I agree that O'Sullivan has made some very astute purchases for our junior ranks since signing on, however to me getting all these super talented youngsters who may or may not kick on is nowhere near enough.
In my view, we need to recruit a captain. An established old head from another club who is willing to guide the youth we have into reaching their potential. We need a Thaiday, Lewis or Gallen type character that the kids look up to and want to play for. Right now this role is being filled with the likes of Mini and bloody Anasta.
The broncos are a classic example of building a young side of talent but being smart enough to build it around a foundation of some old nuts (Thaiday, Parker, Hodges, Petro) who would keep them all in check and on track. Next year we will have basically only Mini to play this role, who will be lucky to not be pushed to the wing by mid season when another young prospect in RTS makes his inevitable debut in first grade.
I agree that's where you should concentrate next but building a squad of young players to build on was certainly a step in the right direction after the fall out of 06-08.
TT - Can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. Not every junior you're going to sign is going to make first grade, just look at Williamson but for every player like him there's a Tasi or JWH who he's been able to sign.
I don't think it's a bad thing that he's earned the signings of highly sought after juniors. His ability to land those signings should be recognised, not scoffed at.
The Roosters certainly weren't making too many of them from 03-07 now were they? Gus along with Arty did a brilliant job of finding that balance for your club only for Sticky/Anderson/Freddy and co. to come along and throw large sums of money at Bulldog hacks, ESL hacks and show ponies.
You can make a million excuses as to why the likes of Jamie Soward didn't make it at the Roosters. At the end of the day, the Roosters didn't do enough to support his career and the way he was used, particularly in 06, was highly questionable. Eventually that year bit you in the ass big time, because not only did he help guide the side that beat you in the grand final, but the coach who was all but signed sealed and delivered enabled him to become the player he was destined to be.
I think you overestimate the quality of other recruitment officers. There's a few good scouts out there but for a team that basically thrives off of poaching O'Sullivan is doing a good job of building a side that can perform in the future.
At least, that's my 2 cents. For all I know, Kane Evans ends up like Steve Meredith, RTS goes the way of Ale...McDonald, Wells, Togitasi, Napa...well you get the picture but at least he's putting you in the game for a long time and not until the pocket theory runs dry.
