PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
Am hearing Aiden Ross might be turning out for Bond in the GF which is interesting.
QLD Premier Rugby 2025
- Thread starter Coleman Rees
- Start date
SouthernX
Greg Davis (50)
is that to counter Damon Murphy lacing up to participate…. As the referee - jokes
I do feel uncomfortable a player can join after super rugby season can be parachuted into a QPR final.
PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
I am not sure if it's been confirmed yet - but the Brothers brass seem to think it is happening and raised some eyebrows.
Common sense would say it shouldn't be happening. Also being in the Wallabies squad I am surprised they're releasing a prop. Have heard Nonngorr won't be released.
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MoneyBill685
Jimmy Flynn (14)
Absolute pisstake
feel sorry for the poor bloke that played all season that will miss out.
Imagine looking forward to the biggest game of your season (possibly senior career for some) and at training the coach taps you on the shoulder and says sorry mate we've got a bloke here that's never played for the club that's going to take your spot.
Disgraceful if that's the case.
hdnmstsnr
Allen Oxlade (6)
Agreed. The current version of Bond is a mix of older, experienced players and young guns who are just keen to do the work and get the job done. Grant Anderson can definitely be credited with moulding and shaping that. Rico Gear also in shaping phenomenal Colts who have become superb premier team additions. Heeno has definitely had a solid hand in adding finesse and building - game upon game - a big game tenet where there is no let up on the competition. But a huge amount of credit must go to Tyler Campbell. He basically sat out two seasons through major injury, but still attended training, games and had huge input into shaping the team as well as individual players. Campbell can take solid credit for the development of individual players. When he takes the field, he leads by example so effectively that it is difficult to tell whether he is a forward or a back. He has had a tangible positive impact not only on the younger, newer players, but also the older, experienced guard. He has to be up there re: Alec Evans.
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PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
I do find the Ross mail uncharacteristic for Heenan.
He famously left Reds player Will Genia out of 1st grade for GPS and played club man Sully during the QPR finals circa 2008. I believe it was still Heeno coaching then, although may have been Matt Pini.
Genia subsequently left the club.
He famously left Reds player Will Genia out of 1st grade for GPS and played club man Sully during the QPR finals circa 2008. I believe it was still Heeno coaching then, although may have been Matt Pini.
Genia subsequently left the club.
SouthernX
Greg Davis (50)
That is shouldn’t be a blemish/blight on Heenan but more a characteristic/trait of Will Genia.
The ultimate qpr jouneyman
Wests-GPS-norths-sunny coast-norths-wests-gps
I might have 2 of the last 3 in incorrect order - but last hit out for Genia was for GPS was during COVID.
PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
I have a feeling we may be reaching the end of days if Brothers managed to snag 1st - 6th grade premierships this weekend.
The bookies are obviously riding the hot hand, they've got Bond at $2.60 to win this weekend which I think is far shorter than what most are giving them.
A fair bit probably comes down to who Brothers have available - I believe Flook, Dre and Junkyard Dog have all been down at Crosby. There was chatter that Harry Wilson wanted to make himself available and test his knee out, but I think RA shut that down. I believe he and McReight have asked for clearance to stay in Brisbane and be involved with the team and fly into Wallabies training camp in Townsville on Monday instead of Sunday.
The bookies are obviously riding the hot hand, they've got Bond at $2.60 to win this weekend which I think is far shorter than what most are giving them.
A fair bit probably comes down to who Brothers have available - I believe Flook, Dre and Junkyard Dog have all been down at Crosby. There was chatter that Harry Wilson wanted to make himself available and test his knee out, but I think RA shut that down. I believe he and McReight have asked for clearance to stay in Brisbane and be involved with the team and fly into Wallabies training camp in Townsville on Monday instead of Sunday.
hdnmstsnr
Allen Oxlade (6)
Objectively, Brothers are a great club. They tick so many boxes when it comes to club greatness, legacy, culture and - obviously - success. They will be absolutely deserving of a 2025 trophy.
Subjectively, I HATE Brothers. They epitomise everything about Australian rugby that I despise...elitism, GPS, big money, high-end focus on pillaging talent from all points of the compass etc. BUT even with all that personal preference in place, my favourite club player is - and has been for some time - Harry Wilson. (for reference 2 - Eli Pilz, 3 - Mat Gicquel, 4 - Tyler Campbell, 5 - Kohan Herbert).
Overall, from an independent view point, it could be assumed that Brothers coaching staff would not have seriously contemplated meeting Bond in the GF. They are likely going frame by frame through the last 8 Bond games right now. Bond are in the unique position of being able to play rugby in a manner that is so blatantly obvious..but only AFTER they have played it. Their style of heads up, go forward, attack from anywhere on the field has been honed to the point where they are well on track to do to Brothers, what they did to Wests and Easts.
Heeno and Campbell are phenomenally-experienced, guru level exponents of the game. The team they have developed over 2 full seasons is a team that can grind, manage, control and explosively ignite a game almost at will. They have forwards who can muscle up when needed, but can also carry, run and offload. They have mercurial backs who can effectively attack from inside their own quarter, but can also muscle up and snaffle turnovers on defence. Bond's best place to attack an opposition is....anywhere on the playing field. This isn't a PR paragraph on Bond. It's fact.
The Filth will need to control, stifle and contain the Bullsharks on defence, and use a combination of muscle, structure and flair on attack. But Brother's REAL ace card will be crucial 'big game' experience.
Both teams have the potential to win the GF by 30plus points.
Both coaches and captains will know exactly what to do and when to do it at all stages of the game. It will be a matter of who figures out 'the crucial master play' first.
Bond by 14points. Tyler Campbell Man of the Match.
Mark Panga
Stan Wickham (3)
Ross was attached to Bond as soon as he came over. It is his Club. He was meant to play at the end of the normal season games for Bond but then was called into the Wallabies. If he's available - he should be able to play. Can't see him being released from Wallabies to play at the weekend however. Neither Nonggorr.
The Brothers' brass are worried about it ? Didn't seem too worried last year when they had James O'Connor in the GF and won...
Go the Bond Bull Sharks !!!
PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
I don't support either team, so I don't really care who is playing - in fact the more rep players the better for the spectacle.
But lets not pretend Ross is some Bond diehard. It's definitely a loophole being exploited that Ross is able to play in a 2025 GF when he won't actually debut for the Reds proper until 2026 and has probably spent all of 10mins at the Bond clubhouse (and yes I know he played in the BIL game but I am not sure it's counted as an official cap?).
The last time Ross played rugby in Australia the Bullsharks didn't even exist as a QPR team. He's also been open about the fact he's only aligned with them because the former Chiefs CEO is now at the club.
Very different to the JOC (James O'Connor) situation who was a Brothers junior and had played for the club previously throughout his career - he was also a Reds player in 2024. So really in fact the two situations are chalk and cheese.
hughjardon69
Bob McCowan (2)
a nice refreshing post mate!
i'd love to see bond win a Premiership. some great lads down there and good footy players.
hughjardon69
Bob McCowan (2)
In other news, who thinks Elwee could do a Job for norths?
Was chatting to one of the boys the other day and he said Elwee would be a good fit for norths to get there prems to top 4. i agree and think if wests and him part ways, norths should throw the cheque book at him.
anyway, cool story
Lesssgo Bond
Was chatting to one of the boys the other day and he said Elwee would be a good fit for norths to get there prems to top 4. i agree and think if wests and him part ways, norths should throw the cheque book at him.
anyway, cool story
Lesssgo Bond
LevitatingSocks
Charlie Fox (21)
Bond will be happy to lean on the experience of a proud All-Black Wallaby like Aidan Ross
PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
I don't think Elwee will be leaving Wests for a while unless something goes horribly wrong in the offseason.
The club seems to have doubled down on him and his recruitment and coaching approach.
PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
Per Rugby Xplorer both teams look to have all available cattle back that were expected.
The Ross mail was right and he’s starting - I believe he was also dropped from the Wallabies squad?
Brothers backline is red hot.
The Ross mail was right and he’s starting - I believe he was also dropped from the Wallabies squad?
Brothers backline is red hot.
PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
I think the pathway to victory for Bond will be dominating the set piece. If Brothers forwards can't set a good platform, the likes of Ryan, Flook and Dre won't get decent ball. Having Ross, Canham and Blake all in the pack goes a long way to setting the Bullsharks up for success.
Brothers will be buoyed by the return of Fourie, but I reckon they'd have been keeping all fingers and toes crossed that Faessler was going to be fit enough to play in the game.
Brothers will be buoyed by the return of Fourie, but I reckon they'd have been keeping all fingers and toes crossed that Faessler was going to be fit enough to play in the game.
Ras
Herbert Moran (7)
I dare say you're right with the set piece but I can't see a new hooker and main lineout caller/jumper joining them for 2/3 weeks helping their case.
Brothers have been solid and with no changes in the pack I think the continuity might help.
Parachuting in some X-Factor and what is probably the best defensive centre pairing in a club rugby final gives them the edge for me.
Player to watch will be Harry Grant, lacking the big game experience and missing in their game managers from the last few finals series he's going to have to find the right balance of bringing the reds boys into and also controlling the game.
Brothers have been solid and with no changes in the pack I think the continuity might help.
Parachuting in some X-Factor and what is probably the best defensive centre pairing in a club rugby final gives them the edge for me.
Player to watch will be Harry Grant, lacking the big game experience and missing in their game managers from the last few finals series he's going to have to find the right balance of bringing the reds boys into and also controlling the game.