The problem is we have good youngsters who never improve to the level that they should unlike Wigan

Wigan and Saints have had us for youth development for some time.

There is a bit of magic as well as science to it though: real talent comes in waves I think, it's unpredictable on a group as well is individual basis.

Is that because Wigan give their kids an opportunity though? The only way kids reach SL level is by playing SL. You cannot become a SL player by not playing it.

The moment you don't play a youngster because they arent ready is the moment they will never be ready. Not 1 single golden generation player was ready when they was given a chance, not one. I think Corey will play Friday but hes not ready. How can he be? Hes never played at that level but the kid has talent and ability all he is lacking is the opportunity and patience.

We simply haven't given lads enough chances in recent years.

In 2016 we had a nightmare year which meant in 2017 we joined the cup a round early and played Donny, Walker and Mikolaj played and did well and their careers went on from there. Had we had a good season in 2016 those 2 would probably never have had that chance. That cant be right can it?

Weve some terrific talent at the club, not all can make it, not all can fulfill their potential but that shouldnt be down to a lack of opportunities.

Wigan seem to install a toughness and fire in there youngsters that we dont quite so much imo, not sure if they look for that when bringing the lads into there system or they ingrain it when they get there.

Owen Trouts been pretty dissapointing at Dewsbury imo, played out of position a lot but even when at second row, he's looked content to let games pass him by, very little involvment.

Been very impressed with McCllelland at Fev, seen all his games except yday and thought he's been good everytime, forced 4 repeat sets with last tackle kicks last week, lucky if mylers forced 4 all season. Edit...Forgot about Alex Sutcliffe, he's been going very well too at left , i wasnt as high on him as some but he's certainly changing my opinion on him

At Newcastle Muizz has been Muizz, spectacular trys, loads of agression, attitude spot on...Wrecking ball

Broadbents showed some real class at batley, scored and created some quality trys, couple of average/poor games aswel, dosnt get much ball, batley have been awful.

Very good bunch overall, just from Academy qualified players from this year, id expect at least 5 or 6 to be first team Leeds players in future.

Add the couple of very good scholarship groups just behind that, we'r in good health moving forward.

If Corey needs this chance then play him this week. But give the lad a chance, at least play him in the best pack of forwards we can put out, and not what played on Friday.
Wigan and Saints do well with their kids because they give them all the help they need. If they give a young forward a debut they play him in an experienced pack, not a pack that is beaten before they play.
We need to be smart when giving these young players their debut.

Hats off to your commitment to youth rugby by the way Marty. The question for me is about getting the balance in the side right. Too many youngsters in at the same time, you risk getting physically dominated and throwing games. Very, very few 18 year olds can handle mature SL players physically.

With Walker, Newman and Oldedzki all learning, people forget how young they still are. I don’t think we’d want too many more Academy products in the same side as them but we do need to bring 2-3 more through next year somehow.

This is kind of what I’ve been talking about: there is no way this Leeds squad will be at peak next year with the reliance we have on home-grown talent. When these lads are playing toward their full potential in a few years, hopefully different story but this is certainly not a situation with a quick fix.

Going to be fascinating to see which lads step up in pre-season and the friendlies - the opportunity is there for them.

You say we have not given lads a chance over last few years, well that simply is not true, Walker is 19 and first choice Newman the same, oledski 20 Cameron smith 20 all regulars this year. We cannot just throw another 4-5 more teenagers in and say have a go. They need to be brought through more steady. Couple more at a time. Some have been sent out on loan to play open age and they will be ready for 4-6 games next year and one or two may force their way into starting spots,

We give people a chance but they have to earn it and show they are up to it, what none of us see is these lads training and playing in opposed training sessions with the first team, the coachs know who is ready or not not us.

An accusation a fair few Wigan fans used to throw at Wane as although they could see the players develop, there was a feeling that a club of that size should have challenged more than they were doing at various points of his tenure. Mind, they did have to put up with players then being sold just as they were attaining a decent standard.

I agree someone should be asking why !!!

Just wondering as this is a slight thread drift re: youngsters my boy who plays for Folly Lane Under 8's had an away game at Pilkingtons St. Helens today and as we were leaving the Leeds Rhinos team coach was pulling up there anyone know why ? do they use the coach for your youngsters

ladies played at saints

arrr right that explains it cheers

Have we conveniently forgotten Mathers, Lee Smith, hall, sonny, mags, burrow, jkb, ablett, ward, bailey etc... And that's not to mention the huge number that have had to leave Leeds to even get a game and gone on to be great players all thanks to the education they got in the Leeds junior ranks.

We have an extraordinary history of producing talent. People forget that the Winfield era were so good that youngsters couldn't get in because we were so good. Sometimes it's as though people want us to play kids just to prove we have kids to play.

When we were on top all the club's were asking why their kids weren't as good as ours. I despair at times on here.

I've not seen Johnson of late but he reminds me of a young Sinfield in terms of playing like an old man.

Last tiime I saw him he still looked like he needed to develop physically a bit before SL.

Wire would be the last pack I would have picked for him to play but if he does debut I trust we might decide to play some prop forwards as well.

The last thing he needs is to play with a load of Oompa Loompas against hill, cooper, Clark westwood Murdoch masilla and the geezer who leads with his elbow

Also we have 2 young lads in the running for SL young playee of the year this year