2018 Junior Reps - SG Ball & H Matts

[Timmah]

Fire away!

 

[rugby league fan]

Any news on the Harold Matthews Cup & SG Ball 2018 squads.?

 

[Tigers1986]

Been a bunch of trial days before Chrissy. Comp usually starts mid-February so hopefully a draw comes out early January to get an idea of what the makeup of the comp will be. You'd have to question if the WA franchise continue participating, all the travel for not much of a reward.

 

[Timmah]

For WA having the Pirates in the Ball & Matts comps is a stepping stone, part of the strategy of building toward an NRL franchise. Doubt they'll withdraw

 

[Tigers1986]

Financials do play a part in those decisions.

 

[Sharkie Army Gorilla]

Heard Western Sydney Academy have pulled out and WA will continue in Ball only

 

[siv]

Do we have a draw ?

 

[Tigers1986]

The withdrawal of the academy is sad as they were seemingly showing good signs. However, it's good to cull the 'dead-weight' as it is to provide a stronger competition. 17 teams for 9 weeks creates an unbalanced fixture list.

 

[Timmah]

Heard Western Sydney Academy have pulled out and WA will continue in Ball only

WA were only in Ball anyway I thought?

Do we have a draw ?

Early in the new year.

The withdrawal of the academy is sad as they were seemingly showing good signs. However, it's good to cull the 'dead-weight' as it is to provide a stronger competition. 17 teams for 9 weeks creates an unbalanced fixture list.

Worse still the NSWRL cited a "cyclical fixturing" where teams might get to play X number of teams one season, then a different set the following to ensure they met all 17 teams over the two seasons, but that relies on consistency season to season which simply isn't there.

 

[siv]

I thought it was only SW Sydney Academy that was dropping out

But I would like to see NSW Country U16 and U18 divisional teams join the Matts and Ball comps

Even if you ended up with a 10 team Country Division and a 10 team City Division

 

[Tigers1986]

Worse still the NSWRL cited a "cyclical fixturing" where teams might get to play X number of teams one season, then a different set the following to ensure they met all 17 teams over the two seasons, but that relies on consistency season to season which simply isn't there.

That's a flawed fixture schedule. Some team could play 9 'weaker' sides and easily qualify for the finals, whilst a 'strong' side could face similarly strong opposition and miss out.

It's a tough puzzle to work out with it only being 9 weeks of regular footy and make it fair on all parties. Splitting into conferences and locking those teams into conferences for 2 seasons may be a way around it (2 x 9) and have the top 4 of each conference make up the top 8 for the finals. Final standings are awarded points over the 2 seasons, e.g. premiers get 18 points. Use these rankings to formulate the next two years of conferences.

2018 - play everyone in your conference
2019 - play everyone not in your conference

 

[kbw]

There has always been perceived easy and hard draws depending on who you play (due to limited rounds) But I have always thought it works out as there are 8 that make the semis and if you don't make it then you haven't played well enough across the whole comp.
The semis start everything anew and the cream rises

 

[rugby league fan]

Any tips on who people think will be strong this year in both Harold Matthews cup & SG Ball.?
Also any tips on players in Harold Matthews cup & SG Ball to watch

 

[rugby league fan]

Emerging blues squad
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...VI1t0ix6xNwKqDsOJmsC5yCNc9VAme7Msy3XvWodRwPGw

 

[rugby league fan]

Nsw u16s Koori
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...tmtP3JjFWdhjfs7OBmzZTa-KTP45uuAKGVrgxNyaR9Ixo

 

[rugby league fan]

Only players playing Harold Matthews cup or SG Ball 2018
Keep an eye out for these kids
Nsw rugby league 18 Stars of 2018

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/12/23/18-stars-of-2018--jaron-purcell/

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/12/27/18-stars-of-2018--josh-schuster/

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/12/29/18-stars-of-2018--ben-trbojevic/

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/12/31/18-stars-of-2018--kyle-schneider/

 

[ALX25]

HM
Knights, Eels, Sea Eagles, Sydney 'Import City' Roosters, Panthers & Sharks

SG Ball
Looks like an open competition, but will depend on who is elevated to Jersey Flegg.

 

[ashton]

Well Newcastle Sea Eagles Parramatta and sharks will all have larger number of imports in their HM squads.

 

[kbw]

I saw the Knights in a trial a few weeks ago. Their SG Ball half looks very very good

 

[ashton]

I saw the Knights in a trial a few weeks ago. Their SG Ball half looks very very good

Do you know his name?