Reds 2011

[Sandpit Fan]

Does anyone know what's happening with Radike next year?

He was only signed on a 4 game deal from what I heard? Had a reasonable game with a few crunching hits.

 

[TOCC]

yeah i was wondering about Radike the other day, he might be a valuable signing, he can replace the departing Byrnes..

Im not sure what he contributes off the field though, a player of his age would only really be signed based on what he can also contribute off the field, Link would be the expert on that one.

He does however seemed to have bulked up a bit since his brumbies days, no galloping runs down the field but he provides a larger presence in the pack.

 

[Reddy!]

He'll still be playing Japanese rugby next year won't he?

 

[tranquility]

If we can keep him, as in not on contract for next season he would be a fantastic signing.

Very senior player, well traveled, played in big clubs (Brumbies at peak + Stade Francais), his is a physical forward and lord knows the Reds need them plus he can still play pretty good rugby.

I would offer him atleast a one year deal with the option of a second depending on mind frame / how the body holds up.

Seems like a great character too.

 

[Geronimo]

They are my fears as well.

Albert is a fantastic player and should be in the squad next year regardless in my opinion, however to my understanding it was only an academy experiment to try him at hooker and I don't think he has really played many minutes there. If that is the case than it would be very risky to have him as the third hooker, as we saw with the force this year - although I wouldn't mind snaffling another Nathan Charles but I am getting off topic.

We will need another experienced halfback to play out the season - Mckibbin would be handy, don't know how we stuffed that one up.

As far as out forwards go we are going to miss Braid and Weekes terribly, and although I don't rate Guy Sheppardson at all and Timani is even more unfinished than Higginbum I guess they could add some grunt if they do make it this way. I think in the future it would be of great benefit to QLD rugby to recruit a world class northern hemisphere tight 5 player just to show some of these lads what is required.

Does anyone know what Brad Thorn is up to next year? Or Chris Jack?

 

[scrubber]

Albert

They are my fears as well.

Albert is a fantastic player and should be in the squad next year regardless in my opinion, however to my understanding it was only an academy experiment to try him at hooker and I don't think he has really played many minutes there. If that is the case than it would be very risky to have him as the third hooker, as we saw with the force this year - although I wouldn't mind snaffling another Nathan Charles but I am getting off topic.

We will need another experienced halfback to play out the season - Mckibbin would be handy, don't know how we stuffed that one up.

As far as out forwards go we are going to miss Braid and Weekes terribly, and although I don't rate Guy Sheppardson at all and Timani is even more unfinished than Higginbum I guess they could add some grunt if they do make it this way. I think in the future it would be of great benefit to QLD rugby to recruit a world class northern hemisphere tight 5 player just to show some of these lads what is required.

Does anyone know what Brad Thorn is up to next year? Or Chris Jack?

Don't know whether Albert if a fantastic player - good yes but fantastic young man. Hooker ??? Hanson needs his shot and hopefully gets a call-up behind Sean H. this week

 

[Moses]

Brad Thorn would be a superb marquee player for the Reds, having spent 10 years at the Broncos he'd put bums on seats as well

 

[Reddy!]

Brad Thorn is 36, pretty sure he will be retiring soon.

 

[scrubber]

Brad Thorn would be a superb marquee player for the Reds, having spent 10 years at the Broncos he'd put bums on seats as well

Great idea - when the Reds signed WenDELL didn't they pay for his 3 year contract in the first few home games in the first year with bums on seats? Thorn would be a wonderful acquisition, bloody good player as well as a great "commercial" decision - Reds need to be making some of those decisions

 

[TOCC]

Thorn would barely cause a ripple in the media if he signed with the Reds, maybe signing him 7 years ago would have been a good signing, signing him today might boost experience in the squad his not going to boost crowd numbers.

 

[Lee Grant]

Excuse me but folks who think they will get the likes of Harinordoquy, Pape, Thorn and Jack to Queensland next year may as well be pissing in the wind.

Thorn and Jack would disqualify themselves from selection in the All Blacks RWC squad because they have to be playing in NZ and playing in the 2011 ANZC would be too late for them.

Harinordoquy is the form no. 8 in world rugby at the moment, and yes, in better form than Spies. It would be incomprehensible for him to absent himself from the French scene even if he is assured of selection in the RWC squad. Picamoles could have a blinder in 6N and get precedence for the starting role.

It would be even more important for Pape to stay in France.

But in 2012 - as I have said before: different story. Methinks that the 5 Oz Super teams will be spoiled for choice and the Rebels in particular will get a few bargains because a few players would like the experience of playing in the SH.

Please let's not talk about Matt Lucas as Reds material now. He's built like a jockey and looks like the ball boy. Let him prove himself for a whole season in senior rugby and then mention his name.

 

[tranquility]

ha ha, welcome aboard mate.

Lee, I think most of those player suggestions were made in a 'wouldn't it be grand' tone rather than confining ourselves to logistics. However I still hold that the Reds would be a good fit for Pascal Pape.

 

[Spook]

This is my first ever post on Green and Gold after a long time watching in from the stands too shy to join the game. I need to get this off my chest and i'm really not bothered how queer it may make me sound before my greenandgoldrugby.com career has even started BUT, Lee Grant i respect your opinion on all things Rugby immensely.

Stop stoking the old buggers ego. He's already unbearable

 

[TOCC]

yeah i dont think anyone was seriously proposing that players of that calibre were likely to join QLD next year, it was more a 'these are the sort of players we should chase' discussion.

 

[RugbyReg]

agree, in fact someone (and I should go back and read to give them credit) actually stated that next year won't be the year, but the year after the World Cup we would be a big shot at snagging someone with profile......oh and ability.

 

[en_force_er]

Does anyone know how injured Horwill is? Has he got a '10 Spring Tour in him?

 

[Lion]

Instead of dreaming about "Marquee Players" and wish lists for the Reds why dont we test our Brisbane Club Rugby knowledge. Try and Pick a team/ squad or just name players in the Brisbane Premier and Premier Colts Squad that have the potential or should be considered for the Reds. They can not be partof the Reds set up or an Academy player. I know this will be highly subjective but it would be interesting. At least some one from QLD will be looking at the potential in our club ranks.

Ill start with a few,

Prop -
Brett Naylor (Gps)

Back row -
Jono Ellis (Gps)
Angus Cotteral (Wests)
Rob Rutledge (West Prem Colts)
Luke Beachamp (Bros Prem Colts)

Backs

Sam Grasso (Bros)
Lachlan James (Souths Prem Colts)
Junior Rosalea (UQ)
Matt Garland (GPS)-I think he may be in the academy
Sam Grasso Brothers

 

[AussieDominance]

Would be good of the Reds to look at the Brisbane Club Comp for some home grown players - Half of the bloody academy are from New Zealand.

 

[RugbyReg]

Gaven Warren (prop for GPS) was awesome last year.

Most of that Brothers backline, especially James Harvey, Ant Sauer and Damon Murphy.

Ryan Schultz from Norths, although he's probably too small for pro hooker.

Bugger it, let's throw in Brett Stapleton on the wing from the Gold Coast.

David Feao is getting wraps from Souths as prop

 

[en_force_er]

The thing about these kinds of players is that they would come CHEAP.

High risk for sure but low cost, especially considering the potential reward of either unearthing a talent or even merely establishing a stronger link with the club scene.