The 2000 Academy team led by John Harbin must be one of the most fruitful ever. Wonder when we will next see such riches, fingers crossed soon.

Ellis (one of the best players in the world)

Brough (imo the best H/B and possibly player in SL)

Westwood (International)

Feather
Mason
Snitch..... all SL players

Handforth
Spicer
Batty
Wray
Haughy....all had good careers

may be a few I've forgotten. Unlike the 2009 team they didn't actually win the Academy but it will be interesting to see if the 2009 team spawns as many careers.

Very true. Got to the final though against a very strong Leeds side.

Great young squad to watch. Even then!

robbed in the final If I remember correctly

was that the game where the cheerleader decked it in the rain and got covered in mud in the corner?

Just out of interest who was in the Leeds team that beat us? Are we talking Danny Mcguire and Mathers or was it before them.

What would it cost to buy that lot back? Difficult job scouting young players gaging whether they will develop physically and mentally or whether the big ones wont be as good when the lads the same age catch up! Ellis being a skinny, small half back turning into a big powerful back rower..

Brough is interesting too, having been released a couple of times and now possibly the best in SL.

Some scouts just have that knack of picking em like the chap that got Alan Shearer who got many more..

Some coaches also see potential beyond the kids years or ability but at the end of the day its down to opinions and if you get it right - Your a tactical genius and if you get it wrong - Your a fool

We have some good uns now lets for many more

My TA's son also played in that team, I can't for the life of me remember his first name (I'll have to ask her again) but his surname's Richardson (no relation to Ted), he left the game and now makes good money as an accountant- does most of the books for the players at Cas. I know which game will pay out the most in the long run! Good on the lad!

This is a classic example of what we bring to SL. Other fans are so quick to knock our club, yet if you take the players of WT origin out of SL the competition would be much poorer. As much of a blow as losing players of Wigan/Hull/Leeds origin.

Calderwood, Mathers, McGuire and Burrow IIRC.

think mitchell stringer was part of that team too who has had a decent career too who now plies his trade at sheffield

I've had a look in the web archives and the best I can find is this from rleague.com;

Mon Oct 9, 6.00am (UK) - Mon Oct 9, 4.00pm (Syd)
Sent by: Leeds Rhinos.
Leeds Rhinos were crowned Academy league Champions after winning their third consecutive Grand Final 36-18 against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at Headingley in front of an impressive crowd of 2,141.

The game was won by half time when the Rhinos led 22-2 with tries from Jason Netherton, Mark Calderwood, Danny McGuire and Martin Shaw along with three goals from scrum half Robert Burrow.

It seemed as if Leeds would run up a cricket score when they got back to scoring ways in the second half when Burrow added a try which was followed by another by Andy Kirk. However, the Wildcats fought back bravely and scored three tries of their own from Paul Handforth, Nathan Batty and Chris Feather. Danny Brough kicked three goals.

Leeds stand off Danny McGuire was awarded the Dave Valentine Memorial Trophy as man of the match and the Academy Championship Trophy was presented by Academy Chairman Jim Hartley along with Australian legend Mal Maninga, who watched the game as part of a trip to the UK.

The Squad was

James Argyle
Danny Brough
Nathan Batty
Steve Brown
Matt Blaymire
Gareth Ellis
Paul Handforth
Chris Feather
Tom Haughey
Joe Helme
Carl Hughes
Keith Mason
Steve Snitch
Mitchell Stringer
Danny Smith
Mark Barlow
Matty Wray

According to a programme I have. Although may not be 100% accurate.

Wasnt a bad side at all that, just a shame we couldn't keep them together.

I didn't realise Blaymire was part of that team always thought he came earlier, that makes it even more special.

Out of interest, what was the Leeds team?

Pretty sure Ben Westwood was part of that squad but maybe he didn't play in the final