They do have better spines currently (don't agree about the Raiders though), but the point I was making is that the young Tigers spine and a few very good forwards have all graduated from their Juniors together, and have the potential to be around as a unit for over a decade - the same can't be said for the other teams.

The Tigers spine does look impressive like you say similar to Leeds all those years ago from players graduating up from the academy just like Tigers.
Penrith apparently have some good youngsters coming through too.
I have to say it is a pleasure to watch a number of the NRL games each week compared to the dross we serve up over here bar one or two exceptions.

Yeah, Penrith again have got a batch of young stars - Cartwright, Cleary and Moylan get most of the plaudits, but I really like the prop Leilani Latu... Big, quick, strong, runs great lines, good in defence and a ball player too.

Other than Leeds, I can't actually remember the last full Super League game I watched, the gulf in standards is alarming, and I think it's becoming even more evident with the youngsters coming through down there - our youngsters just don't seem anywhere near the same calibre, whether that be athletically or in terms of skill levels. Almost every NRL team seems to have 3 or 4 kids of around 20 years old that would be absolute superstars over here.

Segs is as good as gone...latest reports from Oz are that at least 5 NRL clubs are chasing him. Let's hope Gawy is on the ball with this and is lining up a replacement.

Agree on Latu Superted, guy has everything you want in a modern prop forward.

There's a young fullback for Canberra, yet to play first grade called Cotric. Absolutely destroyed England academy and looks the business, destined for big things.

The pathways to first grade down there are clearly working much better than here - there's so many young kids coming through who come straight in and not only look the part, but are actually game breakers. The Trbojevic brothers (particularly Tom), Latrell Mitchell, Corey Oates, Jack Bird, Valentine Holmes, Milford, Ash Taylor, Lolohea... If I could be bothered, I could go on and on, there's literally dozens of potential superstars in the makings - we're miles away from producing any talent at that calibre.

It's worrying when you think back to the start of the year and Nikorima and Hastings ripped Saints apart and everyone was waxing lyrical about how good those two looked - and neither can get a game for the Roosters now!

Replaced by Watson and Matterson who have been great.

Cleary at the Panthers is the best young half I've seen in a while.

Pity we can`t get one of them over here.
Looking pretty bleak at the moment if we want to move up that SL table next year.

Indeed - Watson looks a cracking player, very much reminds me of Craig Wing.

So, it appears from reports in Australia that Chicko has 2 weeks left to decide if he stays at Leeds next year - so there is a deadline on his clause to get out of next year for an NRL return.

It would be nice to see a response from those who've been berating GH for allowing an NRL clause that could leave us with no options if Chicko decides to walk 2 weeks before the season starts or at the last minute.... Clearly, GH ain't as stupid as some would like to make out!.

Where did you see these reports mate?