I argue because I disagreed with you.
those players were deliberately kept in Flegg as they were close to Finajs and deserved the opportunity.
I’m sure many of them played less reserve grade than they might have, for this very reason. However the fact stands that our best under 21 players played zero Flegg this year, including Talagi, Sanders, Arthur and Guymer.
You won’t see much on highlights and as OA and others that can actually attend those games, have a fair idea of their ability.
I don’t bother with highlights because I don’t pretend to be any judge of junior talent. Carving up against age limited opponents provides very little insight. Just about every merkin in reserve grade stood out in junior reps. We know this because so many of these merkins get talked up by people who attend their games and most of them never play first grade.
I’ve been around long enough to notice there are far more reliable indicators of NRL potential, and these centre on decisions made by the people paid to develop NRL players. Youngsters with high NRL potential generally hit their milestones younger than juniors with less NRL potential; What age do they debut in SG Ball/Jersey Flegg/NSW or QLD Cup? Do they play junior Origin or Australian Schoolboys, and how old were they? What age do they get their first full time (supplementary list) contract? When do they enter the top 30? This data isn’t perfect, but it’s a much better predictor than gushing fans who are emotionally invested in the success of individual players where they have perhaps spoken to him personally or met the kid’s family.
I’m sure he is, and if he never plays NRL for us again it’ll be a good sign. But right now he is a superior backup to the likes of Nanva or Vaivela and I have no doubt he would outplay them in reserves or first grade, definitely this year and probably next year as well.
and there was a reason he was playing RMC,
Because he was too old for Flegg, and had dropped out of full time rugby league due to injuries.
handy but not NRL level and will be overtaken by probably the 4 mentioned.
Well I hope so, but I’m on the record with my prediction that Alameddine is the only back in Flegg this year who will play NRL. Josh Lynn is a chance too. Penisini and AMS have NRL potential (genuine potential, not just playing a handful of career NRL games) and I’m certain neither would’ve played Flegg this year if they were fit.
please don’t reply with your opinions as it’s just a circular argument for its own sake
The argument that you are wrong is quite linear actually, but I understand why you wouldn’t want to hear it.