I think physically the male specimen is supposed to naturally hit his peak about 29, but it’s pretty hard to gauge players with all their training, injuries and other unnatural forces on their bodies.
What was that analogy? A kind of front-on collision at x mph, several times a game many times a season, over many seasons. And even luck can play a role, an inch here or there could determine your future in the game.
Back in the day, anything under the nose was fair game.
We are a fickle lot. Everyone wants the awesome physicality, but no one likes an injury ( I don’t anyway).
I’ve spoken to a few ex junior players, gave up before the big time on grounds of extreme hatred of blunt force, back and ankle injuries.
This time last year I think Volkswagen was supposed to coming over. Putting aside the rights and wrongs of the contract, on arrival, he couldn’t pass the ball. I wonder how he’s going?