Whilst it is certainly a stretch to say the Broncos have spent less on Junior Development in QLD, the amount of activity the raiders have spent within the Logan region cannot be understated. Current squads and recruitment tactics may suggest they have even done a better job than the Broncos.
Without going into figures, because i do not believe the raiders have spent more, i still think its worth highlighting some of the great development Dave Hamilton and Brian Edwards have done primarily through Souths Logan and other areas.
Notable actions by the Raiders include -
- Development Programs started by Dean Lance (currently Mark Tookey) through Souths Logan clubs. These
- Partnerships with various schools in areas such as Ipswich and Logan including development officers and programs
- Preference for Dual registration to include reserves and developing players in Logans QLD cup team, much to the disgust of dinosaur Carr. This also includes financial support vital to the survival of Souths Logan
- Signing of various QLD based players at a young age - a great example is Brenko Lee, who the raiders have had on a private school scholarship since the age of eleven. He should make his NRL debut this year. (Not so much for the region though, but the raiders own success)
- Sponsorship of high school competitions/carnivals. (unsure though as i cannot find the link, this may be wrong
Anyone with an understanding of league is aware of the longstanding links the raiders have to qld and many other regions. BUT i do not buy they have done more in qld $ wise than the Broncos simply because they have always gone for quality over the Broncos Quantity. It would seem the broncos are finally pulling their weight within the Logan region which can only be seen as a good thing.
It is a shame though, when a player who has been on our books since age 12 can so easily be poached by a team who has a massive advantage under the current salary cap rules. That being said, its a part of all sports and i am confident the raiders can continue to be one of the best clubs for developing players, given we do not have the ability to run the press and poach players the way that Brisbane does.
Plus there are 56 reasons the Raiders will always one up the Broncos
