Only a very low % of Wigan's youth ever make it into regularly into the first team squad. I seem to remember back in the early nineties a quote from the club stating they would be happy to see two young players come through on a yearly basis. I'd say it's increased to more like 4-5 these last few years.

However one silver lining for these lads is most seem to get picked up at other clubs. Some have made it to NRL, most to other SL clubs, with the rest to championship clubs. Such is the excess of quality we have.

Of those that quit the game altogether theres obviously other reasons for this:

Financial.
Other career aspirations.
Fell out of love with the game.
Girls & Drink.

A big part of it is that they see the bright lights of Super League and don't want to go back and play NCL for Pats/Ince/Judes when it doesn't work out. That's a massive issue that needs addressing, but I'm not sure how you go about it. Some of the best players I played alongside just don't play the game at all now after they were let go by Wigan and Widnes.

Today, the moment young players see that they are not wanted at a professional/semi professional level, many simply throw in the towel to concentrate on a alternative career.

Its not just happening in Rugby League, but in all sports, especially Football.

I have a grandson, who after wasting two years on college scheme linked to a football club, threw in the towel when he realised like others, that he was just a number to concentrate on a alternative career. He got a apprenticeship with a company and now has a good job with that company and no longer plays the game, even for a local amateur club.

I can speak from experience here. I was on the books at Wigan once upon a time, coming through with the likes of Sam Tomkins, a load of Wigan St Pats & Leigh Miners lads. It was a tough, tough time. Head of Youth back then was Brian Foley who was a top bloke but ruthless when he needed to be.

It was hard, so much was demanded of you; extra training, right nutrition, hard worker in school (ultimately my downfall), early for training, looking the part and most important of all acting the part which is where Shaun Wane came in. He wanted all the scholars to act professional. We were the future of Wigan RL, if we didn’t we’d be gone quicker than your Grandad could throw his slipper at you.

Ultimately I left Wigan, poor school performance, and went on to play for Widnes then Salford‘s academies (where the Leon Walker reference comes in below), which were far lower in expectations/demands than Wigan before being lost to the game for a few years and coming back with Wigan St Pats, Leigh Miners and then my first club Ashton Bears.

Now you might think I’d be sat here saying the demands the club puts on these young lads is too much but in my honest opinion it isn’t. You’ve got to remember the club wants the next generation to take Wigan to success. These players have to have it drilled into them from the second they sign their scholarship papers until the day the retire that Wigan’s expectations and demands from you are at the highest level. Without those standards we couldn’t produce players such as Sam, Micky Mac, Liam Farrelll, Oliver Gildart etc.

I failed to meet that standard, I was released. Quite rightly too. Would I ever have made it? Probably not, perhaps had a shot in the Championship maybe but my life has panned out well. I’ve finished up playing now anyway, body has had enough of 20+ years at prop!

How did Big Mitch go against Hull?

I thought he went pretty well again. He looks much fitter than he did when I saw him at Leigh and that looks to be really helping him. He wouldn’t have been a Wane style prop because he stands up in the tackle and continues to try and wrestle and drive his legs forward. He looked for the offload yesterday as well and did pretty well in defence. All in all it’s been a really solid opening couple of games for him.

like previously mentioned did well runs hard and tries to make metres instead of hitting the ground while clubb on the other hand ...... enough said !

Clark looked a handful again. Very solid start and looking promising for the rest of the season. Unusual for us to have a couple of props, alongside Bullock, who make a real impact off the bench and bring something different. I think we've been so used to 'more of the same' style rotation of our props that having 2 come on who look to keep their feet, bust tackles and offload is really adding options. Good to see.

I feel I have to mention Clubb as I've been so vocal about his failings over the first few weeks. Yesterday was much better. Increased his workload significantly and, perhaps more importantly, was making himself available as an option all the time he was on. Couple of good touches (his eagerness to get to the loose ball and his 'slip catch' being the highlight) and all in all a performance more in keeping with that of a senior prop.

In an ideal world I'd still like him to be more aggressive in his carries and look to bust the line and he also needs to up his game time by another 10 minutes or so (I think he did 31 yesterday) but, all in all, much better from TC.

It was a joy to see our forwards actually... going forward! (And I include Clubb in that)
Gives the backs a platform to create.
RL is a simple game when it's broken down into basics. Just need to get the discipline sorted, especially at the back end of the tackle count, and we'll be reet.

What i don't understand with Clubb is why he isn't on the bench and come on after 25-30 minutes of the first half have a rest at half time and do another 10-15 minutes,starting with Bullock and Partington