Krista's Two7eleven Magazine's shot of Rising Star Brad Aylett with a couple of the trophies he won at the Magpies 2012 Presentation Night. He is a super player with a very bright future.

by Peter (Parra) Montgomery

Despite the Magpies lean season in 2012, the future still looks bright with many rising stars in the Club, and when they all align in a couple of years time, the Magpies future will  be assured.

The lessons the players experienced from a tough 2012 will make them better players and Club men in the long run - if they choose to learn from them.  

What is the old saying ---"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger"

Just have a look at what is on the way up through the ranks.

The Under 16 team this year boasts great talent in Scott Matthews, Tim Hanna, Brad Aylett, Caine Cotter, Toby Whitehead, Toby Crighton, Liam Potter and the brothers Riley and Ben Byrnes – to single just a few out from the Dean Whitehead coached side.

Scott Matthews is so much like his father Bert, it is not funny. He is a copybook tackler, an excellent runner with the ball, possesses good pace, and has the technique to make him competitive, and able to step up a grade.

Tim Hanna has the ideal build for a prop, and he is going to be enormous when he finishes growing.  I would love to see Tim undertake a weights program to build up his upper strength.

He has the ability to off load in traffic, and the size to bust a tackle.

At the Magpies recent Presentation Night, his 2012 coach, Dean Whitehead said that Tim had the ability to go a long way in the code.

“NRL is not beyond him” Dean told the huge crowd at the Presentations

Tim has good height, and build to be a star of the future. I would love to see him get serious about his Rugby League. There is good money to be earned from a career in the code.  BUT there are many outstanding juniors all looking to achieve the same goals.  The players who go the extra yard are the ones that get noticed.

Brad Aylett (pictured) has always had the ability to bust a tackle.  Moved from full back to half back in 2012 was a master move by coach Whitehead.  Brad proved very elusive in attack, and his toughness and desire to do well stamped him as a Player of the Future. A Shooting star - that’s for sure, and a kid with the ability to go places

Caine Cotter ‘came from the clouds’ with his tough efforts in the 16s. He played strongly all year, but let himself down on a couple of occasions with his ‘temper’ get the better of him. Caine is a good ball runner, good size, and can handle several positions in the backline.  

His future probably lies in the forwards. I envisage him as a hard running lock, or second rower with plenty of ‘hammer’ in his defensive play.

Toby Whitehead has always been a talented player, and the polish he will get by attending St Gregorys Campbelltown – a school that has produced many champions of the game – will make him an even better footballer.

Toby is suited around the halves where he can use his outstanding vision in attack, and speed off the mark, but further down the track, I can see Toby developing into a hard running, fearless fullback like Dean, and older brother Jake.  Being a Whitehead, his toughness is guaranteed.

Toby Crighton - the other Toby had a great season in the 16s, starring as hooker and willing to take his chances as they came along.  He displayed tenacity in defence - and toughness - and was rated by coach Dean Whitehead as his 'most consistent performer' of the season.  There are big hopes for Toby.  He looks a player who can become a key man in any team. Enthusiasm when mixed with skill is a potent formula for success.

Liam Potter like brother Tommy, is an outstanding player.  He has everything needed to make him a top notcher. Pace, tenacity, defence, and skill with the ball.

He had a good season in 2012, after a late start to the season after suffering a broken arm early in the year. A representative player of the future – FOR SURE  

Brothers, Riley and Ben Byrnes were others who shone in 2012. Their development over the season made them a valuable players for the side, comfortable in the forwards or in the backs, they comes from a long line of Magpie stars - their father Jamie (Jack), is a past Magpies premiership winning coach - and a great player in his own right.  

The boys grandfather Danny (Senior) played First Grade at both South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs Roosters, and his great grandfather, Jim Schiller, was one of the foundation stones of the Hay Rugby League Club.

 RISING STARS (PART TWO) WILL INCLUDE PLAYERS FROM UNDER 18s AND LEAGUETAG..Keep an eye out....