so how will they be developed otherwise ? The Hunters dont seem to be providing NRL players so far …
The Panthers blueprint is fine ..but this is more your 10 year plan considering they are starting from pretty much nothing
I'd say the budget that the Hunters have had as opposed to a NRL side has been a big factor to that.
Same reason the Bears in the Perth partnership haven't produced more NRL players
For example that bid team is getting $5m a year from the Aust government for development. What would a 2nd tier club have maybe $1m at most?
So you have more resources for starters. The Penrith model coaches the coaches 1st of all. But they go the various regional areas and run the best players through the same training as the Panthers juniors get.
PNG advertised for 4-6 Development officers who live in the Regions to do this, There would be guys that go from these villages to try out for the local comp who wouldn't even own boots.
So to get these guys some sort of training that kids in Brisbane or Sydney get. This should improve those players so they are coming from a high floor and are starting as better players so can have a higher ceiling once they hit the Hunters.
That is the big difference. NRL clubs can go to a NSW Cup game or a QLD Cup game and get fringe guys who have been in elite programs since the age of 14.
That isn't the case with the Hunters guys at this stage.
They had a much better showing on field this year, Hopefully that is the early stages of the development starting to show