Youth Attacked

Sun Herald

Sunday February 10, 2008

Adrian Proszenko

CRONULLA captain Paul Gallen has labelled the new National Youth Competition "terrible", predicting it won't adequately prepare rising players for the rigours of first grade.

He was backed by five other captains who feared the under-20s concept would be a dud.

"It's terrible," Gallen said. "You can't go from tackling 20- year-olds to expecting to make it in first grade. The standard, toughness wise, won't be anywhere near it."

Souths' David Kidwell added: "They are going to have to lift the age. A lot of forwards don't mature until they're a lot older."

Several captains threw their support behind the new competition but were concerned the step up to first grade would be a massive one from the under-20 ranks.

Roosters skipper Craig Fitzgibbon believed the concept could be a success but suggested the addition of two or three over-age players to help the development of rising stars.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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