Hoops

U16 Boys Metro

*Why did they not finish in the top4?* They weren't good enough in the week.

The argument about the Messenger is absolute bullshite. It was a complete done up page, with box-portrait photos, with a little under each name like "on-baller, good with both feet, excellent coverage". Nothing like "disgusting kick for goal, couldn't grab a mark if you paid him".

It was a publicity and encouragement stunt, much like the 16 Boys Metro articles (including the MASSIVE one in the Eastern Messenger about Owen Giovine). Publicity and encouragement is what these players should be getting at this age. They have enough coaches to talk to them about their shooting stats.

Why did the U16 Metro boys not finish in the top4? Answer: there were no Tiger boys in the team.

"However, criticism of unpaid juniors on a public forum is not on in my opinion."

Fair enough too, maybe make it a mod rule and do evil stuff like bleeping and using power, Isaac?

Knowing some of those kids mentioned, some really good kids, I'm sure they are disappointed with their own performance enough and willing to work harder to imporve, and don't need to have anonymous idiots who don't know them or a thing about them looking at a bunch of box scores pass judgment on them.

Just in realtion to my previous comment - that's what makes this comp more even and exciting then other comps of previous years where teams had THE standout player and would win every game comfortably...though it may also be detrimental, too.

I'll say it now - the reason is this years U16 comp doesnt have a big 'name' standout player who you can say in a couple of years will go to the AIS or be a regular at All-Aus camps. There aren't, to be honest, any 3pt shooters in the comp (except for anonymous country boy from Fville).

Although, I thought the TEAM Paul Arnott picked was arguably the best he could have, obviously talented players in the same spots as others will miss out. I guess this SA Metro team just doesn't match up with the other states.