Qld Premier Rugby 2023

[CreepyJoe]

With the Reds Challenger Series approaching (new thread?). Who do we expect making the President’s XV? What type of style does Les coach? Plenty of big names not in the Wallabies camp will make a decent Reds Development VX.


Props
Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Phransis Sula-Siaosi, George Blake, Sef Fa’agase

Hookers
Richie Asiata, Max Craig?

Locks
Angus Blyth, Lopeti Faifau, Jake Upfield

Backrow
Connor Anderson, Harry Wilson, Keynan Tauakipulu, Seru Uru

Halfback
Louis Werchon, Spencer Jeans

Flyhalves
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Lawson Creighton, James O’Connor

Centre
Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Taj Annan

Outside Back
Jock Campbell, Ben Navosailagi, Mac Grealy, Paddy James

International Duty
Suliasi Vunivalu, Peni Ravai, Jordan Petaia, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Matt Faessler

Injured
Floyd Aubrey, Tom Lynagh, Isaac Henry, Ryan Smith, Josh Nasser, Connor Vest, Liam Wright, Harry Hoopert, Wilson Blyth

Kalani Thomas - NZ

President’s XV
A few quick names…

Props
Liam Usher, Nick Bloomfield, JP Tominko, Trevor King, Rhys Sheriff, Harrison Usher

Hooker
Ethan Dobbins, ???

Lock
Will Sankey, Oliver Bartlett, Taelyn Nukunuku

Backrow
Matt Gicquel, Pat Morrey, Kohan Herbert, Alex Smit

Halfback
Eli Pilz, ???

Flyhalves
Jake Pappin
Brad Twidale

Centre
Tyler Campbell, Pio Nakubuwai, Matt Smit, Chris Kurindrani

Outside back
Veresa Mataitini, Rhian Stowers, Meli Dru, Jayden Ngamanu, Hamish Roberts, Cooper Whiteside

Hearing Zander has been cut by Reds (as has Hoopert) so will Zander play in this?

 

[PhilClinton]

Bond forwards will need to dust off the old long metal tags if they don't want their scrum to be dominated during finals.

A bit mindblowing (embarrassing) that Nonggorr is a Wallaby capped front rower.

As a Reds fan, the lack of progression our fully contracted props (Zander, Hoopert, Nonggorr) have been able to make is pretty disappointing.

 

[Bulldog]

The front rower who has really stepped up out of QPR is Rhys Van Neck. Pity George Francis didn’t also progress his game out of the 2020 GF when those two went to town with the Uni pack.
Which highlights the importance of scrum dominance in finals footy - Bond take note.

 

[Wilson]

As a Reds fan, the lack of progression our fully contracted props (Zander, Hoopert, Nonggorr) have been able to make is pretty disappointing.

Pretty stark contrast to the progess our hookers have made over that time - Paenga-Amosa, Mafi, Nasser and Faessler have all taken big steps forward during their time with the Reds.

 

[PhilClinton]

Pretty stark contrast to the progess our hookers have made over that time - Paenga-Amosa, Mafi, Nasser and Faessler have all taken big steps forward during their time with the Reds.

Yeh and I think Mafi has/had the highest ceiling of them all. Obviously, some bad injuries in recent years but he's been playing well for GPS and part of the scrum that was punishing Bond on the weekend.

Funnily enough speaking to him over the weekend and it doesn't sound like he reckons he's a chance of any higher honours in Australia, Eddie must have lost his number because I think you could do worse than give blokes like him a shot at least in Aussie A.

 

[PhilClinton]

The depth of talent and passion at this club is unique - as is its playing style. But is this enough to take them all the way in 2023? Time will tell.

Are you the intern journalist student at Bond? Nearly every post you make about them sounds like something their social media manager would write up for a finals booklet.

 

[Confucius Say]

Few harsh comments on Bond. Every club wants to win and every club will recruit players to win. Just because they have recruited well and have a bit of cash to splash.

But nobody is giving credit to the coach who has to pull them together to be a cohesive unit. Something other clubs could not achieve consistently this year. Arguably Easts are the only club in that category.

 

[Bulldog]

The core of that Easts side has evolved out of their colts - even Wilkin was an Easts Colt 10 years ago. And the premier grade side has been regenerating since the 2020 GF. They are plying their wears with guys that have been at the club for many years - the only one that doesn’t fit that mould is the Fiji #8 who is a cousin of the fullback. Unfortunately for them Liam Wright is injured as he would be front and centre as well - apparently he was mowing the grass on David Wilson ahead of the reopening last week.

 

[Confucius Say]

To be clear, I was putting Easts in the category of a cohesive team and well coached. Not a cash splash recruiter.

Their second grade side is second too. But face Brothers who have lost 1 game. If Easts lose, they probably finish 3rd.

 

[MoneyBill685]

I'm just glad that Bond don't have home semi advantage for finishing 1st. Stuff travelling to Bond for the finals again.

Not sure if that's been brought up in this forum before

 

[HJ Nelson]

I'm just glad that Bond don't have home semi advantage for finishing 1st. Stuff travelling to Bond for the finals again.

Not sure if that's been brought up in this forum before

LOL. Was wondering if someone would say how unfair it was that Bond had to travel up the M1 for a semi

 

[Confucius Say]

They could play Women’s and Men’s GF this year. Bond@Ballymore

 

[hdnmstsnr]

smells a bit like Wests. Strong 1st grade team but doesn't filter down the grades.

I’d argue Bond has no depth hdnmstsnr…
That reserve grade team is a massive disappointment considering where the prems squad is.

Wow! So the fact that most of Bond's reserve grade - and some 3rd grade - who stepped up when Bond's rep players were on duty - smacks of 'no depth'? When Bond's rep players came back, the club was on top of the ladder. They went on to take out the minor premiership dropping only two games all season (thus far). But it's good to know that depth can only be measured by all grades winning; nothing else. Going by your methodologies UQ must be as shallow as Moreton Bay at low tide..

 

[hdnmstsnr]

smells a bit like Wests. Strong 1st grade team but doesn't filter down the grades.

The fact is that the talent at Bond 'filtered up' - filling the shoes of rep and injured players for most of the season. So well that the club was on top of the ladder and had dropped only two games when they returned. Having players rotate up the ranks certainly affected reserve and 3rd grade detrimentally, but that's rugby. I'd be more worried about UQ - who seem to have sunk out of sight.

 

[hdnmstsnr]

Agree - bond premier grade is nothing more than a club of mercenaries.

Got any facts to back that up? Or is shooting from the lip with male cow faeces your forte?

 

[hdnmstsnr]

Bond were dominated by GPS in the set piece and outplayed in general play for the last 60 mins. Also very lucky the Ref called the game to an end instead of penalising the unbound offside Bond player who interfered with the half back causing the knock on. Given the closeness to the line and the pressure Bond were under most Refs would have not only penalised but also yellow carded for cynical play. Pity the Ref missed it as it would likely have taken the competition for Minor Premiers and for 4th place in the four into the final round, as GPS appeared to be on the cusp of scoring. Anyway, the game is done and dusted but the point being that Bond are very beatable by any of the other three teams in the top four. Brothers are on the rise at the right end of season and their match against East this weekend will be a cracker. Wests need to turn their form around but on their day will also be a huge threat. Assuming Wests account for Sunnybank, the second spot in the major semi to play Bond is wide open.

You analyse, postulate, hypothesise - and wish all you like for your offsides and cynical play calls - but the fact is that the W went to Bond on Saturday - and again on 13 previous Saturdays. That doesn't happen in a vacuum - and luck will only get you so far. You still have to work hard for every win. I get that everyone is reeling and making excuses because the usual suspects aren't dominating, but times change. UQ have sunk from sight. The others are hoping like hell their returning rep players can salvage their season hopes. All the while, Bond's journeymen have held the fort for their rep players all season so that all they need to do when they come back is win the finals. Bond ARE beatable....but so is every other team.

 

[SouthernX]

But it's good to know that depth can only be measured by all grades winning;

Yeah I think Bros and Easts are good examples of depth. Their prems qualified along with their reserve and third grade teams as well.

If you want to believe Bond has good depth. Fair enough.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Wests biggest problems is the positional selection issues.

 

[Bulldog]

Yeah I think Bros and Easts are good examples of depth. Their prems qualified along with their reserve and third grade teams as well.

If you want to believe Bond has good depth. Fair enough.

I think it also fair to say that Bond as minor premiers are favourites to take out the Hospital Cup but it doesn’t always work that way as finals footy is a step up and will sort out the men from the boys.
Personally, I think you are just glad that your club is in the top 4 and gives you a shot at the title - good luck to all teams and grades that play finals footy - the benchmark of a good season with the chance to turn it into a great season by winning a GF.

 

[hdnmstsnr]

Are you the intern journalist student at Bond? Nearly every post you make about them sounds like something their social media manager would write up for a finals booklet.

Just a heads up rugby fan and underdog advocate balancing the GPS/Wests/Brothers ledger