Theorising time:
Problem: Too many locals, by local I mean fully developed by the Warrior system and no one else.
Lack basic skills, lack consistency, confidence, string 3 good games together and get rewarded with a contract extension.
Cappy (and Bluey “we don’t need to sign anyone” Mclennan) seem to think these guys will kick on and improve, for the most part they don’t.
These guys might do good things once they are out of their comfort zone and have to work like dogs for their chance, good luck to them at other clubs, not happening in Auckland.
Solution: Maximum of 12 locals in the top 25 squad at any one time.
Fine print: if you were once a local like
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck but have spent a minimum of 3 years in another first grade system, you are no longer considered a local, opens the door for your homecoming kiwi player, or once a local junior has got the rubbish out of their game.
How it works in reality:
As at the start of the
2016 year the a rough list of the top 25 players 16-9 split.
(don’t come at me with so and so isn’t on a full time deal, its close enough)
Of those 5 have already left or won't be returning your squad is now 13 locals 7 outsiders.
Assume some of these places have been filled by the likes of
Afoa,
Maumalo or Hingano on a full contract.
We will pretend there it is now 15 locals, 7 outsiders, with 3 places to fill.
Fill those 3 spots with outsiders. Find your 3 most underperforming locals (these can be big names or youths, don’t care) and tell them they are free to look elsewhere.
Replace with 3 more outsiders to get your squad to the 13-12 majority. These outsiders don’t have to be great players, they just need to be worthy of a top 25 deal. But keep the contracts short, no more giving the likes of Allwood 3 years. We aren’t talking paying overs for name value, and no pricks ready for the retirement home either. If you can get a big $ local to piss off, obvs you can now afford to buy a better class of outsider.
Can do a big reshaping next offseason, but stick to the minority local rule. This way you are only keeping the best of what you have developed, not handing out contracts like lollies because they did some solid hit ups and didn’t drop the ball. You would still need to fill the remainder of your reserve grade team with ex U20s on 2nd tier deals. Or your Gavet’s looking for a last chance.
Its quite mean spirited, cutting the pathway for your local players, but it should be
hard to crack the warriors squad, and once you get there a bunch of your peers from your junior days are trying to take your place.
Thoughts?
