That is nearly as bad as some of my jokes.

Well I am a bit biased because I enjoy seeing the youngsters coming through, but I am not so sure we can necessarily look to the future using the past as a guide. We can no longer afford Oz stars because of their salary demands and the cap, and there are not as many quality players around in the league. So if you strip out the Monaghens, House and Hodgson, where are you going to find equivalent players that you can buy in from the UK ?



I would argue that we really need to 'find' young players and bring them through like Leeds. They are under the cap (to my knowledge) and that allows them to bring in players mid season if an opportunity arises. Also, if a bidding war did take place (end of season) between us and Leeds, they would win it because of their cap 'headroom'.



Another question; Do we have lower quality players at the moment because of all the overseas imports ? Have we avoided training decent young talent in the Uk because we could simply go out and buy it in the past ?



I agree there is no great pride in 100% home grown talent, but if we ended up with the majority coming through the Academy I suspect we would be in a much stronger position.

Yes. I think he'll be at Wigan U15's next season.

I couldn't resist it and it's the best I can do.

Noticed that Dougie Charnock has just signed for Barrow. I guess missing out on Charnock, Wright and Woods wasn't quite the end of the world.

Think Wright is working as a holiday rep now somewhere. Honestly.

Dmya went to Salford, Umyla has signed for Wigan and will be in the Wigan scholarship U15/U16's next season. He is probably the best in that age group along with Lewis Dodd from Halton Hornets who has gone to Saints.

When I read the OP



" John bastion shell shocked and dismayed when he heard."



I understood that John Bastion wanted to keep hold of them but couldn't rather than he knew they would not make it and was content to let them go. Which was it?

Left wigan after the 19s and then went to crusaders for a year but don't think he was seen anywhere last season.

Sunny beach, Bulgaria I think? shame he was a very promising young player, at Wigan he was far to intent on getting involved with any scuffles that started. Dougie never really got the starts he needed at Stains, but then he has to show willing as well. Savelio hasn't done too bad and of course we got the best deal keeping Dec Patton

his dad must be very proud at the minute.

True and the same applied to Josh Rooney, I don't know where he finished up.

Charnock is more a reflection of Keiron Cunningham's genius coaching than it is on the player's potential. He was a quality 6 in the academy and the club had two choices, either play him 6 or bulk him up and make him a 13. Instead, Cunnigham thought he could turn him into a hooker and ruined the kid's career. Same with Savelio and the crazy decision to turn him into a prop, ruin his confidence and release him to whoever wants to turn him back into a superstar.