Thats fair, but Dre has been in their Academy system for a number of years now, so not surprising after the year he had and his debut performances that he's being looked at closely, and justifiably upgraded to a full time contract
Queensland Reds 2025
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Ignoto
Greg Davis (50)
Did those same people bitch when the Reds where mostly filled by the UQ Heavies?
I am glad that they are signing players from Qld club/development pathways rather than recruiting someone from elsewhere. Don't care what club that they are from, hope he goes well.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
I will say, Dre looked good when he played against Wales, I had watched him previously but he really impressed me in that game; he was also U20s player of the year, so it might be a tad disingenuous to Dre to suggest his signing is a result of parochial bias.
No doubt, being part of a successful club helps players look better though
No doubt, being part of a successful club helps players look better though
The Ghost of Raelene
Simon Poidevin (60)
This all seems a pretty normal process.
Young up and coming back gets the deal a previous up and coming back was probably on (Annan) when the Club decides he isn't in their future plans or aren't going to match an offer from another organisation like the Knights. It's not as if Paisami has left and replaced by a kid.
Young up and coming back gets the deal a previous up and coming back was probably on (Annan) when the Club decides he isn't in their future plans or aren't going to match an offer from another organisation like the Knights. It's not as if Paisami has left and replaced by a kid.
The Ghost of Raelene
Simon Poidevin (60)
Think he will end up bigger. I've only seen limited bits and pieces of him mostly the NSW v QLD U18s games but he isn't just a barge into you type while still having it in the back pocket.
sunnyboys
Bob Loudon (25)
Thanks. I see Frankie Goldsbrough is already 100kg. Will be nice to see some size coming into our back line - and hopefully for the wallabies in years to come.
Ras
Peter Burge (5)
There quite literally were none better for his age - hence why he won the U20's player of the year.
Interested Viewer
Bob McCowan (2)
PhilClinton
Tony Shaw (54)
Who are the players you'd have signed ahead of him? Seems like you have specific players in mind.
Interested Viewer
Bob McCowan (2)
Tyler Campbell Bond, Fletcher Spicer Wests, Viliami Lea Souths all had excellent seasons
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
Bit of an oversimplification of professional sport, isn't it..
Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight weren't the best players in their position when they were signed. They were signed to retain them in the code, in QLD, and bring them into a professional environment to expedite their development so they had the resources surrounding them which allows them to focus on rugby and train/develop right.
No professional team, NRL, AFL, Super Rugby signs players solely on who is the best in that league, that is certainly part of the pathway but the other part(arguably the biggest part) is identifying young athletes who have the most potential and signing and developing them.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
Do you think they have higher ceilings?
Ignoto
Greg Davis (50)
I'm afraid I don't know much about Tyler and Viliami, but are any of them inside backs?
Dre also didn't look out of place when he played the Welsh. We can definitely argue that other players should be given a shot, but Dre took his opportunity and ran with it.