Who knows - he may have failed, and never gone on to become a pro-footballer. Or not. A lot of it depends on the timing, and the circumstances. I just can't see how the circumstances here are right to take a punt on someone like Semmy.
As for step-ups, I think there's a difference between Handy Prem and Aussie state leagues. Only three players have ever really gone on to be good players at A-league level: Siggy, Riera, and Krishna. Of those, only Riera was able to slot in off the bat, the other two needed time to get up to speed. That's not really a great strike rate over 12 years of the club.
And even for Aussie state leagues, for every Manny there's a Jimmy Downey, Nick Tsattalios, Reece Caira, Josh Brindell-South, and so on. So the strike rate for players coming for lower levels is pretty low, and when a player in question is an import, the risk is getting a bit too much.
Interesting that you don't rate Cacace.
I don't think so. Not what he said and only one of those three started their career in the Handa Premiership.
If one is going to make up random criteria to eliminate data so it can support one's opinion one should define that criteria and make sure their dataset fulfills that criteria.
May as well say every Argentinian who ever played for us is ordinary, that's a low hit rare, should turn down Messi if he comes knocking.
Clearly guys who were at the Nix academy as teenagers and trained as professionals from the age of 16 are the same as guys who play in the Handy Prem as glorified amateurs.
Obviously.