Quote Him="Him"The game has also changed significantly since then. Players are becoming established in first teams at a much later stage and age than they were. In fact IIRC the NRL are bringing in (or seriously considering it) a minimum age for NRL players. '"
are they becoming established at a much later stage? Most top players are still making their debuts at 18/19 and becoming regulars before 21.
Quote HimYou're unlikely to get players with that kind of experience at that age again due to the physicality of the game. '"
Really? that really doesnt seem to be true, Kallum Watkins is 24, has 7 years of SL experience, has 2 LLS, 2 GFs (would be more but for injury) 2 challenge cups, a WCC and England caps. Zak Hardaker is 24 (and wont be 25 until the end of the year) he has 3 GFs, an LLS, 2 CCs, a WCC and is Man of Steel.
Tom Briscoe made his hull debut at 18, Ryan Hall at 19, Burrow, McGuire, JJB all 18, Sinfield and Watkins 16, Stevie Ward is 22 and by the time he turns 23 will have 5 years of SL experience behind him, Ash Handley played at 18, as did Baldwinson. Jimmy Keinhorst was an RU player and he still made his SL debut 3 years before Brierley would.
Quote HimI also don't think comparing Brierley to a 24 year old McGuire is the best option. Its more helpful to compare him to who the other contenders for a half back place at Leeds are. In this case Sutcliffe, Lilley and possibly Golding.
Against them he stacks up pretty well and also being a few years older may be a help rather than a hindrance. Especially as the retirement age for players has shot up in recent years due to Leeds top notch conditioning and physio teams. You could easily get 10 years out of a 24 year old Brierley. '"
and those three will all have more SL experience than Brierley, all played in SL at 18. For the champions. An age at which Brierley couldnt even get some garbage time at Cas.
Quote HimFor me it's who partners Sutcliffe and that all depends on what the plan is with Golding & Lilley. Lilley especially looks good to me but then obviously the coaching staff know much much more and it will depend on their view of those players potential progression.
If they don't think there's a place for them, it'd be a shame but I'd be happy with us signing Brierley as a halfback.
If they're happy with Lilley and/or Golding then I've seen enough of them to suggest they're not unworthy of a shot so I'd be happy with that too.'"
Brierley has achieved nothing in his career that should put him ahead of either Golding, or Lilley, or even the next cohort to come through.
Even the notorious late starter JP was playing for England in a world cup at 22, Kyle Amor was an SL player at 23, Hell Danny Brough had won a challenge cup at 22.
The idea that we can pick up a lower league player at 25 (which he will be next year) and he will become a top SL half for a decade is unheard of.
