The Passion of the Kevin

[Willie Ray]

I think it won't be long before you're on Perth Reds rather lengthy Ignore list. Consider it a badge of honour!

I will wear that badge with great pride.

 

[big hit!]

He's more than just a coach or a good people person, he knows exactly what players he needs and he makes it happen, he essentially does his own recruiting. He recently went on record as saying TPJ was at Brisbane because of himself, you don't really need any more proof than that.

As a Souths fan.. you've got to be nervous with a halves pairing of Cody Walker and Anthony Milford, they're basically the same sort of player, does Wayne let Reynolds go if he's coaching there next season? I don't think there's a chance in hell that would happen.

Bennett walked into a competitive side at Souths. He's been doing very little recruiting. Arrow most likely came on his recommendation, but the nucleus of the squad was already there. Seibold took them to a prelim. Bennett hasn't been able to do any better.

Only thing I'm concerned about losing Reynolds is the protracted way it happened through the media, and the loss of Souths DNA. Souths offered him a deal. He decided not to take it. Sutton took yearly deals for his final 4 seasons.

You can let great players go with the view of planning for the next 4-5 years. Alex Ferguson did it all the time at Manchester United. Roster management is dynamic. But i agree, Reynolds is a player you keep at your club, because he is still playing at a high level and is South Sydney through and through. A bit like how Paul Scholes was Manchester United through and through for Alex Ferguson.

Milford is not pairing Walker in the halves. Milford is replacing Marshall in the roster. He's coming at a fraction of what the Broncos are paying too. Rather than taking up over 11% the Broncos cap for 5 seasons, he'll be taking up 2-3% of Souths for just one year.

Souths have been extremely active signing development players to the NRL30 for the next 3 to 4 years. Taafe, Ilias, Mamozeulos, Moale, & Karapani. Three of them have already made their debut this season. All these fellas will be replacing Reynolds, Walker, Cook, Burgess and Gagai in very soon.

There's been a plan set in place under Mark Ellison for a couple of years now. In contrast, the Broncos have just let all their development go. Reece Walsh, Sam Walker, Su'A, Fifita, etc. Gone.

 

[Willie Ray]

which is what I said above, it has become farcical in some ways and is the least I have watched in 21 years, and for the thickos NRL isn't a sport! Still love RL, always will, despite its constant ability to shoot itself in the foot.
Thanks for your interest in me, its very flattering

So now it's only "farcical in some ways"......jesus wept...
Well here's a solution for that....don't f**king watch it then!

It's the least you've watched in 21 years....definitely not the least you've
whinged in 21 years...
you could be gettin' the bizzo on with Jessica Alba you'd still find something
to complain about.
I've been watching for over 50 years and I am extremely grateful to have
a game to watch at all....but hey, you keep that glass half empty.
And I'd suspect the fact that someone...anyone... is replying to your
posts would be flattering to you.
I eagerly await your return serve.

 

[blaza88z]

Bennett walked into a competitive side at Souths. He's been doing very little recruiting. Arrow most likely came on his recommendation, but the nucleus of the squad was already there. Seibold took them to a prelim. Bennett hasn't been able to do any better.

Only thing I'm concerned about losing Reynolds is the protracted way it happened through the media, and the loss of Souths DNA. Souths offered him a deal. He decided not to take it. Sutton took yearly deals for his final 4 seasons.

You can let great players go with the view of planning for the next 4-5 years. Alex Ferguson did it all the time at Manchester United. Roster management is dynamic. But i agree, Reynolds is a player you keep at your club, because he is still playing at a high level and is South Sydney through and through. A bit like how Paul Scholes was Manchester United through and through for Alex Ferguson.

Milford is not pairing Walker in the halves. Milford is replacing Marshall in the roster. He's coming at a fraction of what the Broncos are paying too. Rather than taking up over 11% the Broncos cap for 5 seasons, he'll be taking up 2-3% of Souths for just one year.

Souths have been extremely active signing development players to the NRL30 for the next 3 to 4 years. Taafe, Ilias, Mamozeulos, Moale, & Karapani. Three of them have already made their debut this season. All these fellas will be replacing Reynolds, Walker, Cook, Burgess and Gagai in very soon.

There's been a plan set in place under Mark Ellison for a couple of years now. In contrast, the Broncos have just let all their development go. Reece Walsh, Sam Walker, Su'A, Fifita, etc. Gone.

The Tommy Dearden's, Dale Copley's and the like.. what were they thinking?

Bad decisions were made but we're now making the right decisions and depth of talent isn't something we lack.

 

[Perth Red]

So now it's only "farcical in some ways"......jesus wept...
Well here's a solution for that....don't f**king watch it then!

It's the least you've watched in 21 years....definitely not the least you've
whinged in 21 years...
you could be gettin' the bizzo on with Jessica Alba you'd still find something
to complain about.
I've been watching for over 50 years and I am extremely grateful to have
a game to watch at all....but hey, you keep that glass half empty.
And I'd suspect the fact that someone...anyone... is replying to your
posts would be flattering to you.
I eagerly await your return serve.

Thanks for the advice, yes I’m am flattered in your level of interest in me.

 

[Willie Ray]

Thanks for the advice, yes I’m am flattered in your level of interest in me.

Wow,finally a post where you haven't had a colossal whinge....
Keep workin' on it...you'll get there...

 

[Captain Apollo]

Once in a blue moon lol, While other clubs have been trying to field a first grade team the Melbourne Storm even when Cronulla had won their premiership 2016 still basically has the same foward pack....Fowards do win games...

Indeed. There is an old adage in our game "Forwards win matches, backs determine by how much".

I mean if you want a rebuttal for PR, just point him to the Canberra Raiders of 1991 and 1992. 1991, Canberra finished 4th yet made it to the Grand Final against Penrith. 1992, Canberra finished twelfth. If you compare the rosters for the 2 seasons, whilst the backs remained substantially the same (e.g. Belcher, Meninga, Mullins, Croker, Daley, Stuart), the forward pack was very different with Canberra having lost Glenn Lazarus and Brent Todd (their starting front row forwards), David Barnhill and Gary Coyne (their starting second rowers), Nigel Gaffey (one of their bench players who could play lock or second row) amongst the most notable.

 

[yobbo84]

Bennett walked into a competitive side at Souths. He's been doing very little recruiting. Arrow most likely came on his recommendation, but the nucleus of the squad was already there. Seibold took them to a prelim. Bennett hasn't been able to do any better.

Only thing I'm concerned about losing Reynolds is the protracted way it happened through the media, and the loss of Souths DNA. Souths offered him a deal. He decided not to take it. Sutton took yearly deals for his final 4 seasons.

You can let great players go with the view of planning for the next 4-5 years. Alex Ferguson did it all the time at Manchester United. Roster management is dynamic. But i agree, Reynolds is a player you keep at your club, because he is still playing at a high level and is South Sydney through and through. A bit like how Paul Scholes was Manchester United through and through for Alex Ferguson.

Milford is not pairing Walker in the halves. Milford is replacing Marshall in the roster. He's coming at a fraction of what the Broncos are paying too. Rather than taking up over 11% the Broncos cap for 5 seasons, he'll be taking up 2-3% of Souths for just one year.

Souths have been extremely active signing development players to the NRL30 for the next 3 to 4 years. Taafe, Ilias, Mamozeulos, Moale, & Karapani. Three of them have already made their debut this season. All these fellas will be replacing Reynolds, Walker, Cook, Burgess and Gagai in very soon.

There's been a plan set in place under Mark Ellison for a couple of years now. In contrast, the Broncos have just let all their development go. Reece Walsh, Sam Walker, Su'A, Fifita, etc. Gone.

Very well said. Whoever fills Reyno's boots, be it Taaffe, or Ilias, or Milford, will come in as a bit player to Mitchell and Walker - just engage the line, pass the ball, kick on the last. They're not Flanagan walking into the Bulldogs. They're not stepping up to run the show. That will remain Cody's job.

Here's a 2022 side made entirely from players at other NRL clubs who have previously played first grade for Souths:

1. Corey Allan
2. Robert Jennings
3. Dane Gagai
4. Adam Doueihi
5. Hymel Hunt
6. Luke Keary
7. Adam Reynolds
8. George Burgess
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. Tom Amone
11. Jaydn Su'A
12. Angus Crichton
13. Nathan Brown

14. Cameron McInnes
15. Siosifa Talakai
16. Tyrell Fuimaono
17. Bayley Sironen

Others: Dylan Walker, James Roberts, Jack Gosiewski, Connor Tracey, Mawene Hiroti, Dean Britt, Rhys Kennedy, Richard Kennar, Michael Oldfield.

That doesn't even mention the generational talent we lost in Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess and John Sutton. Nor does it include other juniors we lost or let go like Nat and Egan Butcher, Joseph Suaalii, Emre Guler, Toby Rudolf, etc.

Despite all that, we likely line up in 2022 as:

1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Alex Johnston
3. Braidon Burns
4. Campbell Graham
5. Josh Mansour
6. Blake Taaffe
7. Cody Walker
8. Mark Nicholls
9. Damien Cook
10. Tom Burgess
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Jai Arrow
13. Cameron Murray

14. Anthony Milford
15. Tevita Tatola
16. Hame Sele
17. Jacob Host

Others: Taane Milne, Liam Knight, Davvy Moale, Jaxson Paulo.

Mitchell, Murray, Cook, Walker, Koloamatangi, Graham, Arrow, Johnston, Burgess - that's still enough talent to be a top 4 side. And that's with signings yet to be finalised.

As sad/bitter as I am to lose Reyno and wished he remained a one club player - that's some exceptional cap management right there.

 

[Perth Red]

Kevvie and the Broncos need to dig in for the long term and go back to significantly investing in their pathways instead of raiding NSW and NZ which has been a failure for them. With the new Brisbane club coming in its only going to make talent spotting and development even more critical for them.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Kevvie and the Broncos need to dig in for the long term and go back to significantly investing in their pathways instead of raiding NSW and NZ which has been a failure for them. With the new Brisbane club coming in its only going to make talent spotting and development even more critical for them.

Yep. Raiding NZ and NSW (and QLD) is Melbourne's racket.

 

[Generalzod]

Yep. Raiding NZ and NSW (and QLD) is Melbourne's racket.

How long has Melbourne been in the NRL any juniors yet....You would think thast after so many premiership wins young Victorians will be lining up to play at the Storm...

 

[Perth Red]

How long has Melbourne been in the NRL any juniors yet....You would think thast after so many premiership wins young Victorians will be lining up to play at the Storm...

No need when you can take other clubs cast offs and turn them into premiers!
maybe if nrl spent A fraction of what afl spends on expansion states storm would have some Vic jnrs to develop up by now.

 

[Generalzod]

No need when you can take other clubs cast offs and turn them into premiers!
maybe if nrl spent A fraction of what afl spends on expansion states storm would have some Vic jnrs to develop up by now.

I dont really care what AFL spends, It's an AFL state. There hasn't been a club given so much leg ups than than the Storm, millions spent to grow Rugby League in Victoria, after 20 years of winning premierships you would think juniors would have been flourishing by now..

 

[blaza88z]

How long has Melbourne been in the NRL any juniors yet....You would think thast after so many premiership wins young Victorians will be lining up to play at the Storm...

They had 1 Victorian player a few years ago didn't they?

I don't think they are setting themselves up very well in the long-term, they won't give a shit now but in about 10 years time when Bellamy has moved on past coaching where will they be? Not really seeing any Victorian based players coming through, all their "stars" are QLD/NZ players

Can't sweat on Brisbane being a basket case for too long, they've basically cashed in where as we've dropped the ball, it won't always be that way

 

[blaza88z]

No need when you can take other clubs cast offs and turn them into premiers!
maybe if nrl spent A fraction of what afl spends on expansion states storm would have some Vic jnrs to develop up by now.

I think it's hilarious that your view on Brisbane is to get back to the development stage.. where as when queried exactly the same way about Melbourne you're basically saying it's perfectly fine to keep raiding QLD/NZ

 

[Generalzod]

Offcourse blaza well said supporters like me like giving at bit of banter towards the Broncos fans , but at least the city of Brisbane and the state of Queensland loves it Rugby League….

They had 1 Victorian player a few years ago didn't they?

I don't think they are setting themselves up very well in the long-term, they won't give a shit now but in about 10 years time when Bellamy has moved on past coaching where will they be? Not really seeing any Victorian based players coming through, all their "stars" are QLD/NZ players

Can't sweat on Brisbane being a basket case for too long, they've basically cashed in where as we've dropped the ball, it won't always be that way

 

[AlwaysGreen]

No need when you can take other clubs cast offs and turn them into premiers!
maybe if nrl spent A fraction of what afl spends on expansion states storm would have some Vic jnrs to develop up by now.

Melbourne had enough money thrown at them and then turned around and cheated the salary cap with that money. You whinge constantly about the NRL not being financially responsible then want them to throw money down a black hole.

 

[big hit!]

Very well said. Whoever fills Reyno's boots, be it Taaffe, or Ilias, or Milford, will come in as a bit player to Mitchell and Walker - just engage the line, pass the ball, kick on the last. They're not Flanagan walking into the Bulldogs. They're not stepping up to run the show. That will remain Cody's job.

Here's a 2022 side made entirely from players at other NRL clubs who have previously played first grade for Souths:

1. Corey Allan
2. Robert Jennings
3. Dane Gagai
4. Adam Doueihi
5. Hymel Hunt
6. Luke Keary
7. Adam Reynolds
8. George Burgess
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. Tom Amone
11. Jaydn Su'A
12. Angus Crichton
13. Nathan Brown

14. Cameron McInnes
15. Siosifa Talakai
16. Tyrell Fuimaono
17. Bayley Sironen

Others: Dylan Walker, James Roberts, Jack Gosiewski, Connor Tracey, Mawene Hiroti, Dean Britt, Rhys Kennedy, Richard Kennar, Michael Oldfield.

That doesn't even mention the generational talent we lost in Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess and John Sutton. Nor does it include other juniors we lost or let go like Nat and Egan Butcher, Joseph Suaalii, Emre Guler, Toby Rudolf, etc.

Despite all that, we likely line up in 2022 as:

1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Alex Johnston
3. Braidon Burns
4. Campbell Graham
5. Josh Mansour
6. Blake Taaffe
7. Cody Walker
8. Mark Nicholls
9. Damien Cook
10. Tom Burgess
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Jai Arrow
13. Cameron Murray

14. Anthony Milford
15. Tevita Tatola
16. Hame Sele
17. Jacob Host

Others: Taane Milne, Liam Knight, Davvy Moale, Jaxson Paulo.

Mitchell, Murray, Cook, Walker, Koloamatangi, Graham, Arrow, Johnston, Burgess - that's still enough talent to be a top 4 side. And that's with signings yet to be finalised.

As sad/bitter as I am to lose Reyno and wished he remained a one club player - that's some exceptional cap management right there.

Yep, roster management is dynamic. Your post highlights it. You've got to be looking ahead rather than only in the now.

We identified three levels of players: those 30 and older, those roughly 23 to 30, and the younger ones coming in. The idea was that the younger players were developing and would meet the standards that the older ones had set. Although I was always trying to disprove it, I believe that the cycle of a successful team lasts maybe four years, and then some change is needed. So we tried to visualize the team three or four years ahead and make decisions accordingly. Because I was at United for such a long time, I could afford to plan ahead—no one expected me to go anywhere. I was very fortunate in that respect.

This is why the football and recruitment manager does the work in Rugby League, unless you've got the runs on the board like Bellamy, Robinson, Bennett who've earned the influence.

The goal was to evolve gradually, moving older players out and younger players in. It was mainly about two things: First, who did we have coming through and where did we see them in three years’ time, and second, were there signs that existing players were getting older? Some players can go on for a long time, like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Rio Ferdinand, but age matters. The hardest thing is to let go of a player who has been a great guy—but all the evidence is on the field. If you see the change, the deterioration, you have to ask yourself what things are going to be like two years ahead.

And when I read the above quote from Sir Alex, I can understand the thinking at Souths re Reyno and the younger boys waiting in the wings. There is also Walker and Cook in that spine who will be finishing their career in the next few years. The club can't sit on their hands now because the team is good and not be prepared when their careers are over. The latter is so common in Rugby League. Melbourne is a fine example of preparing for the future. They've lost 3 of the greatest players in a generation, and haven't missed a beat. Souths can claim the same with Burgess and Inglis. You can't simply just think of the now, otherwise you'll experience pain in the future.

Ferguson’s Formula

Reprint: R1310G When Alex Ferguson took over as manager of the English football team Manchester United, the club was in dire straits: It hadn’t won a league title in nearly 20 years and faced a very real threat of being relegated to a lower division. In 26 seasons under Ferguson, United won 38...

hbr.org

 

[Perth Red]

Melbourne had enough money thrown at them and then turned around and cheated the salary cap with that money. You whinge constantly about the NRL not being financially responsible then want them to throw money down a black hole.

The money needs to go to vicNRL not Storm.

 

[Jim Rockford]

The money needs to go to vicNRL not Storm.

Or maybe the Drizzle need to give back and invest some of their profits in developing the game in Victoria. If you had the guts to read this post I know you would say it's up to the NRL to do that, but that just shows how self-interested the Drizzle are, banking on someone else to do what they should be doing themselves.