Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
Re your points :
The reality is the squad should comprise of 1st grade players from the four clubs if Sireli & Yarrington want to play in the NRC they need to be playing 1st grade. Sione as I have explained before had some good games (I can't see him being a starter in the NRC for what it's worth) but I think he is being valued as a player that can play Wing/Fullback.
BJ was pretty average in the final I thought. Let's just see if he is up to it with the Rams before making judgement as I have said before he should have been in the squad at least in my opinion.
Some thought needs to be given to the fact the Rays players apparently are on game bonuses (win/loss etc) this year and not contracts due to the loss of a sponsor. They actually have to play so zero money is guaranteed. Apparently other NSW franchises don't have to do this.
I actually think Maraki struggled in games I saw and Vaai came on later in the season good luck to them both though.
Jones missed the whole back end of the season through injury not sure how much game time he will see at the Stars either.
Aussie, you know I value your contributions, and we can both share different views that are possibly right in their respective ways.
The reality is NRC is a step up from Shute, and it is professional.
We must have best team on the park every game.
As you have suggested, and I have eluded;
"comprise of 1st grade players from the four clubs if Sireli & Yarrington want to play in the NRC they need to be playing 1st grade". - So is Townsend possibly using his position & that excuse so players have to change clubs to get a run - possibly to Gordon - that is wrong. Then if that doesn't work look at a player outside of the consortium and see were he plays next year.
Professional
- You don't see the Tahs selecting 4 players from each Shute Team
- I bet the Stars dont go 50% Uni / 50% Balmain.
- Being professional.
- Having best team on park.
- Playing the brand of football that promotes the game invests in grass roots naturally.
- Most importantly involving grass roots.
BJ average??? - that was 82 minutes of high quality rugby, with very low unenforced errors, both teams playing rugby to score tries, and no tries being scored. I see that you agree with me about in squad though.
Props, we are light on as it is - to loose 3 is terrible, have to ask why?
Jones, he's local, and i simply think he was a domino that got hit when a player may have been promised a position that has meant others players have been shifted.
The strength of our code, and the success at the top hinges on grass roots engagement, growth, and retention. I've read lost of posts about how strong Gordon Juniors are and then players drift - I'm hoping the Rays can reduce that drift be engagement.