Tackling and kicking
It's a recognition that top 30 isn't the elite cadre you think it is. As though there are 510 merkins who are NRL stars in top 30 squads while player 511 is a park footballer who should be nOwHeRe NeAr FiRsT gRaDe!1!!
The reality is that there might only be 250 NRL standard players in the world. Plus another 50 who used to be (and are still good enough to be backups) and another 50 who will be (and are old enough to compete against grown men). That makes 350 merkins. Not enough to fill a dozen top 30 squads. The game needs career backups to fill out squads and cover injuries and suspensions throughout a season.
The following players have played NRL this year, at the top four clubs:
Storm
Kane Bradley (3 games)
Bronson Garlick (4 games)
Dean Ieremia (1 game)
Lazarus Vaalepu (5 games)
Panthers
Soni Luke (2 games)
Luron Patea (3 games)
Preston Riki (1 game)
Luke Sommerton (2 games)
Trent Toelau (9 games)
Roosters
Zach Dockar-Clay (2 games)
Ethan King (1 game)
Blake Steep (2 games)
Sharks
Jayden Berrell (3 games)
Jesse Colquhoun (1 game)
Liam Ison (1 game)
All nuffies with flaws in their game, just like Jake Arthur. There are even more of these merkins at the bottom 13 clubs.
I'm not sure who you're arguing with?
I'm interested as to the qualities that make Jake a top30 guy?
And what happens to your arguments about him being a viable backup if he isn't seen as one by a one else?
In a hypothetical scenario:
A young half is signed top30 on potential.
3 years in it is apparent they haven't got the running kicking or passing game to be a top 30 half.
Their defensive reads are poor.
They end up as a better footy player than I ever was, but not a top30 NRL player (even at age 23 or 24)
This happens all the time.