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Most hyped youngster that went nowhere?

Yorrick Hunt

Juniors
Messages
90
Surely it has to be Albert Hopoate rather then Will. Whilst Will may not have risen to the heights he was predicted to reach, he has a premiership and nearly 200 fist grade games under his belt. Albert, on the other hand, was predicted to be the saviour of Manly with fans screaming for his inclusion in first grade based on outstanding junior performances. When Hasler finally picked him, he was hopeless.
 

some11

Referee
Messages
23,450
Jamayne Isaako.

Looked deadly in 2018, wheels fell off pretty quick. Now can't even make it as a fullback at the Titans.
 

Homo man69

Juniors
Messages
492
Back in the mid 00s I used to hype up a bloke who played wing in Jersey Flegg/Reserve Grade for Penrith.

Ran harder than anyone I've seen, every hit up at full speed straight into the line. In a two on one situation in defence would just line up and murder the centre who held up and passed.

Also went off concussed a few times.

Googled him a year or so ago and this is what he got up to after those years:

Jesus Christ that's insane
 

Vee

First Grade
Messages
5,313
That kid signedby cronulla a few years ago, karl something, $400,000/pa, don't thinkheplayedFG.

FELUGA?
 

Danish

Referee
Messages
31,961
Ask any roosters fan old enough to be around when Ryan Matterson was in the SG Ball side. Every fan that saw him play thought he was going to be an absolute superstar. Bloke never even cut it in U20s.

a couple of kind of controversial ones as they had good careers, but they were genuine “next immortal” players in flegg and reserve grade - Sam Perrett and Jamie Soward.

Perrett looked like Billy Slater in flegg. Kid was untouchable at fullback. Never able to step up in that role in firsts but transitioned to a safe as houses if not flashy winger.

Soward basically just scored at will in Flegg, and even in Reggie’s it looked almost unfair to have him in the side as he just f**king carved up teams. Mind you if he didn’t have racist old Stuart stifling the first 4 years of his career he may have found his straps earlier. Thankfully he got a reprieve moving to an actual good coach in the Bennett who got full use out of him (who IMO was in his coaching prime at the dragons)
 

simmo05

Bench
Messages
3,932
Ask any roosters fan old enough to be around when Ryan Matterson was in the SG Ball side. Every fan that saw him play thought he was going to be an absolute superstar. Bloke never even cut it in U20s.

a couple of kind of controversial ones as they had good careers, but they were genuine “next immortal” players in flegg and reserve grade - Sam Perrett and Jamie Soward.

Perrett looked like Billy Slater in flegg. Kid was untouchable at fullback. Never able to step up in that role in firsts but transitioned to a safe as houses if not flashy winger.

Soward basically just scored at will in Flegg, and even in Reggie’s it looked almost unfair to have him in the side as he just f**king carved up teams. Mind you if he didn’t have racist old Stuart stifling the first 4 years of his career he may have found his straps earlier. Thankfully he got a reprieve moving to an actual good coach in the Bennett who got full use out of him (who IMO was in his coaching prime at the dragons)
Had a good season under madge, and decided to show everyone how much of a pea heart he was! Good riddence, from the tigers and fingers crossed, the nrl.
 

simmo05

Bench
Messages
3,932
Actually pity guys like Hoppa. Seems like a legit human
Hey if they want to toss away their time on some religious thing good on em. Is this moron still not working Sundays? And still giving the Mormons 10% of his coin?

I have no pity for a brainwashed potato.
 

Munky

Coach
Messages
10,896
Ask any roosters fan old enough to be around when Ryan Matterson was in the SG Ball side. Every fan that saw him play thought he was going to be an absolute superstar. Bloke never even cut it in U20s.

a couple of kind of controversial ones as they had good careers, but they were genuine “next immortal” players in flegg and reserve grade - Sam Perrett and Jamie Soward.

Perrett looked like Billy Slater in flegg. Kid was untouchable at fullback. Never able to step up in that role in firsts but transitioned to a safe as houses if not flashy winger.

Soward basically just scored at will in Flegg, and even in Reggie’s it looked almost unfair to have him in the side as he just f**king carved up teams. Mind you if he didn’t have racist old Stuart stifling the first 4 years of his career he may have found his straps earlier. Thankfully he got a reprieve moving to an actual good coach in the Bennett who got full use out of him (who IMO was in his coaching prime at the dragons)

Soward's own team mates at the Dragons allegedly wanted superstar Ben Rodgers in the team over him for a final in 2008

Soward was a weapon waiting to be unleashed in first grade but it took Bennett to realise it.
 
Last edited:
Messages
4,340
Corey Allen
William Hopoate
Leon Bott
I remember watching a certain player in the Newcastle junior comp coming through there rep system. He was phenomenal and the best junior player I've ever seen in my life. I spend most weekends watching the junior grades in different regions of Sydney and no one comes close. He would score tries from his own half on a regular basis. He had speed, strength and that natural footballer instinct. I remember thinking how this kid's going to be the greatest rugby league player of all time. I remember a young Andrew John's coming to watch a match and the kid did his usual thing by chipping over the top regathering and stepping past 3 players to score . I looked over at John's and his jaw had hit the floor. I'm not sure what went wrong but if he just played to 1/5th of that ability in first grade. He still would of been a origin/country player. I'm sure you all know who I'm talking about but to make it fun. I'll give the first correct answer a VB bottle cap
Owen Craigie?
 
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