Reds 2014

[It is what it is]

Yeah, they could be quite a few places higher but I don't think the Reds really do have "the cattle". Not to be a real contender, anyway.

They'd probably be the weakest pack in Australia, and possibly the comp (they might get a points decision against the Brumbies bench). The Reds in the past played to their strengths but also had a better team—forwards and backs as they were at the time—for the game as it was played at the time.

But they are soft and weak now and it's highlighted even more since the interpretation of the game in the last 24 to 30 months has moved away from their style of play.

Plus a number of them have mentally thrown in the towel (it's time to be harsh - no more cuddles).

By all means sack Graham, but they also need to get rid of several players ASAP.

Even if McKenzie returned tomorrow it wouldn't be enough on its own. They'd still be 5-7 bulls short of a prize-winning herd.

It's interesting watching the Reds.
The players with limited natural ability seem to show the most passion and ticker, while the gifted players seem to be just going through the motions. Losing is in many ways like winning...it becomes a habit, and the combined existing coaching staff and playing players don't inspire confidence that they can break the habit on a consistent basis.
In support of Kiap's observations, this current Qld squad doesn't look to be 'on the up' in any key facets of the game. Too many players have plateaued and not enough new ones with readily convertible potential seem to be emerging.
There are some loyal and hard working servants of Qld rugby that need a tap on the shoulder but the situation requires revolution, not evolution.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Quade cleared of bone damage but having and MRI tomorrow.

Daley booked in for surgery on a dislocated thumb and should be back after June Test window.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Not having the cattle is a massive cop out. Who have we lost? Digby, Samo and Morahan?
Digby wasn't at his best, Samo wasn't either and didn't play a lot and Morahan would still be considered a fringe player. At times Davies, shipperly and CFS have all been preferred.

Oh and Lance. Good back up at 12 and 15 but can't see him improving attack or D significantly.

 

[kiap]

Backrow have been honest toilers at best since Samo and Higgers. Props: Slipper is a keeper at 1, but they don't really have a THP. The Reds need to take a leaf out the Brumbies book. Centres haven't offered much in the last two seasons.

From the 2015 thread OP, I reckon most of these will be the first to go (if the complacent management can hire anew):

Jake Schatz - 2014 - departure lounge​

Ed ODonoghue - 2014? - departure lounge​

Jono Owen - 2014 - already gone - but he wasn't the worst​

Saia Fainga'a - 2013 2014 - departure lounge​

Ant Fainga'a - 2013 2014 - departure lounge​

Ben Tapuai - 2014 - departure lounge​

Rod Davies - 2014 - departure lounge​

Lachie Turner - 2014 - departure lounge​

A couple on the contracted "Safe" list are also fortunate to be there and should probably be in the boat with Richard Graham.

 

[RedsHappy]

Just an FYI re comparative Reds' crowd levels and what they might imply for 2015's QRU membership, derived $ income levels and Fox viewership levels given the Reds are now losing routinely at Suncorp and are today bottom of the S15 table:

1 June 2013, Suncorp, Reds bt Rebels 33-20. Crowd: 31, 504 (Wikipedia for whole S15 2013 season)
17 May 2014, Suncorp, Rebels bt Reds 27-24. Crowd: 23, 820 (AusStadiums)

24% lower this year, very comparable game and location and stage of season.

The CEO of the QRU recently argued that (paraphrasing) 'our Members give us a lot of credit in the bank for past Reds performances'. It will be both interesting and potentially very important for the ongoing financial viability of Aus rugby just how both 2014's and 2015's Reds' membership, general crowd levels and Fox viewership go.

B Pulver has bet the ARU/Aus rugby's financial survival on major new increases in TV incomes to the code from 2016 onwards, with initial bids for Aus rugby S18 TV rights to be gained this year. As one of the two major Aus rugby markets, if QLD game attendances and TV viewerships fall badly there will surely be consequences for the magnitude of those bids, let alone delayed reactions to $ sponsorship levels when existing deals expire.

 

[Ignoto]

So what's the odds of picking up a discounted membership next season? I can't stay I'm keen to fork out another $500 for my ticket alone (plus jersey etc) to support Dick again.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

So what's the odds of picking up a discounted membership next season? I can't stay I'm keen to fork out another $500 for my ticket alone (plus jersey etc) to support Dick again.

I've already emailed them to say they aren't getting another cent in membership fees out of me while Graham is coach. That's 4 members down.

Got a one line response saying they have passed the comments on.

I'll always be a supporter, but damned if I will contribute a cent while the old mates act keeps Graham as coach.

 

[No4918]

Am only a Forever Red member and would never consider dropping it. Goodbye fairweathers, I would like to say the Reds would be better without you but the QRU needs your money.

 

[Parse]

Glad to hear you are happy with the Reds being in last place.

The problem is (as with most similar organisations), they don't give the supporters any voice or chance to give their opinions. Purchasing membership is the only feedback they allow most "members" to make.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Don't hold an "interested parties" feedback session.

The Tah's tried that a year or three back, deep in the dark ages, and it was a spectacular failure (like the Tahs performance at the time!).

I like what the QLD government is doing with the QLD Debt issue (web site for suggestions). Maybe Reds HQ could take a leaf from that book and set up a similar on-line forum to allow fans and members (one and the same) to vent and offer suggestions to make them feel that they are part of the solution.

 

[Ignoto]

Am only a Forever Red member and would never consider dropping it. Goodbye fairweathers, I would like to say the Reds would be better without you but the QRU needs your money.

I'd rather the fairweathers be there than be at a Suncorp with less than 10,000 people like I did in 2006-09. That was a pretty shit time to be honest, wasn't a fun atmosphere and I'm sure it would have been disheartening to the players as well.

 

[Parse]

I already said a session like the tah's had to be a no go.

While there might be other ideas, the only one I can think of is similar to yours. A forum on their website, but I'd think it should be members only, no one from the playing, coaches or admin groups allowed to post (except for the PR department that are running it). A place where members can state their views, and if a view seems to have a lot of support then maybe some sort of poll, and if that produces a measurable result, maybe they could pass that on to the admin.

 

[Redsfan]

Don't hold an "interested parties" feedback session.

The Tah's tried that a year or three back, deep in the dark ages, and it was a spectacular failure (like the Tahs performance at the time!).

I like what the QLD government is doing with the QLD Debt issue (web site for suggestions). Maybe Reds HQ could take a leaf from that book and set up a similar on-line forum to allow fans and members (one and the same) to vent and offer suggestions to make them feel that they are part of the solution.

Mate, if they did a website like the 'strong choices' campaign, we'd be given options like the following:

1. Rip money out of junior football to pay for the Reds
2. Sell Ballymore, invest in playing squad
3. Show patience with the coaching staff, they'll do better next season
4. Pay more for membership

What would YOU choose!?

 

[Hugh Jarse]

I'd choose "5. None of the above", and Send email/letter/shittygram to RedsHQ saying that their "strong choices" campaign was a crock and in offering such poor choices and limiting the fans ability to comment on the real issues, as perceived by the key stakeholder group (the fans and members), is only going to further alienate that grouping.

 

[Redsfan]

I'd choose "5. None of the above", and Send email/letter/shittygram to RedsHQ saying that their "strong choices" campaign was a crock and in offering such poor choices and limiting the fans ability to comment on the real issues, as perceived by the key stakeholder group (the fans and members), is only going to further alienate that grouping.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Backrow have been honest toilers at best since Samo and Higgers. Props: Slipper is a keeper at 1, but they don't really have a THP. The Reds need to take a leaf out the Brumbies book. Centres haven't offered much in the last two seasons.

From the 2015 thread OP, I reckon most of these will be the first to go (if the complacent management can hire anew):

Jake Schatz - 2014 - departure lounge​

Ed ODonoghue - 2014? - departure lounge​

Jono Owen - 2014 - already gone - but he wasn't the worst​

Saia Fainga'a - 2013 2014 - departure lounge​

Ant Fainga'a - 2013 2014 - departure lounge​

Ben Tapuai - 2014 - departure lounge​

Rod Davies - 2014 - departure lounge​

Lachie Turner - 2014 - departure lounge​

A couple on the contracted "Safe" list are also fortunate to be there and should probably be in the boat with Richard Graham.

I understand the Fangaa twins have re-signed - they supposedly wanted one more than the other but , as twins they come in a package.
Davies looks certain to go
A "safe" player or 2 should be moved on as well
Shame about Owen - the first job of a prop is to scrum. We have one that just cannot do it but seems to be highly regarded (not necessarily by most)
Really like Taps but he has failed to maintain the heights he reached a year or two ago.

We NEED change - captaincy + new players (at least 3 of). Reckon the Coach WILL be there in 2015

 

[Ash]

The worrying part for me is that I can't see where the next Reds win is going to come from. This was our best shot for the rest of the year.

Clan (H), Rebels (A), Force (A), Tahs (H).

 

[Sully]

Agreed Ash. It will be hard to win another game with the firm we've been in.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

 

[RugbyReg]

I understand the Fangaa twins have re-signed - they supposedly wanted one more than the other but , as twins they come in a package.
Davies looks certain to go
A "safe" player or 2 should be moved on as well
Shame about Owen - the first job of a prop is to scrum. We have one that just cannot do it but seems to be highly regarded (not necessarily by most)
Really like Taps but he has failed to maintain the heights he reached a year or two ago.

We NEED change - captaincy + new players (at least 3 of). Reckon the Coach WILL be there in 2015

I understand the complete opposite. Word is they are off to Melbourne, which surprises me, I thought they'd head to France, perhaps Japan (to be with Samo) but I guess they are strongly family oriented.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Reg - you may be right - suppose time will tell