Paul T - HKR wrote:If Jordan Lee will never be ready then why is he at the club, but more to the point why did the club send him on the Oz Academy tour?
I listen and read people commenting that none of the academy half backs are ready. I even asked Justin last season ‘why aren’t these guys ready?’ I told Justin to his face he was wrong to persist with Murrell instead of giving one of these lads a chance. He went along with the general consensus of - its their age, their size, too early in their development, lack of maturity, they’ll get roughed up, they’ll burn out, they’ll make mistakes, they’ll lose confidence, they need nursemaiding, blah blah!
I watched these guys regularly last season and they are the best we have in reserve. To me that makes them next choice. The thing is, the coaching staff will never know if these guys are ready if they aren’t given a chance.
Justin Morgan was spot on. He was criticised for having an over cautious approach with our youngsters like Taylor and Cox but looking at their performances now he was clearly spot on. They get their chance when they are physically and mentally ready, not before.
I watched every home Reserve game last season and a few of the away ones. Jordan Lee will never be a Super League player. I dont like to sound harsh and everybody who reads my posts knows that i like to praise our young players but on this occasion i think im right.
Matty Behharrel is a really good player and i think stands a chance of making it. However, anybody who watched him play in the friendly against Featherstone (his first game against men) and would still play him against Saints and Wire clearly have no regard for the kids well being and future. He would be physically and mentally smashed.
Our best young half is Matty Marsh who played for the Scholarship last season and featured briefly at the end of the Academy season. After half a dozen Academy games this season i fully expect fans to be clamouring for the 16 year old to be in the first team...
