Because they are not the same. Define what you mean by young.

Take Greensmith as an example. He is young, seriously young but more importantly he has little experience. I may be wrong but he hasn’t got any rep appearances . either. He hasn’t even been out in dual reg yet??

Now I’m with you in that we leave it far too long on some cases but not these.

These Cas or Wigan youngsters are usually a year older than Greensmith and have done some time in the lower leagues.

Now for the controversial bit, Cas spend big on youth and we simply don’t because we can’t. So let’s be honest we get the best of the rest, it’s a fact. Luckily some of those are either late developers physically or better still just missed going to a top academy. It’s a credit to all that we produce what we do, someone at the club has an eye for latent talent.

You look at any Trinity TV game featuring the U19’s. There is one v Cas and although we do well just look at the physicality of the teams. Cas look bigger, stronger and older. They are men and we look like boys.

Ability wise we are probably fairly close but physically they are far more ready than us.

There is a reason Cas and Leeds hoover up the big lads. They don’t expect all to make it but those who do will be ready quickly and the others? Well at least they won’t be with us.

I know Greensmith is a big lad but he also has a boyish face. He’s not there yet, when he is we will know. I realise a boyish farce is hardly scientific or right every time but I reckon you get my drift.

Greensmith and Aydin would be destroyed are the moment imho. Bailey maybe, HBs are different. Gwaze, Walker and Croft at a pinch are the only ones.

TJ was special from the start. Jowitt and Crowther were both under age reps but above all most came into a team on the up not on the way down. Not massive but still crucial.

It’s tragic we have no A team or DR to get them ready but if we had that’s where they would be for me.

Sorry if I’ve upset anyone but I have no vested interest either way, just 50 years in and around the game and that’s how I see it. Apologies for any factual errors.

I agree with all you say100% and I’m no novice and I’ve been telling him exactly the same as you say for the last 2 years.
He’s been one of the stand out players in his time in the academy, one that teams changed their strategy to play against him, even in the reserves. As when he was a junior the work he does whilst playing makes others look good. He training every day, weights and running he’s got the fitness to last and the physique to make an impact, it’s just very frustrating when he’s being held on furlough to “save money” but there have been 2 signings and a loan deal come in instead.
In any business model not backing your investment is long term commercial suicide, I know this is sport but it’s still a business

I agree with what you are saying and understand your frustration, but for me it would be better to put him in later rather than sooner.
Obviously I dont know about his confidence - and I'm sure that he is! - But I personally wouldnt want my "developing" son in this team at the moment.
Cheers.

If you are referring to games this season then you are talking about the wrong twin. Louis Senior has played this year not Innes.

The day that any Super League coach takes into account the views of a disgruntled parent is the day to pack up and go. Suck it up. Of course you are biased (and therefore probably wrong) and posting those views on here, or imparting those feelings to your son is not helping his future career or attitude. It's a professional sport.

young players think that everyone can become a super league player it just doesn’t work like that, they must be prepared to work on their own, to continue to improve, to push their bodies to a place where they didn’t think they could go. Leave no stone unturned on their journey to the top, write his running times down the weights he is lifting, can he tackle better on one side and why, just set small goals and work on improving every aspect of his game and give him the best chance possible. The thing is all players are trained the same way these days and they all slip into that comfortable environment of doing what everyone else does at the club it’s simply not enough.

Our youngsters rarely seem to progress like others in particular wigan and saints its not that long since we were the strongest youth team and cain southernwood was going to be a class act but progression is always stalled as we dont give them a chance or even proper coaching to go to the next level and if we cant do so when there is no relegation risk this year it will be another batch that dont make it at the top level and again will have to rely on imports or loan signings

Thanks for the heads up Mal


Thank the lord for expertise like yours to put us clueless dads in our place

Probably because they cherry pick all the best youngsters from across the game. Ryan Hampshire is one good local example. Isn't Morgan Smithies from Halifax? I'll bet there are top Normy and Stanley lads on Wigan's books at present. Ditto Saints. Remember Alan Hunte?

I have no idea who Mal is? I reached the same level as your son at Wakefield Trinity and was selected for the First Team but had to withdraw through injury. Various circumstances dictated that I would never be selected again and therefore never achieved a heritage spot. I did however play with a lot of young lads/men who were brilliant at Colts and even A Team level but never really made it at First Team level at Wakefield Trinity. It can take a lot of hard work and sometimes patience (Terry Crook for example) to make it at First Team level. Most good juniors dont, unfortunately.

I don't think anyone doubts that.
But suggesting a dad is wrong to support his son 100%, no matter what, is just misguided and not understanding the situation at best

I never said he shouldnt support his son? I questioned the manner and the use of this public forum , which is visited by the CEO who takes a dim view of these types of comments.