Key to high performance is gradual pathways and grading, like it was
Kid starts at club, school. Buckley Shield etc
Matthews Cup U15
SG Ball U17
Jersey Flegg U19
Pres Cup u21
------ graded or back to local grade ----
3rd - u23s
Reserves
1st grade
All grades to have the same jersey, to develop pride and culture. It was a gradual and slow process which would generally result in a higher performance
You cannot have 1st grade sides picked from "park footy" (sorry, but NSW Cup or whatever now called is simply high grade park footy). U20 grade is a myth just stick in the middle, which shows. Poor quality, no defence. Once you hit 21, back to park footy. Forwards especially are not ready to advance from 20s to 1st grade.