If my memory serves,
Browning
- 3 years of schoolboy representation. Captained his school and state twice at schoolboy level.
- Aus schools Vice-captain when in year 11, Captain in last year of school
- 2 years of 20's (finishing school a year late I think) Captained 20's in 2nd year. Won U/20 player of the year once.
- Captained premier grade in first year out of school at 19 I think.
Gill
- Captained school side, vice-captain queensland side and captained (at least partly) Australian schools. Won the bronze boot against NZ schools (if you want to read the list of winners http://austschools.rugbynet.com.au/default.asp?id=176353, it's pretty impressive reading.)
- 3 years of U/20 selection, though didnt play in 2nd year because reds needed him (2011). Captained the side once.
- at least 1 (maybe 2) seasons of 7's (debut as a 17 year old).
- Premier grade debut as a 17 year old.
Quirk
- Australian schools. Bronze Boot winner
- 2 years of 20's, with 2nd season affected by shoulder injury
- Premier grade debut as 18 year old
Schatz
- 2 years in 20's. Captain in 2nd year (2010?)
- Premier grade debut at 8, captained Sunnybank at 19 or 20.
- Has captained the reds 2nd XV I think a few times.
Obviously all the boys have talent and leadership potential in our current back row based on their rugby history ("pedigree")
The point I was trying to make is that the current crop at the Reds are all roughly the same age with long futures in front of them. If they stay together there could be a potential missing champion or possible generation. Some turnover is good but wholesale turnover is not.[Not to the point: but is Wilkin recovered from his surgery?]
I've seen Gunn, Big Faka and Wilkin play and they were superb at the Schools level but let's see these lads first, selected, and second, play, in the semi-pro NRC, with and against good players, before we decide how good they may be as professionals later and will have trouble getting a spot, or not.
I'm not saying these particular 18- or 19-year-old players are duds, but one thing I like about the upcoming NRC is that it will sort a lot of lads out.
There is a big catalogue of items to check off and they include how the players deal with adversity, coaching staff, team mates, referees, fatigue and 50 other things that they have not experienced at the senior level.
And let's see them in the Oz U/20s first anyway.
If they are good enough on the field and off the field they will make it.
As JBP said: "Don't you worry about that."
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Where is room for the generation coming through like Michael Gunn, Connor Mitchell, Lolo Fakaosilea and Brad Wilken.
You may have to let a Quirk or Schatz go to a Rebels or Force or overseas.
Where is room for the generation coming through like Michael Gunn, Connor Mitchell, Lolo Fakaosilea and Brad Wilken.
You may have to let a Quirk or Schatz go to a Rebels or Force or overseas.
Fuck that. Rather have a tried and provan pklayer who has worked his way up the ranks - keep Gilly, Jake and Quirk - let the younger blokes go to Rebs or Force to make their bones.
Qld (and NSW) can never keep all the young players they produce.
If the 3 incumbents were 28 it may be a different story. They have 8 years easy left at the top if they continue performing. Lots of very good young schoolboys will come through the system in that time and may have to go elsewhere. It is more likely that one or two of the incumbents become unaffordable and move on eg Higgers.
Precisely.
The point is not that those three or even four players are not replaceable, the point is that those youngsters should have to earn the right to be spoken about in the same sentence. Making them take the jumper from the incumbent. Browning will be looking to do it this year, and hopefully a few others will be too. Daley will be looking to get that loosehead spot back. Plenty of congestion in the backline too.
let the younger blokes go to Rebs or Force to make their bones.
JOC (James O'Connor) to the Reds ???????