Took me a long time to get used to players signing a contract to move clubs a year in advance here in Aus… I took it that they no n longer wanted to play for the club and should move on… I was wrong, and those players genuinely remain committed to do their best during their contract and then move with integrity!

I expect big things from Murph this year and will cheer him all the way!

Might even go watch a few games where he plays in Sydney too

Seen an a few articles today that Roosters might be trying to resign RTS. If that's the case wonder if it will put them near cap as he won't come cheap. Also if he did go with their back line it would prove difficult for him to get into their team in the two years he's there. Could be another Hall scenario.

Hall was past his best, Murphy will just get better

Murphy is as good as TJ coming through though with differing styles. The one thing Murphy has on the young TJ is he seems to be a better defender (probably why the NRL are showing early interest).

Big statement after just one season

I read it that he meant as good as TJ at the same age.
TJ wasn't the finished article at that age by any means.

TJ is a very special player so any comparison to him now is premature I think.

Yes that’s what I meant as I said ‘coming through’. I was talking competitively off both their debut seasons. Both had impressive breakthrough years. It’s important Murphy backs it up like TJ did. If he does his stock will rise by some distance.

We are seriously pumping out some good young players recent years. I hope we keep investing in our youth promoting 2/3 yearly.

The big difference is Johnstone played out his career in our domestic league where competition isn’t as cut throat or intense. Murph on the other hand is going to try his luck in the toughest environment possible where unbelievable competition will await him , he’ll no longer be that big fish in the little pond . It well documented that our domestic backs struggle in the NRL comp compared to forwards that go over . Anyway good luck to the lad , if it doesn’t work out I’m sure saints or the like will pick him up dust him down and give him a gig .Hopefully there are more Johnstone and Murphy waiting in the wings for their chance to impress the fans

Not sure about the backs that struggle in NRL part. More specifically young backs at the start of their career.

Can you name these backs that struggle recent years as younger end players?

I can think of a few young ones to go over in Dom Young and Farnworth.

There’s been Gildart who seems to have had a fair few appearances.

Hall recently struggled but he went at the wrong time in his career.

Nathan brown was on a podcast recently talking about how it’s a much easier transition for our forwards in their game to establish themselves than our backs ,a very good listen if you have the time ,can’t remember all the why’s and how’s but I’ll back his assessment.