An ex Academy player I've kept an eye on since he left is Charlie Abraham. Thought he was a real talent in last years under 19's. He went to Australia and joined the Mullumbimby Giants first team. He almost immediately took a the 7 jersey and has worn it virtually all season, including the Final. It's not easy to compare bush teams to British teams but it's fair to say it's a reasonable level at Mullumbimby, certainly up there with most League one teams and on the Aussie ladder. Wonder if he's coming home at any point? Be interesting to see if we sign him on if he does as he's clearly made huge strides in one year. https://www.facebook.com/mullumgiants/? ... e_internal Anybody know?

An ex Academy player I've kept an eye on since he left is Charlie Abraham. Thought he was a real talent in last years under 19's. He went to Australia and joined the Mullumbimby Giants first team. He almost immediately took a the 7 jersey and has worn it virtually all season, including the Final. It's not easy to compare bush teams to British teams but it's fair to say it's a reasonable level at Mullumbimby, certainly up there with most League one teams and on the Aussie ladder. Wonder if he's coming home at any point? Be interesting to see if we sign him on if he does as he's clearly made huge strides in one year. https://www.facebook.com/mullumgiants/? ... e_internal Anybody know?

Just looked at some of the juniors that have come through the ranks there, and one is certainly familiar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mullumbimby_Giants

Just looked at some of the juniors that have come through the ranks there, and one is certainly familiar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mullumbimby_Giants

Charlie Abrahams brought to the club by Rich Kelly while he was Head of Youth, he went all the way through from Scholarship, Academy and Reserves. He’s been outstanding in the Aussie Leagues team playing at Halfback. He’s the son of Steve Abraham who played in Trinity’s Colts team during the 80s

Tom Sowerby is over there too, another good player brought in by Kelly but let go by the Club.
He’s since topped the try scoring charts in The National Conference Premier Division for 2 consecutive years and played for England twice scoring 2 try hatricks and winning Man of the Match in both games from Full Back

He’s now been picked up by the Titans for next year

Charlie Abraham was not a Rich Kelly product, Charlie came through with his dad, Steve and under Mark Applegarth

Correct. He wasn’t let go by the club either. He wanted to play and live in Oz for the experience. The question is whether that is now permanent.

Applegarth certainly has an eye for players.

Well we may need a halfback. Wonder if he’s ready to make the step up to superleague yet.

He certainly chose a very laid back community to live in… as Vasty says ‘bush’ league is hard to evaluate… there are some really good players but the overall standard of play is not as high as (say) the same level in the cities…

Personnally a massive fan of mark.i listen to the way he speaks too says the right stuff

Steve has recently been over to see Charlie and took in the origin decider whilst there . Steve also helps coaches the wakefield Hawks who my grandson plays for .

My idea would be that he’s now ready for the reserves and a few loans. I’m not suggesting a full SL debut.

I tend to believe that playing lower grades in Oz doesn’t make you a better player technically. It does however broaden the mind and make you more mature. In truth that would apply even if you didn’t play a sport, you’ll come back a better person as a rule.

I think by doing what he’s done he’s probably matured a season or so more than his ex teammates. Big deal for a HB..

If he's doing well he should stay a bit longer.
Develop his game and develop his life style.

That’s wrong, Charlie was signed to Scholarship by Rich Kelly, ask his dad

I generally don’t get involved in this stuff but for the record
In my time at Wakefield as Head of Youth I signed the following notable players

Jack Croft
Yusuf Aydin
Harry Bowes
Dane Windrow
Isaak Shaw
Corey Hall

I signed Batch to his first pro contract
I interviewed and employed Mash as Player Performance Manager

I was there 18 months but Mash took over after and has done a superb job developing the talent at Wakefield

Oh dear, seems he didn’t. Win some lose some, I’ve been there.

He might not be on that list but Charlie Abraham was signed to the Trinity Scholarship by Kelly and at the same time his dad became one of the Scholarship coaches