I think our pathways officials should be more discerning when it comes to slightly built players ear-marked for playing grade. SGI seem to have brought through a number of them in recent years.
How about just seeking out some big fast players from NZ south island or from the Pacific Islands and handing them scholarships which cover two years high school and tow years trade school or uni. Make it a sponsored program funded by WIN TV.
I disagree, you need some locals for lower grades and he was never earmarked for 1st grade anyway as was never given opportunity to train etc as was watched through lower grades and they knew he would not quite get there..But its ridiculous that you have to go overseas to find Islander type players to suit todays game....how did it get to this. Not to be racist but what about Juniors from all our local areas.
But lets face it good smart halves as genuine footballers are a dying breed as slowing the ruck, non risk attack and bash and barge starts at Junior level.
If not fixed soon we will have hardly a real genuine half in the game anymore in about 20 years as it will be coached out of players DNA.
Look at NRL we have not got 32 real genuine decent halves playing at the elite level. already some are makeshift stop gaps or getting old like Benji..as soon as one is on the market, its a circus fuelled by player manager & media and clubs paying overs to get the deal done cause of the shortage