Sal Paradise wrote:
Agreed but Watkins was playing every week when he was Newman's age - so he was learning with the proper players. Newman is a prospect Watkins was a once in a generation player. It was approx. 20 years between Chev making his debut and Kallum - the two outstanding centres Leeds have produced in the SL era.
I don't know if the club can take too much credit for producing players in some cases. Watkins would probably have performed equally well had Wigan, Saints or Wire signed him. Luck of the draw sometimes - although I do think Leeds current academy system is superb.
Newman has lots of potential, but I also like the look of Broadbent and Joe Burton too. We could do with an out-and-out winger coming through.
The only Academy player I think is in the "early breakthrough" bracket in the current system might be Holroyd, although Oledzski came through early too.
Lads who can play open age competitively at 16/17 are few and far between (although they often make it). Cas have built some success on players Leeds lost patience with.
Looking ahead to the game, I really haven't a clue how well Leeds are going to match up. A more conservative option on the wing would be Golding, who can take a high ball and defend.