grahams lad

Ratchford was one of Salford's best players last season

Every year we have these lists and yet so few actually become stars of even the minor variety.

Last season Wigan fans said - Tomkins

Saints - Eastmond

Both had great seasons, finishing very strongly.

Wow. two far from complete halfbacks from a list that probably included 3/4 players from every club. I'm impressed. Really.



Across the NRL every year at least two or three obvious WORLD CLASS prospects come through, with a significant number of good squad players as well. Seriously, I suspect we'd all believe that junior development in England was going great guns if we even produced what the Broncos do every year (and before anyone starts they do NOT have the monopoly on talent in Queensland - even in south-east Queensland, as every NRL club has scouts here and several are poached every year by southern teams).

Of course they do. Liverpool, Man U, Chelsea etc... Have 10 or more potentially world class youngsters in there youth teams. Football is our number one sport. They have the player pool. Rugby League in England will never produce the amount of players Australia do.

Get over it mate. Just be happy to see the likes of Eastmond come thru.

I'm happy to see Eastmond come through. But he is far from the finished article - fair enough at his age but what I fear is that the strengths in his game will stay but so will too many weaknesses. You'd fully expect an equivalent Aussie to develop into a more rounded player as they mature.

If you're happy with the odd star like Burgess and half-baked halfbacks then fine. Don't hold your breath waiting for us to see improved results regularly for England though.

True but some Saints fans were saying Jamie Foster as well (a good bet for this year),

I am looking forward to seeing how good Mellor is at Wigan and Lee Gaskell is at Saints. The Burgess twins at Bradford may get a crack at some point too.

Yup, Fev, who have delivered Rob Burrow and Joe Westerman

For Bradford I'd expect Whitehead and Donaldson to continue getting game time and continuing to improve. Also the Burgess twins are on the cusp of the 1st team and given their pedigree, big things are expected of them

The force is strong with this one?

...

Saints - Sean Magennis

Without doubt imo.

Outstanding whenever i've seen him.

I expect to see Lee Mossop really kick on next year aswell. He's a huge lad and has had a very promising start.

In terms of breaking into the first team at Salford, Jack Spencer and Lewis Palfrey appear the most likely.

I also think that Luke Adamson and Steph Ratchford could break into the England set up this season if their development continues as it did last year.

I think Elliot Kear will be an established first teamer once he cuts out the mistakes.

Gil Dudson also one to look out for.

Big unit who can play a bit too.

In fairness briscoe, kirmond and rooney have all gone on to play sl rugby after coming from fev in the last few seasons.

Whilst cockayne and westwood are from normy.

Are there any players that come from knottingley?

Speaking to Sean the other day. His in pre season training after his knee operations. Still very rusty but hopes he can improve.

I think Bartheau will get his chance. I also fear that it's about time for Bosc to get a long injury and without the simply majestic Perry to fill in we may see Guash or Gigot come through as well.
Andrew Bently is due a shot in the squad, with last year's injuries behind him we should see him back in the squad.

Widnes - Anthony Mullally and Danny Hulme.


Mullally is a monster of a lad and his position is prop, Danny Hulme is the spit of his dad David and play in the same position of scrum half.

Not next season but Saints have two awesome prospects that every club in SL wanted to sign. Both are being touted as special by coaches who have seen some of the best.

Dougie Charnock - Signed from Wire age 15

Matthew Fozzard - Signed from Widnes age 15

He is good you stealing gets.

Dougie Charnock is a star but I would never get too excited about players that age. They change so much. I have heard quite a few new players at saints are overated having played in great teams at a young age.

Of course. However speaking to the coach of Saints u15 Development squad. The two are really showing signs of class and at 15 they're developing very nicely.

There will be a fight for kicking duties as both can kick from anywhere. Dougie kicks for Rylands and Fozzy kicks for West Bank. Might try and get to a few games see what they're like for myself.