Quote ="leeds owl"Maybe we’ve not had the required quality coming through the system ? There has been a lot of false dawns with youngsters coming through touted as heirs to the throne of the golden generation. From Baldwinson to Lilley, walker to Tindall, and even Cameron Smith if we’re being honest, they’ve just not been good enough. If they’re not good enough or tough enough it’s hard to blame the club for not nurturing them. In comparison to the quality that has come through the Saints and Wigan systems over the last 7 or 8 years it’s not hard to see why our youngsters haven’t given us a springboard to success. Those two clubs have also added top quality signings from down under to elevate them even further above us. If we’re missing Ellery Hanley’s and Jason Robinson’s on our own doorstep that’s a different kettle of fish, but I don’t think there’s been a lax attitude to youth development at Headingley. I think the poor overseas signing have excaserbated the lack of quality coming through the system.'"
Think we’ve also been incredibly unlucky.
Walker was quality and winning a grand finals aged 17-18. Repeated, severe Injury took most of then promise away.
Newman and Holroyd been absolutely blighted too.
Then not to mention poor Stevie Ward. Captain and was the figurehead to take club forwards……