QLD Premier Rugby 2014

[Crusher]

Very interesting Crusher. Who's leaving Souths & returning to Bond?

They could be building nicely for next season if this is the case.

Breakdown, I understand Joel Brown is looking to return back to the Coast and if he does the rest of the TSS group will follow him back so my third hand mail has advised me.

 

[Crusher]

Bond job = Gary Nucifora

Sorry to rain on your parade Tommy B but Garry Nucifora will not be the DOR or Prem head coach for next year as he didn't apply for the role but there may be another role that he has secured at Bond that maybe closely related.

 

[TheBigDog]

9 GPS teams in the finals this weekend, however, only two teams made the Major Semi and are guaranteed a second bite if they go down.

Could either be a very happy or sad weekend coming up for Gallopers supporters.

 

[Breakdown]

On this - it may be a bold move but if I were Shane Arnold I'd consider starting Liam McWhirter this weekend and having Bobby Tuttle play for Premier Colts to get some structure back.

McWhirter is a seasoned player and with such good strike weapons out wide in Johnson, Samu, Kurindrani etc, his steady passing and kicking game, with nothing too flashy could be good. In the same regard, GPS Prem Colts have been on a 3 game losing streak since securing the minor premiership. Having Tuttle back could ignite their back line and give them a trip straight to the Grand Final.

I imagine Sunnybank may consider the same with Third to provide the same added structure given he's been starting in reserve grade recently.

 

[FilthRugby]

You have to play a required amount of games in Premier Colts in order to make the finals. I think Tuttle will qualify.

University and GPS made every final.

Big Dog, how do you reckon the Gallopers will go against the Filth this weekend?

 

[TheBigDog]

I actually think its a good matchup for the Gallopers. Having played Brothers so recently the pain of the loss will be fresh in their heads and they will no doubt be working on the areas where Brothers were able to get on top of them. Also Samu playing and in-form is a massive boost.

I can definitely see GPS getting on top of Brothers this weekend but it will no doubt be close. Brothers probably have the edge in the forwards and will be crucial to the game. However, in the bigger picture, I don't think anyone will be able to beat Uni. They have looked very solid all year without the need of their usual representative reinforcements and I think they'll go all the way.

 

[Cat_A]

The Brothers and University game was very equal overall. Each team dominated in different periods.

University started strongly and scored two early tries. Whilst Brothers hit back to leave the scores 17-13 to the home side.

Giles Beveridge scored early in the second-half, 18-17.

University then picked up three penalties, before Brothers scored again in the corner, Greene kicked a conversion from out wide, 26-25.

University scored right on full time, which didn't do justice to Brothers. I thought University should only have won by a point. An 8 point difference didn't reflect the game.

Very, very proud of the filth. I thought they deserved to win. But, University are a very good side.

Hats off the Coady (200th Cap) and Buchanan (100th Cap) from both respective clubs.

St Lucia is great to watch footy from. I managed to see all of the "Old Boys Day" game, which was a sensational spectacle of high quality rugby.
However, it was a great initiative from University and I imagine the post match nutrition of XXXX Gold and Meat Pies went down well.

Looking forward to heading out to Ballymore for the finals.

Filth I thought Brothers were quite a bit more aggressive at the breakdown than Uni, and as a Uni supporter I hope to see that addressed in time for this weekend's game against Sunnybank. Having said that, the turnover ball that Browning, Mitchell and Cornelson were able to get at various times evened things up.

Now for the game that really mattered: Old Boys. I commented to a few people that day that the skill level of the game was excellent: the game looked like a really slow motion exhibition of some quality passing and wonderful attacking lines. I know the game is now viewable on YouTube.

Even better though were the number of players from both sides still standing around with beers in hand well after the Premier Grade game ended. I believe the game itself will become an annual event each time Brothers and Uni play at Uni.

And trust me: for some players the XXXX was pre-game hydration also.

 

[Refabit]

Sorry to rain on your parade Tommy B but Garry Nucifora will not be the DOR or Prem head coach for next year as he didn't apply for the role but there may be another role that he has secured at Bond that maybe closely related.

I believe he has been announced as the Director of Sport for Bond Uni.
The Director of rugby is entirely different. There is a shortlist of 5 at present with the successful candidate to be announced within 3 weeks.
Several possibles from overseas apparently.

 

[BaysideBird]

You have to play a required amount of games in Premier Colts in order to make the finals. I think Tuttle will qualify.

University and GPS made every final.

Big Dog, how do you reckon the Gallopers will go against the Filth this weekend?

If you've been playing Premier Grade (or Premier Reserve), and are still U19, you are able to play for the Prem Colts team if they have made it into the finals. It's the only grade where that can happen I believe.

 

[Breakdown]

Breakdown, I understand Joel Brown is looking to return back to the Coast and if he does the rest of the TSS group will follow him back so my third hand mail has advised me.

Interesting choice to compete with young Digger Macmillan for the #7 jersey given they are now both specialists opensides these days.

Good luck to him though.

 

[Breakdown]

If you've been playing Premier Grade (or Premier Reserve), and are still U19, you are able to play for the Prem Colts team if they have made it into the finals. It's the only grade where that can happen I believe.

Correct. Was the reason for changing reserve grade to premium reserve - to allow colts to play up in the premier comp & not rule them ineligible to return.

It wasn't so 1st graders could big note themselves with the ladies.

 

[George Hipwall]

Rumour has it the majority of the shortlist are Sydney based with Nudgee Rugby director (sorry not sure of name but apparently a former QRU staffer) and Rebels asst coach Hedger the only ones with a QLD association to make the final cut. Heard some crazy gossip that the likes of Jim Williams, Todd Louden (ex Waratahs coaching staff) missed the final shortlist so whoever these sydney based blokes are must be super high calibre.

Jim Williams will be coaching Southern Districts in Sydney next year, or be part of the set up down there

 

[Tigers Tale]

Filth - you won't like what I am about to say but I think Brothers are the smokies in the final series - good luck to your lads.

Having said that I've heard that GPS looked a very different side with Samu giving them some thrust out wide.

In both semis on Sunday it will be interesting to see which teams bring their A game because at their respective best they are all not without a chance of tasting Hospital Cup success.

I'm tipping Brothers and Uni this weekend. With Sunnybank to bounce back in the Prelim and be a far tougher opponent for Uni in the GF.

Good luck to all 4 clubs.

Big Dog - would a loss for GPS this weekend make Shane Arnold's job tenuous?

 

[Stumpy]

Wanna join me for a beer this Sunday on the Hill, TT?

 

[Tigers Tale]

I'll leave it to you boys on Sunday thanks Stumpy.

 

[TheBigDog]

TT thats a good question regarding Shane Arnold. From my perspective I think the club needs Shane more than Shane needs the club. As you would know Shane was involved with the Aus 20s this year and I think that role will grow, therefore it may be the question of whether, win or lose, Shane is sticking around in 2015.

In terms of the club showing him the door, there isn't anyone at the club internally at the moment who would supersede him in terms of coaching ability etc so unless they've been in talks with a big name from outside I think his job is safe.

 

[FilthRugby]

These two games are hard to pick.

Bros v Jeeps; is going to be very even.

Sbk v Uni; I think the Bank are a bit of a bogey team for the Heavies. Wouldn't be surprised if they upset the minor-premiers.

 

[Tigers Tale]

So Shane Arnold's standing in the club is higher than Mick Heenan's was!!

I would just be concerned that your CEO will be looking to secure a premiership with the current group of players (unless that premiership window has already closed), and losing twice to Easts in the 2013 finals and a minor semi loss to Brother in 2014 wouldn't go down too well I wouldn't have thought.

 

[FilthRugby]

TT talking up Brothers?!?! What have you taken today mate? Going a bit troppo. Never are you this modest.

 

[Tigers Tale]

I have always given credit where it is due Filth.