Wow this kid must be something really special, it can be hard for us club rugby types to keep involved with the GPS/AICS scene because games are played on same day.
I'd imagined the first couple of games he might play with Premier Colts before getting promoted to grades. Will be a baptism of fire if he does step right into the Premiers.
I'm going to the Wests V Breakers game on Saturday and I'll endeavour to post a report when I get back on Monday. There seems to be a lack of reporting on Colts games on this site, I would have thought that there would be ample fathers out there reporting and pumping up their sons as this is the last time that it is acceptable to do this before they go into seniors LOL
I've been to a few games this year and the Bulldogs prem colts are going awful. The forwards are not too bad but the backs suck. No cohesion, I don't necessarily suggest that it is the kids fault entirely they seem to lack direction, anyway that's only an opinion from the sideline and is not a criticism of the coaches. I don't envy coaching them, a group of testosterone filled young boys that all think they know better is hard to coach I've been there and it's no picnic.
Seems that most of these boys are first time out of school and are feeling their way and they seem to make a few wrong decisions after the ball gets past the flyhalf. This year will be a learning curve for them and if they stick it out they will be all the better for it next season and towards the end of this season.
The side lacks a couple of big lumpy players in the forwards but although they have some decent forwards and they don't have that much size across the park but they try hard all match. There is no lack of wanting to do better but they have real trouble putting it together. Looks to be what it is, a side that is new to each other and new to working as a team.
Hang in there coaches there is light at the end of the tunnel, you never know this might be the start of the resurgence of Wests as a premiership side it happens every 7 - 10 years if you look back in time.
70s, 80s, 90s, 2005, Wests have lulls then highs it happens this way, they only have to get a nucleus of a young side together with a coach that believes in them and it will happen. I know I've been there since 1970 and watched them get beaten by cricket scores and then a couple of years later win the premiership then drop way down again.
So here is hoping that history will repeat itself and we are on a roll and this is the start of the next tilt at the premiership in two to three years. From little acorns big oaks grow
UQ pillages the wests juniors. its a self fulfilling prophecy really kids plat wests till 17 and here uni have better under 19s so head over there. Naturally if everyman and his dog go its going to be better than the place their leaving.
over the last few years west have struggled to get 2nd year colts. 2010 being the exception, however the premier grade was so bad that year that every half decent colt played up.
things will turn around i have no doubt they just need to keep that nucleus of lads for next year
Don't know if I completely agree with that. Uni put a lot of effort into recruiting colts to the clubs (all colts not just the top level). They go visit schools and junior clubs to tell them what they are all about so boys can make their mind up where they want to play footy the following year.
Uni have to do this because with the exception of the connection to Kenmore (which is growing really well) and to a lesser extent Taylor Bridge they don't have a junior club. 2007 was the last year Uni didn't go out and actively recruit from schools and they didn't field a colts 2 and came last or second last in Prem colts.
Since then Uni have been extremely strong in colts across all grades fielding 4 teams.
Gps usually pump out 4 teams as well. Wests sits right in the middle of those 2 clubs so its not a shortage of player numbers in the area which is leading to poor participation.
Responding to the request of The Oldest Rat, i have signed up and am a first time poster, so here goes! Seen most of the prem colts teams go und this year, so was surprised to see Norths topple Easts. In saying that they have some good ball running forwards that spark up close to the try line. Brothers are the team to beat for sure, no 10 (P James?) is a star of the future with a big left boot and plenty of composure and the Souths side is well drilled and hooker (feleti?) was a standout when I watched them. Uni can never seem to get the same team on the field consistently, with 3 or 4 being taken to fill injury holes in Prems, which makes them a bit hot and cold. No 10 (dalgleish) looks the goods, but Scott Gale isn't anywhere near his best this season. I will try to comment weekly.