QLD GPS Rugby 2019

[Garry Owens]

There is no way I would elevate Connor Claridge to starting 10. There is no question over Sam Walker to secure that position. Even Mason Gordon over Connor Claridge from what I saw at the beginning of the season.

Hamish Roberts, Jack Howarth and Jock Thompson all big contributions to this year’s GPS.

Good year fellas. Not the outcome predicted at the beginning of the year but a solid year of rugby. With my son finishing up this year in GPS, and many of your lads too, we can move over to the Colts thread and continue our rivalry. Go Brothers.

Claridge was a big factor in containing Walker , completely dominated the TSS inner midfield and was a big big factor in blunting Pasitoa down the stretch - like he handled him one on one defensively in the first trial of the season. He’s got a big kicking game and when employed properly he’ll get his team around the park . He was the perfect , understated foil to a big time centre pairing and got them moving - the attack was absolutely on song v TSS and NC and Claridge’s execution was at the centre of that

Gordon will be an ok player and feasted on a poor Churchie team , a 1 win Terrace team and a no win Grammar team - but he isn’t anywhere near things Claridge can bring to the table - and he’s a big big part of the reason why other team’s 10’s really couldn’t fire too many shots. That , and Jack Howarth wedging in from 13 like something from a Sir David Attenborough African nature special - shut it down good and proper. But make no mistake - there was a reason Steve Kefu wanted him and you have to say it was 100% the right decision and gave BBC the chance to win it all

And they didn’t win it all because of kicking - they didn’t win because of poor coaching preparation and no in game adjustments and critical errors in the last 9 minutes v TSS that led to a 6 point swing . End of story .

But Claridge out played Schmidt and Pasitoa and probably just had the edge over Walker - who I thought mismanaged it with a rookie Coach in an 8 point game in the 2nd half when they had 67% 2nd half possession . BBC scored on last play of the game to open it up to 15 points in the scorecard - and they were the better team , no question , but IGS still squandered opportunity in a “close on the score board” game with 67% 2nd half possession

With Pasitoa , truth is , he didn’t take the game over when he needed to v BBC and didn’t really put his put down until the 2nd half v IGS. I expected him to dominate a lot more ( Hearn too ) v the rookie halves of TSS - but I found it a bit underwhelming.

So , without doing the “name pick” thing that most seem prone to do - and based purely on the merit I could see - Claridge is my starting 10 for the season

And yes , Go Brothers

 

[Garry Owens]

Cheika, is that you? Just kidding. Nice team but you have picked a fantasy team to play a game against somebody else.

For a proper GPS combined 1st XV, I think you have to pick players based on the position they played for the majority of the season.

Did Jock Thompson pack down in the second row, or was Blake hooking in the scrum? Gibson at six?

No but I think Double Take had Jordan Petaia out of the position he played . There have been several other examples in prior teams of the season

But to acknowledge your point I sort of know what you are saying . The only guy I picked as a starter that didn’t play the whole season was Claridge - and only reason being is because he did it against the best in the comp

 

[The Nomad]

^^Was going to "like" your earlier post right up until I read " Go Brothers"

 

[fairplay]

"He was the perfect , understated foil to a big time centre pairing and got them moving - the attack was absolutely on song v TSS and NC and Claridge’s execution was at the centre of that"​

I'd still probably have Pasitoa as the overall best number 10. But Claridge has been very good for BBC doing the traditional flyhalf role, and physical and aggressive in defense.

Having said that, your sentence above is completely on point 100%

 

[fairplay]

No but I think Double Take had Jordan Petaia out of the position he played . There have been several other examples in prior teams of the season



But to acknowledge your point I sort of know what you are saying . The only guy I picked as a starter that didn’t play the whole season was Claridge - and only reason being is because he did it against the best in the comp

All good man, I get where you were going with that team.

I'm kinda bummed there is only one more week to go and then its all over again for another year.

 

[Garry Owens]

^^Was going to "like" your earlier post right up until I read " Go Brothers"

The batteries were gone in my wireless keyboard

It really should have read “ Go and get stuffed Brothers”

 

[Garry Owens]

Whatever the case may be on the kid it seems pretty classless launching a direct attack on him on a public forum.

 

[Shaw Road]

Whatever the case may be on the kid it seems pretty classless launching a direct attack on him on a public forum.

agreed,very personal, he is still a school boy,he was one of the best in the comp and only heard really positive things about him from people in the know at Nudgee,everyone deserves another chance....

 

[Blue & white]

Interesting voices of silence on this one so did some digging.



You are classless keyboard warrier.

 

[Cancelled Account]

The batteries were gone in my wireless keyboard

It really should have read “ Go and get stuffed Brothers”

I hear you’re a Jeeps man GO.

 

[Garry Owens]

You got good hearing . Inclusive of your internal monologue. I'm just not sure about your eyesight though . If I direct you to the right you will see a Sunnybank emblem.

 

[Confucius Say]

I like the energy of Thompson but play on the discipline edge. Especially v TSS but now know why. Go well young man.

 

[Cancelled Account]

Claridge was a big factor in containing Walker , completely dominated the TSS inner midfield and was a big big factor in blunting Pasitoa down the stretch - like he handled him one on one defensively in the first trial of the season. He’s got a big kicking game and when employed properly he’ll get his team around the park . He was the perfect , understated foil to a big time centre pairing and got them moving - the attack was absolutely on song v TSS and NC and Claridge’s execution was at the centre of that

Gordon will be an ok player and feasted on a poor Churchie team , a 1 win Terrace team and a no win Grammar team - but he isn’t anywhere near things Claridge can bring to the table - and he’s a big big part of the reason why other team’s 10’s really couldn’t fire too many shots. That , and Jack Howarth wedging in from 13 like something from a Sir David Attenborough African nature special - shut it down good and proper. But make no mistake - there was a reason Steve Kefu wanted him and you have to say it was 100% the right decision and gave BBC the chance to win it all

And they didn’t win it all because of kicking - they didn’t win because of poor coaching preparation and no in game adjustments and critical errors in the last 9 minutes v TSS that led to a 6 point swing . End of story .

But Claridge out played Schmidt and Pasitoa and probably just had the edge over Walker - who I thought mismanaged it with a rookie Coach in an 8 point game in the 2nd half when they had 67% 2nd half possession . BBC scored on last play of the game to open it up to 15 points in the scorecard - and they were the better team , no question , but IGS still squandered opportunity in a “close on the score board” game with 67% 2nd half possession

With Pasitoa , truth is , he didn’t take the game over when he needed to v BBC and didn’t really put his put down until the 2nd half v IGS. I expected him to dominate a lot more ( Hearn too ) v the rookie halves of TSS - but I found it a bit underwhelming.

So , without doing the “name pick” thing that most seem prone to do - and based purely on the merit I could see - Claridge is my starting 10 for the season

And yes , Go Brothers

Funny that. Claridge is of no interest to QRL or QRU this year. Walker, Pasitoa, Schmidt and Mason Gordon getting the call up in their respective code. If he was that good someone would have noticed.

 

[Garry Owens]

Well Claridge isn't U16 so I am not sure why you are comparing him to players in U16's that got "call ups". So there is that as it relates to Schmidt and Gordon - and I tell you who did notice - his Coaches at BBC that put him in over Mason Gordon.

The issue is all the Magic Carpet Rider enablers don't know him because he has only played 15 to 20 games of Rugby over 3 seasons

I will point out as short as 2 seasons ago he was the QRL's #1 6. He did drift a bit last year as he wasn't on the inside at BBC and he was short on confidence - especially coming back off bad concussion/broken jaw the season before in 15's

Anyway .......all that should really matter beyond the enablement selections you broadly refer is who does what - and on this basis - he outperformed all the guys you mention

So yes it is funny (as you reference ) I suppose. Sort of in a hapless tragic way for those with the responsibility

Maybe he needs an Agent with an in built PR Department.

 

[Cancelled Account]

U18 teams named today. No mention of Claridge.

 

[Garry Owens]

Yes , as you have already said.

Yawn. G'Night

 

[egroeg]

I don't say much on this forum, and I have been following the comments throughout the season, but I do look forward to commenting more on the Colts thread next year. I predict that we will be seeing lads that have been playing 2nds and 3rds at GPS schools, this year playing in Colts 1, and am looking forward to seeing comments like "Where the hell have they been?" when the shackles of school politics break, and fall away

 

[Ronald Reagan]

U18 teams named today. No mention of Claridge.

Claridge only played 5 games this year he had an ankle problem at the end of the pre season and he was ready to go for round 1 but injured it again the training session before the game. Claridge is hands down the best defensive 10 in the comp. May not do anything too fancy in attack but controls the game well and makes minimal mistakes. He’d be my pick at 10.

 

[Jets]

I don't say much on this forum, and I have been following the comments throughout the season, but I do look forward to commenting more on the Colts thread next year. I predict that we will be seeing lads that have been playing 2nds and 3rds at GPS schools, this year playing in Colts 1, and am looking forward to seeing comments like "Where the hell have they been?" when the shackles of school politics break, and fall away

1st XV and Colts rugby are like chalk and cheese. Look at someone like Aiden Latter who went from 2nd XV at Terrace to Colts 1 at UQ, it happens all the time.

 

[TheKing]

The Courier-Mail has just opened up a vote for the 2019 First XV team of the season.

Back your mates, support your school, or actually vote for a team of the season (!!)

https://www.couriermail.com.au/spor...n/news-story/0d590c8c2f3dcd0ef204828ef5b39448