This question came to me because of the Panthers, and Nathan Cleary in particular.
For the last six years, the media have suggested that this is the season the Panthers take the comp by storm and deliver on all of their potential.
This has clearly failed to take place, and Nathan Cleary after 60-odd first grade games and three Origins has failed to improve or deliver on his reported potential.
Andrew Johns said recently that the Panthers had to tear down their roster and start again. When did this happen?
We have been told they have so much potential within their squad and now they need a rebuild according to Johns. How?
The same can be said of Ash Taylor.
He came into the NRL being touted as the next great No.7, and after 75 first grade games, we are still told about his talent and potential and not what he has actually provided for the Titans and the massive outlay they have made for him.
But how long of a leash does he get? How long does potential last?
He is already 24 years old – the same age as Cam Munster and a year younger than Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – possibly the best two players in the game.
So why has he failed to deliver?
Two main reasons: leadership and confidence.
Both interesting concepts, and difficult to quantify as a guy watching on TV.
Leadership and confidence clearly come from the individual, but perhaps more importantly in pro sport, these qualities come from the coach, the culture of the club and the leaders of the team, be it the captain, play-caller or forward leader.
If we are to accept the idea that confidence and leadership are the keys to turning potential into sustained success, it is interesting to apply these ideas to the Panthers.
They have had some exciting talent come through the last few years, but their leaders have been James Maloney, a man whose discipline or tackling has never been very easy, James Tamou, a man whose best days are behind him and doesn’t scream leader, and maybe Trent Merrin? Matt Moylan? No one truly stands out as an on-field leader.
Nathan Cleary lacks leadership and confidence at the Panthers. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
The Panthers’ off-field management is a clear indication of turmoil.
Phil Gould, who has just left the club, went through four coaches in his time and it’s hard to believe this instilled any sense of confidence in the young players or any form of leadership by the short-serving staff.
Ash Taylor came to grade ready to replace Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston as the next great No.7, and so far, he has failed to live up to these labels.
Why?
The Titans have failed to provide him the required confidence or leadership for him to thrive.
Taylor has had no help. Perhaps the best partner he has had has been Tyrone Roberts – not really someone to instil confidence in anyone.
Taylor has had to also deal with coaching changes and instability.
So perhaps the question is not how to coach a kid to reach his potential, but how to find the right coach and the right on-field leaders for young players.
Cam Murray has exploded onto the scene and should play Origin this year.
Murray has developed and improved and it is hard to imagine that forward pack leader Sam Burgess hasn’t had a strong influence on his development.
I can’t imagine that Tamou could have the same level of influence and respect that Burgess commands across the game.
I wonder what Taylor’s game would look like if he had stayed in Brisbane or been partnered with Cooper Cronk.
The strongest cultures in the comp are the Storm, Souths, Roosters and the Sharks, with a few teams like Manly and the Broncos just behind.
These teams have either strong on-field leadership, strong club culture or a great coach.
The Sharks have been the most unstable club in the comp over the last few years but the leadership of Paul Gallen has allowed the likes of Wade Graham, Jayden and Blayke Brailey and Bronson Xerri to develop.
The Storm – with the likes of Cameron Smith and Billy Slater plus the coaching of Craig Bellamy – have overseen the closest thing to a modern dynasty with plenty of young players coming through.
The Panthers and Ash Taylor face an uncertain future, but for now, the media and coaches will continue to give them time because of their potential.
How long does that last? I cannot say.
I have heard people use the word potential with Matty Moylan and he will be 28 next month, so clearly it has a long shelf life.
john
Guest
The main thing both Taylor and Cleary have in common are long term multi-million dollar deals, as such I think they lack the hunger. That pay packet has validated them. Those are the sorts of deal that should be reserved for elite players not potentially elite players and that's where the real problems begin.
JM
Guest
Nathan, like his father, is slightly overrated me thinks!
mushi
Roar Guru
It's why its called potential and not certainty
RandyM
Guest
I forget how young he is. I guess that's one thing going for him. Taylor is 24 I think so he is looking like another Moylan who was the next big thing for 5 years.
Admiral Ackbar
Guest
Jarryd Hayne is responsible for all the turmoil at the Gold Coast Titans. Why? If he hadn't been signed with them and consequently been an absolute flop, Neil Henry would still be coaching instead of Garth Brennan. Brennan seems like a decent bloke, but that just ain't enough (something ex Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe knows only too well). I've heard that Craig Bellamy owns an apartment on the Gold Coast, the Titans need someone like him coaching them, that is, a dictator.
Larry1950
Guest
Looks like the majority of opinions here agree that Cleary & Taylor have been signed for 'overs' but guess we can't blame them, I'd take the money if offered. Player managers are one of the key problems with them holding too many clubs to ransom, look at the Kodi Nikorima example. One third of the way into the 2019 season, the manager gets in his client's ear about him not being guaranteed a halves spot BEYOND 2020 when his contract expires so gets him to ask about sounding out interest elsewhere. What's the upside for the manager? About 15-20% of the extra $150k a season his client gets. Release granted because who wants a disgruntled player in the club, they're poison. That's probably why Maloney moves every 2-3 years, starts to become poison at his current club and how's that recruitment going for the panthers now? Other than an absolute battler getting an opportunity from a move from a strong club, these mid-season transfers can't be good for the game. Now DWZ is allegedly being courted by the eels because the panthers look like shot ducks for this season, is it TPJ to the Rabbitohs (apparently they don't want to take the risk with jimmy the jet) next if the Broncos drop out of final 8 contention in the next few rounds? Can the Broncos have Josh Jackson from the Bulldogs next week to lead their young forwards around the park, he's only contracted until 2020? It's turning into the poor man's premier league.
Col in paradise
Guest
Every one is forgetting Reynolds at South's the form NSW halfback...Cleary a overrated dud...
James
Roar Rookie
You can apply the potential label to the whole Penrith team too. How long have we heard about this so called talented lineup. "Premiership window" anyone. Their attack is poor, (chose to play a half fit Kikau because he is their only dangerous player), their defence is embarrassing and their discipline a sad joke. I feel sorry for Nathan Cleary. Overrated? Yes. Overpaid? Yes. But Cameron Smith wouldn't shine if he played with this team.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
What a foolish and misinformed comment. Ivan Clearly was a solid player back in the day, but hardly a legend or anything like that, don't think he even played rep footy.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Taylor and Cleary are both over rated and over paid. Taylor goes missing in games and gets frustrated easily (anyone see the punch he threw at Dugan?). Cleary has the cool temperament, but is not a play maker. For me, the ‘older’ halves are performing well - Reynolds, Pearce, Cherry and Hunt.
MORDAC
Roar Rookie
So why have Taylor and Cleary failed to deliver? Three main reasons: leadership and confidence, talent. IMO.
rebel
Roar Guru
Not disputing the article, but you have added 3 years to Cleary's age. That's still potential age, but agree he has plateaued.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Pretty fair summary. Cleary just doesn’t take control of games unless it’s via the boot. To be fair, despite his experience he’s still only 21. A lot of players haven’t even played first grade at this stage. It will be interesting to see how he goes when Maloney moves on. I think he will benefit from being the head honcho.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Natural talent can help you stand out when you only play against people your age or younger. Once you start playing against older men, who know extent the body can be pushed to and the application that is required to go to the next level, it is a different story. Remember the Eels Tim Smith. 50 try assists in a season and then fell right off the map once the hard work began. I have more confidence in Cleary working it out than Taylor. He seems to be a hard worker. He doesn't have the dynamic step, 30m bullet pass or lightning speed that will ever make him stand out on the highlight reel, but there is something there. I don't think his dad is the man to guide him though.
Scott
Guest
Taylor simply isn't good enough and never deserved the wraps. His tackling has always been poor, he runs sideways too much and doesn't organise. His "good year" resulted in the Titans finishing 9th and making the semi's due to Parramatta forgetting to carry the 1 when adding up salaries. He has an excellent kicking kicking game and that worked for a while and the other coaches worked it out - it's called second year syndrome. Of course he would be a better player in a better team but if he can't put Peachey and Kelly into half a gap he isn't worth what he is being paid. Cleary's issue in my view is that he is a solid half back but daddy shouldn't be coaching him
Larry1950
Guest
RandyM, I'm on the same wavelength as you on Cleary's worth. In his state of origin sojourn, the biggest input he had was to cover defend and put one good tackle on Greg Inglis for which he virtually got a 10 rating for the 80 minutes. Can kick goals, throws a fair pass & has the qualities of a decent club halfback but surely not worth all the coaching & roster upheaval the panthers have gone through to keep him for 5 years? As for Taylor, I reckon he was poorly advised when he left the broncos and Bennett's coaching. Got caught up in the hype when he could have just settled in as an understudy to their halves but wanted it all too soon. Maybe it's a greedy manager or family, some of these kids are the family meal ticket and it does cause some harm to their careers having to be a main provider. Also looks unfit for the role, you'd have to question the Titans historical culture with their player turnover and reputation as a retirement home for unsettled big money recruits.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
If a player is really top shelf he can play at a very average club and excel. The Cows were very average when Thurston went there but showed his abilities. Manly had a very ordinary team when Brett Stewart arrived but consistently scored tries and showed what he is made of. It's a great chance for Taylor and Cleary to shine under adversity and lead their teams to glory like the top players do. I look at Cleary and I see a pretty decent 1st grader playing up around his potential and winning a SOO series just like Hodgkinson and Reynolds did. It doesn't mean as much as may think. Daniel Wagon was 5/8 when the banana benders beat the star studded Blues. 3 nil.
Steve
Guest
In Cleary's case its simply his name that got him picked for SOO. If he was Nathan Smith he'd never get a look in. I mean can anyone seriously remember more than 1 or 2 games where he has absolutely dominated his opposing 7? Last year in SOO he was very quiet and apart from a couple of tackles didn't really contribute to the series win in any way. I don't blame him so much as the media, who build him up to be this absolute superstar in waiting when in actual fact he is just a solid number 7 and nothing more. Unfortunately for NSW and the 2 or 3 other halves that are much more deserving of a spot on form, he will be there again this year as his spot has virtually been guaranteed by Gould and Freddy.
jamesb
Roar Guru
I look at someone like Chad Townsend. He doesn't have the big wraps like Taylor and Cleary. He may not have the most try assists or the flare, but he knows how to direct a team and manage a game. When you looked at the Titans- Sharks game, Townsend controlled the second half in particular, while Taylor looked lost. As for Cleary junior, I remember watching the second origin game at a club last year. There was this drunk sitting close by. At times he was annoying. But he did pick up something while he was watching the game. And that was " Nathan Cleary has done nothing". Sometimes a drunk offers better analysis then sober expert or ex- players.
RandyM
Guest
I never got the hoopla around Nathan Cleary. He has a big boot and can kick goals but he rarely takes on the line or pulls off big plays. He was 28th in try assists last year with 9. At least Taylor was 3rd with 18. This year they are both on 4, Taylor has played 3 less games though. For me Taylor is the one with real potential and you can see he has some flair about him when he plays. As you say he is stuck at a club with poor coaching and culture. Not sure what Cleary's excuse is, he should be a lot better than he is especially after his origin experience. Maybe he just isn't that good?