They don't need to be that much bigger at those ages to make the game a mess. If it were soccer, the kid that dominated to the exclusion of all other players would be graded into a more suitable group, for his and their benefit. And that's from U8's. There's no such system in junior rugba league that I know of.
I think we all had that experience mate. You didn't think about it too much as a kid (though you definitely noticed!). Certainly taught you the value of of a good leg tackle though, and made you look up at the defensive line pretty carefully when you had the ball!
I wonder if there are stats or a consideration at least for what you mention in soccer regarding pros and cons of moving a 'more dominant' kid into a more suitable group?
I wonder if there is any drop off based on that kid not playing with their friends anymore, or drop off instead of their friends who aren't as good and now don't get to play with their friend anymore.
Especially at younger ages, is Talakai junior there to play with his friends or to be in the most fitting playing environment for him physically? Likely the first one. Sure he can make new friends, but I'd think there'd be some percentage drop off. Weight that I guess against the drop off of kids who parents are afraid they'll get sat on...
It's not the "Talakai juniors" of the world that I'm talking about. What I mean is that when you identify kids early, you are focusing on the kids who get big first. They are physically ready younger, but you may actually be overlooking better talent who have simply grown slower. It's a well-known phenomenon.
The Player Development Framework addresses it, and QRL clubs are on board - but NSW don't follow the PDF, nor do any schools (including Qld).
Having a bigger kid sometimes play halfback is good when they are younger imo. It teaches them that there is more to the game than "run over people". Except for kids who are really big and really slow (who are destined to play in the middle) I generally ignore body shape altogether when putting kids in position. It's more about their aptitude for the role.
Conversely, having a smaller kid play as running forwards part of the time is also important. Lots of smaller kids who only every play hooker or halfback don't know how to run on to the ball.
Oh I know and agree
Through sheer weigh of practice this kid definitely was one of our best half options... how could he not be, he got all the practice there!
He came back and played one season in seniors while I was still playing and tried to play halves and was quickly moved into forwards, and he is nowhere near as fat now as he was as a kid, not fat at all really. He didn't think much of being a forward though, don't think he even saw out the season actually...
Meanwhile though I was one of our smallest players and played hooker for much of juniors until another small kid came along who really probably should have been in halves got put at hooker and I played mostly 11/12/13 for next few years (enjoyed it more than hooker anyway so no real complaint from me).
