I read it that he meant as good as TJ at the same age.
TJ wasn't the finished article at that age by any means.

TJ is a very special player so any comparison to him now is premature I think.

Yes that’s what I meant as I said ‘coming through’. I was talking competitively off both their debut seasons. Both had impressive breakthrough years. It’s important Murphy backs it up like TJ did. If he does his stock will rise by some distance.

We are seriously pumping out some good young players recent years. I hope we keep investing in our youth promoting 2/3 yearly.

The big difference is Johnstone played out his career in our domestic league where competition isn’t as cut throat or intense. Murph on the other hand is going to try his luck in the toughest environment possible where unbelievable competition will await him , he’ll no longer be that big fish in the little pond . It well documented that our domestic backs struggle in the NRL comp compared to forwards that go over . Anyway good luck to the lad , if it doesn’t work out I’m sure saints or the like will pick him up dust him down and give him a gig .Hopefully there are more Johnstone and Murphy waiting in the wings for their chance to impress the fans

Not sure about the backs that struggle in NRL part. More specifically young backs at the start of their career.

Can you name these backs that struggle recent years as younger end players?

I can think of a few young ones to go over in Dom Young and Farnworth.

There’s been Gildart who seems to have had a fair few appearances.

Hall recently struggled but he went at the wrong time in his career.

Nathan brown was on a podcast recently talking about how it’s a much easier transition for our forwards in their game to establish themselves than our backs ,a very good listen if you have the time ,can’t remember all the why’s and how’s but I’ll back his assessment.

we need to find another Murphy or Johnstone, (or one of each) with the allegiance to Trinity of Jordy Crowther, simple!

Tbf, Murphy hasn't played a game over there yet, although, like most, I hope that he absolutely smashes it.

TJ showed considerable loyalty to Trinity.

I agree

I think that's the first time Ive totally agreed with you.

Pity Murphy doesn't feel the same.

Johnson did show considerable loyalty, but the club gave him a three tear deal on one of the highest wages the club has ever made, the club also put considerable resource and care into him.

I wish to well at Catalan , just think hinting that Murphy is less loyal is a bit harsh, end of day he was on a three year deal on not a lot of money - who can blame him for taking up this offer ?

I doubt if you or anybody else knew what terms Johnstone was on as they are closely guarded secrets for obvious reasons unless of course your family, but it doesn’t stop everyone including the guy behind the chippy counter quoting facts and figures . I’m all for good honest banter and love the odd tale , but I trust the board to do the right thing with the players regarding contracts without me having or wanting to know what they are on . That’s simply between the said parties and not the general public , although that’s never stopped the truth getting in the way of a good story .Murph wants to test himself against the best and be paid handsomely for the privilege, time will tell iff it’s a good or bad move , his choice and we move on without him next season , and I’m comfortable with that without bashing the board .

Did you read someone else’s post when framing this reply, bashing the board ? Chippy counter? Honest banter , the truth gettting on the way of a good story ? What does make me smile is that you criticise my knowledge of what Johnson was on - even though it was pretty well reported on at the time, then go on to say Murphy is being paid handsomely ! Are you his family ?

Yes, course he did, but I’m sure you really get what I mean, neither Johnstone (who don’t forget was well looked after by Trinity) or Murphy have the same feelings for Trinity as Crowther obviously has!

I remember watching one of the SMTMUK podcasts abit ago, and that Craig was talking about Corey Hall and Murphy, who are both on his books, playing together long term, but then backtracked about Murphy. This is about 4 month ago, I thought then he wouldn’t be staying past this year as Murphy obviously values himself differently to how Wakefield do.

It's not that Murphy values himself differently. It's the fact that the Roosters do. Doesn't make Wakefield's valuation wrong.

What a convenient choice of player to choose slugger


It's certainly no coincidence that the Roosters applied for an early dispensation for him to play as he is a generational superstar
I don't suppose that you've got any more examples have you?
Suuali was chased by every NRL club and also the Australian Rugby Union clubs too whilst he was still in high school and the fact that the Roosters got him on a contract that allowed him to have a get out clause at the end of 2023 to join Rugby Australia says just what a prodigious talent talent that he was as a junior

The Sua'ali'i example says more about the residual attraction of the Union World Cup than anything else… Union is a very minor sport here in Australia now… the club scene is barely amateur level… NSW Waratahs still attract some attention and internationals draw crowds … but it’s only really the World Cup that gets column inches.

League still has the mentality of a parochial ‘Australian’ sport… imagine if that changes to a global view???

Seen the Roosters have signed Dom Young, plays on the right, but it's another body in front of Murphy in their squad.

The point I was making was that the Roosters have a good track record of putting young players in the first team and watching them develop at first grade. Yes, Suuali is once in a generation type player, but Sam Walker isn't, and he was made to find his feet in the glare of the spotlight rather than in the feeder clubs. And there a lot of players who are surprisingly young, given that they have been playing for the Roosters starting thirteen for a long time.

You want more examples? Okay.

For example, Joey Manu made his Roosters debut at 20 and is still in the first team. Victor Radley made his debut when he was 19 and has been a mainstay ever since. He is only 24. Sam Walker was 18 when he made his Roosters debut and is the first choice half-back. Latrell Mitchell had his debut with the Roosters when he was 18, after going through their youth system, and became a mainstay until he left for the Bunnies.

The point I was making is that the Roosters are good at blooding youngsters, so it shouldn't be a hindrance. Only time will tell. For every Dom Young that goes over there, there's a Ryan Hall. For some it works. For others it doesn't.

None of those junior signings that you have highlighted have come from SL Slugger?

Now that the Roosters have signed Dom Young who must surely be well ahead of murphy then I will re post my original comments



Wrong NRL club choice for Murphy IMO although he is still relatively young so I guess that time will tell

They've signed Dom as a future centre, so plenty of chances for Murphy

Has it actually come out that Murphy has signed for them? it seem'd like there was contact but there's been nothing concrete? not saying that he wouldn't go if the offer was there but the press 'leaks' only seems like there was contact.

Nothing signed but there has been confirmation of interest.

I don't think there is any club in the NRL that lures young and inexperienced Super League players. Dom Young is probably the exception. Farnworth came through the ranks at Brisbane, so he doesn't count. Everyone else tends to be experienced.

My comment was about the Roosters using youths a lot, as you suggested that they don't lure young and experienced players full stop. The SL bit was an "especially" bit, meaning that the earlier comments about young and inexperienced was a freestanding remark. The Rooster is clearly a side that does bring through many young and inexperienced players. The ones that are there are established, but only because they started young at the Roosters.

As for other SL Roosters examples, Adrian Morley was only 23 when he signed for the Roosters, which is quite young for a forward. Jordan Tansey was only 22 when he signed for the Roosters.

Put simply, if Lewis is going to the NRL, the Roosters is a good club to go to in respect of his youth. The reason why it might not be the right team is due to the quality ahead of him, and maybe a different club would be better if he would be guaranteed a slot. Like at the Dolphins or the Titans. In that respect, Dom Young did the right thing, by being a shining light at a poor club.