Which Clubs have spawned the current crop of Australian Players?

[Ryan]

01. Anthony Minichello (Sydney City Roosters)
02. Matt King (North Sydney Bears)
03. Matt Cooper (St George Illawarra Dragons)
04. Mark Gasnier (St George Illawarra Dragons)
05. Brent Tate (Brisbane Broncos)
06. Trent Barrett (Illawarra Steelers)
07. Craig Gower (Penrith Panthers)
08. Petero Civineceva (Brisbane Broncos)
09. Danny Buderus (Newcastle Knights)
10. Steve Price (Canterbury Bulldogs)
11. Luke O'Donnell (Wests Tigers)
12. Craig FGitzgibbon (St George Dragons)
13. Ben Kennedy (Canberra Raiders)

14. Craig Wing (Souths Sydney Rabbits)
15. Willie Mason (Canterbury Bulldogs)
16. Mark O'mealey (North Sydney Bears)
17. Jason Ryles (St George Illawarra Dragons)

18. Timana Tahu (Newcastle Knights)
19. Andrew Johns (Newcastle Knights)
20. Darren Lockyer (Brisbane Broncos)
21. Scott Prince (Brisbane Broncos)

It's interesting that most have come from a very large area demographic. Does anyone think that there could be a case for the clubs to get together and share best practices for their youth, for the betterment of the game as a whole (espescially when new clubs are being introduced), or do you think it is a matter of larger area, naturally more players to choose from - nothing you can do about it?

Can I just say one of the biggest problems we have on the beaches is that we have no market in the Arrive Alive Cup etc. School boy football has produced players like Fittler, Marshall, Barrett & co.

I have often sat and watched these games on television, to hear Gould sprout that this player or that player is a junior of "X", or "Y" club. I have NEVER heard any of the commentators suggest that a junior is affiliated with Manly.

Is there anything we can do potentially get some of the specialised private schools for example interested in registerring?

Is it because we are a rugby union dominated area?

It's just too difficult to predominantly sit and watch potential players turn up to a Jersey Flegg trial, and "hope" we luckily get a standout junior. I could be a selector that way!!! I heard that one lady contacted the club about her son going to that day, to get details, and her calls were never returned.

Then I hear that one of our predominant posters asked to get a message through to Zorba, who never returned a call about 2 players. In the preceeding following few weeks, these same players were signed by Arthur Beatson at The Roosters.

Is there any constructive ways, we or the club could change or assist our junior development program, or somehow have a wider variety of players to choose from?

I personally feel we are not in the market right now.

 

[kiwigirl]

I think alot has to do with Money!! Other clubs are in better financial situations and have the money to throw at the juniors. Our current juniors are showing a lot of promise but they need time to grow. So does the club. I think people are forgetting we are still rebuilding, which has to start from the bottom. These young boys will come through eventually. Most 14 - 18 year olds think it's great when they are offered huge dollars to be secured by a club. They don't have the loyalty factor yet. Last year apart from Harold Matts and Flegg, all other grades improved in their final positions on the ladder. This year, I really believe all five grades will improve again. It is a slow process, but it will happen. Basically though, we can't compete at lower levels where it means forking out huge dollars for juniors.

 

[Stuey Davis’s Socks]

Nit-picking I know, but Scott Prince was a Cowboy before he was Bronco.

 

[JohnB_32]

Ben Kennedy wasnt Canberra junior he was Manly rugby

 

[byso]

John B, I thought the same.

 

[Jatz Crackers]

Good post. You are a good man Ryan.

 

[byso]

Sure is!