What's new
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Five years of successful squad development

ghoti

Bench
Messages
3,529
Was writing this in a different thread where Mr Angry (no shade, just a launching point!) dismissed this week's line-up as the '2018 Jets side and some old props')... but, in the spirit of fluff, thought it best as a positive vibe thread about how f**ken good the club has done transforming us into a junior development club since the 2016 premiership squad made up of mostly of rejects, lucky buys and journeymen... it's a great story I think and one we're often taking for granted while shittalking the guys who aren't yet to NRL standard... but:

This is the 2017 NYC finals line-up...

1 William KENNEDY
2 Sione KATOA

3 Isaac LUMELUME
4 Jesse RAMIEN
5 Josh TUILAGI
6 Luke METCALF
7 Kyle FLANAGAN
8 Eddie FAALUA
9 Blayke BRAILEY
10 Daniel VASQUEZ

11 Ryan KING
12 Tony MATAUTIA
13 Billy MAGOULIAS ©
Interchange
14 Joshua CARR
15 Zachary FAULKNER
16 James ROUMANOS
17 Teig WILTON

This is the 2019 Jets grand final line-up:

1 Will Kennedy
2 Sione Katoa

3 Aaron Gray
4 Ronaldo Mulitalo
5 Tyrone Phillips
6 Jack A Williams
7 Braydon Trindall
8 Toby Rudolf
9 Blayke Brailey

10 Jaimin Jolliffe
11 Scott Sorensen
12 Jayson Bukuya
13 Billy Magoulias

Interchange:
14 Teig Wilton
15 Jackson Ferris
16 Siosifa Talakai
17 Daniel Vasquez


Then this week's NRL teamlist...

1. W.Kennedy
2. S.Katoa
3. J.Ramien
4. C.Tracey
5. M.Hiroti
6. L.Metcalf
7. B. Trindall.
8. T. Rudolf.
9. B. Brailey.

10. A.Woods.
11. B.Nikora.
12. S. Talakai.
13. J. Williams.

14. M.Moylan.
15. A. Tolman.
16. B. Uele.
17. T. Wilton


Developing kids so that the NYC 16/17 team became the Jets 18/19 team is now our first grade side is such a HUGE upside for us. Not just to show that our systems have been working, but the continuity and combinations as those guys develop will be so valuable. We're understrength this year, but man, that's exactly why we might make the finals with 3-5 of our highest paid players gone and a caretaker coach... if 7th/8th place over three years of total on and off field clusterf**kery is our baseline then we're in with a really good shot for an enjoyable few seasons ahead.
 

2012....Sharks Year

First Grade
Messages
5,385
Was writing this in a different thread where Mr Angry (no shade, just a launching point!) dismissed this week's line-up as the '2018 Jets side and some old props')... but, in the spirit of fluff, thought it best as a positive vibe thread about how f**ken good the club has done transforming us into a junior development club since the 2016 premiership squad made up of mostly of rejects, lucky buys and journeymen... it's a great story I think and one we're often taking for granted while shittalking the guys who aren't yet to NRL standard... but:

This is the 2017 NYC finals line-up...

1 William KENNEDY
2 Sione KATOA

3 Isaac LUMELUME
4 Jesse RAMIEN
5 Josh TUILAGI
6 Luke METCALF
7 Kyle FLANAGAN
8 Eddie FAALUA
9 Blayke BRAILEY
10 Daniel VASQUEZ

11 Ryan KING
12 Tony MATAUTIA
13 Billy MAGOULIAS ©
Interchange
14 Joshua CARR
15 Zachary FAULKNER
16 James ROUMANOS
17 Teig WILTON

This is the 2019 Jets grand final line-up:

1 Will Kennedy
2 Sione Katoa

3 Aaron Gray
4 Ronaldo Mulitalo
5 Tyrone Phillips
6 Jack A Williams
7 Braydon Trindall
8 Toby Rudolf
9 Blayke Brailey

10 Jaimin Jolliffe
11 Scott Sorensen
12 Jayson Bukuya
13 Billy Magoulias

Interchange:
14 Teig Wilton
15 Jackson Ferris
16 Siosifa Talakai
17 Daniel Vasquez


Then this week's NRL teamlist...

1. W.Kennedy
2. S.Katoa
3. J.Ramien
4. C.Tracey
5. M.Hiroti
6. L.Metcalf
7. B. Trindall.
8. T. Rudolf.
9. B. Brailey.

10. A.Woods.
11. B.Nikora.
12. S. Talakai.
13. J. Williams.

14. M.Moylan.
15. A. Tolman.
16. B. Uele.
17. T. Wilton


Developing kids so that the NYC 16/17 team became the Jets 18/19 team is now our first grade side is such a HUGE upside for us. Not just to show that our systems have been working, but the continuity and combinations as those guys develop will be so valuable. We're understrength this year, but man, that's exactly why we might make the finals with 3-5 of our highest paid players gone and a caretaker coach... if 7th/8th place over three years of total on and off field clusterf**kery is our baseline then we're in with a really good shot for an enjoyable few seasons ahead.
Agree with this….most clubs struggle to stay competitive when they’re going through a rebuilding stage. In the space of 4 years we’ve gone from one of the oldest and experienced squads to one that is predominantly made up of less than 40 gamers. Throw in a bit of class externally and it’s good times ahead.
 

Tiger Shark

Bench
Messages
2,928
Good post. Gus mentioned this on the show he does with Gal (name escapes me) and how they've been able to be more successful than the Tigers and what you want to be able to generally always do.

Once you throw in a few elite signings - McInnes, Hynes, Finucane and maybe others it should make a big difference.
 
Messages
14,247
Good post. Gus mentioned this on the show he does with Gal (name escapes me) and how they've been able to be more successful than the Tigers and what you want to be able to generally always do.

Once you throw in a few elite signings - McInnes, Hynes, Finucane and maybe others it should make a big difference.
100%, both agree and the name of the show! (Footy)
I was going to post exactly the same words said by Gus. He was quite animated about it as well.
He really has changed his stance with us over the last number of years, especially since his lad was in our systems.
 

Tiger Shark

Bench
Messages
2,928
100%, both agree and the name of the show! (Footy)
I was going to post exactly the same words said by Gus. He was quite animated about it as well.
He really has changed his stance with us over the last number of years, especially since his lad was in our systems.

Yeah I think he got a good look at our system whilst his kid was going through it.

So a good junior development system and second largest number of juniors next to Penrith and no wonder Fitz wanted to get on board.

Just get our defence back to top 4 standards which I think we'll do over the next 18 months. Though might not take as long. Panthers turned theirs around in one off season. From the 8th best defence in 2019 to the best in 2020.

Though Maloney did leave that season so probably not a coincidence
 
Messages
2,830
I'll add the grand final winning Jersey Flegg team of 2018 to the honour board:

Grand Final Team List - Jersey Flegg
Sharks v Penrith
Sunday, September 23
Leichhardt Oval
Kick off – 12.45pm

1 Luke Polselli
2 Chris Tupou
3 Jackson Ferris
4 Bronson Xerri
5 Isaac Lumelume
6 Jayden Millard
7 Braydon Trindall
8 Cruz Topai-Aveai
9 Harry Smith
10 Monty Raper
11 Teig Wilton ©
12 Josh Carr
13 James Roumanos
Interchange
14 Luke Jurd
15 Fine Kula
16 Blake Manowski
17 Tom Caughlan
18 Jonaiah Lualua
19 Kalani Pewhairangi-Charlie
20 Thomas Hazelton

and the Newtown Jets team which narrowly lost to the Bulldogs that same afternoon:

1 Will Kennedy (VIP Management)

2 Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga (Golden Barley Hotel)

3 Aaron Gray (Charles Bailey Urbane Property Inner West)

4 Reubenn Rennie (John Cahill & Jennifer Malone)

5 Sione Katoa (Golden Barley Hotel)

6 Jack A Williams (Discount Ski Tubes & Gear)

7 Kyle Flanagan (Select Music)

8 Kurt Dillon (Craig Leonard)

9 Blayke Brailey (Wayne Leong & Kim Fuller)

10 Ava Seumanufagai (Good Fellows Sports & Sox)

11 Briton Nikora (SMI – Sports Medicine Institute)

12 Anthony Moraitis (David Nelson)

13 Jaimin Jolliffe (Steven Helmich)

Interchange:

14 Billy Magoulias (Performance Health / Bio Freeze)

15 Matt Evans (Brasco)

16 Braden Uele (BRI Ferrier)

17 Wes Lolo (Nifty Foods)

18 Jesse Marschke (Petersham RSL)

20 Addison Demetriou (Coverforce)

21 Malakai Houma (Label Plus)
 

Weaponhead

Coach
Messages
10,169
Excellent thread. This captures why Fitzgibbon was keen on the coaching gig.

If the junior system can reliably produce NRL quality players then the club will sustain success. The fact that 4 of the current starting spine (3 if Moyza starts) came through the system is a great base to build from. Add the talent of Hynes and its an exciting prospect.

The recruitment mistakes of the past 4 years are being addressed. Incoming players Finucane and McInnes are model professionals who will lift the standards of the players coming through. With all due respect to Dugan, Woods and Moyza they do not have the leadership capacity that McInnes and Finucane possess.
 
Messages
14,247
A lot of names in there that have played, or are playing, firsts. Not just with us but with other clubs, and also a fair few who aren't in those lists.
Some huge kudos for a number of people who have set our systems up.
Including:
Ricky Stuart
Dave Howlett
Shane Flanagan
John Morris.

Daniel Holdsworth is in charge of the systems now, is he not?
I truly hope these wonderful structures carry on.
 

chewsta

First Grade
Messages
6,796
Very good post Ghoti man, it's a very similar situation to the Panthers. Had a bunch of Juniors come through the grades together. The 5 year plan may have taken a little longer than expected but far out they are flying now!
 

Tiger Shark

Bench
Messages
2,928
A lot of names in there that have played, or are playing, firsts. Not just with us but with other clubs, and also a fair few who aren't in those lists.
Some huge kudos for a number of people who have set our systems up.
Including:
Ricky Stuart
Dave Howlett
Shane Flanagan
John Morris.

Daniel Holdsworth is in charge of the systems now, is he not?
I truly hope these wonderful structures carry on.

I thought the Brailey father is looking after it ? or is involved. Probably a few involved in fairness.
 

shadowboxer

First Grade
Messages
6,365
For all our forum moaning and groaning in the game thread weekly - threads like this highlights not only the quality of the posters or that the flog journalists in the media trawl here constantly…..but as a club, we have accomplished plenty across the board that many other clubs could only dream of, hence why we look good to the incoming coach.
Think about the Tigers for a minute….I’d rather not. Shambles
 

2012....Sharks Year

First Grade
Messages
5,385
For all our forum moaning and groaning in the game thread weekly - threads like this highlights not only the quality of the posters or that the flog journalists in the media trawl here constantly…..but as a club, we have accomplished plenty across the board that many other clubs could only dream of, hence why we look good to the incoming coach.
Think about the Tigers for a minute….I’d rather not. Shambles
Goons have been f**ked for a decade now and are still no closer to digging themselves out of the hole they’re in.
 

snout

First Grade
Messages
5,517
Was writing this in a different thread where Mr Angry (no shade, just a launching point!) dismissed this week's line-up as the '2018 Jets side and some old props')... but, in the spirit of fluff, thought it best as a positive vibe thread about how f**ken good the club has done transforming us into a junior development club since the 2016 premiership squad made up of mostly of rejects, lucky buys and journeymen... it's a great story I think and one we're often taking for granted while shittalking the guys who aren't yet to NRL standard... but:

This is the 2017 NYC finals line-up...

1 William KENNEDY
2 Sione KATOA

3 Isaac LUMELUME
4 Jesse RAMIEN
5 Josh TUILAGI
6 Luke METCALF
7 Kyle FLANAGAN
8 Eddie FAALUA
9 Blayke BRAILEY
10 Daniel VASQUEZ

11 Ryan KING
12 Tony MATAUTIA
13 Billy MAGOULIAS ©
Interchange
14 Joshua CARR
15 Zachary FAULKNER
16 James ROUMANOS
17 Teig WILTON

This is the 2019 Jets grand final line-up:

1 Will Kennedy
2 Sione Katoa

3 Aaron Gray
4 Ronaldo Mulitalo
5 Tyrone Phillips
6 Jack A Williams
7 Braydon Trindall
8 Toby Rudolf
9 Blayke Brailey

10 Jaimin Jolliffe
11 Scott Sorensen
12 Jayson Bukuya
13 Billy Magoulias

Interchange:
14 Teig Wilton
15 Jackson Ferris
16 Siosifa Talakai
17 Daniel Vasquez


Then this week's NRL teamlist...

1. W.Kennedy
2. S.Katoa
3. J.Ramien
4. C.Tracey
5. M.Hiroti
6. L.Metcalf
7. B. Trindall.
8. T. Rudolf.
9. B. Brailey.

10. A.Woods.
11. B.Nikora.
12. S. Talakai.
13. J. Williams.

14. M.Moylan.
15. A. Tolman.
16. B. Uele.
17. T. Wilton


Developing kids so that the NYC 16/17 team became the Jets 18/19 team is now our first grade side is such a HUGE upside for us. Not just to show that our systems have been working, but the continuity and combinations as those guys develop will be so valuable. We're understrength this year, but man, that's exactly why we might make the finals with 3-5 of our highest paid players gone and a caretaker coach... if 7th/8th place over three years of total on and off field clusterf**kery is our baseline then we're in with a really good shot for an enjoyable few seasons ahead.
That's amazing.
14 of this week's 17.

So we are doing a lot of things right below first grade - where one could say a few of these guys haven't quite gone on with it.
Only on - Nikora - has gone on to rep honours.

If - thats if - Fitzy brings what we hope he brings and the majority of these guys respond to a more professional set-up, coaching and preparation, just 5% improvement per player means a jump from mid table northward.

I see a lot of guys in this side who have wiggle room to reach their potential - but one guy who l think really has game that could go to a whole other level is Nikora
 

Craigshark

First Grade
Messages
6,454
That's amazing.
14 of this week's 17.

So we are doing a lot of things right below first grade - where one could say a few of these guys haven't quite gone on with it.
Only on - Nikora - has gone on to rep honours.

If - thats if - Fitzy brings what we hope he brings and the majority of these guys respond to a more professional set-up, coaching and preparation, just 5% improvement per player means a jump from mid table northward.

I see a lot of guys in this side who have wiggle room to reach their potential - but one guy who l think really has game that could go to a whole other level is Nikora

agree on nikora. Has loads of potential which we all saw in his first year of first grade. Has gone a bit quiet since but it correlates with who’s been in charge. Surprises me why some people are so willing to cut him loose without seeing him under some proper coaching.
 
Messages
3,953
agree on nikora. Has loads of potential which we all saw in his first year of first grade. Has gone a bit quiet since but it correlates with who’s been in charge. Surprises me why some people are so willing to cut him loose without seeing him under some proper coaching.
Nikora seems to need to either be brought into the game by the halves or go looking for the ball a bit more, the game looks to drift by him sometimes. Probably no coincidence his best games were with johnson and the combination they struck up.
 

Inferno

Coach
Messages
18,205
Others have said it but great thread!

It shows the junior pathways are working which hopefully encourages other juniors to stay.

It is always going to be cheaper to recruit from within than to buy externally.

Looking at the Panthers side you can really see the rewards that can be reaped having players who spent much of their junior years playing footy together.

When is the current Newtown deal running to?
 

Latest posts

Top