“In 2017 Kyle Flanagan impressed many, with his 20 tries and 140 goals smashing the single season NYC point scoring record.”
Not sure how you define “never killing it” but this reads ok to me?
Unfortunately NYC was never a true test of whether a player would be able to cut it at NRL level.
Scorelines in that comp regularly saw a combined 70 to 80 points most games, because most teams defence was not up to scratch.
When coaches say a player is not ready for NRL it is usually because their defence is not up to scratch.
I have always felt that once a player starts to dominate in NYC it is a better idea to move him up to NSW cup, even if he still has a year or two where he is still eligible for u/20's.
It is better preparation for NRL than the Oz tag style of defence in u/20's.