Fox has been about the money teams for a long time now. At least 20 years. That's how perennial Phelan Shield Wooden Spooners Pt Chevalier Pirates won 3 competitions in 3 consecutive years to take the Fox Memorial.
You look at some of their line ups some years and every single player had been through the Warriors or NRL system at U20 level at the very least. Even this season they still have Tevita Latu, Malo Solomona, Patrick Sipley, Apirana Pewhairangi, Herman Retzlaff, Francis Leger, Wesley Veikoso, Michael Ki, Taulima Taulima, Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu, Chris Sio, Beau Cordtz, Dylan Tavita... you get the point. All former NRL, NSWC, QLDC or NYC players.
Doubt they are getting that much now with AUTEX pulling back on their commitments to Pt Chev but at their peak the top side players were getting $400 a game. Cash. Tax free. You compare that to Otahuhu at the same time who were giving their top 3 or 4 players a $50 gas voucher and the player of the day got a $50 bar tab and its not hard to see the inequity of the comp.
Not sure whats happened to the Sea Eagles but they were competitive the last few seasons having spent a chunk of change on Richie Blackmore. They also had some big backers in the $30 million 'pig farmer' winner, the local watering hole and Bill McEntee who had a clause in his sale of McEntee Hire to Kennards Hire that they would match his donation to the club up to $10,000 every year.
My guess is those funds are dried up now and they are left with players who simply play for the love of the game.
Anyway theres always been whipping teams in comps so if you want to watch a good game just watch the best line ups. This weeks will probably be between the Leopards and Tigers at Bert Henham Park or if you want to watch the majority of the Warriors Jersey Flegg team go watch Richmond and Pirates at Walker Park. All games start at 2:30pm.
Keep an eye on Richmonds #9 Temple Kalepo. Good solid player who can hit like a freight train. Most contracted Warriors juniors who are juniors for a Fox Championship or Fox Qualifying team (formerly the Sharman Cup competition) are playing for Richmond as the Warriors have told them they have to play Fox and theres the Ricky Henry connection there who is coaching them...