dREDfull

[RugbyReg]

that's a fairly legitimate call there Disco.

So improved players over the Year?

Higginbotham
Ioane
Barnes

To be honest I thought Quade was fantastic early on, a real improver. Has slid since.

I'd throw McLinden in there I guess. Who knew what to expect of him but he's done better than Shifcofske. Some shakey moments however.

 

[Biffo]

that's a fairly legitimate call there Disco.

So improved players over the Year?

Higginbotham
Ioane
Barnes

To be honest I thought Quade was fantastic early on, a real improver. Has slid since.

I'd throw McLinden in there I guess. Who knew what to expect of him but he's done better than Shifcofske. Some shakey moments however.

When I saw McLinden's first two games for the Reds I thought that, as a rugby player, he had already got to where Shifcofske was when he went north. I am a fan of both and expect McLinden to continue to improve.

 

[Spook]

I don't think Barnes has improved unfortunately.

 

[Gagger]

If you want to talk fitness, that is a whole new ball game.
As a trainer myself (in addition to a multitude of other things) it is my humble opinion the REDS are actually overtrained.
For those wishing more specifics please feel free to PM me, but at the end of the day many of the players to whom I speak are actually fatigued before they get to the game.
I can write a whole new paper on this little puppy alone.

Fuck me, I must be overtraining as well then with this gut......

I'm kinda with Spook on Barnes. Some nice flashes but no sign of him bossing games (is this unrealistic from 12?)

 

[the gambler]

McLinden is an interesting one. He looks dangerous and has made a number of breaks but they have actually rarely led to tries. Worth sticking with but hasnt kicked on like manny of us were hoping.

While hesitant to talk rugby league I would point the Reds in the direction of North Queensland of the late 90s the Warriors of recent years. What both clubs needed was to sign some hard nosed players that would be nothing more than solid and toil away. While other clubs, in the search for success tried to recruit the big names, Kimmorly, Wing, Rogers etc the Warriors and Cowboys went for players like Travis Norton, Kevin Campion and Steve Price. For the Reds sake I was hoping Braid would fill this type of the role but sadly that hasnt been the case. Yet.

 

[fatprop]

McLinden is an interesting one. He looks dangerous and has made a number of breaks but they have actually rarely led to tries. Worth sticking with but hasnt kicked on like manny of us were hoping.

While hesitant to talk rugby league I would point the Reds in the direction of North Queensland of the late 90s the Warriors of recent years. What both clubs needed was to sign some hard nosed players that would be nothing more than solid and toil away. While other clubs, in the search for success tried to recruit the big names, Kimmorly, Wing, Rogers etc the Warriors and Cowboys went for players like Travis Norton, Kevin Campion and Steve Price. For the Reds sake I was hoping Braid would fill this type of the role but sadly that hasnt been the case. Yet.

Link talked about getting the balance right in recruitment in a podcast a while ago in that sometimes it is better to recruit an older pro than punt on another kid.

The Reds really need a forward leader, an old head who can keep them focussed, preferably a tight forward as that is where they need direction. Horwill may be that skill in the future, but he doesn't have that ability today. Elsom would cover that role in spades and seems to be available.

 

[formeropenside]

Andew Brown, one of the finds of the 2007 horror year, is back in Brisbane turning out for Uni. He could be worth a backline spot next season, as a player with the ability to play 12 or 13.

 

[disco]

Andew Brown, one of the finds of the 2007 horror year, is back in Brisbane turning out for Uni. He could be worth a backline spot next season, as a player with the ability to play 12 or 13.

For sure he only left because of Eddie Jones, I thought he was a very good player.

 

[spectator]

Andew Brown, one of the finds of the 2007 horror year, is back in Brisbane turning out for Uni. He could be worth a backline spot next season, as a player with the ability to play 12 or 13.

For sure he only left because of Eddie Jones, I thought he was a very good player.

Good call there FOS although Turinui should be back from injury in 2010 and will cover the 13 spot. I still think Andrew Walker should not have been let go this season, particularly when they still have only 32 in the squad. His value at Easts is priceless.

 

[formeropenside]

Andew Brown, one of the finds of the 2007 horror year, is back in Brisbane turning out for Uni. He could be worth a backline spot next season, as a player with the ability to play 12 or 13.

For sure he only left because of Eddie Jones, I thought he was a very good player.

Good call there FOS although Turinui should be back from injury in 2010 and will cover the 13 spot. I still think Andrew Walker should not have been let go this season, particularly when they still have only 32 in the squad. His value at Easts is priceless.

Depth is nice. It would be good to have some genuine competition for starting spots across the park. Why the ARU made the Force I dont know, but it badly hurt Qld rugby.

 

[Scotty]

fp,

I would hope that Hardman had enough experience to fill that role, but I think you really need at least two older blokes up front, particularly when the average age of the rest is so low.

spook,

Would you reconsider that appraisal of Barnes after tonight?