Dragons Flegg to be scrapped

[Willow]

Preacher's mail and news doing the rounds has hit the mainstream.

The Jersey Flegg side is to be scrapped (by 2008?) and apparently focus to be put on the Shellharbour Jim Beam-Metro side.

 

[Father Ted]

Thats great news for all St.George juniors . Not .

 

[MrCharisma]

The St George-Illawarra Dragons, renowned for their junior development programs, have axed their NSWRL Jersey Flegg side for the 2007 season in preparation for the National Under-20's competition - much to the ire of the game's officialdom.

Peter Doust, CEO of the Dragons, has cited a strategy to prepare his club for impending National Under-20's competition as reasoning behind the move.

"In 2008 we contemplate that there will be a national youth competition and an NRL competition so we're preparing for that in 2007," Doust said. "The reason we are having a premier league team [instead of Jersey Flegg] is that we still have some players that are on contract that would be over age but the majority of our side will be under 20s, which is what we had this year anyway.

"We prefer that structure because we think it prepares them for first grade more readily than playing in a Jersey Flegg competition and in fact a number of our players that played first grade this year and a lot of our premier league players could have played Jersey Flegg."

It is certainly a surprising move by the Dragons, with their Jersey Flegg side being an area they have had success in recent times. Whilst the National Under-20's competition is destined to happen, decisions on the structure and makeup of this competition are yet to be finalised. Parramatta CEO Denis Fitzgerald is the man heading up the initiative, but he is still to get feedback on his proposal ideas from the NRL Partnership committee.

Meanwhile, NSWRL supremo Geoff Carr has been scathing in his attack on the Dragons, expressing his belief that the real motives of the club are budgetary and not playing strategy.

"The Dragons have got a reputation of overspending on players," Carr said. "But with the correct budget they could participate in this and not have a problem. You don't have to pay more than anyone else for every player. You can come up with a budget so I think it is a completely short-sighted option from a club that has supported NSW competitions since its inception."

It will be interesting to see if the Dragons are the only club that goes down this path, with a number of NSWRL clubs struggling to fill 2 lower grades and an NRL side with enough quality players to make it worth their while. It will also be interesting to see how the Dragons handle their SG Ball and Harold Matthews players, and the even larger gulf that now exists between the junior representative competitions and the NSWRL Premier League with the axing of Jersey Flegg.

Why?!?!

 

[Willow]

For a start, I don't think Geoff Carr is one to talk when it comes to short-sightedness.

Its going to affect all clubs:

[SIZE=+1]Dragons axe Jersey Flegg[/SIZE]

13/10/2006

The St George Illawarra Dragons have unveiled plans to scrap their third grade Jersey Flegg side from the NSWRL competition.

The move is reportedly in anticipation of the introduction of an elite national under-20s competition in 2008. The Dragons have an agreement with Illawarra-based Shellharbour Marlins with the Jim Beam Cup side now set to be the club's 'third tier' team. The Dragons will field a second grade premier league team in 2007 comprising of juniors and some senior players.

Reports indicate that the arrangement may be extended should the premier league competition be axed.

"In 2008 we contemplate that there will be a national youth competition and an NRL competition so we're preparing for that in 2007," Dragons Chief Executive Peter Doust is reported as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.

"The reason we are having a premier league team [instead of Jersey Flegg] is that we still have some players that are on contract that would be over age but the majority of our side will be under 20s, which is what we had this year anyway.

"We prefer that structure because we think it prepares them for first grade more readily than playing in a Jersey Flegg competition and in fact a number of our players that played first grade this year and a lot of our premier league players could have played Jersey Flegg."

A national youth competition was first discussed over a year ago with Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald being chairman of a committee to investigate various competition models.

The proposal would see all NRL teams with an under-20s side that would play as a curtain raiser to the first grade (NRL) fixture each week. The plan extends to scrapping the premier league fixture with a NSW league similar to the Queensland Cup.

"I think there needs to be a restructure of NSW competitions as well, which I think will be contemplated on the back of this national youth competition being introduced," Doust added.


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]WWW.JUBILEEAVENUE.COM.AU[/FONT]

 

[Henson Park Hornets]

Has the under 20's comp actually been confirmed yet?

 

[Willow]

Doesn't look like it but reading between the lines, it seems like pretty close to being finalised.

Newtown 'firsts' might end up in a NSW State Cup competition.

 

[The Preacher]

NO,
Just another Doustism without members consultation or information. Any questions to follow will be greeted with the well worn, "No Comment" or confidentiality clause crap.

 

[Willow]

I'm thinking this has more to do with the NRL v NSWRL and bringing everything under the one banner thing.

 

[Cheesie-the-Pirate]

Interesting... not sure what to think of it at the moment.

Obviously Dousty regards the national under 20 competition as a dead certainty so I can hardly blame him for preparing for it now.

The real question is, when the national junior competition is established and the NSWRL Premier League competition dumped will the Jim Beam Cup evolve into the NSWRL State Cup (or whatever they choose to call it), will there be no true state competition or will there be a Jim Beam Cup plus a State Cup?

Whatever happens we will need some sort team for any over-20 reserves we might have. The Shellharbour team (or something similar) seems a better alternative to the Wests Illawarra Red Devils (or something similar) to me.
​

 

[The Preacher]

True Willow, but the "National" U/20 comp has not been passed by the partnership board yet, let alone seeing what clubs would,could or couldn't participate.
How the hell are Brisbane, Gold Coast, North Queensland and Melbourne all going to field teams in the comp. It's a big strain on Qld. U/20 resourses.
I know Gold Coast are going to be drawing from Group 1 etc., but are there enough quality U/20's around to maintain decent teams across the board, especially when you look at the results from the Central Coast Rip over their short existence.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Ohhh No. Where are the Roosters going to get their talent from now.

Let's face it due to the success of the Jersey Fleg side over the last few seasons, by the time the players are ready for first grade the team has been ravaged by all other NRL clubs offering them more dollars and we end up losing them anyway e.g Josh Lewis.

 

[The Preacher]

Looks like selectors visiting park football, and not just school carnivals, is about to return to fashion.
There's going to be a lot over over 20's running around grounds everywhere, that are going to be "called up" at different times to cover injuries and suspensions etc. that just can't be covered by U/20's.
Will we see the return of the old style Presidents Cup that was so prestigious in my playing days ???

 

[girvie]

The Dragons would need to use Under-19s players in their Premier League side next year. If they play Under-20s players they will be too old to play in the proposed National Under-20s competition in 2008 so it would defeat the purpose of scrapping their Flegg side.

 

[The Preacher]

You're now correct in two different forums Girvie, well done son.;-)

 

[girvie]

There is a poll about National Under-20s competition in the NSWRL forum. I would be interested to see what you all think.
Link:
http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/showthread.php?p=2882398

 

[Wicks]

A few things dont follow

Premier League will just be Jersey Flegg plus a few over age players It is already like that now so the system can work without the National Competition whether it be under 20s or the other age levels they have discussed

Every team already looks after at least one team or group of under 20 players including all the Queensland teams

If the players turn 20 next year they will either be in first grade the year after or be in the Premier League equivalent playing as Shellharbour in the Jim Beam Cup If the National Competition is up and running every NSW team will have to do the same

The purpose of playing Premier League rather than Jersey Flegg is for the over age players this year So that not all of them go to the Jim beam Cup The purpose is not defeated

 

[The Preacher]

A few things dont follow

Premier League will just be Jersey Flegg plus a few over age players It is already like that now so the system can work without the National Competition whether it be under 20s or the other age levels they have discussed

Every team already looks after at least one team or group of under 20 players including all the Queensland teams

If the players turn 20 next year they will either be in first grade the year after or be in the Premier League equivalent playing as Shellharbour in the Jim Beam Cup If the National Competition is up and running every NSW team will have to do the same

The purpose of playing Premier League rather than Jersey Flegg is for the over age players this year So that not all of them go to the Jim beam Cup The purpose is not defeated

What comps do they play in Wicksy?? I don't think you can have Broncos, Gold Coast, Nth.Qld and Melbourne all with under 20's of the required standard. It just wont work.

 

[Wicks]

Wizard Cup, FOGS and Colts in the Queensland Cup organisation Brisbane North Queensland and the Gold Coast have multiple clubs

Melbourne is also establishing themselves on the Central Coast

The clubs have players outside these competitions too

The National Competition will keep more players in the lower grades of Queensland clubs

 

[les amber]

i think this is stupid...

i have SOOO many points, but my major concern is for players like, and ill sue a specific example.

Luke Muttdon.
WON the Harold Matthews PLAYER OF THE SERIES (all teams)2004
WON the SG Ball Player of the Series (all teams) 2005 (as 17yr old)
Aust. Schoolboy 2006

signs 2 year deal, with St's, after weighing up a few offers, and sdecides, Flegg will be a good strong side, and give him a chance to improve ina sound environment...

He now has no Flegg side to play in..

Is this a lack of duty of care for Dragons, not informing the player/manager ?

 

[Wicks]

Muttdon is good enough to play in that team