RIP Francis Winterstein

[Big Pete]

Was very sad to hear Beau Ryan announce the news on The Footy Show.

Francis was a former squad member of our Under 20s and he'll be dearly missed by his friends and family. My thoughts and prayers are with them and I hope anyone who is going through a rough patch seeks the support they need.

 

[Kimlo]

Awful news :( Would this be Antonio's brother by any chance, Pete?

 

[Big Pete]

Tis.

 

[Kimlo]

Poor guy, he's going to be in a world of hurt now.

 

[Morkel]

WTF is going on? I know these kids are under pressure, but is there something the NRL or the clubs are doing recently that makes them feel like they need to succeed or they're worthless?

 

[subsbligh]

WTF is going on? I know these kids are under pressure, but is there something the NRL or the clubs are doing recently that makes them feel like they need to succeed or they're worthless?

I thought they were trying to do the opposite - the "earn or learn" rules for U20s and stuff taking the pressure off success in the NRL as the only pathway.

 

[Morkel]

I thought they were trying to do the opposite - the "earn or learn" rules for U20s and stuff taking the pressure off success in the NRL as the only pathway.

Yeah me too. Maybe it's a peer pressure thing. Well not so much pressure deliberately placed on them, but the pressure to measure up. Like their friends could be going in to trades or jumping on (what's left of) the mining gravy train, and they're busting their guts, with a logo on their shirt that should be the envy of their friends, earning nothing at all. You can understand how a setback, an injury, a rejection, could make them think that they've wasted years of their life (some of these kids are in the system from young teenagers) with nothing to show for it, except a half-finished apprenticeship. For competitive people, it would be crushing and humiliating.