On the back of an u18's grand final appearance in the last 2 years compared to Wigan winning the last 2 u21 grand finals(with rafts of players eligible for the u18's still) and at least appearing in both u18's finals? I don't think so although they have a top set up to be fair.

It's good to see alot of clubs bringing these young lads though and having good youth set ups but Wigan are without doubt leading the way.

And next door (Leigh) won their 21s reserve league also.

Sam Moa stays at Hull.

rlhttp://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME

Been very impressed with Wigan's younger players in SL (where it counts - U21 etc is about development more than results). McIlorum (sp?), both Tomkins (think Joel is a bit underrated, having been overshadowed by Sam), Mossop and Ainscough could provide the foundation of a very strong team for years to come. More potential there than anywhere else in England at the moment, IMO.

When Wigan beat Saints in the qualifying reserves semi final Wigan had eight players who still qualified at U18 (academy) level.

So more than half the team were first team players/players too old for the reserves? Plus thats just one game, over the course of the year how many first teamers played?

I'm not saying winning the u121's isnt a good achievment, but because of first team players playing in the reserves its not a great indicator of how well your doing at youth level compared to the u18's, where wigan were on a par with a number of teams, so to say they were the best young crop of players by a distance (if a team had the best young crop of players by a distance i would expect them to win there league comfortably, not finish 2nd, and only 2 points better of than 5th).

I'm not saying wigan have a bad academy i think its one of the better ones, but its not producing the 'best young crop by a distance'.

In the final v Saints Wigan had two players over the age of 21 in the team. Only Pryce, Ainscough and Mossop had first team experience, four were still U18.

Only two clubs Leeds and Catalan don't have Wigan produced players in them, no other team can match that.

As i've said though thats one game, was that the case all season, did only those players get you to that final?

I would imagine must come pretty close to having a player in nearly every team, and probably have more leeds produced players in sl. The number of players playing in sl is far more important than the distribution. Whats more how many wigan youngsters couldnt get there opportunities to play and had to go to other teams to fully develop as players?.

As much as i hate to say it wakefields academy was the best this year as they topped the table and got to the grand final (and are favorites to win it).

Wakefield won the final today against Wigan 30-4. Whether it would have made a difference to the game who knows but remember that quite a few of the Wigan academy were playing above themselves in the reserves for most of the season, and credit must go to Wigan for not dropping them down to the academy for the final and thus giving those lads' what got them there, their chance.

League winners and Grand final winners, 17 games unbeaten, I have watched them all season and they could have gone up a gear if needed today.

Speaks for itself, the rest is just waffle IMO

They would have made a difference of course, how much we'll never know but as someone whos seen Wakey play all season you know we could have upped it to match them.

Fair play to Wigan and no doubt they have the best production line in SL.


Todays about our Academy players and Leon Walker, the rest is not important IMO.

Congratulations, they deserve a hell of a lot of plaudits for what they have done this year.

More importantly they've reiforced my point

Don't expect any plaudits from Wigan- RL youth development starts and finishes in Wigan, end off

Well done today.

Agreed I dont think it would have made a difference who they put out we would have upped our game, perhaps it might not have been as easy as it looked, but with our individual flair and the teamwork the end result would have been the same imo.
And as you rightly say today was about the young players' and Leon the rest doesnt matter.

Micheal Platt signs for Salford... www.express.co.uk/posts/view/132 ... e-Maguire-

Micheal Platt signs for Salford... www.express.co.uk/posts/view/132 ... e-Maguire-