True. MCA needs to pick up its game. SLC have set the bar after a decade in the doldrums and other schools need to follow or become also rans. It's really not that hard. Start early and identify talent, get an S&C program for the opens and even 10's and make it compulsory, and actually give a shit. It's far from too late for MCA, as they were a few brain explosions from a premiership last year (2021) , but let's face it, they were under prepared in round 1 and you can't hit your straps in round 3 in a 7 game competition and expect to win. SLC have been ready to go from round 1 the last 2 years and it showed. Well done to them.
On next year, and current year 10's, I'll make an early prediction that Taavi Upchurch, prop from Padua, will be a star. MCA will rue the day they let him go. And under very poor circumstances, amongst others. Will be a vey interesting comp next year with SLC losing many of its big names, but they will still be well prepared. Will the others be?