Locke to Roosters story on radio

[melon....]

Do you honestly believe any of what you said would happen Melon? The Jacob Miller situation is a perfect example that shows just how long you can keep promising young players for depth after they get interest from other clubs...about 2 weeks. Not 2 years. We would never be able to afford to keep one player let alone both until they turn 21 and 22 which is what you're suggesting. Plus, according to everywhere I've seen Locke is tied up til the end of 2013. So that means these guys get there shot in 2016. And I also highly doubt that Locke would sign just a two-year contract with a club in Australia at this stage of his career unless you pay massive overs. He re-signed with the Warriors for 2 years when he was barely making first grade. He's gonna want more security next time.

And I really wish people would stop comparing Williamson to players that have proved themselves in the 20s. He made a video of himself playing SG Ball. You would not see one bloke that he ran over in that video playing 20s in the last 3 years. He was woeful in Toyota Cup and anyone with half a brain would see that he was never going to make grade if he couldn't even prove a solid 20s player.

Jacob Miller? That world beater? Thatll do me Yak. Miller hasnt exactly knocked down the doors and beaten all comers to the ground. And sometimes a player leaves a club and reaches his potential, sometimes he doesnt. You cant guarantee Miller would have achieved his potential or even been half decent if he stayed on. he may get even better...but so what? He may not have had he stayed on. He still may not.

And yes Williamson is a valid example. Given teh kid's mental issues, it highlkights whjy these kids need closer to 2 years to matyure even if they can play well enough after "2weeks".

The reason we fail year on year is because of this short term vision. So let me get this straiught....who do you drop for a current under 20s player to cover one of these critical positions: FB, HB, Hooker and 5/8? Answer? None of the current first grade team. Not yet.

[Guest]

Why is David Michale's card included? He wasn't a rugby player, he came from Parkes and signed with the Roosters after being picked to play league for country.

Also anybody including Wally Lewis as a rugby convert is kidding themselves. He grew up with league and only played union because of the school he attended. Even then, he would finish union training with the school and hop on the bus and high tail it back home to play for Valleys U/18's of a Friday night.

Okay..I was sure we got him off Randwick Rugby but i may be getting senile as i age..

Brad Bourke..

[Yak]

You're putting words in my mouth mate. The question was never whether these kids could step up to first grade in 2012 cos yes they are not there yet. The question was whether they should be given first opportunity come 2013/14 (depending on when Locke's contract actually expires) and I, having seen them play (granted not RTS in the flesh) and considered the opposition, think they will be ready to be very good first graders at that stage.

And if you're telling me that I'm thinking "short-term" you've got to be kidding. You want to sign a guy for two years and lose two very good players that given time could both turn out better than the alternative, going on how good Locke was at the same age.

Also, never went close to calling Jacob Miller a world beater. He was and is still considered the best half under 20 years old in Australia and will most likely play plenty of first grade this year if Moltzen plays fullback. No one could have foreseen Carney's rapid downfall at the time of Millers negotiations but i would hope the club has learnt from that mistake. But it sounds like you're pretty much conceding now that we would lose these young fullbacks if we sign Locke. And when it comes to Ryan Williamson he had plenty of time to prove himself, he just wasn't that good once he had to oppose guys his size. He never should have been so hyped up from a video of SG Ball. Anyone who went to see him play would have realised he was far from a first grader. Not the case with Wells.

[Guest]

It seems Melon has been wounded by Youtube. To my knowledge there is the video of Williamson and also the one of Justin Carney. All up and coming players seem to be compared to the supposed failure of these two players to live up to the hype.

I actually think Justin Carney may be an improver this year. He is not a winger, too short and can not compete for the high ball, but I think if he ends up getting game time in the centres in a team that is going okay he may surprise a few people. Remember, even SKD could not ignite our team from the centres last year so it is little surprise that Carney did not set the world on fire.

[Guest]

Jacob Miller? That world beater? Thatll do me Yak. Miller hasnt exactly knocked down the doors and beaten all comers to the ground. And sometimes a player leaves a club and reaches his potential, sometimes he doesnt. You cant guarantee Miller would have achieved his potential or even been half decent if he stayed on. he may get even better...but so what? He may not have had he stayed on. He still may not.

And yes Williamson is a valid example. Given teh kid's mental issues, it highlkights whjy these kids need closer to 2 years to matyure even if they can play well enough after "2weeks".

The reason we fail year on year is because of this short term vision. So let me get this straiught....who do you drop for a current under 20s player to cover one of these critical positions: FB, HB, Hooker and 5/8? Answer? None of the current first grade team. Not yet.

Teh you tube highlkights video's were of players who haven't matyured, thats whjy you shouldn't get excited about players straiught out of nyc or sg ball..

[Darkone]

Back to the REAL world...

Locke's a serial criminal
& based on criteria set by Anasta & best mate Smith (who conspired to pissorf Todd)
He would not get a look in...

Stop dreaming & accept the media rumour was bull dust!!!!

[Rooster_6]

Current NRL fullbacks

Brett Stewart - debuted at 18
Josh Dugan - debuted at 18
Jaryd Hyane - debuted at 19
Billy Slater - debuted at 19
Matt Bowen - debuted at 19
Nathan Gardner - debuted at 19
Darius Boyd - debuted at 19

I could go on but you get the drift, outside backs generally peak a lot younger that forwards and halves and don't need the time in juniors or reserve grade anywhere near as much.

[Guest]

Current NRL fullbacks

Brett Stewart - debuted at 18
Josh Dugan - debuted at 18
Jaryd Hyane - debuted at 19
Billy Slater - debuted at 19
Josh Hoffman - debuted at 20
Matt Bowen - debuted at 19
Nathan Gardner - debuted at 19
Darius Boyd - debuted at 19

I could go on but you get the drift, outside backs generally peak a lot younger that forwards and halves and don't need the time in juniors or reserve grade anywhere near as much.

Yes but it seems Melon wants these kids to linger in the lower grades for the better part of their careers just in case they ever get called up to represent the mighty red, white and blue in first grade. I mean who wouldn't put that ahead of an opportunity to play first grade on big money elsewhere.

[Guest]

Current NRL fullbacks

Brett Stewart - debuted at 18
Josh Dugan - debuted at 18
Jaryd Hyane - debuted at 19
Billy Slater - debuted at 19
Matt Bowen - debuted at 19
Nathan Gardner - debuted at 19
Darius Boyd - debuted at 19

I could go on but you get the drift, outside backs generally peak a lot younger that forwards and halves and don't need the time in juniors or reserve grade anywhere near as much.

Very true! The position requires speed, reflex and agility all attributes of younger adults!

[melon....]

Yes but it seems Melon wants these kids to linger in the lower grades for the better part of their careers just in case they ever get called up to represent the mighty red, white and blue in first grade. I mean who wouldn't put that ahead of an opportunity to play first grade on big money elsewhere.

That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is none of these blokes we've got in under 20s are anywhere near as good as :

1. That list of players.
2. Locke.

I don't know about you but if I was recruiting for first grade, and new there were better options outside the club...guess what sunshine, I'd be recruiting those options. I'd these kids were near as good as that esteemed list, mini would be in his bike.

And even you know that's not happening.

So stop putting words in my mouth, stop second guessing and start listening to the message.

[mightyrooster]

Current NRL fullbacks

Brett Stewart - debuted at 18
Josh Dugan - debuted at 18
Jaryd Hyane - debuted at 19
Billy Slater - debuted at 19
Matt Bowen - debuted at 19
Nathan Gardner - debuted at 19
Darius Boyd - debuted at 19

I could go on but you get the drift, outside backs generally peak a lot younger that forwards and halves and don't need the time in juniors or reserve grade anywhere near as much.

Good post.

[melon....]

Very true! The position requires speed, reflex and agility all attributes of younger adults!

yet one of the best fullbacks Easts had was a crock by the name diamond Luke Phillips. None of these blokes hold a candle to him either. Or a mini circa 2004-05 at what age...24-25?

[melon....]

I'm never excited about u20 s who play in a comp where there is no defense.

[Guest]

yet one of the best fullbacks Easts had was a crock by the name diamond Luke Phillips. None of these blokes hold a candle to him either. Or a mini circa 2004-05 at what age...24-25?

How would you know? they haven't had a run @ nrl level, maybe if they play in our trails we might see something great. You'll never know until they get a crack @ grade, so don't write them off so soon..

[Guest]

That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is none of these blokes we've got in under 20s are anywhere near as good as :

1. That list of players.
2. Locke.

I don't know about you but if I was recruiting for first grade, and new there were better options outside the club...guess what sunshine, I'd be recruiting those options. I'd these kids were near as good as that esteemed list, mini would be in his bike.

And even you know that's not happening.

So stop putting words in my mouth, stop second guessing and start listening to the message.

Listen to the message? How can I listen to a message you have typed? I'm trying to figure out what your point really is. Do you even know yourself?