We have signed the next Inglis:[h=1] NRL clubs converge on Australian Schoolboy titles to scout for future stars[/h]
THERE'S a lot more to running a successful NRL club than turning up to compete for two competition points each week of the footy season. Coaching, training, medical, sponsorship, marketing, membership, welfare, community and promotion are a few of the vital ingredients that can build a successful club.
And then there's the most important component of all - recruitment.
The search to find the next Greg Inglis, Ben Barba, Billy Slater, Benji Marshall or Johnathan Thurston.
It's why all 16 NRL clubs, their recruitment staff and the game's leading player agents converged on Cairns this week for the Australian Schoolboy titles.
This has been the No.1 breeding ground for budding rugby league superstars for many a decade, from champion Test forwards like Les Boyd, Craig Young, Paul Sironen and Bradley Clyde to backline legends like Greg Inglis, Brad Fittler, Andrew Ettingshausen and Greg Alexander.
You walk into Barlow Park and player manager Sam Ayoub asks for your official program. He's one of the sharpest operators in the business with any eye for talent better than most.
"Want to see the next Greg Inglis," he says, flicking the pages until we come to the combined Queensland team.
He puts a circle around the name of fullback Elijah Alick and reveals: "He's just signed for three years at the Broncos."
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