Just on forwards I disagree Gotcha. Nobody thought Peacock would amount to much until he was in his early 20s. There are also plenty of lads who have a growth spurt past 16 which could change them fundamentally, and there are plenty of kids who look big and strong physically at youth rugby who simply find the step up to open age too much - quite possibly because their whole game is based on being bigger and stronger than their opponents.

Not saying you can't spot some early, but there are many exceptions.

Just to give a couple of examples you've cited in the past - Daniel Smith and Baldwinson. Nobody seems to think that much of Smith, yet even in juniors in Aus people thought he looked the business. The jury's out on Baldwinson, but that's kind of the point.

To be fair, they've both had very good seasons at their current clubs. Baldwinson, especially has been receiving very good reviews.

Regarding the 'late developer' argument. Apart from Peacock, and JJB, can anyone think of any recent examples of young players who were older than 21/22 before they were established SL players?

Indeed! This seems to be one of those 'urban myths' continuously perpetuated. Granted prop forwards might take a little longer to manifest themselves as worthy, but IMO any player of calibre will have revealed himself by late teens early twenties at the very latest.

Alex Walmsley and Chris Hill?

Maybe not in SL but at what age did they reveal themselves of 'calibre' to convince Warrington and Saints to sign them?

ah, i see, change the question


wasnt Hill 23 and playing in the Championship? And Walmsley wasnt even attached to a professional club until 22?
Add Amor to the list too, wasnt he 22 or 23 before we signed him from Whitehaven?

if they were always going to make it why werent they already at a bigger club?

Chris Hill was a regular at Leigh at 17. He made his debut for Leigh in SL IIRC, and didn't Amor have a decent career away from RL prior to signing for Leeds, which meant he was initially reluctant to turn pro?

No idea on Amor's outside career, but if you'd asked me based on his handful of appearances at Leeds whether he was going to make a SL prop forward I would have been very sceptical.

There are a number of players kicking around in the Championship who were let go by SL clubs at a young age but could now probably step back up and play SL without looking out of place. They've developed their game at the lower level and matured into better players than they gave an indication of being at 17-18.

Amor came through at qigan . Dropped down and then came back up again.

For all the talk of where youngsters should be playing, no one has made an argument yet that has me convinced the place for young players not quite ready for SL is anywhere but the lower leagues. As those players attest.

I can see why as a club that we would want to keep players until 20/21/22. But more will likely be ruined by playing reserve grade until that age as go on to breakthrough. As a game the lower leagues are exactly the right place for them.

so as you asked, none of Hill, Amor or Walmsley were established SL players before they had already turned 21/22, and yet they are some of the best props in the league

clearly the late developer thing isnt a complete 'urban myth'

Hill's talent was obvious from the outset, I wouldn't call him a late developer. Amor, is fair enough, but he's more an exception, than the rule.

Latest twitter rumor: Tyrone Roberts - Newcastle HB, and goal kicker. He has a similar style to Travis Burns, but without the chip on the shoulder.

Very quick for a halfback.

we would only get roberts if hodgekinson signs for newcastle and that not certain

Canterbury are looking to offload Tony 'T-Rex' Williams.

He would be amazing in SL would love him at Leeds.Very unlikely though unfortunately.

Ben Westwood was a late developer.

Late developer for what? Pubes?

He was playing from a young age as a centre. Moved to Warrington for big money, and changed into a pack man.

Hasn't he been gash the last couple of years. If we signed him we should release Achurch IMO, 6 overseas players is enough.

He hasn't been great the last couple of years. Wouldn't say gash. Agree with you on amount of overseas players but should say that's there's been *nothing* linking Williams to Leeds, just that Dogs are wanting to let go. But if somehow it is Williams in, Achurch out then that's a massive improvement whatever form T-Rex is on.

Agreed.

Roberts is totally awful. Williams can be great, but is hugely lazy and generally poor.

Looks like Titans may get Hodkinson, so does that mean we don't get Roberts? Dave Parker says we might get him early to cover for Sutcliffe?

Ah, Nosey Parker.

The blunderbuss approach to rugby league gossip. Spread enough shots over a wide enough area, and one might hit the target.