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I've been giving it some thought and I am actually very excited about the number of young players coming through who I think could have an impact at Test level in the next two years. It doesn't mean I'm necessarily loving the coaching setup or the selections this year, but it did get me thinking...

I think Garden-Bachop & Mason are roughly on par in terms of what they've achieved, and while I have no issue with the FDP concept in isolation I would prefer to see Foley, Debreczeni, Mason & Hegarty all in the 23s at the two Clubs before we bring in speculative Kiwis.

I just think it's a shame Mason has lobbed as 3rd choice at the Tahs, which is what he would also have been at the Reds, when he would have been at least second choice at the Brumbies or Rebels.

I still think that 4 - Jeffries 5 - Timani 6 - McMahon 7 - Reid 8 - Mafi 19 - Day 20 - Fainga'a is a very good option. That leaves Fox, Leota, Retallick, Cummins & Toolis in reserve (and any others I have missed)

It's for this exact reason that I don't think Timani will play 8. Tony hasn't signed Mafi to sit him on the bench, in the same way he didn't sign Adam Thomson for a bench role last year. Our depth in the back row remains very good, but not so much at lock; and that's where I think Lopeti will...

The Reds choose to hand out more development squad contracts than any other Australian team. There is no limit to the number of DS contracts that can be handed out, but there are limitatons around the expectations placed on hours at the Club as the pay level does not meet the minimum threshold...

I like the idea of returning to a 5-2 split, but I would have penalty goals at 2 points, otherwise the incentive to concede penalties would be through the roof. And yes, you could respond by dishing out cards, but nobody wants to see a game decided by the fact that there was a 2 or 3 player...

Close to zero soft tissue injuries in 2014, when he had full control of the program. Results didnt go well for TM & changes came into play whereby Bryce wasn't in full control of his own programs anymore in 2015 & 2016. Zane Leonard, Alex Rigby & Josh Bird were all great operators in the S & C...

Believe Bryce is off to the English FA. Huge loss.

Con Foley?

I wanted Hawkins to get another year, as with the year before when I wanted Hegarty to get another year. I still think Hodge could be a goer at 10...

To be fair, Jack may havbe had a disappointing 2016 but his form in the Rising's last 2 or 3 games, taking the opposition defenders on and passing late, was back to his best. I'm happy to see Benny have a run at 10 because I think Jack would be a very good 15, but if we go into the season with...

Final thought... Is anybody else concerned that the majority of our squad are off contract at the end of next season? We're yet to cover the losses of Higgers, Tamati, Jones and Harris properly. As far as I can tell, only Tuipulotu, Naivalu, Lomax, Fainga'a, Jeffries, Meehan, Toolis...

A further thought; with the dearth of quality 10s throughout the country, is it worth throwing Hodge back into the role at the Rebels (particularly as we have midfield and outside back depth)?

For mine: Smith, Hanson, Weeks, Jeffries, Timani, McMahon, Reid, Fainga'a, Stirzaker, Meehan, English, Hodge, Naivalu, Koriobete, Debreczeni Leafa, Ah-Nau, Lomax, Day/Cummins, Mafi/Fox, Tuipulotu, Inman, Fou I think as much as I want Lopeti playing 8, for the Rebels' squad balance he needs...

Conversations were had.

A thought. Could the return of Matt Giteau on a 1-year deal be the silver bullet the Brumbies need next year, to play 10?

Especially with the toughest fixture in the league

Ref missed an obvious knock on in the lead up to the 2nd Country try, but we've missed a fair few opportunities to be honest. Nobody to blame but ourselves. The no-look falcon from Debba su,ms up our arvo

Nah, Henry Speight was in that video so it was clearly a throwback as we know he's in London with the Wobs