QLD Premier Rugby 2021

[Happyman]

Any updates on player movement? I’m sure there is plenty but this is what I’ve got.

Bond:
Taulatasi Tasi from Gordon into the centres
Stowers & Menzies to Sydney

Brothers:
Picked up Flavell, Watson & Clift from Uni
Phoenix Hunt from Easts
Lost Kapa to Uni

Easts:
No insight

GPS:
No insight

Norths:
Ozzie V, Missi & Bart Ritchie heading to Norths from Wests
Iopu Iopu Aso from GPS

Souths:
Thomas & Ripley to Uni

Sunnybank:
Maile Ngaumo returning

UQ:
Picked up Ben Grant from WA
Fred Keil, Jack Middleton & Paul Ah Him from Wests
Lona Holaholo from NZ
RJ Sa’aga from Melbourne
Tom Molly from Randwick

Wests:
No insight besides players mentioned leaving

Who do GPS have as Hooker with Maile at the Bank

 

[PhilClinton]

They still have Alex Casey and Troy Simkin

 

[Dark Shark]

Who do GPS have as Hooker with Maile at the Bank

And if Matt Faessler is in a Super Rugby COVID bubble and Dobbins has gone to Wests then Brothers also have a big hole in the Hooker role this season.

 

[PhilClinton]

And if Matt Faessler is in a Super Rugby COVID bubble and Dobbins has gone to Wests then Brothers also have a big hole in the Hooker role this season.

Matt Mafi possibly coming back with Japanese season off?

 

[The Whisperer]

And if Matt Faessler is in a Super Rugby COVID bubble and Dobbins has gone to Wests then Brothers also have a big hole in the Hooker role this season.

I think from an earlier post, Cam Flavell from Uni has changed to the butchers stripes. He didn’t get much of a run in Premier Grade this year due to Tom Mellor

 

[eldiablo]

I've heard Matt Mafi and Maile Ngaumo have both been at GPS training the past few weeks... Got to love the rumour mill!

 

[PhilClinton]

If that were true it means they'd have Mafi, Ngaumo, Casey and Simkin all as current Premier level players at hooker, doesn't sound right!

 

[SouthernX]

If that were true it means they'd have Mafi, Ngaumo, Casey and Simkin all as current Premier level players at hooker, doesn't sound right!

Can any of these boys play prop? Seem to recall Mafi can....

But even that doesn’t make sense at the top tier prop talent you have down at Yoku Rd.

 

[PhilClinton]

Can any of these boys play prop? Seem to recall Mafi can..

But even that doesn’t make sense at the top tier prop talent you have down at Yoku Rd.

I don't think the prop depth is there like it has been in previous years.

Smith twins are gone.
Emosi Tuquiri is gone
Someone above said Felemi has left?
Freddy Burke obviously the GOAT but he was showing signs of wear and tear last season and isn't a spring chicken anymore.
Straker - I'm not sure? Released by the Reds so whether he keeps playing club rugby in Brisbane or goes back overseas looking to play professionally I'm not sure.
Feao has been retained by the Reds, not sure the plans for him and if there is a Super Rugby bubble he won't play much club.

 

[eldiablo]

I don't think the prop depth is there like it has been in previous years.

Smith twins are gone.
Emosi Tuquiri is gone
Someone above said Felemi has left?
Freddy Burke obviously the GOAT but he was showing signs of wear and tear last season and isn't a spring chicken anymore.
Straker - I'm not sure? Released by the Reds so whether he keeps playing club rugby in Brisbane or goes back overseas looking to play professionally I'm not sure.

Also heard Straker is in for GPS this year. Wouldn't be suprised to see Mafi plays prop with Maile around and their lack of props.

But, I'm not suprised they're taking on some extra coverage. No disrespect to Simkin but is he really up to Premier Grade standard? and Casey has had injury problems forever, the poor bloke.

 

[PhilClinton]

Also heard Straker is in for GPS this year. Wouldn't be suprised to see Mafi plays prop with Maile around and their lack of props.

But, I'm not suprised they're taking on some extra coverage. No disrespect to Simkin but is he really up to Premier Grade standard? and Casey has had injury problems forever, the poor bloke.

Is Simkin Premier Grade standard - I think yes. Is he on the same level as the other blokes who are competing for the position, no he isn't, but not everyone in the squad needs to be a superstar/professional standard. Just my opinion.

 

[The Nomad]

GPS also has John Downs as a developing prop , he got quite a few runs off the bench last year and at only 20 will keep improving.

 

[D'Lite Full]

Problem is a few runs off the bench wasn't enough work for Downes. He is still eligible for Colts so give him some game time as props are best in their mid-late twenties (the Tongan Thor is 25 in May). His AIC peer from St Pats (Brad Kuhn) is still playing Norths Colts and will benefit from the development.

 

[The Nomad]

GPS had Downes training with second grade in his first year out of school (2019) to improve his scrummaging, he played mostly Colts but had plenty of exposure to grades.

Same last year except the exposure was first and second grades.

Can't see him playing Colts in anyway improving his scrummaging, it would be a step backwards.

 

[Galloper]

GPS had Downes training with second grade in his first year out of school (2019) to improve his scrummaging, he played mostly Colts but had plenty of exposure to grades.

Same last year except the exposure was first and second grades.

Can't see him playing Colts in anyway improving his scrummaging, it would be a step backwards.

I'm pretty sure that Downes started as prop for Jeeps in the Ressies GF in 2019, or at the very least came on as a reserve during that game.

Even now Downes is only 19 and has only been playing in the front row for 3 years, plenty of time for him to develop into a good prosepct if he has the dedication.

 

[The Nomad]

Yes he did against a very good Brothers scrum, great experience for a kid in his first year out of school.

 

[D'Lite Full]

Don't want to get caught up on Downes but there's context to my comments. He wasn't a prop until Year 12 (2018) so development and workload subsequently is critical. He then had a major leg injury playing in the under 17s which prevented him playing and training for a long period.

Training with the Reserves is good exposure but running on for the last 10 minutes of games hasn't given him the workload he needs. Saw him play in one isolated Colts appearance and looked like he was short of a run at that level let alone. Not did he look that superior to his opposition that is the best measure.

 

[PhilClinton]

Speaking generally here - the roll of a gun front rower at Colts level is very different to their expectations when they play 1sts or 2nds, with the exception of absolute stars like Taniela Tupou of course.

I've seen plenty of young props at Prem Colts level have absolute belters for 60mins, running the ball, destroying scrums, generally being good and scoring tries and then run themselves to a stand still with 20mins on the clock. At Colts level its easy for those guys to still be the biggest in the room and almost do too much work.

A good coach will change their game style when they blood them into grades, focus on their set piece and ruck defence especially. Less touches of the ball. Again, that's generally speaking.

 

[The Nomad]

GPS have a pretty good track record with their scrum, there would be a reason why they have Downes in Grades rather than Colts.

There were a few Colts lads at UQ last year that chose to play 2nd grade ( Reggies ) rather than another year of Colts. They basically thought it would develop their game more than playing Colts would, the First grade coaches told one of them he needed to play against men to improve his effectiveness in contact.

 

[Oldschool]

Well hopefully that means GPS won't go uncontested in the Reggies this season