Quote Originally Posted by Onyatoes View Post
The Jaffas now simply poach the juniors as the spies saw their youth coaching dynamoes lurking at Alder Park as recently as yesterday. Mergers though don't need to be club into club.
Yep, a Jaffas youth coach was there...but not looking at any New Lambton players.
Your use of "poach" suggests you disagree with NPL clubs trying to identify and improve the local kids. Do you think it not right to identify talent and bring it to the next level? Many lower tier clubs are happy to push their stronger players up to the next level to improve for the benefit of the kids. Many are not and are keen to hang on to their better players for the benefit of their club. The NEWFM team I currently coach has had multiple visits from NPL clubs scouting. I welcome it and help if I can. If one of my players can go up to the next level, I'm pleased. It's about developing the players. Do you think NEWFM clubs aren't out looking at community A grade teams? Are they "poaching"? If you are suggesting it is inappropriate , then you are losing sight of the objective which is to produce better players.

All the NPL clubs do it, and good on them! It would be disappointing if they didn't.