Giants Squad just announced. Very inexperienced but a lot of ENGLISH qualified players will be turning out for the Giants this year.

From a squad of 33 only 6 are not eligible to play for England and that includes Brough ( Scotland) and Grix and McNally ( Ireland).

At least some teams are trying to blood youngsters and improve the selection options for England. ( Although if injuries bite the inexperience and youth may struggle)

1. Scott Grix
2. Michael Lawrence
3. Leroy Cudjoe
4. Lee Gilmour
5. David Hodgson
6. Kevin Brown
7. Danny Brough
8. Eorl Crabtree
9. Luke Robinson
10. Darrell Griffin
11. Luke O’Donnell
12. David Fa’alogo
13. David Faiumu
14. Shaun Lunt
15. Keith Mason
16. Andy Raleigh
17. Danny Kirmond
18. Larne Patrick
19. Graeme Horne
20. Jermaine McGillvary
21. Josh Griffin
22. Keal Carlile
23. Kyle Wood
24. Adam Walker
25. Elliott Hodgson
26. Jamie Cording
27. Jacob Fairbank
28. Gregg McNally
29. Joe Wardle
30. Matt Dawson
31. Greg Johnson
32. Jon Molloy
33. Ross Peltier
34. Connor Mitchell (Fans Season Ticket Squad place winner)

how many have come through the giants system, not from other teams?

At least 10 of that squad that I can name.

About 1 third. Additionally many of those who came from other teams WERE given a chance to continue playing because other teams were quite happy to block their progression by playing overpaid imports.

If the Giants did not give them a chance they might not be playing now.

Well done to the giants.

Is this the same Giants that came out and said they have a lot of cap room spare and are waiting on the availability of some NRL players before signing possibly 2 more for next season?

lol

even if they did sign 2 nrl players, they would still only have 5 non british players in the squad... a lot less than most

good to see the large amount of english players in the squad, but lets be realistic, i'd be very suprised if the squad players from 20-33 manage a dozen SL games between them all

If it isn't, their squad number will be after the comp winner.

In 2009 Shaun Lunt had squad number 24, Cudjoe had 21 - both England internationals by 2010. Lunt was regarded as our best player in the CC final.
in 2010 Larne Patrick had 23 and played about 21 games only being out through injury. Our player of the season last year was David Faiumu who had squad number 20.

Players are generally given their chances and it's up to them to take them.

Although I agree with your sentiment that the squad does think out quicker as you get higher than in previous years.

Don't most teams only have a 23 or 24 man 1st team squad?

From 2010 Season: (based on Squads listed on SLStats website)

32 - Bradford
31 - Castleford
30 - Catalans
27 - Crusaders
34 - Huddersfield
33 - Harlequins
28 - Hull FC
31 - Hull KR
28 - Leeds
33 - Saints
28 - Salford
35 - Wakefield
28 - Warrington
31 - Wigan

So in a word....'No'