QLD Premier Rugby 2025

[SouthernX]

Hearing several (3 or 4 at this stage ) Souths Colts 1 players attending Wests preseason training, with potentially more once U19s is over.

Is Souths participating in any 7s rugby tournaments this offseason?

Bris Vegas 7s this weekend, every club represented (except souths)
there is an additional bond team & downs rugby

not ideal circumstances if other clubs are doing preseason already under the guise of 7s seasons and Souths having a later preseason kick off just allowing their cattle to be poached & recruited.

 

[warhorse]

Is Souths participating in any 7s rugby tournaments this offseason?

Bris Vegas 7s this weekend, every club represented (except souths)
there is an additional bond team & downs rugby

not ideal circumstances if other clubs are doing preseason already under the guise of 7s seasons and Souths having a later preseason kick off just allowing their cattle to be poached & recruited.

Souths pre-season commenced on Tuesday night.

 

[warhorse]

Hearing several (3 or 4 at this stage ) Souths Colts 1 players attending Wests preseason training, with potentially more once U19s is over.

Not really a surprise given that their very popular and successful coaching group were sacked half through the season. At the time, there was immediate talk of player defections as a result. The coaches have moved to Wests and maybe these players see a path to grades under the direction of coaches that they know well and respect.

 

[Cole]

Is Souths participating in any 7s rugby tournaments this offseason?

Bris Vegas 7s this weekend, every club represented (except souths)
there is an additional bond team & downs rugby

not ideal circumstances if other clubs are doing preseason already under the guise of 7s seasons and Souths having a later preseason kick off just allowing their cattle to be poached & recruited.

Luke Samoa was the main reason Souths have had a 7s programme at all over recent times, with him gone no one has taken it on

 

[PhilClinton]

Not really a surprise given that their very popular and successful coaching group were sacked half through the season. At the time, there was immediate talk of player defections as a result. The coaches have moved to Wests and maybe these players see a path to grades under the direction of coaches that they know well and respect.

Not exactly a 10min drive from Chipsywood to Sylvan Road, especially on training nights.

I am guessing any defectors really see themselves playing up the grades and/or have a very strong connection with the coaches.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

Loyalty is a two-way street.

If a club has decided to be ruthlessly pragmatic about their own interests then you'd be foolish to not be similarly pragmatic about your own interests as a player.

Especially if you have legitimate professional aspirations.

 

[Cole]

Not exactly a 10min drive from Chipsywood to Sylvan Road, especially on training nights.

I am guessing any defectors really see themselves playing up the grades and/or have a very strong connection with the coaches.

I think more its connection with coaches and probably concern with Souths direction as a club. Not trying to pile on Souths but again supposedly at least 5 or 6 Prem Grade players from last year are moving on, either retiring or moving club, so I think there will be plenty of opportunity to play high grades at Souths next year. Obviously players are moving for other reasons than opportunity

 

[Watchingrugby]

I think more its connection with coaches and probably concern with Souths direction as a club. Not trying to pile on Souths but again supposedly at least 5 or 6 Prem Grade players from last year are moving on, either retiring or moving club, so I think there will be plenty of opportunity to play high grades at Souths next year. Obviously players are moving for other reasons than opportunity

That is a lot of hearing you are hearing!

 

[Cole]

Yeah I know how it sounds. I've been involved with Souths in a few different capacities over the last few years and I like the club and am friends with people still involved. Its concerning the talk coming out of there at present. I'm aware its very early preseaon and many things can change, and I do hope the club is successful and can build on last season, but if the rumours are true I think the club may be in for a tough time

 

[hdnmstsnr]

Souths' absence from the 7s comps is significant. Watching players turning out for other teams was disappointing - and worrying - not to mention frustrating for players who were phenomenal as part of the SIYM campaign last 7s season, but had to contend with playing for 'lesser' teams this campaign. They were exciting to watch in 2024 - and to read comments on here about them is worrying. Hoping for the best for them in 2025.

 

[PhilClinton]

I am very confused with the whole alleged Souths issue.

Has Garrick Morgan been given full authority to appoint and fire coaches and backing of the club?

I had previously heard that a number of key sponsors were specifically aligned with Morgan and would jump ship if he was moved on.

Or is Morgan an innocent party here and there are other mechanisms which have caused the Colts 1 coaches to leave and players?

 

[Oracle83]

Souths' absence from the 7s comps is significant. Watching players turning out for other teams was disappointing - and worrying - not to mention frustrating for players who were phenomenal as part of the SIYM campaign last 7s season, but had to contend with playing for 'lesser' teams this campaign. They were exciting to watch in 2024 - and to read comments on here about them is worrying. Hoping for the best for them in 2025.

Polar opposite to norths who made the semis in the cup losing to winners bond and norths under 20s won their comp.

 

[hdnmstsnr]

Polar opposite to norths who made the semis in the cup losing to winners bond and norths under 20s won their comp.

Speaking of Bond, the Bullsharks 7s program looks to be well on song moving forward. Their 15s landscape for 2025 will look a little different with key players going offshore or to other clubs in 2025 - and with one player contemplating a code switch. Whilst the 2025 iteration may well look different, there are some exciting prospects coming through in the form of returning players, players finding solid form and a strong Colts contingent being promoted. Dalton, Taulepa, Misios, Gollings and Beil are likely names to be well featured next year.

 

[Ras]

Next year is the big test for Bond. was their 2023 Season Minor prem just a good run or the sign of a strong program maturing with some good results. Second year under Heenan and you'd think the bullsharks might be under some pressure to perform now

 

[noknowledgeatall]

Hearing of lots of movement within Hospital Cup players and teams but bigger concern is the number of troops leaving all together for other pastures.

 

[SouthernX]

Hearing of lots of movement within Hospital Cup players and teams but bigger concern is the number of troops leaving all together for other pastures.

I have heard of some reds “compass” players on the move to other points of the “compass”

time will tell. Lot of the offseason is simply rumours and just that

 

[Wilson]

Wests are the team I'm most interested in seeing the changes in - with a lot of departing pro/fringe pros off the back of the Rebels demise and general player movement it's going to be a bit of a rebuilding year for them, particularly if a few more o those fringe pros get snapped up elsewhere.

 

[Bulldog]

Is Louis Werchon staying at Sylvan Road he seems pretty close to his mates back at Brothers - helping them over the line in the Major & GF with his ill discipline.

 

[Watchingrugby]

I have heard of some reds “compass” players on the move to other points of the “compass”

time will tell. Lot of the offseason is simply rumours and just that

Your comment makes no sense - red it back aloud to yourself!

 

[Oldschool]

Is Louis Werchon staying at Sylvan Road he seems pretty close to his mates back at Brothers - helping them over the line in the Major & GF with his ill discipline.

What? So he can go and play 2nd grade again?