QLD GPS 2025

[Themaulmarauder]

Keen to hear everyone's predictions for game of the round each round with the gps season approaching rapidly?

 

[keenas]

At Downlands - 1st XV at 1.15pm

Tks OldBack

 

[The Whisperer]

Anyone have any ideas on the starting XVs for last year's Grand Finalists? BSHS & NC?

My go at a BSHS team.
1. Tyrece Herniman
2. Cyrus Suniula
3. Darnell Taki
4. Luke Thornton
5. Manasa Vunibola
6. Henry Willis
7. Alec Worrell
8. Jesse Maugatai
9. Eamon Jenkins
10. Jeremiah Patea
11. Malakiah Beals
12. Junior Latu
13. Taoso Taoso
14. Flynn Corbett
15. Angus Tagicakibau

 

[keenas]

Any scores from Downlands v TSS match ?

 

[Wicked Left Foot]

Any scores from Downlands v TSS match ?

Downlands up 31-22

 

[Plassbatt]

Was anyone at Downlands vs TSS game? Was that a full strength TSS team or were there a few missing?

 

[NutKnowsGPSFooty]

Was anyone at Downlands vs TSS game? Was that a full strength TSS team or were there a few missing?

I’d imagine they had all their players as their losses were quite consistent from 1st to 16A's, however that's irrelevant. A high-classifier GPS school should be getting beaten, but an under-coached and under-experienced school like Downlands, no matter if they had all their palyers or not. Disappointing result from Surfers FC.

 

[TimHealy1968]

TSS didn’t have kilarney, dallas or kingston and etc. Team was weaker than usual but Downlands still played well. The game shouldn’t be taken too serious.

 

[OldBack]

TSS didn’t have kilarney, dallas or kingston and etc. Team was weaker than usual but Downlands still played well. The game shouldn’t be taken too serious.

Similar result in corresponding game last year. Still messing around with the squad and missing the rep league guys. Playing Nudgee next week so I’m guessing they’ll want their no. 1 squad for that game

 

[TimHealy1968]

Not a bad looking team don't agree with your number 3 option have heard he is very unfit and injured a lot. Not sure of his name but the number 3 from last year is still there and potentially a better option than Humphreys.

the number 3 will be fully fit before start of the season, he also broke TGS gym records on his first week and he’s been slowly getting back into training and dominating on the scrum machine. I think at this rate humphreys and arch will play tight and loose head respectively but it’ll be interesting to see how Tulikaki goes in trial matches. Tusi hopefully gets moved to 12 soon and craig has a crack at 8. TGS side looking very promising, i’m very interested to see how they hold up against possibly the favourites BBC in the trial match next weekend. Anyone got any BBC squad news?

 

[Touch-Finder TOM]

This year BGS Rugby is looking to be built on grit and glory, powered by warriors like Lewis “The Brick” Brinkworth in the second row and Harper “The Muncher” Enasio dominating the inside centers, and much more. Looking forward to seeing if BGS will pull off a win this year and hopefully break their losing streaks.

 

[Themaulmarauder]

Any information or team predications so far on the Ipswich team haven't heard much from them yet?

 

[Quick_Tap_Tony]

TONY'S MONDAY THOUGHTs (A small segment where QTT gets a couple things related to GPS footy off his mind)​

1. TGS - Are They Pretenders or Pretenders.
For years now, the boys from cattle country have been talked up in the pre-season as the team to beat, only to find themselves out of premiership contention by the time the oranges are cut in Round 3. That said, they've rustled up some promising talent from across the southern hemisphere. But while flair might win you highlights, it won’t win you premierships. And with a few key positions still looking a bit lean on class, they could find themselves trampled in the tight tussles that matter most come the business end of the GPS season.

2. Do Rugby league Players Win You Premierships?
Let’s keep it simple: not really. In recent years, plenty of schools have stopped nurturing their junior talent and instead started splashing cash on cross-code imports. Year after year, thousands are poured into RUGBA LEAGUE players—but oddly enough, the silverware still seems to go elsewhere. Nowhere is this clearer than at Joeys, up in Hunters Hill. They're famously tight with scholarships, yet they remain the most successful schoolboy rugby program in the country. Their secret? Building from the ground up. Meanwhile, up north, the Queensland GPS scene took a hard left after ACGS’s purple patch in the mid-2010s. Ever since, schools like TGS, BBC, and TSS have tried to buy success—but the results have been underwhelming. Why? Because culture can’t be bought. The kid who’s worn the uniform since Year 5 is going to bleed for the school. The league import who shows up halfway through high school (and misses half the trials and trainings for rep commitments)? Not so much.

 

[The Blin6side]

TONY'S MONDAY THOUGHTs (A small segment where QTT gets a couple things related to GPS footy off his mind)​

1. TGS - Are They Pretenders or Pretenders.
For years now, the boys from cattle country have been talked up in the pre-season as the team to beat, only to find themselves out of premiership contention by the time the oranges are cut in Round 3. That said, they've rustled up some promising talent from across the southern hemisphere. But while flair might win you highlights, it won’t win you premierships. And with a few key positions still looking a bit lean on class, they could find themselves trampled in the tight tussles that matter most come the business end of the GPS season.

2. Do Rugby league Players Win You Premierships?
Let’s keep it simple: not really. In recent years, plenty of schools have stopped nurturing their junior talent and instead started splashing cash on cross-code imports. Year after year, thousands are poured into RUGBA LEAGUE players—but oddly enough, the silverware still seems to go elsewhere. Nowhere is this clearer than at Joeys, up in Hunters Hill. They're famously tight with scholarships, yet they remain the most successful schoolboy rugby program in the country. Their secret? Building from the ground up. Meanwhile, up north, the Queensland GPS scene took a hard left after ACGS’s purple patch in the mid-2010s. Ever since, schools like TGS, BBC, and TSS have tried to buy success—but the results have been underwhelming. Why? Because culture can’t be bought. The kid who’s worn the uniform since Year 5 is going to bleed for the school. The league import who shows up halfway through high school (and misses half the trials and trainings for rep commitments)? Not so much.

This notion that “Culture can’t be bought”, is really interesting to me, and I mostly agree… Although, this is true that you can’t ‘buy’ a GPS rugby union fighting spirit, a schools’ Rugby board can purchase a student that has an attitude to ‘buy’ into the culture of a school. However, I would like to ask you Quick Tap Tony, what are your thoughts on St Joseph’s College Nudgee College (NC), utilisng a scholarship method to ‘retain’, or ‘safekeep’ players by offering them a reduction in school fees during their formative rugby union years of grade 9, and 10? Prime examples of this are Nicholas Conway (NCOB2024), and Edward Kasprowicz (NCOB2024).

 

[OldBack]

TONY'S MONDAY THOUGHTs (A small segment where QTT gets a couple things related to GPS footy off his mind)​

1. TGS - Are They Pretenders or Pretenders.
For years now, the boys from cattle country have been talked up in the pre-season as the team to beat, only to find themselves out of premiership contention by the time the oranges are cut in Round 3. That said, they've rustled up some promising talent from across the southern hemisphere. But while flair might win you highlights, it won’t win you premierships. And with a few key positions still looking a bit lean on class, they could find themselves trampled in the tight tussles that matter most come the business end of the GPS season.

2. Do Rugby league Players Win You Premierships?
Let’s keep it simple: not really. In recent years, plenty of schools have stopped nurturing their junior talent and instead started splashing cash on cross-code imports. Year after year, thousands are poured into RUGBA LEAGUE players—but oddly enough, the silverware still seems to go elsewhere. Nowhere is this clearer than at Joeys, up in Hunters Hill. They're famously tight with scholarships, yet they remain the most successful schoolboy rugby program in the country. Their secret? Building from the ground up. Meanwhile, up north, the Queensland GPS scene took a hard left after ACGS’s purple patch in the mid-2010s. Ever since, schools like TGS, BBC, and TSS have tried to buy success—but the results have been underwhelming. Why? Because culture can’t be bought. The kid who’s worn the uniform since Year 5 is going to bleed for the school. The league import who shows up halfway through high school (and misses half the trials and trainings for rep commitments)? Not so much.

If everybody is doing it, it levels out the playing field and becomes a case of 'our leagies are better than your leagies' in the race to the premiership. TSS have had junior state of origin players on the payroll and won premierships (eg Jye Gray) and have also junior SOO players and come 2nd, 3rd or 4th. It's unfair on the kids who've been there all along as you suggest and to what end? Does a successful 1st XV actually attract more students, or is it simply a costly way to earn bragging rights? There have been times where TSS 1st XV have beaten Nudgee and every other team has lost by 40-60 points (and they went on to win the premiership). Is that a successful rugby program that will attract students, or a bought premiership that defies the real standard of rugby at the school?

 

[Quick_Tap_Tony]

This notion that “Culture can’t be bought”, is really interesting to me, and I mostly agree… Although, this is true that you can’t ‘buy’ a GPS rugby union fighting spirit, a schools’ Rugby board can purchase a student that has an attitude to ‘buy’ into the culture of a school. However, I would like to ask you Quick Tap Tony, what are your thoughts on St Joseph’s College Nudgee College (NC), utilisng a scholarship method to ‘retain’, or ‘safekeep’ players by offering them a reduction in school fees during their formative rugby union years of grade 9, and 10? Prime examples of this are Nicholas Conway (NCOB2024), and Edward Kasprowicz (NCOB2024).

I believe that the Retaining of players is fine with me. However I don't see the point of it necessarily because if the kid does not love the school I don't know how a scholarship will make them love it anymore.

 

[OldManFromOnTheHill]

TONY'S MONDAY THOUGHTs (A small segment where QTT gets a couple things related to GPS footy off his mind)​

1. TGS - Are They Pretenders or Pretenders.
For years now, the boys from cattle country have been talked up in the pre-season as the team to beat, only to find themselves out of premiership contention by the time the oranges are cut in Round 3. That said, they've rustled up some promising talent from across the southern hemisphere. But while flair might win you highlights, it won’t win you premierships. And with a few key positions still looking a bit lean on class, they could find themselves trampled in the tight tussles that matter most come the business end of the GPS season.

2. Do Rugby league Players Win You Premierships?
Let’s keep it simple: not really. In recent years, plenty of schools have stopped nurturing their junior talent and instead started splashing cash on cross-code imports. Year after year, thousands are poured into RUGBA LEAGUE players—but oddly enough, the silverware still seems to go elsewhere. Nowhere is this clearer than at Joeys, up in Hunters Hill. They're famously tight with scholarships, yet they remain the most successful schoolboy rugby program in the country. Their secret? Building from the ground up. Meanwhile, up north, the Queensland GPS scene took a hard left after ACGS’s purple patch in the mid-2010s. Ever since, schools like TGS, BBC, and TSS have tried to buy success—but the results have been underwhelming. Why? Because culture can’t be bought. The kid who’s worn the uniform since Year 5 is going to bleed for the school. The league import who shows up halfway through high school (and misses half the trials and trainings for rep commitments)? Not so much.

I think Tony should keep his monday thoughts to himself cause I have heard it all.

TGS aren't the strongest GPS rugby school and I don't challenge that at all, however the boys in blue and gold play for the badge. Since 2022 TGS have changed their approach to GPS rugby, placing 3rd in 2022 and 2nd in 2023. In 2024 it wasn't the boys year yet it should be kept in mind there was only 5 year 12s in that team and the goal had always been build a team for the 150th year anniversary. So here we are in 2025, TGS's anniversary year. With the likes of Cowboy's signed Myles Rosemond, Adam Davis (Rabbitohs) and the big fella Rhymen Tusi (Western Force) leading the school in their final year. I am not saying TGS are guaranteed premiers but I know the boys in blue and gold will put up a fight this season to honour the schools 150th.

 

[Plassbatt]

TONY'S MONDAY THOUGHTs (A small segment where QTT gets a couple things related to GPS footy off his mind)​

1. TGS - Are They Pretenders or Pretenders.
For years now, the boys from cattle country have been talked up in the pre-season as the team to beat, only to find themselves out of premiership contention by the time the oranges are cut in Round 3. That said, they've rustled up some promising talent from across the southern hemisphere. But while flair might win you highlights, it won’t win you premierships. And with a few key positions still looking a bit lean on class, they could find themselves trampled in the tight tussles that matter most come the business end of the GPS season.

2. Do Rugby league Players Win You Premierships?
Let’s keep it simple: not really. In recent years, plenty of schools have stopped nurturing their junior talent and instead started splashing cash on cross-code imports. Year after year, thousands are poured into RUGBA LEAGUE players—but oddly enough, the silverware still seems to go elsewhere. Nowhere is this clearer than at Joeys, up in Hunters Hill. They're famously tight with scholarships, yet they remain the most successful schoolboy rugby program in the country. Their secret? Building from the ground up. Meanwhile, up north, the Queensland GPS scene took a hard left after ACGS’s purple patch in the mid-2010s. Ever since, schools like TGS, BBC, and TSS have tried to buy success—but the results have been underwhelming. Why? Because culture can’t be bought. The kid who’s worn the uniform since Year 5 is going to bleed for the school. The league import who shows up halfway through high school (and misses half the trials and trainings for rep commitments)? Not so much.

Nudgee are a prime example of buying/getting in league players. Very few students starting school in year 5 will be playing 1st team in year 12. According to my source U15A, u16A this year at Nudgee will have at least 10 league players in each team. They start coming in grade 9,10 and 11. But will they win the GPS premiership?

 

[OldBack]

Nudgee are a prime example of buying/getting in league players. Very few students starting school in year 5 will be playing 1st team in year 12. According to my source U15A, u16A this year at Nudgee will have at least 10 league players in each team. They start coming in grade 9,10 and 11. But will they win the GPS premiership?

I'm not sure why they would need to - many of their A teams go through their whole school career (u11-u16) undefeated, or close to it (in some age groups their B team would knock off most A teams). They're already producing very good players - why not back themselves? (or by the other schools bringing in scholarship players, Nudgee have to do the same to retain that dominant position from juniors through to opens?)

 

[Plassbatt]

I'm not sure why they would need to - many of their A teams go through their whole school career (u11-u16) undefeated, or close to it (in some age groups their B team would knock off most A teams). They're already producing very good players - why not back themselves? (or by the other schools bringing in scholarship players, Nudgee have to do the same to retain that dominant position from juniors through to opens?)

I ask the same question. Many talented kids at Nudgee will end up playing B and C’s therefore their strength in depth, then disappear…..! Most GPS schools not interested in developing players. It’s all about winning GPS. I would love to see the TGS’s, GT and TSS’s target certain young players and get them into a professional environment training with the first team etc. maybe from u15. There is so much talent out there lost to our beautiful game ……