• Welcome to the forums of Green & Gold Rugby.
    We have recently made some changes to the amount of discussions boards on the forum.
    Over the coming months we will continue to make more changes to make the forum more user friendly for all to use.
    Thanks, Admin.

QLD Premier Rugby 2025

JRugby2

Nev Cottrell (35)
I agree with your point sir.

from a commercial standpoint and from a more quality talent opponent for the reds

I guess my issue Phil is the qpr calander never seems to be optimal to fit around a 12 months of reds rugby/wallabies/touring

a mid week Tonga fixture would be ideal but in saying that - players union would probably mandate a period of rest
I can't think of a professional sport in Australia that does? Maybe basketball with the NBL and NBL1 comps?
 

PhilClinton

Mark Ella (57)
Has to make sponsoring QPR a tough sell. Ripping the best players out during finals.
I disagree - the 'best players' for a club have been playing 90% of the season, the guys who are running out each weekend and put their sides into the finals are the best players.

QPR clubs no doubt get the benefit of professional players coming into the sides, but if your club is solely reliant on that to build their culture and brand, it's going to be a struggle. Sponsors don't count the number of Reds players in a team before signing their agreements.

I proudly support GPS and we have zero Reds players this year I believe. But the club is still entirely profitable and has a huge sponsorship base.

I think people sometimes forget that QPR has always been, and still is, an amateur rugby competition and technically isn't a 'feeder competition' for the Reds. The Reds are a professional rugby team who are able to sign any rugby player in Australia (and some overseas). We just happen to have a great local rugby competition that supports everything, aligns with them and provides a pathway for amateur players.
 

SouthernX

Greg Davis (50)
I proudly support GPS and we have zero Reds players this year I believe. But the club is still entirely profitable and has a huge sponsorship base.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto?
Last played for GPS did he not.

I don’t think reds rugby lists players clubs anymore next to players in matchday 23
 

Wilson

Tim Horan (67)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto?
Last played for GPS did he not.

I don’t think reds rugby lists players clubs anymore next to players in matchday 23
They tend to do junior club for the match day 23 now, but the squad listing at the start of the year has current club affiliation (except for a few new squad members:

It's Souths for Salakaia-Loto, no one is listed as GPS (Gibbs and Anderson were TBC, but I believe they ended up at Brothers and UQ respectively)
 

Bulldog

Colin Windon (37)
If we say top 4 finishes as the table stands - Easts, Bros, Wests & Bond who does the Reds game in Tonga favour?
I think Easts would be least affected with less Reds contract player to the other clubs. So if Easts manage to make the major semi they might sneak past their opponent and be first in the GF.
 

Bulldog

Colin Windon (37)
What would you do if your were a club player (not contracted to Reds) who was rewarded for a fine QPR season with selection for this game in Tonga.
if it was me I’d say stick your Tonga trip I’m playing for my club in the finals.
 
Last edited:

Adam84

John Eales (66)
Hmmm… If it’s a player on the verge/chasing a professional contract and this is their opportunity to prove their value in a professional environment, that’s not such a straightforward choice. Many would find it hard to turn selection down.
 

SouthernX

Greg Davis (50)
Posted this in another thread but also relevant here.

NRL Warriors setting up a permanent base of operations in Logan. Probably makes QPR expansion into that area a further uphill battle.


Qpr operates on the back of the fumes of a oily rag
RL is a well oiled machine that runs on the back of pokie monies.

when all the talk was “Logan shouldn’t be allowed in comp due to their proximity to Sunnybank”

That was when Sunnybank were half decent… now that club struggles so parachuting a new team only a couple of postcodes away could further impact the dragons
 

PhilClinton

Mark Ella (57)
From what I recall, there were some Logan Saints board members or something that also took the club for a nosedive.

I know there used to be a couple of supporters on the forums who may know more or be able to correct me, but I believe there was some serious internal issues at the club which also prevented them from getting a proper crack at 1st grade all those years ago.
 

JRugby2

Nev Cottrell (35)
Posted this in another thread but also relevant here.

NRL Warriors setting up a permanent base of operations in Logan. Probably makes QPR expansion into that area a further uphill battle.

It's a near impossibly uphill battle in every location in QLD to be honest, whether the NRL or NRL clubs puts down roots or not
 

PhilClinton

Mark Ella (57)
I thought Richard Graham headed up the rugby side of things at GPS now.

Richard is Director of Rugby but it definitely isn't his full-time role. He's still very involved at Marist Ashgrove in their athletics and rugby program. I think there was still some note swapping happening between Richard and Steve Meehan throughout this season.

By all reports from the playing cohort not involved with 1st grade, the club seems to have found it's feet after a pretty slow start to the year.

But from a 1st grade perspective I'm not really sure what the plan is to ensure 2026 is a move in the right direction.
 

Heavensgame

Frank Row (1)
Richard is Director of Rugby but it definitely isn't his full-time role. He's still very involved at Marist Ashgrove in their athletics and rugby program. I think there was still some note swapping happening between Richard and Steve Meehan throughout this season.

By all reports from the playing cohort not involved with 1st grade, the club seems to have found it's feet after a pretty slow start to the year.

But from a 1st grade perspective I'm not really sure what the plan is to ensure 2026 is a move in the right direction.
‘Note swapping with Steve Meehan’….there is the first thing that needs to change!
 

Bulldog

Colin Windon (37)
Sorry to the GPS push but I really don’t care for the workings of the GPS rugby club - can we refocus on QPR and the Welsby Cup final on Saturday between Bros and Easts - the winner will probably finish 1st and a major semi spot and the loser may end up in the minor semi?
what are the respective chances for each club?
 

PhilClinton

Mark Ella (57)
‘Note swapping with Steve Meehan’….there is the first thing that needs to change!

Yes - Steve is a good bloke but I mentioned a few weeks ago that even when he was 'running the show' he was clearly having one foot out the door and looking for another professional opportunity.

All the best to him now in his new role with Canada but I am not sure he left the club in a better state.
 

CoachN

Peter Burge (5)
Yes - Steve is a good bloke but I mentioned a few weeks ago that even when he was 'running the show' he was clearly having one foot out the door and looking for another professional opportunity.

All the best to him now in his new role with Canada but I am not sure he left the club in a better state.
100% Agree he is a very nice guy but look at where GPS colts 1 are that is who he was looking after before he left. Richard is another story but probably shouldn't have taken a roll that was in competition to his paid full time job and left a lot of people across the club disapointed.

Sorry to the GPS push but I really don’t care for the workings of the GPS rugby club - can we refocus on QPR and the Welsby Cup final on Saturday between Bros and Easts - the winner will probably finish 1st and a major semi spot and the loser may end up in the minor semi?
what are the respective chances for each club?
It's got to be East's, Bros just don't look close the the team they were last year or even in round one. and East's seem to be on the build.
 

MoneyBill685

Fred Wood (13)
Tony Mcgahan gone from easts to take up coaching role in Japan. Did well in his time to turn around the club (especially prems) from near last previous year to top of the table this year.
 
Top