To be fair that's the sort of approach that ought to be taken where possible with halfbacks. With Sinfield/McGuire/Burrow we lucked out with having a combination that worked well together, but none of them were individually fully-formed halfbacks even when they were stars at a young age.

The way the game's played nowadays with much more emphasis on set plays and an absolute requirement to be able to tackle, its hard to see a Goulding come through aged 18 or 19.

And how many half backs have been ruined or had to go down the leagues and rebuild their career because they were entrusted too early on, quite a few over the last few years i reckon. Either that, or if they have a bit of pace converted to full back at the earliest opportunity. It's ok putting young lads 18/19/20 in if they look the biz, but you are never going to get the consistency at that ageo ver the course of a season and if you are having a bad day at the office in the halves where the strings are pulled it stands out a hell of a lot more.

Even some modern great half backs like Schofield, Fitler, Daley, Johns started out life in different positions with less responsibility for their first few years.I'm not Saying Lilley is ever going to mentioned in the same breath as those guys, but a year or two more of honing his skills away from the microscope would be best for all concerned imo.

Can you name one? just one. Because I would say none. Infact I would say the complete oppossite. If they are "ruined" it is entirely because they were not trusted and developed, and even then I can only name Moore, Brambani, and Briggs (although I don't think he ever did get a shot anyway).

By contrast, the likes of Tomkins, Williams, Fages, Myler (before big money move), all flourished. And that is not just in super league, over the pond too.

I agree with your other point though, that generally you find people moving into those positions now rather than starting off there. For me though, that is down to the level of coaching, and just do not know how to coach half backs.

I was probably exaggerating a bit I'm sure there are several cases throughout the SL clubs down the years but Gaskell spring to mind and of Course the best half in SL currently Luke Gale had to drop back for a few years. Tomkins was about 20/21 i believe when he came through same as Eastmond and both were moved pretty swiftly to FB.

I like Patton he will be a good un, i hope Wire keep faith with him but he is a perfect example of the natural up and down nature of young halves who are having to develop on the job.

Eastmond still flirting with the idea of returning to RL?

Tomkins was 18 when made debut, and a regular half back at 19. He was moved to fullback, not because he was not a good half, but because they saw him as a better fullback, with the way the game has moved here with regards fullbacks. Gaskell was never a half, that was the simple truth of it, he wasn't ruined by playing there, he just wasn't one, alla Sutcliffe. His move to fullback and centre where he rebuilt himself.

Did Gale drop back? he has played super league throughout his career. He wasn't backed by Leeds, possibly correct with the timing it happend, but he was by London and Bradford, and he has prospered from there. He is the best half back not because he has changed his game (although more secure in himself), but because he is playing in a side that utilizes it's halfs fully, and therefore he has that opportunity. Again Sneyd was 19 when he made his debut, and never looked back, although wasn't backed by his own club and had to go out on loan instead to make his mark, coincidentally Castelford yet again.

I think people look at young players, and if the team is not working, rather than look at the faults correctly, they immediately put the blame on the younger and less experienced, rather than look to the failings of the more experienced. And as a game, if we moved away from that, you would see a completely different conveyor of players and better for the future full stop, so long as the player actually has the ability in the first place.

Bang on, i think that sums it up perfectly.

Has GH lost his mind?
Passing game not as good as McGuire
Kicking game not as good as McGuire or Lilley and possibly even Moon and Sutcliffe
Running game not as good as Moon or Sutcliffe

If Myler is the best we can get I would rather we gambled on a combination of Moon Sutcliffe and Lilley (or persuade McGuire to stay another year)

At least Myler is a genuine halfback. He's also at the right age to go to the next level if he's ever going to.

The real problem is to even name a better alternative if we're to bring someone in. There are no quality halfbacks in the NRL who would be available, so at best you'd get one with half a skill set (a runner and/or passer but not both). Across SL who is there that would be available? I wouldn't be surprised if Widdopp was a possibility last year but his form this year means he'd now be in huge demand i the NRL, which has a shortage of quality halfbacks.

Re the development side, I just think the game is far harder for a kid to come straight into at halfback than it was even a decade ago. Everything is far more structured which means needing to learn a lot of plays and develop a kicking and passing game and be able to tackle. That's not to mention the ability to read a game and having the natural or learned ability to order forwards around. It would be far easier at a club like Wigan who run the same plays constantly, rather than a club which plays more off the cuff (in the NRL this equals badly coached but that's another topic).

I wonder when we can expect an announcement about the futures of Mags , Burrow and JJB ?

I feel Burrow will certainly play on. JJB will likely play on until his next bad injury (a shame because i would like to see him go out on his own terms). McGuire will go another year and announce it to be his last.

Just my view of course.

McGuire said last week he was still undecided.
Maybe if he can finish with a CC medal he might call it a day and end on high.
Saying all that he has played his part these last few weeks with his kicking and cut out passes

burrow got another year in him comfortably.

JJb a good player to have around the place and around the squad, but should take more of a back seat next year, he would be ideal to lead an A team as player coach.

mcguire, time to hang up the boots its been great but nows the time.

I agree. time for Mags to hang up boots. All time legend but must make way now.

I read something this morning that JJB wants to continue. TBH I'd be happy with that. He's still performing and he's definitely a positive character who is needed around the place. Id . pick him over Ferres, Delaney and Walters.