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Now that NRL supremo David Smith has his new admin team in place, there’s one aspect of the game I feel needs urgent scrutiny.
I am referring to the Under 20s competition – known due to sponsorship as the Holden Cup – which should be overhauled to provide a better and more sensible pathway for these kids to the NRL.
We have seen score blowouts time and again in this young man’s comp such as the Roosters’ 54-10 result at Allianz Stadium yesterday.
We have also witnessed far too many ‘you-score, we-score’ score-lines.
To be perfectly blunt, these teams have wonderful attacking skills but defensively, they are way below where they should be. Some of the tackling attempts are cringe-worthy.
Better schooling in defence cannot always come from the coaches on the sideline, nor will it necessarily come from tackling at practice.
I say it needs to come from seasoned campaigners right there on the field – and here is a way that it can!
The Wiz proposes the ARL Commission gives some thought to making it an Under 23s competition from next year onwards. I’d like to see these Under 20 players joined by three or four over-aged players on the field of play.
These ‘seniors’ could be staples at the U23 level, they could be returning from injury or might have been dropped down from the NRL to work on some aspects of their game.
I believe their greater experience and all-round presence in an Under 23s format would add considerable starch to these promising U20s defences. The older guys would be able to show these teenagers the finer points of defence, especially how to lock up the ball-carrier and prevent off-loads.
If some sort of change isn’t forthcoming soon, I have genuine fears for the future of the Under 20s comp and if it is dumped, we will lose so many talented young footballers from our game, and probably forever.
Anyway, that’s my suggestion this week and I sure it will be met with howls of derision from one of my greatest ‘fans’ on The Roar, Jaiden Florimo.
It’s water off the Wizard’s back, champ. I’m entitled to my opinion and you, yours.
Rest assured, I’ll have another exclusive opinion for JF and the Roaring Crowd to mull over next Friday.
Before signing off, it’s great news coming out of the Sharks’ camp if early reports are true that Todd Carney is about to re-sign with the club for four more years.
Todd has done a tremendous job turning his career around after so many dramas and it would be fantastic if he stays loyal to the club that handed him what many thought would be his final chance.
I rate him as a top class five-eighth, a marquee player who can attract others to Cronulla.
Carney gives the Sharkies direction and can create opportunities when nothing is doing. He is masterly at the 40/20 caper and can make a break if the slightest gap occurs.
If he can beat his injury problems and produce his brilliant best football, the Sharks can launch a realistic challenge for the NRL title.
It may not come this season but if he is there for four more, the chance becomes a distinct possibility.
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