Wakefield Trinity • Genuine question.
But there is one issue that has bugged me for years and I just can't find a plausible explanation.
Josh Griffin: He's 33 years old, he now has the perfect build for a Rugby player, in fact he's a bit of a monster for his height.
I've followed his career since he was in our Academy right up until now.
It's only been in the last five years IMO that he's reached his full physical potential.
My issue is this. I can't help but think that had Josh come through the NRL, he'd have reached that potential at around 24 years of age. That is a full four years earlier than he did, and would have coincided far more with his playing prime years. This also applies to dozens of other players.
I just don't know why, as I reckon we reached more or less parity with the NRL in terms of sports science, training methods and life style about 15 years ago. Yes they are still ahead, but the gulf is nowhere near what it once was.
Yet look at Dom Young, a beanpole a few years back, but he looks like a terminator now. I honestly don't think that transformation would have happened in SL, certainly not in that timeframe.
Look at Toby Boothroyd, he's only 20, never played NRL, was never a squad player, has never been full time, but you find me 20 year old reserve players in SL that is his size. There are not many. Yet in Oz he'd be considered ordinary.
Look at Issac Shaw, he's older than Toby, yet every-time i see him I keep wondering when someone is going to introduce him to pasta! He looks like he lives on salad. He is a good player imho, but he doesn't seem to have developed physically much in the last few years.
So, why is it taking SL so long to physically develop their players compared to the NRL, especially regarding the top clubs, who allegedly have all the same structures in place.
Over to you.
Statistics: Posted by vastman — Sat Apr 13, 2024 3:59 pm — Replies 5 — Views 285