Nah, they've had an ear to the ground around the country for decades now. The difference with the last few years as opposed to the previous twenty or so, is that the Warriors now have the resources to retain talent thanks to the owners. Previously there weren't the facilities and resources to cater for the hundreds of players they now have on their books. And they didn't have anywhere to play except local club footy or school union so we couldn't compete with the Aussie clubs.
The Harold Matts and SG Ball squad probably have 80 contracted boys between them. Each away game would cost them 50K (not including contract payments) and home games might be half that. I'm guestimating that 400K goes into what is essentially a preseason comp for two teenage teams. BUT...if out of those 80 boy we can create 4 first graders, the saving in salaries from less need to import talent, will make the investment well worthwhile.
