2009 Brisbane Club Competition

[rugbyfreak]

Well, if that game was anything to go by then Souths will be warm favourites for the flag this year. Watched them tough it out against Easts a few weeks back and today they totally dominated.

It was a good forward battle but Souths were definitely the tighter and more agressive unit and gave their backs a great platform. Impressive loosies but I don't know their names. Cooper played at 12 and controlled things well. He really does have the best pass in Australian rugby. He was well supported by the fullback Tabrett, who I've seen a few times now and is a big unit who showed some individual brilliance with a chip and chase to set up the try of the match. Ant Faingga was excellent at 13 and put in a superb defensive effort. The boy can really hit hard. They have good speed on the wings and 2007 OZ schools halfback is back from the ACT and playing at scrummie.

These guys will be hard to toss.

Lee, in another post you asked which schoolboys from last year are in Premier grade. I think I recognised David Feao (BSHS) at 1.

Yes, Brent Hamlin (9) is back in town and playing very well for Souths. Ed Quirk is playing some Premier grade at Easts,but has been behind the eight ball due to broken ribs and lack of game time.

 

[TOCC]

It was reported in the couriermail that Digby Ioane may have been offered $50'000/year by Sunnybank Rugby Club to remain in QLD for 2010/2011...

Is this a sign of things to come?
As far as i know, Sunnybank is really the only club to have embraced pokies as a source of revenue, and you can say what you want about pokies, but at the end of the day Sunnybank now turns over profits of $millions and contributes a lot of money back into the community(rugby and other sports) in terms of sponsorship and grants. \

I know Souths looked at pokies as a option a few years back, but it would have resulted in losing govt funding so they decided against it.

 

[rugbyfreak]

Do the clubs in Sydney have pokies? Maybe the QRU has to look at a club like Sunnybank as a blueprint for the club scene in Brisbane? From the outside looking in (apart from their results this year?????) you would have to say that they are doing something well down there. Do the QRU get someone from down there, Gav Head for example back into the fold at Ballymore to shake things up?

 

[rugbywhisperer]

The rugby club scene in Sydney is totally different from Qld.
very few - maybe one or two Brisbane clubs might resembe in some small way the Sydney situation in regard to licensed premises, revenue raising, club atmosphere and patronage, facilities and of course player payments.
In this regard Qld players are certainly the poorer relations.
After attending the Uni-Gordon game I perused the program of the other games and most if not all teams have some representation at s14 level, most of the top Sydney teams have an overabundance of players from the Tahs, Force and Brumbies - to the extent they had to introduce the point system for player numbers. What do Qld clubs have - only Qld players - I cannot think on one Brumbie or Force player who has come back to play for a Brisbane club - I may be wrong.
Also - the competitions. The Brisbane comp at Premier level is pathetic - colts and main game whereas Sydney put on all 4 grades as per usual plus I asume (it wasn't in the program) the usual colts games as well - it is just a better organised, funded and represented rugby competition and you cannot blame any player from leaving Qld rugby to further his career in Sydney. Sure it's a far bigger pool but the level of competition is superior and it's a better pool.

 

[straightshooter]

Whispers,
The Sydney Clubs, both Union and League have historically more $$$$$ (generally from the handbags of financially disadvantaged little old ladies) from the pokies. They have then attracted players from Queensland, generally for the $$.

Having said that Sunnybank Club certainly sucks some $$$$ out of the Logan community. Maybe it would be a good model for all clubs to follow.

Agree that the comp with only Prems and Colts is a terrible format that does not allow for depth in a club.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

And that is my point entirely - more $$$$ = better players = better competition.
I believe the situation in Qld cannot improve unless there are radical and long lasting changes from the ground up - forget the top management - Qld's problem comes from grass roots club rugby and it's continued residence in the dark ages of economics and reallity. Qld laws need changing, money needs to be spent to build clubs which can generate the readies.

After last weekend - it is tempting to get cheap flights every weekend just watch the better club rugby in Sydney.

 

[Scotty]

I wish there was an alternative to the model of using pokies as a clubs main source of income. IMO the NSW community is all the worse for the prevalence of pokies and large clubs, and pubs controlled by large companies. The Victorians are ones that have it right as far as balance with bars/clubs/pubs and their licensing laws.

 

[TOCC]

Whispers,
The Sydney Clubs, both Union and League have historically more $$$$$ (generally from the handbags of financially disadvantaged little old ladies) from the pokies. They have then attracted players from Queensland, generally for the $$.

Having said that Sunnybank Club certainly sucks some $$$$ out of the Logan community. Maybe it would be a good model for all clubs to follow.

Agree that the comp with only Prems and Colts is a terrible format that does not allow for depth in a club.

Sunnybank sucks some $$$ out of logan?
I think you will find that Sunnybank sucks $$ out of Sunnybank, the large asian population of Sunnybank and there affection for pokies is what has made this club so wealthy.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

I wish there was an alternative to the model of using pokies as a clubs main source of income. IMO the NSW community is all the worse for the prevalence of pokies and large clubs, and pubs controlled by large companies. The Victorians are ones that have it right as far as balance with bars/clubs/pubs and their licensing laws.

have you seen the size of the ALF clubs.
Again, an entirely different set of circumstances.
In Victoria the AFL clubs are like temples - the Victorians worship their game and club patronage leaves anything we have in rugby to shame.
I cannot think of a club in Qld that would even come near the size of an AFL club hence their massive income from sales etc. Thank goodness they don't have pokies - they could then buy up every other code with that sort of cash.
Rugby in Qld has limited prospects because the licenced clubs are small very casually run affairs and do not have the revenue generating capabilities of the big clubs in NSW or Vic.
Even Rugby clubs in NSW are minute incomparison to the league clubs and ALF clubs in Vic.

 

[TOCC]

well in terms of QLD at least, Sunnybank is in the top tier of clubs in the state for revenue income, others which are right up there include Redcliffe Dolphins(league) and Southport(afl club?)

 

[rugbywhisperer]

And you average rugby club is a sausage sizzle with beer out of an esky in comparison -
so the question needs to be asked - how do rugby clubs, not only in Qld but elsewhere develop their commercial activities and raise their profile? - that's a question - I do not have a clue as to how.

 

[straightshooter]

And you average rugby club is a sausage sizzle with beer out of an esky in comparison -
so the question needs to be asked - how do rugby clubs, not only in Qld but elsewhere develop their commercial activities and raise their profile? - that's a question - I do not have a clue as to how.

Hey Whispers
What about the "cooked chook" raffle - used to be 20 tickets at 20cents - may have to increase the ticket price to $1,000 each to make viable.

Seriously, I like you have no ideas hoe to raise profile and $$$$

 

[spectator]

Some important games in Brisbane club rugby this weekend, none more so that at Crosby Park where Brothers host the in-form Gold Coast. The Coast have just nudged to the top of the ladder but will find the filth tough at their homeground. I believe Ben Tapuai is out so wonder who will play at 10 for the Breakers. Where is Golling?

Fifth placed GPS season is on the line when they travel to Souths so that will be another good contest. Have to favour Souths. If GPS springs an upset then Easts will need to beat Sunnybank to maintain their spot in the final four.

Interesting few weeks ahead.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

And you average rugby club is a sausage sizzle with beer out of an esky in comparison -
so the question needs to be asked - how do rugby clubs, not only in Qld but elsewhere develop their commercial activities and raise their profile? - that's a question - I do not have a clue as to how.

Hey Whispers
What about the "cooked chook" raffle - used to be 20 tickets at 20cents - may have to increase the ticket price to $1,000 each to make viable.
Seriously, I like you have no ideas hoe to raise profile and $$$$

Well it looks like you, me and the entire rugby community have no idea as nothing is being done.

 

[TOCC]

Some important games in Brisbane club rugby this weekend, none more so that at Crosby Park where Brothers host the in-form Gold Coast. The Coast have just nudged to the top of the ladder but will find the filth tough at their homeground. I believe Ben Tapuai is out so wonder who will play at 10 for the Breakers. Where is Golling?

Fifth placed GPS season is on the line when they travel to Souths so that will be another good contest. Have to favour Souths. If GPS springs an upset then Easts will need to beat Sunnybank to maintain their spot in the final four.

Interesting few weeks ahead.

yeah Ben Tapuai has had surgery on his shoulder, i think Vitori Buatuva(fiji half back) is playing number 10, im not sure where Ben Gollings is, he has been absent for a couple of weeks now.

Gold Coast are struggling with backs at the moment though, they have lost a few key players in the last few weeks.

 

[Cutter]

I wish there was an alternative to the model of using pokies as a clubs main source of income. IMO the NSW community is all the worse for the prevalence of pokies and large clubs, and pubs controlled by large companies. The Victorians are ones that have it right as far as balance with bars/clubs/pubs and their licensing laws.

I agree completely Scotty. Not all Sydney clubs rely on pokies (eg Sydney Uni) but the majority do. That may help the club but it doesnt help the community. Difficult to criticise the clubs though as its the State government policies, driven by its addiction to gambling revenue, which are the problem.

 

[rugbyfreak]

Does Clive Palmer like rugby?

 

[rugbyfreak]

Any reports from this weekends games?

 

[spectator]

Funny old game rugby... the most impressive result of the weekend was probably Easts 28-5 win over the Reds filled Sunnybank. Pretty much consolidates their 4th spot but GPS still remotely in the hunt after a come from behind draw with Souths.

Brothers got the lollies against the Gold Coast 39-27 however did it against 14 men when the Breakers prop got red carded in the first half. A fully stocked Gold Coast just might be the team to beat as they were impressive with a man down. Gillespie for Brothers should get some consideration from the Reds next season..quite a powerful 12. If winger Donnelly were bigger so would he, he shows a ton of heart.

My first time to see Rex Tapuai. He was good and has more pace than younger brother Ben, which he shwed when he ran down the fleet footed Donelly.

 

[straightshooter]

Funny old game rugby... the most impressive result of the weekend was probably Easts 28-5 win over the Reds filled Sunnybank. Pretty much consolidates their 4th spot but GPS still remotely in the hunt after a come from behind draw with Souths.

Brothers got the lollies against the Gold Coast 39-27 however did it against 14 men when the Breakers prop got red carded in the first half. A fully stocked Gold Coast just might be the team to beat as they were impressive with a man down. Gillespie for Brothers should get some consideration from the Reds next season..quite a powerful 12. If winger Donnelly were bigger so would he, he shows a ton of heart.

My first time to see Rex Tapuai. He was good and has more pace than younger brother Ben, which he shwed when he ran down the fleet footed Donelly.

Good to see Crofty alive and well and still "contolling" the referee. No 3 from Breakers sent off and split Crofty open. Two bad options from Breakers resulted in 2 tries to Brothers. Breakers really missed young Ben Tapuai and the options he delivers to the backline. Brothers backs had more options out wide and took advantage.

Brothers came out firing and it was incomprehensible that Daley and Slipper were on the sideline and not run-on. Slipper came on when No3 red carded and made immediate impact,. Once Daley entered the fray Breakers scrum became more or less dominant, even with one man down.

Would like to know why Morgan made those selections or did not make them. Think Brothers got 15 unanswered points very quickly. As one bloke near me in the "Can Shop" said DOESN"T HE (Morgan) WANT TO WIN THE GAME.

Anyway, great day in the sunshine and the Brothers Ladies Day was a treat - also a few of the Reds big boys were in attendance.