Mark McLinden gone!

[RugbyReg]

The 30-year old has been advised that two bulging discs in his neck present a high risk of serious injury if he continues to play contact sport, so he has decided to call fulltime on his 12 year professional playing career.

"I've been told the injury will heal itself over time providing I don’t receive a serious knock to that part of my body. The only way to ensure that doesn’t happen is to stop playing football altogether," McLinden said today, after breaking the news to his Reds team-mates.

"I've been fortunate to have had a long and - in my opinion - successful career in rugby league and rugby union here in Australia and overseas; I've made a lot of friends and enjoyed myself immensely. But I'm realistic enough to know you can't play forever and I retire with no regrets.

"It's time now to move on to a new stage of my life and to do some of the things I've had in the back of my mind that I wanted to do, but haven't had the time because of football."

Away from rugby McLinden has a diverse range of interests, having studied courses in fitness, business and journalism. He's also produced short films and has a strong interest in media.

"With the support of the Reds player development program I gained my personal training certificate so that's something I might start off with. But I have a few ideas I'd like to pursue."

McLinden joined the Reds for the 2009 season on a two year contract after a decorated seven year career in rugby league with the Canberra Raiders, followed by four seasons playing league in the UK.

He made an impressively fast transition to rugby and made his starting debut for the Reds at fullback after only a handful of trial matches and a maiden appearance off the bench in the opening round of 2009 against the formidable Bulls.

He went on to play in all but one of the Reds' 13 Super Rugby games in 2009, scoring three tries.

QR Reds Head Coach Ewen McKenzie said the news had come as a shock to the team and to McLinden, who had impressed the new coaching staff both on and off the field.

"We certainly viewed Mark as an integral member of the team and valued his leadership qualities and work ethic. In my short period with the team he impressed me with his approach to training and his all round professionalism," McKenzie said.

"However having been through the same type of injury myself I know he's made completely the right decision.

"While this has come completely out of the blue, we do have some fullback options in the squad and the Academy and we'll be examining those first before deciding whether to look further afield.

"In the meantime, our main focus now will be on helping Mark make this adjustment in his life and giving him whatever support he needs in that."

 

[RugbyReg]

ok, so perhaps Aiden Toua will come back into the squad?

From the contracted list the other real fullback options are Davies and Connor. Does Morahan play fullback?

Perhaps Hynes?

15 Hynes
14 Morahan
13 Ioane
12 Cooper
11 Chambers
10 Lucas
9 Genia

20 Kingi
21 Fainga'a
2 Turinui

 

[Ash]

Wouldn't mind seeing Morahan or Hynes at fullback. Sad to see McLinden retire early, and he was a real threat running the ball back for the Reds.

I think Turinuri will be on the field somewhere at 12 or 13, his leadership and experience will be invaluable for the Reds. I think Lucas will be on the bench covering 9, 10, 12, with Turinuri at 12, Ioane 13 and Chambers on the wing. I am not sure if Kingi will even make the bench of the Reds next season, nor am I sure if he deserves a spot ahead of Lucas?

BTW, check out the pictures of the Reds on the front page of http://www.redsrugby.com.au/ - looks like Houston has plenty of weight still to lose.

 

[Epi]

That's really bad news. McLinden was a very good player for the Reds. He was a natural for the game and it was a shame he didn't switch a little earlier.

I saw a piece about him on the Rugby Club and he seems like a great bloke too.

 

[RugbyReg]

yeah I tend to agree re Morgan T Ash.

In fact I wouldn't mind seeing Fainga'a in 12 and Morgan T in 13. With Diggers and Morahan on the flank, Hynes at the back and Cooper and Genia in the halves. I think that is more solid, and perhaps more Link.

 

[fatprop]

I think you could see Chambers at 12, he looked really solid defensively for the Storm, and Morgs at 13 trying to calm Cooper.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

Morahaghan could play 15 though I have never seem him. Hynes would be the better option - Luke is getting over the shoulder reconstruction so that may have some impact on positional play.
Someone said on another topic Qld have a good selection of backs - I beg to differ - there is no room at all for injuries and they could be very thin on depth very quickly.
Please don't recommend Blair Connor - not yet.

 

[RugbyReg]

where did Ben Batger get to? He was a link signing at the Tahs wasn't he?

Any other Sydney club players worth looking at?



Can't see Chambers getting the 12 jersery too soon. At least I wouldn't want him there. Don't think I want him anywhere too quick.

 

[Biffo]

Any other Sydney club players worth looking at?

:huxley :huxley ::lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

 

[RugbyReg]

:nta:

don't get it?

 

[Biffo]

:nta:
don't get it?

:angryfire: :angryfire:

The Brumby model for player development: raid the Sydney club ranks.

What happened to your principles of developing and retaining your own? I support those principles to the limit - Qld and Australia need Qld talent identified, developed and retained in the interests of us all.

 

[TOCC]

Aidan Toua might see himself starting sooner rather then later

 

[Scotty]

I think you could see Chambers at 12, he looked really solid defensively for the Storm, and Morgs at 13 trying to calm Cooper.

No way in the world can we have an inexperienced Chambers at 12 outside at possibly erratic Cooper at 10. I'd be happy for Morgan to be in the 12 jumper, at least at the start of the season, with Ioane outside him.

I'm not convince Hynes is a 15, but there ain't many other options at the moment. Unless Lucas can jump about 6 foot off the ground.

 

[TOCC]

i was going to suggest Lucas

 

[Biffo]

The best move the Reds could make, IMHO, would be to do whatever it takes to prise Lealiifano out of the Brumbies paddock and into their number 15 shirt.

 

[spectator]

This is sad news for McLinden and bad news for the Reds. He had a great debut season in Super 14 and IMO would have been better value in season 2.

Hynes is probably the logical person to immediately fill 15 as a stopgap but there are three trial matches to check the capabilities of other contenders. People aren't mentioning Rod Davies, the OZ schools fullback in 2006. Plenty of pace and very safe under the high ball, he is at least an option. He also has a season of S14 under his belt and might be better for the run. Not sure about his kicking game, or that of Hynes for that matter.

On Chambers, having played admirably in the outside backs for the Storm, he just has to get re-used to defensive patterns and he'll be right. Unlike Tahu, he has a rugby background.

Agree with Morgs at 12. Look for him to have an influential season.

 

[RugbyReg]

People aren't mentioning Rod Davies, the OZ schools fullback in 2006.

ahem, please note my 2nd post in this thread/

 

[spectator]

People aren't mentioning Rod Davies, the OZ schools fullback in 2006.

ahem, please note my 2nd post in this thread/

Humble apologies Noddy. Don't know that Connor is a fullback though. Wing or 13 is his go isn't it?

 

[tranquility]

blood toua. he played 2 years of schoolboys from QLD (younger than the welshmen) and then dominated in brisbane premier rugby until he got injured. Is still only 19 but has all the trickery of the best players.

 

[RugbyReg]

Speccy, I think the thinking is that Connor is a 13 who should play wing at pro level until he gets bigger/more mature. I am pretty sure I saw him play some fullback though, perhaps for his club a couple of years ago.