<\/p>\n
"I think it's a concern. I certainly see a separation, especially the bottom five sides and the top-six sides. There's a huge separation from those sides," Slater told 2GB's Wide World of Sports radio.<\/p>\n
"There's a handful of sides in the middle that can compete, like we've seen today, with those big teams.<\/p>\n
"But I think there's a concern that there's a divide in teams and players.<\/p>\n
"The game has got quicker, which has contributed to the lack of time players have to put a play on and be dangerous, and there's a little bit more fatigue.<\/p>\n
"The good players that are able to adapt and put their plays on, without any notice and without a penalty and getting restructured – they're the ones taking advantage of the play."<\/p>\n
![\"Joey's](\"https:\/\/vms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/2021\/04\/351459\/pickerImage.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The divide between the game's top and bottom sides comes at a time where expansion has been a hot recent topic at NRL headquarters.<\/p>\n
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has talked up the idea of adding not one, but two teams to the competition<\/a>, as part of a long-term expansion plan.<\/p>\n But rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns has criticised the NRL for having too many teams<\/a>, declaring there's "not enough talent going around" to support the 16 franchises in the competition.<\/p>\n Slater said the problem wasn't necessarily a lack of talent, but rather the current process of developing young players.<\/p>\n The legendary fullback said the NRL should follow in the footsteps of the NFL by bringing in specialist coaches to develop the key positions in the game.<\/p>\n "Everyone says there's a lack of talent in the pool to pick from, but I think it's a lack of developing that talent," Slater added.<\/p>\n "The talent is there, but we need specialist coaches, key-position coaches; I think that's where the NRL need to focus on developing the game.<\/p>\n "If you develop those key positions, in terms of the halfbacks, fullbacks and hookers – the positions that dictate whether you're going to win or lose the game.<\/p>\n "If you develop those players, you're going to have a better product and better teams."<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"Slater](\"https:\/\/vms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/2020\/12\/331952\/pickerImage.jpg\")
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