The Cumberland Throw

The Spotlight – Wenty And The Parra Pathways

Firstly the good news.

The Parramatta Eels Junior Representative and Player Development program is currently on a much better path than it was in previous seasons. There is still work to be done, but from a player perspective we are about to land on the crest of a wave of young talent infiltrating the NRL squad, and this will transform how the Parramatta Football program is perceived.

This may be difficult for those unfamiliar with the young talent to see just yet. Unless you get to Junior Reps or to Wenty to watch the Jersey Flegg team go around, the players are just names with hearsay attached to them. However, the years of recruitment and development of younger stars via Anthony Field and Matt Desira was always going to take at least 5-7 years to start bearing fruit.

Haze Dunster – a solid debut for Wenty last weekend.

Just this last weekend we witnessed graduates from the Eels Development program – Brown, Dunster, and Kaufusi – take the field for Wenty. This would obviously be good news, but there was a down side – they were wearing a black and white jersey.

It is imperative that Eels field their own ISP team, for whilst the joint venture with Wenty continues, it will remain an anchor for the Eels. I’ve written about this before, but there are further limitations coming from this partnership which were highlighted on the weekend.

Brown and Dunster made their debut in a team containing nine, that’s correct nine, Wenty contracted players. Apart from saving money on such contracts, it is pointless fielding rising young Parramatta players alongside older park footballers when they are only one step away from the NRL.

With all due respect to these Magpie players, a future NRL deal is not likely. Why would the Eels field players from its Top 30 squad, let alone it’s younger stars, alongside park footballers? The answer is a resounding, they shouldn’t!

The alternative?

The current structure of the pathways system sees age restricted football end at the under 20s Jersey Flegg Cup. For the Parramatta Eels, the next step is the Wenty ISP team. Besides the ludicrous scenario of the Parramatta pathway suddenly veering to a different club and jersey (see my earlier post on this topic), the only players progressing to this level for the Eels are generally those on, or about to be awarded, an NRL Rookie contract.

This must change, and it can change if Parramatta takes complete control of its ISP team, and therefore total control of its pathways. Besides taking such control, there are a couple of decisions that I’d like the Eels to make in relation to this.

Keeping Young Players on Second Tier Parramatta Contracts

Not every graduate of the Flegg team will have demonstrated their football potential by age 20. This will be true of a number of the current team, especially the forwards. This team boasts a very strong pack of forwards, most of whom might not be offered a Rookie contract. A couple might be lost to other clubs, but the club has a genuine opportunity to keep many of them on Parramatta second tier deals.

There should be minimal losses of talented 20 year old forwards when they can be kept on financially prudent deals playing for a Parramatta ISP team.

Kaufusi – Rookie contract or Top 30?

Furthermore, there is far more to gain from an additional couple of years contracting such players. It’s advantageous to have players in our Top 30 playing alongside and teaching younger players like this rather than having them taking the field with older players who have either no background with the Eels or no potential to progress.

It’s a reality that you can’t keep everyone. It’s also a reality that clubs sometimes make mistakes with whom they keep. But it is possible to minimise any errors. As Parramatta look to identify their Rookie Contracts for next year, they can buy themselves crucial extra time by keeping selected 20 year olds on second tier deals. This keeps the young player in the system whilst continuing to develop and assess their skills.

Taking a Punt On Youth

There’s little doubt that Brad Arthur will be giving young players important Top 30 spots in 2019. If pushed, I’m sure that the Football Department would have liked to include players such as Reed Mahoney, Jaeman Salmon and Ray Stone at some stage in this year’s list. It’s very difficult to predict how a player will develop throughout the season and unfortunately everyone has to work within a flawed  NRL system.

Dylan Brown in action last year.

Besides the obvious players moving from Rookie contracts to Top 30 deals next year, I’d encourage the Eels to bypass the Rookie contracts for a couple of young stars and move them directly to an NRL deal. If the club is already considering a Rookie contract for players such as Dylan Brown or Oregon Kaufusi, they should contemplate placing them straight into the Top squad.

There is a twofold benefit for such a decision.

Besides avoiding any potential regrets about not being able to blood a player during the season next year, direct promotion of a couple of young players to the Top 30 would open up Rookie contract opportunities for others who would otherwise miss out. I have little doubt that a couple of the players potentially targetted for a Rookie deal could easily handle a spot at the lower end of the NRL squad.

Used in conjunction with astute recruitment and a youth second tier contract policy, it would have the potential to revamp our pathways. Investment in youth at the bottom end of the top squad is much better future planning than filling the spots with too many “depth” players.

 

I have confidence that there will be positives to come from the current review, with decisions likely to relate to the Eels pathways. I’ll continue to advocate for an end to our joint venture with Wenty, and the retention of Flegg graduates via an Eels ISP team. Such decisions need to be made sooner rather than later.

Let’s make it happen.

Eels forever!

Sixties

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56 thoughts on “The Spotlight – Wenty And The Parra Pathways

  1. MAX

    Well said Sixties, the position that you are taking is something close to my heart, I firmly believe the relationship between Wenty and Parra is not what it should be and that Parramatta need to fully commit to the ISP, in the form of their players wearing the Blue and Gold. It is funny I was talking to a guy that was promoted mid season last year from the NYC to Wenty, I spoke to him at length following the game, he said that he enjoyed the speed of the game, however everything else felt like he had been demoted to park footy, the facilities etc. What was interesting was that he said that he had hated Wenty as a kid growing up, now he was playing for them. Surprisingly this same kid also told me that nobody from the ISP attended the senior league presentation at Wenty yet there was an ISP segment, (this must speak volumes as to how the transition from Parra to Wenty is viewed by the players).
    Like you Sixties, I hope the review brings out some solid forward thinking outcomes and Parra invest in their future through all three grades. We want our future stars to bleed Blue and Gold from the outset, right through the process.
    MAX

    1. sixties Post author

      Interesting reply Max. I too know of local juniors that hated Wenty. You’d hope that wouldn’t be an issue.
      I’d heard the same about the presentation night. To met his is evidence of the disconnect – there’s Wenty contracted players and Parra ones.
      I enjoy going to Wenty, but it’s certainly a step down for the NYC players who used to play at the stadiums. I’ve spoken to a few players. Some don’t mind playing for Wenty, some would prefer to be playing as a Parra ISP player.

      1. MAX

        Sixties, I think there has always been a deep rivalry between Wenty and some of the other bigger clubs in the junior league, Hills in particular – That Wenty are seen as the district enemy.

  2. Colin Hussey

    Sixties. This issue is something that I hope the eels club is looking seriously at. The current setup is simply not working for the eels and what Max says above actually makes the whole setup a disaster waiting to happen sometime in the not too distant future..

    If one looks wider, I heard the chooks have broken their connection with Wyong, which makes sense really as in the end what’s Wyong to the Sydney Eastern Suburbs and visa versa.
    I posted on the other site some of my further thinking on this topic, and for me the whole issue needs to be in the current review that is being conducted as its not just about the PLC and eels NRL team, but its about the whole of the Eels structure and future, unless there is a real and fair dinkum look at the Juniors set up, pathways or highways or whatever its called, it needs acting on across all barriers and bumps, if not then I fear for the future of the kids who want to play for the eels one day.

    1. sixties Post author

      I don’t fear it Colin. However, important junior issues concern
      1. The damage sports high schools have done to schoolboy footy. Gone are the days that a regular state high school would field football teams.
      Mine certainly did and it was competitive to make the team. And we weren’t a Cup winning school.
      2. The domination of a few clubs in the Parra district and the impact this has on other clubs.
      3. Ensuring we keep our best junior players and that we can also keep some players as they transition via second tier contracts.
      We need players in our system to be Parra aspirational.

      1. Milo

        Great read Sixties and you’re spot on about the juniors in parra and i would say Penrith too.
        You probably played commonwealth bank and even Uni shield like me; they were the days and I totally agree. It was a tough comp and you did well to get through the rounds in your area.
        There is no use doing a Minor review. It has to be from the ground up to take in juniors at the ground level not elite juniors IMO.
        As for the wenty part your comments were again spot on and to a person like me it makes sense. Add some good juniors to top 30 from ISP etc and then add in other juniors to rookie. PLay them in parra gear and then they train together etc.

        1. Colin Hussey

          Also play them as lead up games to the main NRL game. To help promote the junior comp, I would like to see the direct family group of the selected players in the team be given free tickets to the matches as well.

        2. sixties Post author

          It was a different era. I got to play very few games of league in the senior years of high school. I had played Union throughout my younger years and only a distinct lack of talent prevented me from being a star.
          That step from part time to full time player is so crucial, not just for the development of the individual player, but for what the group of players identified for that step will bring to the full time squad.
          At that stage, you’re both taking care of the present as well as preparing for the future.

          1. Milo

            Mate, was there any long hair flowing with tape around the ears?
            It was a different era and as alluded to the school comps are now taken over by the heavily formed schools.
            I would assume the $$$ factor comes into having ISP play before NRL? or should all Flegg and ISP be played together?

      2. Colin Hussey

        Sixties, I use the word Fear as its an old fashioned saying that basically means that depending on how things are handled, determines the end result.
        Something to me that is concerning and its not helped by the way the NRL are headed in. Three wise monkeys on a row, and have their eyes, mouths and ears covered by their hands, and a paper bag over their heads.

  3. HamSammich

    Couldn’t agree more that Parra needs it’s own ISP team. And after watching Dylan Brown play yesterday I believe he needs to be Top 30. Great display from an 18 year old on debut, with the numbers to back it up.

    1. sixties Post author

      It was an incredibly mature performance. Played his role confidently, playing for the team without overplaying his hand. I thought it was no coincidence that the team produced one of their most consistent 80 minute efforts.

      1. Anonymous

        Pretty simple for me ,when we had the 3 grade system every player was part of their club for the day on the same day in the same colours in front of the same supporters , no matter what grade they were all part of the club and all grades supported and watched and played of the performances of each other . The lower graders and up and comers were able to observe the pathways and opportunitys available , not now , the continuity and cameradre between grades is more akin to a dysfunctional family nowadays .

        1. sixties Post author

          Agreed Anon. Those of us brought up on 3 grades hate the current system. I understand that we can’t turn back time, nor have three grades train together, but Gibson made it a total club training with great success.

      2. Hamsammich

        Hopefully he continues playing ISP and gradually takes more control of the team. I thought a few times he should’ve called for the ball more, especially on the last. But that will come in time

  4. Parramatta Tragic

    The league had the perfect pathway system with under 23’s, reserve grade (ISP) then first grade. Why was this dismantled when it worked so well? RL is currently in free fall and every club should field 3 teams as part of the contract to be in the NRL. I seem to recall it was Denis Fitzgerald who lobbied to get rid of the three teams as a money saving idea? The game will be dead in 20 years unless it gets a drastic enema. 3 grades are the way to go

    1. Colin Hussey

      PT, I would imagine that part of the problem, and no small part either is that the NRL sees themselves as the primary controller of the game of RL in Australia, and wants control in all ways over it at that standard. While some fixtures they probably mainly endorse are SOO and what other sort of rep matches that are run by the NSWRL and QRL. There are no longer any rep matches that are NRL or NSWRL controlled, the dumping of the annual City Country games ended that era, leaving the country areas open very much to soccer and AFL.

      The ISP or basically the old second division is also a shadow of its former glory with many teams in Sydney no longer in existence, same in QLD or more especially Brisbane since the broncs got in to the top RL comp. Prior to that Brisbane had a very healthy and strong RL competition, no longer as there has been a large reduction in teams up there.

      Having ISP and a pathways team such as Flegg playing on the same day and grounds is something that the NRL and NSWRL would no longer like as one of them would be the loser of control of their little nest eggs. For me and many others though its the way of the future. Interstate NRL clubs may not like it as they could not fly teams to matches in 3 grades, nor could the NSW teams do it either based on the economies of it.

      Certainly for matches that are solely Sydney based 3 team matches could work but, when one considers the amount of out of Sydney teams such as Wyong, the only hope for them is a Central Coast team to be allowed in.

      PLaying 3 games at a single field I understand the stadium owners are not for it as they affect the grass too much and costs to repair and maintain it.

      I guess I have put up a negative post but, I am one that used to attend every game I could and would be there for the 3 grades, 3rds, reserve and first, Later under 23’s, reserves and first, then presidents cup, reserve and first. now?

      1. Milo

        Some good points Col and PT.
        We have seen the NRL erode many traditions of our game and for me many have been to the detriment of the game. I will not rant too much on here.
        This post by Sixties is superb and is totally common sense, and it would only better the brand of Parra and also allow juniors a more suitable way into the op 30 and rookies too.
        NRL have also made a farce of testimonials imo is a joke. Thurston got one and he had not even played 300 games but was allowed to have one as he was on 299; yet Sutton is not allowed one due to not being an Origin / Aust player….its an absolute joke the adhoc directions we have seen.

      2. sixties Post author

        There are massive scheduling issues because you have 16 NRL clubs and the draw doesn’t align with either ISP or Flegg. Three grades is a pipe dream. I believe we need two, but with stadiums dictating match traffic, clubs cutting costs, and dwindling interests, that may also be a forlorn hope.

    2. sixties Post author

      We were discussing Under 23 today, especially when clubs have to make decisions about young forwards by age 20. Far too young.

      1. Colin Hussey

        I believe there needs to be a higher age aspect with the way things are now. Under 23’s would be good as it gives the players a bit extra time in able to build their bodies and skill sets.
        In saying that there are players who can play at much younger ages, so allowances are needed.

        I made a suggestion on the other site which has had this post linked by Pops and the vast majority there have been pretty positive with it. What I would like to see and based on the NRL reducing the interchange from 8 to 6 next year, is to have the standard 4 interchange players on that bench, but have another bench with 2 forwards and 2 backs on it, and going back to the old days in their use.

        The 4 interchanges are just that, the other bench is for replacement for injured players who cannot resume after going off the paddock. With so many concussions these days, and other injuries its hard for a team to play competitively with a man down, I tend to remember a game last year when we were down to one bench player the opposition had a full set there.

        Thus the second bench 4 are there only to take the place of a player injured/concussed and they cannot return, also not part of the interchange either. It could be a good opening for some of the younger players, at worst they sit on the bench or they get game time.

  5. Longfin Eel

    Great points Sixties, and I wholeheartedly agree that Parra needs to have a system that keeps these young players within our grasp and develops them so they are ready for NRL when/if called upon. Do you think part of the problem is that we don’t have an U23s anymore? If Jersey Flegg kept these players for a few more years would this give them the opportunity to develop more to aspire to a top 30 contract and bypassing Wenty altogether? That way we can have top 30 players in Flegg rather than Wenty (which should be regarded as Reserve Grade, not a developmental step).

    If Parra did step away from Wenty, how would you see the setup of both clubs? Would Wenty still be a nursery for Parra? I don’t think we can afford to lose that aspect as they are right on our doorstep. Perhaps Parra needs to look at what Penrith are doing with St Marys.

    1. sixties Post author

      I wrote about the fear of losing Wenty to another NRL club in my previous Wenty post. They remain Eels juniors, just as Mounties has.
      As for under 23, I’d much prefer under 23 to under 20, as the step before ISP. It gives that additional time. (In reality, they would probably still make a decision with most by age 20 but definitely not all)
      We still need an ISP team as the final step, as players have more to learn playing against open age players than younger players.

      1. Big Derek

        One thng that has occurred under the lodes ship,of the current CEO, is the indifference that the NRL has shown to the lower echelon games has now transferred to fans. Honestly, Todd Greenberg has no idea of the history of the game, or the need to identify with lower trades.his decisions are all about money, i understand that Foxtel wanted NYC to co tineu, but Todd took it to th clubs on a financial basis and got enough support for it to be abandoned . Parramatta and also Penrith wanted into continue but as usual the clubs that have provid the base of his tenure got their way.
        It was so important isn seasons past to watch lower grades, and all the nonsense about lack of attendance early really didn’t make much sense, given it should be about growing the game.
        Unfortunately , Wenty is not Parramatta, and their place in the system has blurred support. It needs to come back to the NRL club and quick, sure some financial expenditure is shared by the 2 participants, but overall it has been a failure as in no way does Wenty identify directly with the senior club.

        1. Colin Hussey

          BD good post.
          From what I see there is a real shift in the whole arena of RL, I remember at the 2009 AGM that ushered in the new era, and a particular person who was a spag team supporter got up after I talked about the heritage of our club and how we need to remember and keep it as a focus. He got up and put it down big time, and said we want nothing to do with the past, its now all about the future along with other elements. I took the right of reply and said that view puts down all those who worked hard to get the eels into the competition and belittles them along with the players.

          I got a lot of support by many there, but since then what I am seeing is that fellows view permeates much of the thinking of today. Some may accept the years we won the premiership but nothing before that, throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Its really part of the short attention span world of thumbs and things that gratify now, and with least line of resistance along with no ability to really accept things outside their world in a box.

          1. sixties Post author

            Our future shoukd always be about creating players that aspire to play for Parra and supporters who are passionate and care about the club. The NRL system has created a supporter who turns up to stadiums in the 30 minutes before a game. Our lower grades are seriously thrown onto grounds without rhyme nor reason. The 20s haven’t been at home for around 6 weeks or more, and maybe have one home game left! Go figure that….🤔

        2. sixties Post author

          Money and venue. These are the two factors favouring the venture. But the lower grades should always be about a pathway system. We need it to be Parra, pure and simple.

        3. Poppa

          I agree wholeheartedly BD, unfortunately if Mr Greenberg cannot see the culture and history of RL then he doesn’t have a real view or vision of what the game is and what’s more is becoming…..
          Once upon a time when we talked about life blood of the game we would have been referring to our juniors, our structures and our team loyalty. Unfortunately now the life blood is television rights and they are stuffing this up as well. If the showpiece games are Origin and they are refereed a certain way to make it attractive, why would you go away from that at the next level down.
          That statement beggars belief……
          The things we have grown up with are indelibly printed in our minds and that is why we are not fair wether supporters…..like some of the jerks that are presenting on social media as the owners of the game.
          They seem to consider as fans they have rights over and above anyone else’s opinion and are territorial of them…….I see myself exercising my rights to follow and support them, my team…..I do not believe I have the right to personally assassinate, lynch or ridicule them in away that has no merit of achieving anything other than their social warrior justice.
          I am a member of the older brigade but I am wise enough to identify changes for the better.
          Not having the right structure in the club scene will breed no loyalty when loyalty is required and things are not going well.
          Our game is in trouble and I don’t like it one bit!

          1. Colin Hussey

            Good post Pops, Trouble is that not a lot today have the belief that you refer to as they are simple now machine beggars, in their own rite. That and the whole NRL leadership are included and their narrow minded and near sighted abilities to see what is really going on around them are the head honcho’s in that whole grouping.

            Thing that they cannot see past their noses and tv ratings are their prime need, it also tells us why Last Thursday nights solitary match was not televised but put on 9 stream instead, this week the Thursday nite game is back on the box but Einstein figured that out as to not missing it.

          2. sixties Post author

            Poppa, I understand that these decisions are based on finances and venues. We had a National Youth Competition that had its issues with where it sat in the pathway. It was a great showcase and the envy of other sports, but as the players moved out of NYC they moved backwards in terms of venue, profile etc in the ISP. So the structure had flaws that didn’t help the headspace of young players. Now, NYC is just a state based Flegg comp, so both ISP and Flegg are on back blocks.
            And Parra don’t have full control of their ISP.
            And there hasn’t been a home Flegg game for months now!

  6. James

    Great article. It makes sense to give pride to being a 1st grader in waiting in the blue and gold. Our Wenty players so often seem to fade into the background. Could they be the parramatta/ Wentworthville eels and play in blue and gold and out of the new stadium most hone games rather than Ringrose Park. I wonder if the powers that be have thought along your wavelength sixties. It still doesn’t make sense having our administrators as people who arnt really blue and gold men.

    1. sixties Post author

      Thanks James. This decision to have Wenty as a joint venture dates back to 2008 – many administrations ago. My intent is to start the serious discussion about moving away from this relationship (read my previous Wenty post for more of my rationale) – especially when our football operations are being reviewed.
      We need to totally break, make every decision about second tier contracts, keep players in our system, keep players in blue and gold – basically have a pathway which makes players Parra aspirational. ideally, whenever possible we should play either ISP or Flegg as a curtain raiser.

  7. John Eel

    Sixties keep up the great advocacy this is what good supporters do and you make us all proud. As I have posted on here before I had never considered the alliance between the Eels and Wenty and what value it brings to the Eels.

    But as you have demonstrated on here there is so much to be gained by going alone with an Eels ISP team.

    Further your idea regarding using younger up and coming players as the backups in ISP makes so much sense. There will be Journeyman still at the club but the number can be reduced to cater to these younger players with so much potential. The likes of Salmon, Stone and Mahoney this year perfect example.

    The trickle down that you point out then means they are able to bring the next tier along on Development contracts is very good thinking. As you point out this keeps the aspirations of these players becoming Eels NRL players alive.

      1. Colin Hussey

        Sixties, you will have a heck of a lot of support out there as well. I will be celebrating big time if and when this happens, and the sooner the better.

        Don’t stop mate, & I know you wont.

  8. Michael Formosa

    Great read, It’s an area that we need to get right.
    My personal top 5 biggest over hyped Junior flops at Parra

    1. Jacob Loko
    2. John Folau
    3. Kelepi Tanginoa
    4. Fabian Goodall
    5. Halauafu Lavaka

    Still can’t believe none of these made it anywhere. (Tho good to see Kelepi getting a little run over at Manly)

    1. sixties Post author

      Michael, I’ve got a lot of time for John and Kelepi. John started to hit his straps in the forwards at the end of last year. I don’t think he has the desire with the Blacktown feeder club. Kelepi – I’ve known him since he was a kid. I’m very happy that he’s found his way to first grade at Manly.

      1. Michael Formosa

        Never once said any of these guys weren’t good guys, just can’t believe they haven’t really made it anywhere.

        1. sixties Post author

          Never said that about your comment Michael and I noted what you said about Kelepi. I was merely replying about the two fellas that I knew reasonably well and offering my thoughts as to why John hasn’t kicked on since his move and like you pleased about Kelepi.

          1. MAX

            Sixties, Kelepi is an outstanding individual as a man and in my opinion I think he could be/is better than Peni Terepo. Kelepi and Alex Twal I don’t think were used well by the coaching staff of the ISP, Kelepi in particular, Barrett is using him well.

  9. Anonymous

    Good points made.

    It would be a capital crime if young players that attracted some fanfare with their recruitment into the Eels Junior System became lost to the Eels , even more so ifcit was because these young players didn’t feel a sense of identity with Parramatta because their pathway was wearing the black and white of Wenty.

    All the talk of Parramatta signing players like Rugby Union wiz kid Blaise Barnes, Greg Ingles’s cousin (sorry his name escapes me) who , it was reported has every inch of talent Inglis has, and even Steve Dresler, an exciting forward prospect we snatched from the Gold Coast system.

    Would any of these make the transition to top grade? We don’t really know. But they have all the indicators that say they might .

    It would be sad if they left our system and sighted a lack of identity in the pathway as a reason .

    1. Michael Formosa

      I heard Blaise Barnes has gone (or is going next year) back to Rugby. If so another Lee Mossop. We brought him busted, paid to fix him up then they go back where they came from. It’s really poor not to do proper medical checks before committing to a player.

      1. sixties Post author

        He is playing Colts for Randwick. He had the necessary medical but when he broke down again, the next surgery found issues that would never have been found via a medical – it would have only been found via surgery. I wouldn’t stress about it Michael. He was a young kid put into our development system and he had bad luck with injuries. This meant that he lost a year of the development time that he needed to convert from Union to League. He played in a trial I watched this year and seemed a bit out of sorts. I wish him well. There was a bit of publicity about him trying his luck at League rather than Union, but he was just a kid. Can’t blame him or the club for giving him a shot at a young age.

          1. Row

            To be perfectly honest, we should probably give any young kid with ability, desire to play and confidence a shot. imo.

  10. BDon

    Sixties, what are the economics of running our own ISP/Reserve grade set up? I’m assuming Wenty contribute to costs, which seems to be a reason we went down the J/V path. We are in the red as it stands now and it looks like costs will rise via bumping up Football Dept spending. I’m not sure we ve shaken off past calamities as yet, but I reckon this is something worth finding the money for.

    1. sixties Post author

      As I understand it, they contract players for ISP/Ron Massey who are used in Ron Massey if they’re not needed. So, if we went down the ISP stand alone path we would incur costs with the roster, staffing, venue as a starting point.
      I haven’t ignored that there are financial concerns.
      But when we consider return on investment, neither party is benefitting right now, and given we need to develop or prepare players for NRL at ISP level, I’d say any savings are a false economy.
      So, yes it’s asking the club to spend more.
      But we need to act ASAP to:
      1. Identify and secure a future venue
      2. Potentially spend up on that venue (with a local council being involved) and it might even be a future Centre of Excellence site
      3. And should we go alone in ISP immediately, plan short term venue options – even if it meant playing out of the district for a year, with selected games as NRL curtain raisers at the new Stadium.

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