the fact is the queensland cup league is only one step down from the nrl sam obst joel clinton and the great aussie prop pedro cievenesimo excuse spelling play in this league along with snitcht semi and ahost of ex nrl players play inthis league jordan grayston our under 20 full back iast seaon took a gamble of atrain and trial offer at mackay cutters coached by kim williams whos come through the mebourne storm system with big raps and has been offered acontract which hes signed and reported training is on another level

Does make you wonder how the RFL expect clubs to have a certain number of club trained players in their squads but yet cull the junior competitions to make it very difficult for clubs to retain these players.

From what I've seen of Adam I had high hopes for him, I know he would have been behind a few players in our squad but I really did think he was one for the near future. Gutted to see him go but I lay the blame at the RFL's door and not the club or the players.

Even worse is you know that in 18 months time the RFL will change their minds again about youth development and realise this new system doesn't work and we'll have lost several promising youngsters all because the muppets at Red Hall can't stop tinkering.

Don't forget the clubs agreed to the changes in the junor/youth set up, not laying all the blame with this club but imo its a cost cutting exercise and its just plain wrong.

I don't blame the players, they have bust a gut and given up a lot to get to this stage and they should do whats best for them.

Clubs agreed the changes to the youth structure possibly has cost cutting exercise i agree. not just our club to blame thats true what ido hold this club to blame for is the total disrespect they showed the two accademys under20s and under 18s with a hurried halftime presentation during the last home game when in previous years yes under the old regime were invited to join the fist team on presentation night showing them the respect they deserved. is there any wonder young players have no feelings for the club i would re intrested to hear how some on here who feel the club do no wrong reply , and if our purse strings are such that instead of showing our youngsters what they should be aiming they are shown the oppisite.

I also pay into the 1873 scheme and I have wandered myself about the merits of it. We do seem to be producing players for the benefit of other clubs. Not all that come through the 1873 scheme however, are going to make it. If the scheme produces 1 player every year good enough for SL then it has been successful in my view. At least it should give us a good chance of signing the outstanding player.
I think if Adam Slater had been an oustanding prospect then the club would have made more effort to keep him.

I thought Slater was our best forward in the reserves last year, Annakin get's alot of mentions on here but I always thought Slater out played him.

To be fair,players were presented with awards at the presentation night.Yes I do agree that the HT ceremony was poor for the fans to witness.

As someone has alluded to how could he be guaranteed first team action.
Play him before Ali,Kirmond,Mariano,Washbrook or even Trout and Walshaw?
The problem is that their is no A team any more.
There youngsters gained real experience playing alongside and against both players of around their age and seasoned pros returning from injury.
It gave coaching staff the opportunity to have a real good look at them and then bring them in gradually as injuries ocurred or outstanding performances merited a first team chance.
Unfortuneately under the present system players are not willing to hang around not playing.
But on the other hand the same happened to Goulding Jnr at Warrington and who knows we may have unearthed a gem for ourserlves.
It is not easy to run a tight ship and maybe the money is going towards that extra prop many are baying for.

EI REY I fully agree (we also had a prop). It's ok publicising the signings of WILL and James but along with such as Sam Doherty and especially the very impressive Ben Shulver what is to be dobe with them now the pathways have been closed. Don't forget our club was one of those who voted for the present debacle. Do the origional principles of the 1873 scheme still exists in answer to Jacques no we haven't.

What makes you feel I was suggesting anyone needed to be dropped for him. I was only stating that it's a shame to be losing another young local product who from what I have seen and in my opinion and others after reading other posts, Adam could have developed into a very useful and dependable player for Wakefield when through the season possible injuries, suspensions and illness may arise

Will be interesting to see where his next move is after a year or 2 in Oz. A few ex Wakefield youngsters have gone out that way this year as have many others from other clubs.

I would expect most will come back much like George Griffin has done and continue with their Super League careers. They are going out for the life experience and a crack at getting noticed to move to the best comp in the world. Most will not make it and of those that don't a small percentage will settle but most will come back still young enough to make an impact.

I personally am in favour of the current systems as the Academy method and 20s method (the latter if which was treated as a joke by most clubs) was failing to produce top class players from top class prospects.

National League sides are starting to accept their role as feeder teams, and those that go to Oz will also hopefully develop into better players in better systems.

The frustration symbol followed my last line, meaning I personally find it frustrating to see Wakefield losing local young talent again

Evening Post says Slater in squad for Boxing day.
That seems rather pointless if he is on his way out January.
But who knows?