NRL 2021: Roosters raid Broncos to sign Xavier and De La Salle Va’a

[worldbe3]

We are now into Rd15. Xavier has so far spent 10wks on the sideline for 2023… 8 for a knee; 2 for an ankle.

After preseason by all accounts from the Roosters hierarchy, his development was on track, & he was pushing himself up the food chain. Then after the last Cup preseason game vs Panthers… out with a knee.

8wks later, easing back into Cup off the bench, finally gets named as a starter, then during the week at NRL training, friendly fire, fellow fronty falls on top his ankle. Add another 2wks on the sidelines.

So, back to square 1 again vs Doggies in Cup last weekend. He didn’t have to play this game on physio’s recommendation, but wanted to.

Life of a young footy player… suck it up, get back to work.

Salle had a solid year in SGBall. Picked up Player of the Year, for his trouble, not a bad effort, considering he’s 17 & eligible to play u19s again next year. He’s been selected in the NSWCCC opens Schoolboys side (along with fellow rooster, Lachlan Dooner) for the nationals up at Redcliffe next month. Funnily he’ll be playing against some of his mates from the Qld u19s Origin squad/u18s Emerging Origin squad.

To answer the question… how are they travelling? Well, better than “by car” I believe… they are young, learning their craft & there is never a problem with attitude or the right mentality (that’s from the people that matter at the Chooks & I myself can attest to that watching them grow up)… injuries, well no one plans to get injured… hopefully they both get a clear run from here, but time & youth is on their side.

I’m a realist… the boys are doing what is asked of them (barring injury)… their commitment to the Chooks ends after season 2024… what the Roosters really think about them (& others for that matter) will be revealed sometime soon I would think… are they worth keeping or let them go?

For now, let’s hope the Flagship of the club, the NRL squad get their house in order & put this club back where they should be.

RWB
E2W

I hope they stick around. Seem like good young men with a lot of potential playing the hardest position in the game. Thanks for the info, I thought I saw Xavier with a knee brace earlier in the year.

Sadly the club’s commitment to player development has questionable in recent years, in my ‘non expert’ opinion.

[rented tracksuit]

We are now into Rd15. Xavier, still 19, has so far spent 10wks on the sideline for 2023… 8 for a knee; 2 for an ankle.

After preseason by all accounts from the Roosters hierarchy, his development was on track, & he was pushing himself up the food chain. Then after the last Cup preseason game vs Panthers… out with a knee.

8wks later, easing back into Cup off the bench, finally gets named as a starter, then during the week at NRL training, friendly fire, fellow fronty falls on top his ankle. Add another 2wks on the sidelines.

So, back to square 1 again vs Doggies in Cup last weekend. He didn’t have to play this game on physio’s recommendation, but wanted to.

Life of a young footy player… suck it up, get back to work.

Salle had a solid year in SGBall. Picked up Player of the Year, for his trouble, not a bad effort, considering he’s 17 & eligible to play u19s again next year. He’s been selected in the NSWCCC opens Schoolboys side (along with fellow rooster, Lachlan Dooner) for the nationals up at Redcliffe next month. Funnily he’ll be playing against some of his mates from the Qld u19s Origin squad/u18s Emerging Origin squad.

To answer the question… how are they travelling? Well, better than “by car” I believe… they are young, learning their craft & there is never a problem with attitude or the right mentality (that’s from the people that matter at the Chooks & I myself can attest to that watching them grow up)… injuries, well no one plans to get injured… hopefully they both get a clear run from here, but time & youth is on their side.

I’m a realist… the boys are doing what is asked of them (barring injury)… their commitment to the Chooks ends after season 2024… what the Roosters really think about them (& others for that matter) will be revealed sometime soon I would think… are they worth keeping or let them go?

For now, let’s hope the Flagship of the club, the NRL squad get their house in order & put this club back where they should be.

RWB
E2W

Great post. Awesome info. You can’t google that stuff. You must have some connections.
Thank you.

[SamKerrSimp]

Thank you for the information Vee08 do the boys enjoy being at the club?

[Vee08]

Thank you for the information Vee08 do the boys enjoy being at the club?

Footy wise, I do know they are loving the experience they have with the NRL training squad & they also speak very highly of the Academy under the guidance/development of legends, Aubusson & Friend.

Club wise, they have met many dedicated & committed people, across the organisation, from all backgrounds/life experiences …from A to Z! …The fuel that keeps the engine running… it has not been hard to see why this club has been & will continue to be, successful!

[Centurion]

More young players signed on a whim with clauses that wont deliver once they get a better offer

[Vee08]

More young players signed on a whim with clauses that wont deliver once they get a better offer

Who exactly?

[Vasco]

I hope they stick around. Seem like good young men with a lot of potential playing the hardest position in the game. Thanks for the info, I thought I saw Xavier with a knee brace earlier in the year.

Sadly the club’s commitment to player development has questionable in recent years, in my ‘non expert’ opinion.

Based on what?

[worldbe3]

Based on what?

Based on the fact that we have consistently cut bait on multiple young players- Asu Kepoa, christian tuipulotu, Daniel Fifita, Lachlan Lam, Tuku Hau Tapua, Moala-Graham, Fletcher Baker and if the
rumours are to be believed Nafahu. Additionally we dropped Sam Walker and Sua'ali'i has regressed from borderline representative player to one of the worst centres in the league. Additionally in the last five or so season we’ve barely produced a single competent first grader, Egan Butcher being a possible exception

[RoosterBooster]

Without being rude I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. Not sure on your definition of developing a player but some recent ones that come to mind are :

Victor Radley
Sandon Smith
Manu
Latrell
Boyd Cordner
Jake Friend
Nat Butcher
Egan Butcher
Billy Smith

You could also argue Sam Walker as we signed him out of high school

cheers

Based on the fact that we have consistently cut bait on multiple young players- Asu Kepoa, christian tuipulotu, Daniel Fifita, Lachlan Lam, Tuku Hau Tapua, Moala-Graham, Fletcher Baker and if the
rumours are to be believed Nafahu. Additionally we dropped Sam Walker and Sua'ali'i has regressed from borderline representative player to one of the worst centres in the league. Additionally in the last five or so season we’ve barely produced a single competent first grader, Egan Butcher being a possible exception

[worldbe3]

Without being rude I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. Not sure on your definition of developing a player but some recent ones that come to mind are :

Victor Radley
Sandon Smith
Manu
Latrell
Boyd Cordner
Jake Friend
Nat Butcher
Egan Butcher
Billy Smith

You could also argue Sam Walker as we signed him out of high school

cheers

I’m talking about recently mate. Sandon has played 15 minutes of first grade, Radley debuted in 2017, Manu and Latrell 2016, cordner and friend are retired, Nat Butcher debuted 2016 I think, Egan I mentioned, Billy Smith the jury is still out on and Sam Walker was unceremoniously dropped. You didn’t mention Sitili who debuted in 2018. It’s 2023, that was five years ago

I’m not suggesting the club is trying to develop players. There’s probably more players in the roosters pathway programs than have ever been there in the history of the club. But in recent times when it comes to making the leap to first grade, players either aren’t being given the opportunities or aren’t good enough. Since 2020, 15 players have been handed first grade debuts with the club, only 8 are still at the club, one baker leaves next season and I wouldn’t be surprised if May and Whyte leave in the offseason too and Suaallii is probably gone too. Only two are in the first grade squad and really it’s only Butcher is consistently getting selected

[Vasco]

I’m talking about recently mate. Sandon has played 15 minutes of first grade, Radley debuted in 2017, Manu and Latrell 2016, cordner and friend are retired, Nat Butcher debuted 2016 I think, Egan I mentioned, Billy Smith the jury is still out on and Sam Walker was unceremoniously dropped. You didn’t mention Sitili who debuted in 2018. It’s 2023, that was five years ago

I’m not suggesting the club is trying to develop players. There’s probably more players in the roosters pathway programs than have ever been there in the history of the club. But in recent times when it comes to making the leap to first grade, players either aren’t being given the opportunities or aren’t good enough. Since 2020, 15 players have been handed first grade debuts with the club, only 8 are still at the club, one baker leaves next season and I wouldn’t be surprised if May and Whyte leave in the offseason too and Suaallii is probably gone too. Only two are in the first grade squad and really it’s only Butcher is consistently getting selected

You do realise that only a small percentage of young players actually make it to first grade. Our record is as good as any other club I would have thought.

[Rooster_6]

Based on the fact that we have consistently cut bait on multiple young players- Asu Kepoa, christian tuipulotu, Daniel Fifita, Lachlan Lam, Tuku Hau Tapua, Moala-Graham, Fletcher Baker and if the
rumours are to be believed Nafahu. Additionally we dropped Sam Walker and Sua'ali'i has regressed from borderline representative player to one of the worst centres in the league. Additionally in the last five or so season we’ve barely produced a single competent first grader, Egan Butcher being a possible exception

Whilst I agree with your analysis I'm not sure I agree with your conclusion.

I don't think it's necessarily a reflection of the clubs commitment to player development. I think the club is more committed in this space than ever, significant investments into the Central Coast, back into the Ipswich region and funding our own HM, SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup for the first time in over two decades are not signs of a club who isn't committed to player development.

I don't pretend to have the answer either, but I wonder if it's not more an issue of talent identification rather than player development. None of the players you mentioned who we have cut loose as you say strike me as significant talents.

I also wonder what effect no junior or reserve grade footy during covid has had on the game as a whole from a player development perspective. I would struggle to give you a short-list of rookies this year who I think could contend for rookie of the year. There's some names but they don't stack up with years gone..

[King Salvo]

If you watch the junior reps both male and female you can see the progressive development of players through the pathway systems both Junior and Senior.

Both the academies ( Sydney Roosters and Central Coast Roosters) are doing a great job as are the recruitment folk in identifying up and coming players not only in Australia but in New Zealand

It was good that Sandon Smith also gave a big shout out to John Strange for his work with the Central Coast Roosters. John is also heavily involved with the Roosters Women's game being the Central Coast Roosters Women's NSW Cup and NRLW Head Coach.

Blake Cavallaro and Ray Windle also do a great job with the Tarsha Gale cup programs and Blake in his other roles and Head of Sydney Roosters Pathways as well

There are a stack of up and coming players but as always the problem will be opportunities to progress to NRL/NRLW as there are/will be limited NRL/NRLW roster spots and development contracts available in any given year.

NRLW players can sign multi year contracts from the 2023 season onwards

For an example - Hayden Ritchie and Cassius Tia were the best halves combo's in SG Ball in 2023. In a few years time they will be NRL ready - If the Roosters have Sandon Smith and Sam Walker as the halves combo playing well then what chance do Hayden and Cassius have to play NRL at the Roosters.

Obviously they will sign elsewhere for this chance so not always the case of the Roosters not developing players as there are other factors as I alluded to above.

It was also mentioned a number of Times on NSWRL TV that Phil Gould for instance was in the crowd at Roosters Junior rep games - I figure he wasn't there as a fan

Other teams keep an eye on junior rep players and really take notice of them when they start playing Jersey Flegg as this is a full comp of 24 regular season games compared to 8 games or 9 games for SG ball in Junior rep comps.

Gives them a better indication of a players ability to play in a longer competition.

I forgot to add - They need to lock up the Central Coast Long term too

[Jacks Fur Coat]

If you watch the junior reps both male and female you can see the progressive development of players through the pathway systems both Junior and Senior.

Both the academies ( Sydney Roosters and Central Coast Roosters) are doing a great job as are the recruitment folk in identifying up and coming players not only in Australia but in New Zealand

It was good that Sandon Smith also gave a big shout out to John Strange for his work with the Central Coast Roosters. John is also heavily involved with the Roosters Women's game being the Central Coast Roosters Women's NSW Cup and NRLW Head Coach.

Blake Cavallaro and Ray Windle also do a great job with the Tarsha Gale cup programs and Blake in his other roles and Head of Sydney Roosters Pathways as well

There are a stack of up and coming players but as always the problem will be opportunities to progress to NRL/NRLW as their are/will be limited NRL/NRLW roster spots and development contracts available in any given year.

NRLW players can sign multi year contracts from the 2023 season onwards

For an example - Hayden Ritchie and Cassius Tia were the best halves combo's in SG Ball in 2023. In a few years time they will be NRL ready - If the Roosters have Sandon Smith and Sam Walker as the halves combo playing well then what chance do Hayden and Cassius have to play NRL at the Roosters.

Obviously they will sign elsewhere for this chance so not always the case of the Roosters not developing players as there are other factors as I alluded to above.

It was also mentioned a number of Times on NSWRL TV that Phil Gould for instance was in the crowd at Roosters Junior rep games - I figure he wasn't there as a fan

Other teams keep an eye on junior rep players and really take notice of them when they start playing Jersey Flegg as this is a full comp of 24 regular season games compared to 8 games or 9 games for SG ball in Junior rep comps.

Gives them a better indication of a players ability to play in a longer competition

Good intel and analysis King