Reds 2013

[What2040]

McDuling is a very strong ball carrier who, from the handful of games of his that I have seen, rarely goes backwards. This included last years Qld A games against the Pacific Island teams who dominated the Qld team when it came to the collision zone.

He could easily be a Brad Thorn type 2nd Row or a strong running 6. (I prefer the 2nd Row option for McDuling as he is similar in height and width to Thorn and needs some serious gym time to provide further power to even come close to matching Thorn).

Defensively he is solid and can hold down the blindside, and in attack he carries the ball well and hits rucks hard. For me I would prefer this style of player for the Reds right now. This year at times (usually the critical times) the Reds have lost the collision zone and started to creep sideways in attack. Yes Quade wasnt there but the platform wasnt being set by the forwards. Daley who was awesome in 2011 was missing as was Simmons for much of the year.

Other options for 6 is Wallace-Harrison but his longevity will be cut short by the extra running required from the 6 position.

To even put McDuling in the same sentence as Thorn is a joke - surely. Thorn was one of the greatest exponents of the game of rugby and probably rugby league as well. I would even be as bold to say that he was a better and more valuable player than Eales. Shit, did I say that !!!!!!

 

[TOCC]

why is it consider insulting when people draw comparison's to another player, albeit a legend or not.

At no point was linebacker advocating that McDuling was going to be better then Thorn, he was just highlighting Thorns playing style and suggesting this is something that McDuling should attempt to emulate give his physical attributes....

 

[Ruggo]

Cheers for your thoughts on my question Linebacker.

 

[emuarse]

To even put McDuling in the same sentence as Thorn is a joke - surely. Thorn was one of the greatest exponents of the game of rugby and probably rugby league as well. I would even be as bold to say that he was a better and more valuable player than Eales. Shit, did I say that !!!!!!

We all make mistakes, 2040, that's 1 out of 3 .
You know what happens when you reach 3.

 

[Linebacker_41]

From the games I have seen he is too short for the second row in Super Rugby.

If stats are to be believed then Brad Thorn is 195cm and Dave McDuling is 196cm.

I think Thorn's record serves that McDuling is not too short for Super or International rugby, however the rest of his rugby abilities have to be impressive to make up for the shortfall in height (pun intended).

 

[Sully]

Without really knowing a thing about McDuling I'd say 4 cm isn't a lot in Lock height if he has long arms. I don't remember Thorn having trouble at lineouts.

I've assumed the average lock height is 2 metres.

 

[tigerland12]

Do we even need McDuling as a lock? We have Horwill, Simmons and Wallace-Harrison. I'd want to see him trialled at 6 first.

 

[Jets]

Also I keep getting told that McDuling has long arms. Reach and speed off the the ground are important at lineout time. Height isn't everything.

 

[What2040]

Also I keep getting told that McDuling has long arms. Reach and speed off the the ground are important at lineout time. Height isn't everything.

It is to a pigmy

 

[twenty seven]

Height isn't everything but it is important as is the ability to read the lineout play. A steal can be undoubtly game changing. Getting of the ground without your lifters can be vital - so yeah height does make a statement. Reach is great - depends on what you're reaching for!! 2nd row is a specialist position as is prop, hooker, half back, five - eight.................
One thing I have noticed is that some heights of players are a 'wee' bit fudged!

 

[Ruggo]

Thinking of shortish locks I also think of Mark Connors.

 

[Hawko]

Also I keep getting told that McDuling has long arms. Reach and speed off the the ground are important at lineout time. Height isn't everything.

Bruce has posted about McDuling on a number of occasions and I won't add to it except to say that McDuling's supposed lack of height will not stop him winning lineouts, wherever he plays.

 

[Bowside]

How many squad positions are left for next year?

I really hope Browning and Lane are in the EPS next year. I suspect a young prop such as Paraka, JP Smith, Birmo or Davis will be there as well.

 

[TheBigDog]

I think there may only be 1 or 2 positions left in the squad. In Ewen's column for the SMH today he wrote that out of the 15 un-contracted players for 2013, 14 have re-signed with the Reds, obviously the exception being Higginbotham.

 

[Linebacker_41]

Do we even need McDuling as a lock? We have Horwill, Simmons and Wallace-Harrison. I'd want to see him trialled at 6 first.

I definitely think that you need at least 4 locks in your squad. You must have a lock in your reserves and given that Horwill has had some significant injuries in the past 3 years and AWH is getting to the end of his career it is foolish to think that 3 specialists will cut it for 2013.

Samo, if he hangs around, can be the 4th lock but really is only an impact player for at max 20mins a game these days. And I would hardly call him a specialist.

Of course Enever is in the mix too. Most likely an EPS in 13 though.

 

[Bowside]

Breakdown for next season. Names in red are not confirmed/could go either way.

Props:
James Slipper
Greg Holmes
Ben Daley
Albert Anae

Hookers:
James Hanson
Saia Fainga'a

Locks:
James Horwill
Rob Simmons
AWH
Dave McDulling

Backrow:
Liam Gill
Beau Robinson
Jake Schatz
Ed Quirk
Samo

Halfbacks:
Will Genia
Nick Frisby

Flyhalves:
Quade Cooper
Ben Lucas

Centres:
Ben Tapaui
Mike Harris
Ant Fainga'a
Chris F'Satua

Wing:
Digby Ioane
Dom Shipperly
Aiden Toua

Fullback:
Luke Morahan
Jono Lance

Out for 2012:
Van Humphreys
Scott Higginbotham
Rod Davies
Guy Shepardson

So 2 spots left in the main squad and 5 in the EPS. So they need a back and a forward. The forward has so be able to play lock and/or 6/8 and the back can play pretty much anywhere due to the versatility of the rest of squad.

Best case scenario they sign Hugh McMeniman and Peter Hynes comes good after injury and is able to regain his 2010 form.

Possible EPS players for next year:

Curtis Browning
Sam Lane
Shannon Walker
Louis Frisby
UJ Seuteni
Dion Taumata
Kevin Davis
JP Smith
Sean McMahon
Blake Enever
Jarrod Butler
Michael Birmingham
Pettowa Paraka
Lindsay Crook
Maile Nqauamo
Jonah Placid

 

[What2040]

like, Browning Lane, Frisby, Butler, Enever - all quality - rest are pretty average
Reds really need some backup props - Davis, Bermo and Paraka are not up to it adn IMO just will never make it to S15 level
looking forward to big Albert having a real shot in 2013

 

[Jets]

I think Maile could be worth a look in the EPS. He is very young but has been going great in Premier at Sunnybank.

 

[TOCC]

Remember that the Reds were also proposing their own academy in 2013.. Not sure what implications of this will be..

 

[tigerland12]

I think Maile could be worth a look in the EPS. He is very young but has been going great in Premier at Sunnybank.

Not a bad idea actually, he's looked pretty good. It would allow Albert Anae to focus more on playing prop instead of hooker.

Also, surley Frisby will be on a fulltime contract next season, not an EPS.