Forwards are now maturing at 22-23

[roopy]

I was having a think about when all our young forwards will hit top form, and it seems to me that the ones we have been 'blooding' in recent seasons have all really made an impact in the year they turn 22 or 23.
Simmo a few years ago at 22
Buderus a couple of years ago at 22
Perry, Abraham, Jobson and even Newton all came into their own this year at 22.
Woolnough, Matt Kennedy, Andrew Price, Trent Esatheo and Quigley all turn 22 next year.

I think we might see our pack really come good next year as all the young lions reach the age when forwards seem to hit form these days.

 

[Danish Moo Cow]

Clint Newton and Matt Jobson came into his own this year? And Josh Perry's best season was 2001 by a hell of a long way.

 

[roopy]

Clint Newton and Matt Jobson came into his own this year? And Josh Perry's best season was 2001 by a hell of a long way.

Clint Newton was quoted as saying that he really felt he was pulling his weight in the team for the first time when he was injured, and I agree with him. He was in firstgrade form for the first time.
The same goes for Jobson.
Josh Perry was much better this year than 2001. He had some good games in 2001, but he would have one good one and follow it up with three very ordinary ones because he stuffed himself with the effort he put in in the good one. This year he has been good every game and excellent in most.

 

[Danish Moo Cow]

Feeling good and putting in is different from playing or performing well. Clint Newton once again did not aim up to his hype. Maybe he could've got better with less injuries, but no-one will ever know. No player should be happy with a half of a season. Jobson developed well, but he's still at least 2 years from being a starting forward. At 22 now he's going to struggle to cement a spot in that Warriors forward pack.

And Josh Perry was still a long way better in 2001 than 2003. The enitre middle section of this season was a waste on him.

 

[antonius]

I've always had reservations re Clint Newton, The couple of games he was in this year he did show a bit more ball security, and strength, but he's still a way off regular first grade for mine.

 

[Doctor]

I've always had reservations re Clint Newton, The couple of games he was in this year he did show a bit more ball security, and strength, but he's still a way off regular first grade for mine.

Ditto. Initially he emerged as Paul Marquet's successor to the throne of King Knockonathon. But in the patchy appearances between injuries he has begun to emerge as someone who may make a bench spot his own.

He is, according to most pre-season stat-books, in the first 17 for the Knights. When fit, and when holding the ball, he is a steady worker.

As for the others maturing at 22-23 - there is a lot of truth in what you're saying. But I think more important is the experience in first grade. You can't just put a 23 year old in first grade and assume he is already mature. Likewise a player introduced at 19 can have matured by 21 if he gets some games.

The 30-50 game mark is where most players find their feet. Often times their first 20 or 30 top grade games are sporatic - they're made because they're filling in for injuries and don't hold a spot of their own - they make play 14-16 games a season but in installments of 4 or 5 lots.

Woolnough has been injured, but he shows a lot of promise - Perry is finally cleaning his game up, and certainly fellows like Price, Estatheo (spent all season with a knee injury) and Kennedy will emerge as reliable first graders hopefully.