Apart from a change of coach.. Do we need a change of development philosophy?
Good coaches have the ability to convince players to "buy in" but they must also be able to recruit. The best coaches are the best recruiters.
Well that's a double banger for us. It is obvious McGregor is a limited coach.. And he is certainly a limited recruiter... He can't attract anyone of note. He has nothing to offer, nothing to "buy in" to.
But all that is obvious... Apart from the coach, the board and so on.. Is our basic philosophy no longer 'viable' when it comes to developing NRL players.
When a Club like Canberra realises that this philosophy is a frustrated path to limited success .. And goes about making a definitive change... You must a have a think...
The below article is about a change of philosophy at the Raiders.. Which whilst unpalatable was necessary in their opinion for success .. The abandonment of the traditional philosophy for a recruitment drive.
The NRL simply doesn't provide enough incentives going forward for the Clubs who develop their Juniors... And we are squarely in this position.
"We were asking ourselves, do you invest in 16-year-olds who may come good at 23, with all that uncertainty, all that cost, all that time with no guarantee they stay with you? Or you buy a guy who is 23 or 24 and is ready to play NRL?"
"Financially, it's better to do the latter, which has not normally been our philosophy. But years and years of frustration in terms of the spend on development and no incentive there, you question why you would do it.
It's a sad realty .. The catch is, if everyone takes this attitude .. Who will develop the players that everyone is waiting to buy.
Just another area that needs attention from the NRL.. But greater incentives in this development area within the salary might just be a way to mitigate the TPA advantage of the richer clubs over the lesser clubs.
So.. do we change direction, or do we continue to develop?
There is merit in both.. But I guess it's all about the business now.. So success is key and winning is the driver.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...canberra-raiders-success-20160921-grl2x5.html
