NRL 2021: Throw out the chequebook, there’s a new tactic redefining NRL success
Forget million-dollar contracts, this is how premierships are won in the modern day of NRL football, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
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NRL clubs can no longer buy premierships by splashing out on million-dollar recruits.
It’s a warning for clubs like the Canterbury Bulldogs who are trying to buy their way out of trouble.
Melbourne Storm and the Penrith Panthers are proving that smart junior development is even more valuable than the Sydney Roosters’ chequebook.
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These days it’s all about having the pathways and patience. Identifying and developing the best teenagers rather handing out multi-million-dollar contracts to the likes of Ash Taylor, Anthony Milford, Josh Dugan, Ben Hunt, Corey Norman, Moses Mbye or Russell Packer.
Look at the Penrith Panthers’ roster. From their 18 players against the Knights last Thursday night, 16 were developed from their own nursery.
Only Kurt Capewell and Matt Eisenhuth played their first NRL games at other clubs.
The same with Melbourne Storm. In last year’s premiership-winning side, the Storm had 13 players who made their NRL debuts at the club.
Of the ones that didn’t, Jahrome Hughes had played only two previous NRL games – one for the Titans, one for the Cowboys.
Josh Addo-Carr had played only nine games for the Wests Tigers. His first contract was worth just $120,000 when he joined Melbourne.
The 2017 Storm premiership-winning side had 15 players who debuted under Craig Bellamy.
Cameron Munster’s first deal in 2014 was a $5000 Holden Cup contract and a traineeship in the football club offices.
Hughes, Felise Kaufusi, Brandon Smith, Christian Welch, Justin Olam and the Bromwich brothers Jesse and Kenny came through on minimum salary development contracts.
This goes right back to Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater starting out on the $45,000 minimum wage at the time of their signings.
Ryan Papenhuyzen was not wanted at Parramatta or the Wests Tigers.
Incredibly, the most expensive player the Storm has imported in the last decade is Dale Finucane on around $300,000. The Bulldogs picked up the rest of his salary.
Even the Sydney Roosters are now bringing in and developing teenagers.
Sam Walker and Joseph Suaalii are the best examples.
Rather than buying another James Tedesco, Luke Keary or Angus Crichton when they have already spent time in the NRL, they are developing their own through an elite junior program.
Likewise Manly, who have a small junior league like the Roosters. Because the Trbojevic brothers Tom and Jake are soaking up so much of the salary cap, they can’t afford to be chasing big names.
Instead they have built one of the best junior programs under Scott and Brett Fulton. You will see them emerge in first grade in the next couple of years.
The Wests Tigers are in crisis after yet another abysmal performance against Manly on Sunday. Rather than sack Michael Maguire they need to look at what the smart clubs are doing.
Patience instead of panic. Copy what the Storm, Panthers and Roosters have done.
The Bulldogs are facing a major rebuild over the next few years under Trent Barrett. They’ve already got Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr for next year.
Now they’re going hard for Toby Rudolf from the Sharks and Brandon Smith from the Storm.
They’ve previously struggled with big-money signings like Dallin Watene Zelezniak (Penrith), Dylan Napa (Roosters) and Kieran Foran (Warriors). The Broncos tried and failed with Anthony Milford and Jack Bird.
The Sharks have had Josh Dugan, Andrew Fifita and Matt Moylan soak up $2.5 million of their cap for three years.
Only since John Morris took over have they started developing locals.
It’s the way to go.
The two best sides in the competition, the Panthers and the Storm, are the proof of that.
Originally published as NRL 2021: Throw out the chequebook, there’s a new tactic redefining NRL success
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