I see the doom and gloom merchants still in full swing.
Would like to point out that as a club in the juniors we have some very talented juniors coming through that the club will likely place a lot of faith in to fill the roster spots in 2023. I think many seem to get lost on the fact that all of these players are still available to the club in 2022.
We have signed a highly rated youngster from Penrith in Lachlan Blackburn who was named in the Australian Schoolboys alongside Moree local, Jock Brazel (who was also named in the NSW Pathways).
Beside them we have also extended Larry Muagututia and have David Hollis already a member of the top 30.
A few Jersey Flegg players have been rotated in and out of the NSW Cup sides (prior to the competition being suspended) in Caleb and Penioni Tohi and Charbel Tasipale. Caleb and Charbel were named in our trial squads at the start of the season and performed quite strongly.
We have also in the NSW Cup Elie El Zakhem, who alongside Makatoa, was one of the form players in the competition prior to it being suspended. The club have also upgraded another youngster who played in the trial games in Josh Tuipolotu to the 30 Man squad as well.
We have also signed one young hooker/half from Penrith in Brendan Hands who is reportedly impressing during early off season training as well as another young hooker pushing up from the JF side in Jayden Yates.
Disappointing to see players leave, particularly some of them that were invested in heavily. Kaufusi is a strong young player but sees a better chance for himself to play regular football at the Sharks rather than bide his time behind RCG and Junior - the money he is being paid is considerable for a player that would be a bench forward at best and IMO I would question the club management in matching such a figure for a player on the fringes of regular selection.
Interesting to remember too, ,many of these players, due to the cancellation of the lower grade competitions in the past two seasons haven't played a lot of regular football. Should COVID protocols allow, this will help the club immensely moving forward should they be able to play regular football.
There is a lot going on behind the scenes at the club in terms of pathways recruitment and the club is certainly not sitting on their hands in the slightest.
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