Wahesh
The Forefather of The Kennel
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2007
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https://www.msn.com/en-au/money/mar...r-great-recession/ar-AAU0iW9?ocid=mailsignout
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/aust...restrictions-ease/ar-AATZUSW?ocid=mailsignout
The Penrith Panthers are furious after seeing another one of their prodigious junior talents poached by a rival club, with club icon Greg Alexander the latest to call on the NRL to act.
While nothing has been officially announced, new franchise the Dolphins has pulled off what some are calling their biggest signing yet with the acquisition of teenage sensation Isaiya Katoa.
The emerging halfback has reportedly inked a three-year deal to link up with Wayne Bennett and join the Dolphins for their inaugural season in 2023.
Penrith, who are believed to manage one of the NRL's finest junior talent programs, have been outspoken in the past about rival clubs snatching their developing players without compensation.
Speaking on SEN 1170 on Friday, Alexander, who sits on Penrith's board, admitted Katoa's move to Redcliffe had struck a nerve within the club.
"It's very disappointing when you lose a player that you want to keep and it doesn't happen often that you really want to keep a junior and he goes somewhere else," Alexander said.
"But that's what's happened. Now it has caused some problems within the club and I can understand how everyone feels when you develop juniors and they get poached.
"I'm pretty sure there's a nominal fee by the club that takes him, whether it's the QRL or Dolphins that will pay that fee, but it's a small fee so you're not getting compensated for the money you invest in your player."
Alexander's comments follow those of Panthers CEO Bryan Fletcher, who told The Daily Telegraph something needed to be done to incentivise clubs like the Panthers who devote significant resources to junior development.
“There has to be protection or compensation,” Fletcher said “It’s a waste of time developing them. For us and other developing clubs (rival teams) can just sit there and pluck them out.
“It’s frustrating but that’s the rules at the moment.”
With NSW Origin pairing Nathan Cleary (24) and Jarome Luai (25) locked in as Penrith's halves and potentially set to be Panthers for life, Katoa would have faced a challenging path to the NRL at the foot of the mountains.
Alexander understands the decision to move to the Dolphins was in Katoa's best interests as he looks to become a starting NRL halfback but believes a change to the current system is desperately needed.
"You can't keep all of them," he said.
"I can understand the business side of it.
"There is a lot of movement within junior clubs but I guess when you lose one that you don't want to lose it hurts.
"The league should be compensating clubs for developing juniors."
Katoa is currently playing for Penrith's under-19 SG Ball side this season, scoring two tries and kicking eight goals in the opening two games.
The brother of former Bulldogs hooker Sione Katoa, he also had a future in rugby union after representing NSW in the 15-man code while attending Barker College before sticking with league.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/aust...restrictions-ease/ar-AATZUSW?ocid=mailsignout
The Penrith Panthers are furious after seeing another one of their prodigious junior talents poached by a rival club, with club icon Greg Alexander the latest to call on the NRL to act.While nothing has been officially announced, new franchise the Dolphins has pulled off what some are calling their biggest signing yet with the acquisition of teenage sensation Isaiya Katoa.
The emerging halfback has reportedly inked a three-year deal to link up with Wayne Bennett and join the Dolphins for their inaugural season in 2023.
Penrith, who are believed to manage one of the NRL's finest junior talent programs, have been outspoken in the past about rival clubs snatching their developing players without compensation.
Speaking on SEN 1170 on Friday, Alexander, who sits on Penrith's board, admitted Katoa's move to Redcliffe had struck a nerve within the club.
"It's very disappointing when you lose a player that you want to keep and it doesn't happen often that you really want to keep a junior and he goes somewhere else," Alexander said.
"But that's what's happened. Now it has caused some problems within the club and I can understand how everyone feels when you develop juniors and they get poached.
"I'm pretty sure there's a nominal fee by the club that takes him, whether it's the QRL or Dolphins that will pay that fee, but it's a small fee so you're not getting compensated for the money you invest in your player."
Alexander's comments follow those of Panthers CEO Bryan Fletcher, who told The Daily Telegraph something needed to be done to incentivise clubs like the Panthers who devote significant resources to junior development.
“There has to be protection or compensation,” Fletcher said “It’s a waste of time developing them. For us and other developing clubs (rival teams) can just sit there and pluck them out.
“It’s frustrating but that’s the rules at the moment.”
With NSW Origin pairing Nathan Cleary (24) and Jarome Luai (25) locked in as Penrith's halves and potentially set to be Panthers for life, Katoa would have faced a challenging path to the NRL at the foot of the mountains.
Alexander understands the decision to move to the Dolphins was in Katoa's best interests as he looks to become a starting NRL halfback but believes a change to the current system is desperately needed.
"You can't keep all of them," he said.
"I can understand the business side of it.
"There is a lot of movement within junior clubs but I guess when you lose one that you don't want to lose it hurts.
"The league should be compensating clubs for developing juniors."
Katoa is currently playing for Penrith's under-19 SG Ball side this season, scoring two tries and kicking eight goals in the opening two games.
The brother of former Bulldogs hooker Sione Katoa, he also had a future in rugby union after representing NSW in the 15-man code while attending Barker College before sticking with league.
