After the fall-out from our last admin, we lost a crop of highly-rated youngsters. Thought it be interesting to see how they fared, how good the SL clubs are compared to us in developing young talent and whether it was the right decision. FYI, this isn't a criticism of any of those players decision to move on, after our latest shambles you can't blame any of them. But thought it be interesting to see how the majority fared.

Jake Trueman - probably the most painful one. Bradford born and bred. Come through our scholarship and academy and you could just tell he was going to be a star. Went to the right club in Cas where he has excelled. Cas are building the team around him already.

Cameron Scott - another on that was tough to take. Again Bradford born and bred. He was sought after by every club over here so it was a real coup to sign him up before we went bust. He's made a few appearances for Hull. Still elegible for the academy so has time on his side. But recently been loaned to York, after already being DR'd with Doncaster, that's 3 clubs he's played for already this year which can't help his development IMO with Hull having one of the best back lines in the division along with them re-signing Fonua, opportunities maybe limited for him. Hope I'm wrong.

Reiss Butterworth - was on the fringes here but has made a few first team appearances and I think he'd have made even more this year. Don't think he's made a single appearance for Hudds yet and is currently being DR'd with Batley. With O'brien and Leeming looking like long term hookers for the Giants, not sure if Butterworths long term future is there.

James Bentley - was superb for us in a terrible season for the club. Would have been a regular starter for us, improving further. He's made a few appearances for Saints by spent last season DR'd with Sheffield and this season with Leigh. Think his contract runs out with Saints this year.

Luke Hooley not long after he left us, Hooley was everywhere in the RL press being touted as the hottest prospect in the game and signed a 3 year deal with the Trin.
He's hardly made an appearance for the first team, seemingly flicking being loaned out to either Oldham or Dewsbury. He has Hampshire and Jowitt ahead of him and reading their forum doesn't look likely he'll be retained.

Dan Waite-Pullman - hasn't made a single first team appearance for them played for Dews last night and I think he's being DR'd to Fev this year.


Interesting reading especially when you. You look at the likes of Storton, Milnes who at this moment in time maybe PT and not in a better position who left. But with both likely to earn FT deals soon, they'll be playing regularly and then they'll start getting the attention of the big boys. Whereas those who left may just fall of a cliff to constant PT rugby for teams like Dewsbury, Batley etc sold may just not have been good enough. But can't help think if some of those left had stayed they'll be playing regularly for us, and be in stronger position to break into SL first team (like Ryan) should they wished to have signed with them. Made my blood boil the amount of young players who had played for multiple clubs in one year though. Must be damaging their development.

Excellent post Mr Mania

Makes my blood boil too.

Rumours are circulating we have signed a "Super League" full back... that technically could be Hooley?

I still think we will see Cameron Scott in a Bulls shirt at some point in his career. He had bags of potential and whilst he doesn't seem to have developed as much as he should have, I think he's still got plenty of years to do so may be worth a shot if Hull let his contract run down.

Bentley will sign a new contract with Saints. They like what they see and he's been getting some more regular game time. Saints have blooded their youth this way for a few years now and who's to argue against it with the youngsters they've developed into first team regulars. Can see Bentley being a regular 1st teamer in next 2yrs.

No idea about Waite-Pullam who seems to have gone somewhat off radar since his switch to Rhinos so not sure if he's worth another shot.

Butterworth also seems to have stagnated and not sure he is fulfilling his original potential. Never been overly impressed by him whenever i've seen him play and think Doyle is a better prospect at this time.

I think a certain expression about grass and the colour green comes to mind with a fair few, especially when they have not yet proven themselves. I get taking your chance but some have jumped before they were ready IMO. Look at those that have left after making a 1st team breakthrough and that should tell you everything you need to know...

John Bateman
Elliott Whitehead
Sam Burgess
Tom Burgess
Alex Mellor
Tom Olbison

I’d heard we signed a fullback from SL but Hooley wasn’t the name I’d heard.

Golding rumours been doing rounds for a while. Best friends with Lilley too.

Sounds like he had been performing well for Fev this year, haven’t Fev just took another Fullback on loan quite recently?

I agree, Goulding would be favourite and a good quality signing. Hooley is ok but from what I have seen of him he's not much better than Pic and maybe no better than Brown (although we haven't seen him really).

So basically, everyone stole our players, and then have broken them.

Not sure that was [iexactly[/i the point.

You can't keep those who want away. However, none of us can see into the future and it is solely a decision for them (and, presumably their family and agents...) and the decisions young lads make might not always be the best ones they could have taken. Ultimately it's c'est la vie and 'look at the prize you might have won', I guess. We all have to make decisions in life and they don't always turn out as we hoped. The good thing with rugby is that a contract is for a limited period and another chance will come along, with which, hopefully, they may make a better, more informed decision.

You could say that they have not fulfilled their potential. Always the problem with youngsters.

I did a big thread early last season with all junor signings for the past x+ years. I'll try find it and update it.

https://retro.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=612844

https://retro.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=612844