Looking forward to watching some academy again this year - the side has some good talent.

Who are the ones to watch out for this season? Are the younger Mccormack, and Cassell the stand-outs in the u18s?

Yeah couple of good hookers, wingers, FB (Lee Smith’s son), generally a talented group I think.

2nd year Academy (u1icon_cool.gif is a pretty poor group imo, but with 2 very good players in Fergus McCormack at 6 and Mason Corbett at hooker. Lee Smiths son, Kai, is an interesting prospect at fullback, he's got great feet but really small, any kind of growth spurt/filling out could certainly see him emerge. Theres a couple of decent forwards who hovered around the Yorkshire team last year, but Anybody, other than the 3 mentioned, would have to make a big jump to be regarded as a first team prospect or even a top prospect among their age group imo

The first year Academy group (u17) is the one iv been banging on about for the last 3 year, its one of the best in the last 20 year, imo. Its got a potential superstar 13 in pressly Cassell, 2 very good, big, props in Joe Butterfield and Jayemm Oladipupo, Jacob Stead is an athletic, physical back row who runs really good lines, 2 quality halfs in Harry Smith and Dylan Hutchinson, Smiths ahead of where Sinfield or McCormack were at the same stage imo, the 3 quarters have got some real prospects in Marcus QQ, Callum Webster and Harley Thomas while Joe Diskins the ultimate utility who can play 9, Half and 1 and is a player who has developed hugely over the last couple of year. An intriguing 'flyer' is Elliot Fox who played half for Stanningley but the club seem to prefer him at 9, he's electric out of dummy half and is one of the most fiery/aggressive young players iv seen, along with Diskin, could be late bloomers in an already quality group.

The 2nd year Scholorship (u16) is a good/great group, with 3 headline acts, Jacob Hardy is like watching Stevie Ward at the same age, brilliant prospect at Backrow or 6, Zak Lloyd is another top quality talent, and equally as good, who can play anywhere from 1, centre, 6 and backrow. Harvey Butterworth is the third, plays 6 or 13 for Stanningley but played a lot of 9 at Leeds. Theres some really good forwards in the group, Hughie Tinkler, Will Wilkinson, Cobi Ellis and Caleb Rhodes. The backs are not of the same standard although Will Hunter at half or FB looks the real deal, he plays for Shaw Cross in the second division so reserving judgement due to the level of competition, he does look very good though.

Wont go into too much detail on the first year Scholorship (u15), other than it looks a strong group on paper and includes all the best players from the best 2 teams in Yorkshire, 5 from Lock Lane and 9 from Kippax.

Plenty of good players i haven't mentioned who could certainly overtake some of the ones i have, but one things for certain, we can not knock the club with regards to youth recruitment, since Bastion rejoined, its been exceptional. We just need to get that development step right once they reach the Academy, too many, too often have not progressed as hoped from Scholorship to Academy over the last few years.

Thanks as usual Matts great summary. Looking at some who haven’t made it in recent years; one of the main reasons is physical size (Mustapha, Edwards, Sutcliffe). Broadbent thought he was worth more than Leeds, Walters similar, and Dupree seems to have slipped the net somehow (attitude?). Dupree looked good at junior level not sure what happened with him.

We seem to have produced a clutch of lower SL/champ standard players without many making the grade with Leeds.

I do think the players coming through now have generally better quality.

Gonna bob this one as a sticky as I do find this subject fascinating and like to try to keep up to date with the latest from you guys who are more adept at getting to games.

Anybody know how Hudson got on last week for the reserves?

U18's season starts tonight against Saints

Not sure what the injury situation is, but suprised at the team selected

Think we'l struggle but hopefully proved wrong

Are you watching it Matts?

Im not Jim, thankfully

To be honest, im becoming a bit frustrated with our youth setup, recruitment of talent is top notch, but at some point that needs nurtured into developing a winning mentality...our reserves and Academy always seem to be the dumbest team on the pitch, to the point that im almost suprised when either team win a game these days...especially against decent opposition

To be fair iv said previously, our top age academy are not a great group talent wise, expected them to lose tonight..would just be nice if they suprised you now and again...from what im hearing, its the familiar story of plenty stupid errors and not being able to defend them, much like the reserves on saturday

We don’t seem to adapt too well to the new tackle rules somehow.

Like you said vaguely odd selection though, several names missing that I’d have expected to see.

Im maybe being a little harsh...but i do feel we dont put enough emphasis on the importance of winning at this age.

It may be old school thinking but
You knew the goldens were ready for the next step..because they went out and dismantled everyone at academy level. While you see the talent in our system now, the results dont suggest theres a group of players superior to their peers

But like i say, im maybe being too harsh, next year will be more of an indicator...the first year academy group are exceptionaly talented, when they're more mature 2nd years, who will be supported by 3 or 4 excellent talents from this years scholorship...if they are not a dominant side then somthings gone wrong in their development

In amongst all the gloom it's great to see the reserves get a win at Saints.

Absolutely, scholarship got a win against Hull FC this week too

Indeed it was Arthur, good win aswel, in that, on paper, we looked to have a good team out, and probably stronger than the Saints line up, but too often recently, we dont show that on the field at this level.

Was good to see them go away to Saints, and get the job done. Sinfield with another trademark try, he should be putting pressure on Frawley before long if they both continue their respective starts to the season.

Scholarship is the one constant at the club, always well coached. Actually started pretty poorly against Hull, who should be a decent side themselves, but hit their straps in the second half and put them away comfortably