consistently play at a high standard (which is understandable but they many never be the stars we are hoping for). Cherrington, Seve & Liolevave also look to have a future but are yet to have a crack at NRL. They are all still young so time is on their side. The best thing for us is we have players coming though across all positions.
I think only Woods (23) as well as when fit Tedesco (21) and Nofoaluma (21) have already proven to be quality NRL players consistently. Lodge has also looked good but has only had limited game time.
Compare this to Souths who have a lot of younger players that are already established first graders and you know what they will deliver each week. In the premiership side they had Reynolds (24), Keary (22), George Burgess (22), Tom Burgess (22), Turner (22), Walker (20) and Johnston (19). The difference is they had quality experienced players around them in Sam Burgess, Greg Inglis and Isaac Luke.
Penrith also have an amazing lot of proven young players. Segayaro, Whare, Moylan and Docker are all 24 or younger. Then coming through they have Watene-Zelezniak (19), the Jennings brothers, Cartwright, Waqa Blake and a host of others.
Parramatta is another team with some young talent. Nathan Peats is still only 24, Corey Norman (23), Will Hopoate (22), Semi Radrada (22), Junior Paulo (21) and Pauli Pauli (20). They also have Tepai Moeroa (19), who I think is the best forward prospect in the game along with the Cowboys Jason Taumalolo. Unfortunately for them Hayne has now gone.
All sides have young talented players.
So overall I think potentially we do have the makings of a good side now and in the future with all the talent coming through appearing to be better than most. Our biggest issue is that you need a mix of experienced players to compliment the youngsters. Most of our experience is from those who are not contributing to the level required, with Lawrence, Galloway & Halatau not being in our top side in a perfect world. Recruitment is always crucial, however we must get it right over the next few seasons so we don’t waste our chances.
We do potentially have a very good team, however potential is not always realized. There is a big risk of relying too heavily on too many younger players. Many of our players Brooks, Moses, Sironen, Simona and Sue etc are yet to consistently play at a high standard (which is understandable but they many never be the stars we are hoping for). Cherrington, Seve & Liolevave also look to have a future but are yet to have a crack at NRL. They are all still young so time is on their side. The best thing for us is we have players coming though across all positions.
I think only Woods (23) as well as when fit Tedesco (21) and Nofoaluma (21) have already proven to be quality NRL players consistently. Lodge has also looked good but has only had limited game time.
Compare this to Souths who have a lot of younger players that are already established first graders and you know what they will deliver each week. In the premiership side they had Reynolds (24), Keary (22), George Burgess (22), Tom Burgess (22), Turner (22), Walker (20) and Johnston (19). The difference is they had quality experienced players around them in Sam Burgess, Greg Inglis and Isaac Luke.
Penrith also have an amazing lot of proven young players. Segayaro, Whare, Moylan and Docker are all 24 or younger. Then coming through they have Watene-Zelezniak (19), the Jennings brothers, Cartwright, Waqa Blake and a host of others.
Parramatta is another team with some young talent. Nathan Peats is still only 24, Corey Norman (23), Will Hopoate (22), Semi Radrada (22), Junior Paulo (21) and Pauli Pauli (20). They also have Tepai Moeroa (19), who I think is the best forward prospect in the game along with the Cowboys Jason Taumalolo. Unfortunately for them Hayne has now gone.
All sides have young talented players.
So overall I think potentially we do have the makings of a good side now and in the future with all the talent coming through appearing to be better than most. Our biggest issue is that you need a mix of experienced players to compliment the youngsters. Most of our experience is from those who are not contributing to the level required, with Lawrence, Galloway & Halatau not being in our top side in a perfect world. Recruitment is always crucial, however we must get it right over the next few seasons so we don’t waste our chances.
