The next generation of Super League talent leaves Angela Powers mulling over an age-old question.
New prospects add to Super League excitement
The inexorable march of Time; how it leaves its indelible impression upon us.
As if the wrinkles weren't enough, now we have to deal with another inescapable indicator that life is moving on at a frightening pace.
It's the 'Junior' factor. And it hit home with the force of a sledgehammer when I saw that Bobbie Goulding has signed for Warrington.
That's Bobbie Goulding JUNIOR. Son of 'little Bobbie Goulding', the 'cheeky chappie' of rugby league. He has a child old enough to be signing professional papers. Scary.
It never fails to shock me when I look at player profiles and see '1991' next to their date of birth. 1991? That doesn't seem like five minutes ago to us oldies. But look at them, running around with that strapping youthful athleticism that's a distant memory for some of us.
Imagine what it must be like for Andy Farrell. There you are, in the prime of life, captaining a top union side when, before you know it, your son Owen is sitting next to you in the dressing room, pulling on his team shirt. It's nature's way of reminding you of the circle of life and nudging you out of the way. (Farrell himself was born in 1975. He ain't no golden oldie.)
Rugby League - and for that matter any physical sport involving violent collision - has a fundamental paradox. The older you get, the more experienced you become and better equipped you are to grasp the subtle complexities which enable you to be a better player. Then your knees give way.
In the olden days, players would take that as a big hint and pack it all in. Now technology and physiotherapy techniques have developed so much that all you need is a quick snip here, stretch there and an afternoon in an oxygen tent and you're pulling on your boots again like nothing happened. (There's nothing you can do for the damage to your looks though - Terry O'Connor for example. I rest my case.)
It's easy to miss the exciting new prospects behind the scenes when Super League itself has so many brilliant players that demand our attention.
This year though, we might just get to see a few more of them taking a peek over the parapet. The absence of the threat of relegation means clubs don't have to hit the panic button and sign experienced players when the going gets tough. They can call on the boys (and I mean boys) in the junior ranks to help out.
Watch out for promising props Daniel Smith at Leeds and Steve Crossley at Bradford to name but two.
There is a downside though - the younger they get, the older I feel.
Pass me that wrinkle cream.
