The next generation of NRL stars carry their fathers name into rugby league legacy
CONTINUING the proud NRL father and son tradition, these are the next of the second-generation stars that will soon carry on their family rugby league legacy.
NRL
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MEET the sons of guns that are set to return some of rugby league’s greatest names to the NRL.
Continuing the proud father and son tradition that has already produced NRL stars like Mitchell Pearce and Nathan Cleary, these are the next of the second-generation stars that will soon carry on their family rugby league legacy.
The long list of father-son talent in the NRL system include Tristan Sailor (Wendell), Dylan Morris (Steve), Kyle Flanagan (Shane), Reed Izzard (Brad), Kobe Hetherington (Jason), Sean O’Sullivan (Peter), Jayden Butterfield (Tony) and Dean Britt (Darren), Jack Johns (Matty).
“Whether we like it or not we often follow in out father’s footsteps,’’ said Rooster’s coach Trent Robinson.
“We also inherit a lot of their traits. And that is why we are seeing a lot of those guys at this level. A lot of these kids were born to play rugby league.’’
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Having a proud history of producing or recruiting a list of staring sons that includes Craig Fitzgibbon (Allan), Jackson Hastings (Kevin), Eric Grothe Jr, (Eric Sr), Brett Mullins (Bill), and Brett Finch (Robert), the Roosters are leading the way when it comes to generation next.
Already boasting three NRL players with famous fathers — Pearce (Wayne), Paul Carter (Steve) and Ryan Matterson (Paul), Robinson could son unleash the sons of former State of Origin star Mark O’Meley (Nick and Jake), Julian O’Neill (Ethan) and Adrian Lam (Lachlan) with the quartet all signed to Sydney contracts.
“The first thing is that if you are good at anything you need to be immersed in it for a quite a long time,’’ Robinson said.
“For some it might start at 10 when they start playing with their mates. But for those that father’s play football, they are born into it. The head start that these kids get is that they live and breathe rugby league from when they are born. They are going to training with their Dad, going to the games and watching it on TV.
“They are also always around rugby league which means it is not out of reach. They are around top-level athletes more than the average kid. It becomes the norm for them.’’
The NRL is already flooded with second-generation stars.
Bryce Cartwright (David), Brett and Josh Morris (Steve), Ryan Hoffman (Jay), Bryson Goodwin (Ted), Curtis Sironen (Paul), Nathan Peats (Jordy), Daniel Mortimer (Peter) and Sam Stone (Rick) are others currently in the NRL.
And there is a good reason why.
Robinson admitted players with famous surnames were targeted by rugby league-scouts.
“When you are spotting players you do look out for those surnames,’’ Robinson said.
“You know they will have good character if their parent did. If you have seen the parent react under pressure often those things are passed on.’’
One of those to pass on his undisputed toughness and uncompromising attitude to his son’s Nick (Rooster’s Holden Cup) and Jake (Roosters SG Ball) is former Kangaroo enforcer Mark O’Meley.
But with the name comes expectation.
“It is a lot harder on the kid then the father,’’ said O’Meley.
“A lot of expectation is put on the kid because of what the father has done. Everyone expects them to be at least as good as the father.
‘I am a little lucky because my oldest son is a completely different play to what I was. He is an outside back where I was a prop. It is very difficult for anyone to compare him to me.
“But I have certainly heard some negative comments along the way and you just have to bite your tongue.’’
So is there an NRL gene?
“No one has done heavy research on the DNA of the footballer,’’ Robinson said.
“But it is certainly something I would be interested in looking into. We know the physical markers but there hasn’t been a study group done on father son in sport. There is obviously a genetic element and those genes get past on. There is a head start having good athletic parents and inheriting their genes.
“The guys I have all had different paths to get to where they are and they all have different relationships with their fathers. But the thing is this sport is still a skill-based sport as much as it is athletic and a lot of their skills have been passed on from the previous generation.’’
Originally published as The next generation of NRL stars carry their fathers name into rugby league legacy
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