You hear a lot about this club and that club have so many local juniors.
Given the disparity in sizes of the junior nurseries, the fact a club like Brisbane can have lots of local juniors compared to say the Roosters, is hardly surprising.
To me, identifying talent and developing it is a far better way of judging a club's systems and culture. Just because the Stewarts were born and raised in the Illawarra, doesn't mean St George should be claiming them.
Manly have a pretty good record in this regard. If you go through our team (and if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.....the memory isn't what it used to be)
1. B. Stewart....first grade debutant....now an international.
2. J. Tafua....first grade debutant.
3. J. Lyon.....Eels
4. S. Matai....first grade debutant....now an international.
5. D. Williams....first grade debutant....now an international.
6. K. Foran....first grade debutant....now an international.
7. D. Cherry-Evans....first grade debutant....now an international.
8. J. King....first grade debutant....SOO representative.
9. M. Ballin....first grade debutant....SOO representative.
10. B. Kite.....Dragons.
11. A. Watmough....first grade debutant....now an international.
12. T. Williams....Eels....became an international at Manly.
13. G. Stewart....first grade debutant....now an international.
Fair record if you ask me.
Especially compared to the Scumdogs....Do they have anyone else besides Barba and Reynolds ? They have a good half dozen internationals that were internationals before they went there.
I know which club I'd rather support.
Given the disparity in sizes of the junior nurseries, the fact a club like Brisbane can have lots of local juniors compared to say the Roosters, is hardly surprising.
To me, identifying talent and developing it is a far better way of judging a club's systems and culture. Just because the Stewarts were born and raised in the Illawarra, doesn't mean St George should be claiming them.
Manly have a pretty good record in this regard. If you go through our team (and if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.....the memory isn't what it used to be)
1. B. Stewart....first grade debutant....now an international.
2. J. Tafua....first grade debutant.
3. J. Lyon.....Eels
4. S. Matai....first grade debutant....now an international.
5. D. Williams....first grade debutant....now an international.
6. K. Foran....first grade debutant....now an international.
7. D. Cherry-Evans....first grade debutant....now an international.
8. J. King....first grade debutant....SOO representative.
9. M. Ballin....first grade debutant....SOO representative.
10. B. Kite.....Dragons.
11. A. Watmough....first grade debutant....now an international.
12. T. Williams....Eels....became an international at Manly.
13. G. Stewart....first grade debutant....now an international.
Fair record if you ask me.
Especially compared to the Scumdogs....Do they have anyone else besides Barba and Reynolds ? They have a good half dozen internationals that were internationals before they went there.
I know which club I'd rather support.