Quote: Peter Kingsley "... I think most realistic fans, who aren't brainwashed by sky will agree that quality has gradually declined in recent seasons.'"
I am a realistic fanm and I am not brainwashed by Sky. I am certain that overall the quality of the SL comp has significantly improved in recent seasons.
Quote: Peter Kingsley "... Well it's certainly not going to improve in the short term because we simply can't afford to fill the gaps with quality from the NRL anymore, which means we are relying on a thin player pool over here. '"
Come off it. The change in currency values is not [ithat[/i great and could fluctuate in future. And there will always be fine players elsewhere who, for whatever reason, cannot get a regular spot at their club, or cannot get the contract they want, or whatever.
Quote: Peter Kingsley "... This means that now, more than ever teams need to putting all their focus on developing the young players, '"
Well yes, but isn't that what the changes in the quotas have been directly aimed at, and isn't one consequence of the recession that clubs have little choice in this?
Quote: Peter Kingsley "... Maybe the finanical clout of the NRL will force everyones hand in turning to youth, god knows we need it. Because no matter what was said about franchising, the quota etc, there are still too many teams who rely too much on second rate imports.'"
But aren't you contradicting yourself there? If the existing imports are "second rate", surely losing them is a huge [iadvantage[/i?