Reserves Competition

[Wollo Wollo Wayoo]

Fixtures now complete and top two play off to decide who is crowned Champions.

Grand Final on Sunday 18th September.

Trinity to face Wigan Warriors at Robin Park Arena, 12pm KO.

[Dunbar]

So the Grand Final is just a play off between the top 2.

I'm on board with a play off system of 5, 6 or even 8 teams (as long as the league is big and competitive enough) with the higher placed teams having an advantage in the process. 

But the top 2 in a one off play off final is a bit too much.  Seeing as though Wigan are played 13 won 13 and 6 points ahead of Trinity.

[daz39]

The Reserve competition sounded like a great idea but it hasn't really worked out as intended, a lot of SL clubs sent their fringe players on loan to champ and L1 rather than reserves and mostly the reserves squads were simply Academy team with 'borrowed' players.

I think at the Giants we only had 2 games where 1st team squad members played, they got more of a test playing out on loan.

[Jughead]

Unsurprisingly, it hasn’t worked, games have been cancelled, one team got punted by 100 and teams continued to send players to the Championship. What was the point of this, again?

[Damien]

21 minutes ago, daz39 said:

The Reserve competition sounded like a great idea but it hasn't really worked out as intended, a lot of SL clubs sent their fringe players on loan to champ and L1 rather than reserves and mostly the reserves squads were simply Academy team with 'borrowed' players.

I think at the Giants we only had 2 games where 1st team squad members played, they got more of a test playing out on loan.

Yet again it's just another example of the complete lack of standards when it comes to teams in Super League. Too many teams look to do everything on the cheap.

[Wollo Wollo Wayoo]

30 minutes ago, daz39 said:

The Reserve competition sounded like a great idea but it hasn't really worked out as intended, a lot of SL clubs sent their fringe players on loan to champ and L1 rather than reserves and mostly the reserves squads were simply Academy team with 'borrowed' players.

I think at the Giants we only had 2 games where 1st team squad members played, they got more of a test playing out on loan.

 

12 minutes ago, Jughead said:

Unsurprisingly, it hasn’t worked, games have been cancelled, one team got punted by 100 and teams continued to send players to the Championship. What was the point of this, again?

In Wakefield's case they have used a blend of 1st team squad players, last season's outstanding academy guys and even some of this year's academy guys when the 1st team squad called on the likes of Shaw, Bowes and Evans.  Been worthwhile and provided some free entertaining extra rugby for season ticket holders.

Only really Eseh given the long term loan option at Fev.

Edited September 8, 2022 by Wollo Wollo Wayoo

[daz39]

44 minutes ago, Jughead said:

Unsurprisingly, it hasn’t worked, games have been cancelled, one team got punted by 100 and teams continued to send players to the Championship. What was the point of this, again?

Seemingly to give Wakefield fans the chance to see their club in a final

 

 

just kidding....please don't mention Shuddersfield

[David Dockhouse Host]

It's been difficult to get it going again but a decent start. I think it will improve, I see it more as an u23s comp

[Tommygilf]

On 08/09/2022 at 19:51, daz39 said:

The Reserve competition sounded like a great idea but it hasn't really worked out as intended, a lot of SL clubs sent their fringe players on loan to champ and L1 rather than reserves and mostly the reserves squads were simply Academy team with 'borrowed' players.

I think at the Giants we only had 2 games where 1st team squad members played, they got more of a test playing out on loan.

That is all reserve comps ultimately, happens in football a lot too, as was predicted.

[dead man inc]

On 08/09/2022 at 19:51, daz39 said:

The Reserve competition sounded like a great idea but it hasn't really worked out as intended, a lot of SL clubs sent their fringe players on loan to champ and L1 rather than reserves and mostly the reserves squads were simply Academy team with 'borrowed' players.

Exactly this

The season before Covid, most teams had proper reserve squads and the fixtures weee competitive and meaningful.

This year loads have been cancelled .& most games propped up by the weaker academy players, while the ‘real reserve potential’ players went to play in the championship/league 1. Some serious blowout score lines.

Have also heard that some of the ‘borrowed players’ used to make up numbers were told they would not be paid for playing.

Until loans/DR is scrapped not sure under the current financial constraints if the teams can actually afford a reserve squad that makes the point of a reserve league meaningful.

Edited September 9, 2022 by dead man inc

[David Dockhouse Host]

6 hours ago, dead man inc said:

Exactly this

The season before Covid, most teams had proper reserve squads and the fixtures weee competitive and meaningful.

This year loads have been cancelled .& most games propped up by the weaker academy players, while the ‘real reserve potential’ players went to play in the championship/league 1. Some serious blowout score lines.

Have also heard that some of the ‘borrowed players’ used to make up numbers were told they would not be paid for playing.

Until loans/DR is scrapped not sure under the current financial constraints if the teams can actually afford a reserve squad that makes the point of a reserve league meaningful.

Reserves is really cheap to run when compared to first team contracts.

Be a huge shame if we lost an excellent pathway because team wanted one more first team player. It's a very good comp which has suffered through COVID, be patient and back it, hopefully the clubs will and it will grow.

[daz39]

2 hours ago, David Dockhouse Host said:

Reserves is really cheap to run when compared to first team contracts.

Be a huge shame if we lost an excellent pathway because team wanted one more first team player. It's a very good comp which has suffered through COVID, be patient and back it, hopefully the clubs will and it will grow.

Unless it's changed all players registered for the reserves had to be contracted on a basic MW, not sure if that has changed but if not it wasn't cheap at all hence why clubs sent players out on loan and DR.

[David Dockhouse Host]

13 minutes ago, daz39 said:

Unless it's changed all players registered for the reserves had to be contracted on a basic MW, not sure if that has changed but if not it wasn't cheap at all hence why clubs sent players out on loan and DR.

MW?

[David Dockhouse Host]

Minimum wage?

If so I don't believe they have to be, but if so per hour training twice a week and playing once a fortnight probably 5 hours a week max so less than £50

[Wholly Trinity]

It seems some clubs are less enthusiastic about reserves. They've tried to introduce it for a few years and some clubs didn't want to participate. The current set up is sort of halfway and doesn't really fit any purpose because they only play every other week. 

Top end academy can play every week. Over-age academy are the ones that tend to get loaned out as not ready for 1st team but need to play each week. Players returning from injury need to drop lucky that there's a game when they need it. Similarly, out of form 1st teamers often don't have a game. 

[David Dockhouse Host]

6 minutes ago, Wholly Trinity said:

It seems some clubs are less enthusiastic about reserves. They've tried to introduce it for a few years and some clubs didn't want to participate. The current set up is sort of halfway and doesn't really fit any purpose because they only play every other week. 

Top end academy can play every week. Over-age academy are the ones that tend to get loaned out as not ready for 1st team but need to play each week. Players returning from injury need to drop lucky that there's a game when they need it. Similarly, out of form 1st teamers often don't have a game. 

Your right, some clubs have used top amateur players who are essentially duel reg with a community club. This is fine for me, gives them a stepping stone to the top and opens another door, it will bring through players previously lost to the game. All this takes time to embed though.

[Wholly Trinity]

13 minutes ago, David Dockhouse Host said:

Your right, some clubs have used top amateur players who are essentially duel reg with a community club. This is fine for me, gives them a stepping stone to the top and opens another door, it will bring through players previously lost to the game. All this takes time to embed though.

Another issue is that, with reduced finances and seemingly more long-term injuries and suspensions, it is difficult for clubs to maintain a big enough squad. With the salary cap it's a difficult trade-off between quality and quantity. 

[David Dockhouse Host]

26 minutes ago, Wholly Trinity said:

Another issue is that, with reduced finances and seemingly more long-term injuries and suspensions, it is difficult for clubs to maintain a big enough squad. With the salary cap it's a difficult trade-off between quality and quantity. 

Very true. Most business models show a huge gap between top 10 players, next 10 then huge drop off for the rest

[Liverpool Rover]

On 08/09/2022 at 19:51, daz39 said:

The Reserve competition sounded like a great idea but it hasn't really worked out as intended, a lot of SL clubs sent their fringe players on loan to champ and L1 rather than reserves and mostly the reserves squads were simply Academy team with 'borrowed' players.

I think at the Giants we only had 2 games where 1st team squad members played, they got more of a test playing out on loan.

Super League clubs will always send their best young prospects out on loan to the Championship as it is a higher standard than reserve rugby will be able to offer.

Reserve rugby is a useful bridge between academy and first team rugby but when young players need to make the step up to first team rugby the Championship will offer the first team experience that they will need.

[Wollo Wollo Wayoo]

Game day today.

Wakefield sticking with the lads who've played throughout the season. Kyle Evans missing though due to Wales RL commitments I hear?

Not seen the Wigan 17 yet.

Edited September 18, 2022 by Wollo Wollo Wayoo

[Harry Stottle]

On 08/09/2022 at 20:21, Wollo Wollo Wayoo said:

 

In Wakefield's case they have used a blend of 1st team squad players, last season's outstanding academy guys and even some of this year's academy guys when the 1st team squad called on the likes of Shaw, Bowes and Evans.  Been worthwhile and provided some free entertaining extra rugby for season ticket holders.

Only really Eseh given the long term loan option at Fev.

What about Lineham? Is he on loan or permanently signed by Fev.

Edited September 18, 2022 by Harry Stottle

[Harry Stottle]

On 10/09/2022 at 07:11, David Dockhouse Host said:

Reserves is really cheap to run when compared to first team contracts.

Be a huge shame if we lost an excellent pathway because team wanted one more first team player. It's a very good comp which has suffered through COVID, be patient and back it, hopefully the clubs will and it will grow.

Stop DR then and short term loans nothing less than 3 months with no recall clause, that is the only way the reserves will be treated as an asset like it used to be when we didn't have player's going all over the shop.

[Wollo Wollo Wayoo]

1 hour ago, Harry Stottle said:

What about Lineham? Is he on loan or permanently signed by Fev.

Loan, unfortunately.

[Wollo Wollo Wayoo]

Final score 40-12 to Wigan.

18-12 well into second half but a 90yd interception from Wigan seemed to spur them on and wilt Trinity.

Well played both sides though.

[Trojan Horse]

8 minutes ago, Wollo Wollo Wayoo said:

Final score 40-12 to Wigan.

18-12 well into second half but a 90yd interception from Wigan seemed to spur them on and wilt Trinity.

Well played both sides though.

A lot of young academy lads in the trinity team and tbh this will be a very good learning experience for all involved. 
 

A few late try’s just took it away for Wigan. Always next year.