Think I read, and I maybe wrong, that there will not be competitive RL below the age of 13 in NSW by 2025. Gradually phasing it out in favour of skills based stuff.

Just been trying to find something online, I'd be interested to read the proposal and rational.

Can't find a way to attach the link, but if you search "tackling in NRL junior grades" you should find a Sydney Morning Herald article.

Really interesting discussion re junior coaching Seth/Matt I actually agree with both of you and I personally believe that we should be teaching the skills of creating and utilising space through good movement handling skills and running lines. The contact tackle area is still important as it develops offload skills support play and broken field offence. I would train 4 tackle sets contact allowed first 2 plays if line broken must stop and play the ball within 10 yards. No contact allowed last 2 plays.
Small group tag rugby should be 5 vs 4 to develop handling skills using all players as extra man will always count if skillset is right. 5 mins each way they swap the extra man.All games are about space I played and coached RL but moved to Ireland over 20 years ago and since then have been involved in RU and GAA a game that I have never played but the coaching principle of good handling skills and awareness of space movement and running lines is just the same. Sadly too many junior teams at all sports only see short term success or rely on unqualified volunteers.What clubs need to be doing is establishing the right ethos and coaching the coaches trying to get all ages playing the same way.

If available, we should be in for Johnstone to replace Fusitua IMO. The last time an English winger came available like him was Briscoe and he came so hopefully this could be the same. It also opens a quota spot to use elsewhere, given the fact that our OOC players are - Donaldson, Fusitua (OQ), Johnson, Martin (OQ), McDonnell, Newman, Nicholson-Watton, Olpherts, Roberts.

There isn’t much manoeuvre space, as I’d expect that Donaldson, Johnson, Olpherts, Roberts do leave, with perhaps Fusitua > Johnstone - Martin, McDonnell, Newman, Nicholson-Watton all stay, opening the wing quota spot to use elsewhere.

Isn't Johnstone a lot older than Briscoe? Also thing Donaldson will retire from SL at the club. He might go back to Cumbria for a year or two but thing his work ethic and ability to cover a number of roles will keep him in the squad for the next two years. If Fusitua can stay fit all season I think he'll get another year. Would be great to see him in an attacking side that isn't getting battered down the middle.

Isn't Johnstone a lot older than Briscoe was? Also think Donaldson will retire from SL at the club. He might go back to Cumbria for a year or two but think his work ethic and ability to cover a number of roles will keep him in the squad for the next two years. If Fusitua can stay fit all season I think he'll get another year. Would be great to see him in an attacking side that isn't getting battered down the middle.

I think Donaldson will leave as you can't really go on indefinitely justifying his role when younger players will be pushing through and demanding increases too.

You’d also hope that the ‘good role model’ work ethic will be taken care of by some of the new guys (Momorovski could be good for this given the teams he’s been around) as well as maturity in the likes of Smith and Oldezki.