Flano Press conference

[Saints Forever]

I don't have the data, but I was looking at our Dragons SG side, and it seems like almost all of them were recruited externally.. but f*** me it worked! I think NickT in Flegg is a local? But I dont think there are many from our local catchment.

Steelers maybe a different story? I mean King Togia was yet another qld import.. not sure about the rest.. but im sure there are a bunch of local junior leagues down there to pull from.. curious if our recruitment teams were focussing recruits into the dragons side?

Hence the much vaunted Steelers nursery is a myth

 

[TheRev]

Hence the much vaunted Steelers nursery is a myth

I think its likely the opposite.. the Dragons team is almost all imports.. all the stars are anyway.

But I suspect the Steelers is mostly local and they leave that team to fend for itself since it has the nursery (LKT is an exception but im not sure what his situation is), maybe its ideal for him to live there given he trains with 1st grade, along with his halves partner Kade Reed (who is a local junior), that would make sense.. the Bostock(s) for example are also illawarra juniors.

But I dont have data to support that.. im sure someone will on here..

 

[st.phil]

will we take as long to sign a recruitment mgr as we do any player ever?

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

I think its likely the opposite.. the Dragons team is almost all imports.. all the stars are anyway.

But I suspect the Steelers is mostly local and they leave that team to fend for itself since it has the nursery (LKT is an exception but im not sure what his situation is), maybe its ideal for him to live there given he trains with 1st grade, along with his halves partner Kade Reed (who is a local junior), that would make sense.. the Bostock(s) for example are also illawarra juniors.

But I dont have data to support that.. im sure someone will on here..

I don't have much data either. I have been trying to find junior rugby league numbers for a while, mainly because everyone seems to think we are some sort of junior powerhouse, but without ever providing numbers to demonstrate the case. I did find this chart from an Andrew Webster article in the SMH. It's from 2021 so a bit out of date:



It's what you might expect though, I don't think anyone thinks the St George district is rugby league heartland anymore. Still disappointing to see we are behind Rabbitohs, Dogs and Sharkies though. Sharks are going gangbusters too - last year they announced they reached over 5000 juniors and were now one of the biggest rugby league nurseries:

Cronulla Junior League Registrations Reach 5500 Milestone

Despite only five rounds of the 2023 season played to date, Cronulla Junior Rugby League (CJRL) have already broken the 5500 barrier for player registrations. This incredible figure well and truly confirms CJRL as one of the major Rugby League districts affiliated with NSWRL, reaching this...

www.cronullajrl.com.au

I can't find any equivalent data that compares the country rugby league districts, but Illawarra announced over 2000 players in 2024, which is more than St George but even combined it is still less than Bunnies, Dogs and Sharks.

2024 IRL Season Officially Launched | Illawarra Rugby League

illawarrarugbyleague.com.au

All of which seems to indicate St George-Illawarra does not have very good junior rugby league programs, and given the size of the areas we represent, and the fan numbers, we ought to be doing a lot better.

 

[TheRev]

Hmm that is dark.. what a shame they didnt include the illawarra, newcastle, canberra type areas for comparison.

I wonder if first grade success is a big part of it.. I've given up trying to get my kids to even take an interest in rugby league.. I dont even want to make them watch games cause its a pretty frustrating experience.

 

[TheRev]

will we take as long to sign a recruitment mgr as we do any player ever?

Jeremy said he spoke to Millard on the weekend and seemingly hes back at work.. so maybe all is well again? Not 100% what his day to day looks like exactly....

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Hmm that is dark.. what a shame they didnt include the illawarra, newcastle, canberra type areas for comparison.

I wonder if first grade success is a big part of it.. I've given up trying to get my kids to even take an interest in rugby league.. I dont even want to make them watch games cause its a pretty frustrating experience.

Yes, I'd love to see the figures. You would think participation rates would form part of annual reports, and a measure of how well things are going (or not). But clubs only report the figures when things are going well, or a milestone is reached. Canberra did report solid growth in 2021 which put them ahead of the Illawarra:


Source: https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2021/12/07/crrl-participation-numbers-surge-to-record-high


For me it's another question for the Board and Management to answer at the next member information session.

 

[Mojo]

I don't have much data either. I have been trying to find junior rugby league numbers for a while, mainly because everyone seems to think we are some sort of junior powerhouse, but without ever providing numbers to demonstrate the case. I did find this chart from an Andrew Webster article in the SMH. It's from 2021 so a bit out of date:

View attachment 87455

It's what you might expect though, I don't think anyone thinks the St George district is rugby league heartland anymore. Still disappointing to see we are behind Rabbitohs, Dogs and Sharkies though. Sharks are going gangbusters too - last year they announced they reached over 5000 juniors and were now one of the biggest rugby league nurseries:

Cronulla Junior League Registrations Reach 5500 Milestone

Despite only five rounds of the 2023 season played to date, Cronulla Junior Rugby League (CJRL) have already broken the 5500 barrier for player registrations. This incredible figure well and truly confirms CJRL as one of the major Rugby League districts affiliated with NSWRL, reaching this...

www.cronullajrl.com.au

I can't find any equivalent data that compares the country rugby league districts, but Illawarra announced over 2000 players in 2024, which is more than St George but even combined it is still less than Bunnies, Dogs and Sharks.

2024 IRL Season Officially Launched | Illawarra Rugby League

illawarrarugbyleague.com.au

All of which seems to indicate St George-Illawarra does not have very good junior rugby league programs, and given the size of the areas we represent, and the fan numbers, we ought to be doing a lot better.

Thanks for this data. Much appreciated. Question though: if Illawarra have 2000, then combined wouldn't we be doing better than the Dogs and Souths and about equal to Cronulla? At least it appears almost all others are declining whereas we've remained pretty steady.

The bigger question in my mind is: why do we not have more home grown talent in first grade? We seem to put a lot of effort into nurturing talented players but we don't seem to take them through to the top grade very often. Is it true that we bring guys up-to-speed and then let them go elsewhere?

 

[Dragon David]

Are you channeling Possom ?

Possm is missing. He hasn't posted for a while now. I hope all is OK with you possm??

 

[Dragon David]

Hmm that is dark.. what a shame they didnt include the illawarra, newcastle, canberra type areas for comparison.

I wonder if first grade success is a big part of it.. I've given up trying to get my kids to even take an interest in rugby league.. I dont even want to make them watch games cause its a pretty frustrating experience.

Me too, TheRev. One is completely not interested and the other shows some interest and says that he is following the Dragons but not avidly.

During their formidable growing up years to today, they have seen what following the Dragons has done to me. Oh the pain and the agony of it all.

Is there even a bright future for our beloved Dragons? When in heavens name will we turn that allusive corner that signals happy Dragons days?

This waiting and waiting is so brutal to see this club on a high and time is running out.

 

[Dragon the chain]

.. Is it true that we bring guys up-to speed and then let them go elsewhere?

Yes.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Thanks for this data. Much appreciated. Question though: if Illawarra have 2000, then combined wouldn't we be doing better than the Dogs and Souths and about equal to Cronulla? At least it appears almost all others are declining whereas we've remained pretty steady.

The bigger question in my mind is: why do we not have more home grown talent in first grade? We seem to put a lot of effort into nurturing talented players but we don't seem to take them through to the top grade very often. Is it true that we bring guys up-to speed and then let them go elsewhere?

What you say is true if Illawarra had at least 2000 participants in 2021. That's probably a fair assumption. If you jump ahead to 2024 however, Illawarra are saying 2000 participants, I don't know how many participants there are in the St George district, but Cronulla said they had 5500 participants in 2023. So I suspect we are behind on junior numbers.

Can't answer your second paragraph sorry.

 

[Mojo]

Possm is missing. He hasn't posted for a while now. I hope all is OK with you possm??

I am not Possm but, if I’m sounding like him, then I have discovered a newfound respect for his profound wisdom and insight.

 

[Saints Forever]

I think its likely the opposite.. the Dragons team is almost all imports.. all the stars are anyway.

But I suspect the Steelers is mostly local and they leave that team to fend for itself since it has the nursery (LKT is an exception but im not sure what his situation is), maybe its ideal for him to live there given he trains with 1st grade, along with his halves partner Kade Reed (who is a local junior), that would make sense.. the Bostock(s) for example are also illawarra juniors.

But I dont have data to support that.. im sure someone will on here..

The gun Steeler 5/8 is from Qld

 

[TheRev]

The gun Steeler 5/8 is from Qld

Yup yup I said LKT is the exception!

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

I think its likely the opposite.. the Dragons team is almost all imports.. all the stars are anyway.

But I suspect the Steelers is mostly local and they leave that team to fend for itself since it has the nursery (LKT is an exception but im not sure what his situation is), maybe its ideal for him to live there given he trains with 1st grade, along with his halves partner Kade Reed (who is a local junior), that would make sense.. the Bostock(s) for example are also illawarra juniors.

But I dont have data to support that.. im sure someone will on here..

DRAGONS SG BALL CUP SQUAD 2024	Previous Club / Comments	Position
Corey Ackers	Dragons JNR +Arncliffe Scotts + Fairfield Patrician Brothers	Lock, Prop
David Afu	Panthers 2021-23	centre
Peter Assaf	Bulldogs	Wing
Ratu Cayuqueo	Parramatta
Angus Clark	Wagga Wagga, Riverina Bulls	Hooker
Lyric Craft-Te Moananui	Dragons JNR + West Tigers in 2021	centre
Uchenna Egbu	Newtown jnr?	wing
Isaiah Fagalilo	Burleigh Bear QLD	Hooker
Ben Geary	Newcastle + Nth Coast Bulldogs	Wing
Jacob Halangahu	Penrith	2nd row
Shadi Hammoud	Dragons JNR	Five-Eighth
Hudson Harmer	Nth Coast Bulldogs	Hooker
Viliami Hikila	Sharks +Endeavour Sports High & Westfield Sports High	PROP, 2nd ROW
Ryan Hutchinson	Keebra Park High School QLD	PROP
Lennox Jensen	Nth Coast Bulldogs??
Mitchell Langley	Dragons JNR + Renown	Lock
Finau Latu	Penrith JNR + Patrician Brothers Fairfield	Lock
Campbell Lyons	Narrandera + Illawarra Steelers	centre
Zac Nachar	Dragons JNR	Wing/Fullback/6
Xavier Ndaira	Dragons JNR	Hooker
Loko Pasifiki Tonga	Bankstown Bulls + Ipswich High QLD	Prop
Tyler Peckham-Harris	Ipswich High QLD	Fullback
Risiate Smythe	Dragons JNR	Prop
Cyrus Stanley-Traill	Bulldogs +Endeavour Sports High	2nd row
Brandon Tikanau	Titans	1/2back
Rydell Tyrrell	Central Queensland Capras	Prop
Jesse Williams	Cabramatta + Patrician Brothers Fairfield	Wing/Fullback
Harley Yates	Minchinbury Jets	1/2back
Coach: Willie Talau

STEELERS SG BALL CUP SQUAD 2024
Tyrone Amone	Illawarra JNR + Illawarra Sports High	2nd Row /Prop
Viliami Amone	Illawarra JNR + Illawarra Sports High	PROP
Hudson Bailey	Illawarra JNR	Lock
Clay Baldock	Illawarra JNR	1/2back / Five Eight
Bohden Barrett	Illawarra JNR	centre
Lucas Borg	Illawarra JNR	Fullback / Wing
Hayden Buchanan	Illawarra JNR	centre
Aaymon Fitzgibbon	Illawarra JNR	Five-Eighth
Charlie Heidke	Illawarra JNR	centre
Eden Hodges	Illawarra JNR	1/2back
Lyhkan King-Togia	QLD	Five-Eighth
Tom Kirk	Illawarra JNR	Fullback / Wing
Tom Knox	Illawarra JNR	2nd row
Drew Langdon	Illawarra JNR	2nd row
Isaac Laughton	Illawarra JNR	2nd row
Bailey Marks	Illawarra JNR	Prop / Lock
Daniel Meafou	Illawarra JNR	Lock
Lincoln Miners	Illawarra JNR	Hooker
Ramses Munro	Illawarra JNR	PROP
Seth Pearman	Illawarra JNR	Hooker
Braith Plecas	Illawarra JNR	Lock
Kade Reed	Illawarra JNR	1/2back
Jackson Rieck	Illawarra JNR	Fullback
Toby Rumble	Illawarra JNR	Wing / Centre
Jackson Smith	Illawarra JNR	2nd row
Jarrah Treweek	Illawarra JNR	2nd row
Lachlan Weir	QLD	PROP
Harry Wililo	Illawarra JNR	Wing / Centre
Coach: Shaun Timmins

 

[TheRev]

DRAGONS SG BALL CUP SQUAD 2024	Previous Club / Comments	Position
Corey Ackers	Dragons JNR +Arncliffe Scotts + Fairfield Patrician Brothers	Lock, Prop
David Afu	Panthers 2021-23	centre
Peter Assaf	Bulldogs	Wing
Ratu Cayuqueo	Parramatta
Angus Clark	Wagga Wagga, Riverina Bulls	Hooker
Lyric Craft-Te Moananui	Dragons JNR + West Tigers in 2021	centre
Uchenna Egbu	Newtown jnr?	wing
Isaiah Fagalilo	Burleigh Bear QLD	Hooker
Ben Geary	Newcastle + Nth Coast Bulldogs	Wing
Jacob Halangahu	Penrith	2nd row
Shadi Hammoud	Dragons JNR	Five-Eighth
Hudson Harmer	Nth Coast Bulldogs	Hooker
Viliami Hikila	Sharks +Endeavour Sports High & Westfield Sports High	PROP, 2nd ROW
Ryan Hutchinson	Keebra Park High School QLD	PROP
Lennox Jensen	Nth Coast Bulldogs??
Mitchell Langley	Dragons JNR + Renown	Lock
Finau Latu	Penrith JNR + Patrician Brothers Fairfield	Lock
Campbell Lyons	Narrandera + Illawarra Steelers	centre
Zac Nachar	Dragons JNR	Wing/Fullback/6
Xavier Ndaira	Dragons JNR	Hooker
Loko Pasifiki Tonga	Bankstown Bulls + Ipswich High QLD	Prop
Tyler Peckham-Harris	Ipswich High QLD	Fullback
Risiate Smythe	Dragons JNR	Prop
Cyrus Stanley-Traill	Bulldogs +Endeavour Sports High	2nd row
Brandon Tikanau	Titans	1/2back
Rydell Tyrrell	Central Queensland Capras	Prop
Jesse Williams	Cabramatta + Patrician Brothers Fairfield	Wing/Fullback
Harley Yates	Minchinbury Jets	1/2back
Coach: Willie Talau

STEELERS SG BALL CUP SQUAD 2024
Tyrone Amone	Illawarra JNR + Illawarra Sports High	2nd Row /Prop
Viliami Amone	Illawarra JNR + Illawarra Sports High	PROP
Hudson Bailey	Illawarra JNR	Lock
Clay Baldock	Illawarra JNR	1/2back / Five Eight
Bohden Barrett	Illawarra JNR	centre
Lucas Borg	Illawarra JNR	Fullback / Wing
Hayden Buchanan	Illawarra JNR	centre
Aaymon Fitzgibbon	Illawarra JNR	Five-Eighth
Charlie Heidke	Illawarra JNR	centre
Eden Hodges	Illawarra JNR	1/2back
Lyhkan King-Togia	QLD	Five-Eighth
Tom Kirk	Illawarra JNR	Fullback / Wing
Tom Knox	Illawarra JNR	2nd row
Drew Langdon	Illawarra JNR	2nd row
Isaac Laughton	Illawarra JNR	2nd row
Bailey Marks	Illawarra JNR	Prop / Lock
Daniel Meafou	Illawarra JNR	Lock
Lincoln Miners	Illawarra JNR	Hooker
Ramses Munro	Illawarra JNR	PROP
Seth Pearman	Illawarra JNR	Hooker
Braith Plecas	Illawarra JNR	Lock
Kade Reed	Illawarra JNR	1/2back
Jackson Rieck	Illawarra JNR	Fullback
Toby Rumble	Illawarra JNR	Wing / Centre
Jackson Smith	Illawarra JNR	2nd row
Jarrah Treweek	Illawarra JNR	2nd row
Lachlan Weir	QLD	PROP
Harry Wililo	Illawarra JNR	Wing / Centre
Coach: Shaun Timmins

Brilliant stats, well done @AyiosYiorgos! Sort of confirms what we thought, coupla dragons kids in that SG side, but mostly its been managed by the recruitment team.

I was curious why the U17 HM sides seemed to struggle this year, you cant win em all obviously.. but maybe they focussed recruitment into that U19 side.. plus maybe a few of the 17yr olds played up a grade..

 

[Lennyb]

Flannos press conference was perfect. He told the truth.

Unsure what people are going on about staying quiet and causing an upset.

 

[Rod Coil]

Be careful with junior league participation numbers these days. They include League Tag figures without splitting out Tackle only. It’s all about the total figures to gain a bigger slice of government grants.

Boys tackle is declining in all districts but they will never say that out loud.

 

[bad boy bubby]

Sharks will probably go close to being over 6000 this year. I'll tell you how/why.
The inclusion of women/girls in junior participation stats.
Rugby League is the fastest growing participation rate in the country for girls.
It's going gang busters, and especially in the Cronulla Sutherland catchment area.
I expect it to start going the same way in the Illawarra soon too.

How many STI juniors are playing for other NRL teams?
I know we have one in our top 30, Jesse Colquhoun. He was in line to be a starter in the 17 this year before injury got him. He's a great player.