Pittwater Legend
We brought back Geoff Toovey!
Having a look at the NSW U20's side over the last 5 years reveals a surprising level of success and provides an interesting back story to some of the most promising young players in the game for NSW. In the U20's, I believe NSW and QLD are on a level playing field when it comes to winning because both teams have to draw their players from a wider number of clubs. This is unlike the NRL where you see most of the Queensland side picked from 3 teams (Melbourne, Brisbane and NQ). Because of this, there is more familiarity within the Queensland side and this gives them a winning edge. Meanwhile, NSW have to pick their players from all over the shop and they end up playing as a team of individuals. When you play like this, you are always likely to choke against a side that plays as a team. NSW have been playing as individuals for the most part since 2006.
Now back to the NSW U20's. Despite being on a level playing field with the QLD U20's, these guys have won 5 years in a row. When you look deeper into the results, it gets even better because apart from 2012, they have smashed QLD by 13 + in every other year.
Here are some interesting notes
- Clint Gutherson, Dylan Walker and Jake Trbojevic all played in 2013 to smash QLD, 36-12
- Gutho and Jake returned in 2014 to torment QLD again, 30-8
- Brian Kelly matched Gutho and Jake by appearing twice, in the 2015 and 2016 sides on the wing. In 2015, he scored 4 tries as NSW pummelled QLD, 32-16. There were no tries for Brian in 2016 but he did kick 6 goals as the score line nearly repeated itself in 2016, 36-22
There are other NSW U20 players within the last 5 years who have kicked on as well. You have the likes of Kane Evans, Boyd Cordiner, David Klemmer, Shannon Boyd, Jack Bird, Adam Elliott and Latrell Mitchell.
If NSW want to beat QLD, they have to bond and tap into playing as a team. QLD will keep owning NSW at NRL level if NSW don't take Origin seriously and the players don't become more familiar with each other well before Origin rolls around. A short camp just before the series will do **** all because QLD have become too familiar with winning and know all the tricks to win.
At this point in time, NSW definitely have the cattle to take on QLD but they need to develop a winning mentality. They need to get rid of the older players who have become accustomed to losing (Pearce, Dugan, Hayne and Ferguson) and organise some of the promising younger guys to socialise and train together outside of club football. Play touch footy together or talk footy regularly but they've got to do something. NSW would have a phenomenal backline if Tommy T, Latrell, Gutho, Walker and Bird are all fit and in sync. Get a sensible half to feed these guys and they would carve. Complement them with a set of forwards who are willing to put their bodies on the line for the entire series and you will have a winning side. Injuries aside, building a forward pack for the next few series should become easier because I believe you can bank on Cordiner, Klemmer and Jake doing the job required. Woods goes very well when he is switched on and Frizell is somewhat reliable. Someone needs to motivate Fifita because he runs sideways too much when he is not feeling it. If the likes of Evans and Boyd are fit then they could be in the mix as well. Nathan Brown from the Eels is also having a great season and should definitely be in the mix if his current form remains next season.
Plenty of potential for NSW but I just hope that the next coach realises that the fundamental value of playing as a team trumps any other aspect of winning a match.
Now back to the NSW U20's. Despite being on a level playing field with the QLD U20's, these guys have won 5 years in a row. When you look deeper into the results, it gets even better because apart from 2012, they have smashed QLD by 13 + in every other year.
Here are some interesting notes
- Clint Gutherson, Dylan Walker and Jake Trbojevic all played in 2013 to smash QLD, 36-12
- Gutho and Jake returned in 2014 to torment QLD again, 30-8
- Brian Kelly matched Gutho and Jake by appearing twice, in the 2015 and 2016 sides on the wing. In 2015, he scored 4 tries as NSW pummelled QLD, 32-16. There were no tries for Brian in 2016 but he did kick 6 goals as the score line nearly repeated itself in 2016, 36-22
There are other NSW U20 players within the last 5 years who have kicked on as well. You have the likes of Kane Evans, Boyd Cordiner, David Klemmer, Shannon Boyd, Jack Bird, Adam Elliott and Latrell Mitchell.
If NSW want to beat QLD, they have to bond and tap into playing as a team. QLD will keep owning NSW at NRL level if NSW don't take Origin seriously and the players don't become more familiar with each other well before Origin rolls around. A short camp just before the series will do **** all because QLD have become too familiar with winning and know all the tricks to win.
At this point in time, NSW definitely have the cattle to take on QLD but they need to develop a winning mentality. They need to get rid of the older players who have become accustomed to losing (Pearce, Dugan, Hayne and Ferguson) and organise some of the promising younger guys to socialise and train together outside of club football. Play touch footy together or talk footy regularly but they've got to do something. NSW would have a phenomenal backline if Tommy T, Latrell, Gutho, Walker and Bird are all fit and in sync. Get a sensible half to feed these guys and they would carve. Complement them with a set of forwards who are willing to put their bodies on the line for the entire series and you will have a winning side. Injuries aside, building a forward pack for the next few series should become easier because I believe you can bank on Cordiner, Klemmer and Jake doing the job required. Woods goes very well when he is switched on and Frizell is somewhat reliable. Someone needs to motivate Fifita because he runs sideways too much when he is not feeling it. If the likes of Evans and Boyd are fit then they could be in the mix as well. Nathan Brown from the Eels is also having a great season and should definitely be in the mix if his current form remains next season.
Plenty of potential for NSW but I just hope that the next coach realises that the fundamental value of playing as a team trumps any other aspect of winning a match.
