Reds 2020
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Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
Just went through some old squad lists and dug out DoB's and it does indeed appear that since Brad Thorn took over as head coach we have developed the Benjamin Button disease/syndrome/thingy.
Average squad age at the start of the season:
2017 - 24.3
2018 - 23.7
2019 - 23.3
2020 - ???
The trend is almost linear so expect an avg squad age of 22.6-22.7 next season. Also, by 2026 we will be running out a Reds Colts team
All jokes aside but, Brad and the senior players said a number of times that they wouldn't use their youth as an excuse this season but with the guys getting younger it's certainly got to be a factor. I really like that they appear to be playing the long game but by locking in core guys for big chunks of time. If they keep these guys together for the long time in a few years time they will hopefully be crushing all that come before them. I just don't think that results are going to be coming any time soon.
Average squad age at the start of the season:
2017 - 24.3
2018 - 23.7
2019 - 23.3
2020 - ???
The trend is almost linear so expect an avg squad age of 22.6-22.7 next season. Also, by 2026 we will be running out a Reds Colts team
All jokes aside but, Brad and the senior players said a number of times that they wouldn't use their youth as an excuse this season but with the guys getting younger it's certainly got to be a factor. I really like that they appear to be playing the long game but by locking in core guys for big chunks of time. If they keep these guys together for the long time in a few years time they will hopefully be crushing all that come before them. I just don't think that results are going to be coming any time soon.
This is the holy grail, and the challenge. If they can keep exciting, young players around, and not have them poached away to the NH or Japan on bigger contracts than we can afford, there are some names in this group who could be at the top level for a long time. Not to mention the combination effect, as mentioned above. No reason they can't achieve results sooner either - a lot of the younger players are physically way ahead than even 5 years ago.Just went through some old squad lists and dug out DoB's and it does indeed appear that since Brad Thorn took over as head coach we have developed the Benjamin Button disease/syndrome/thingy.
Average squad age at the start of the season:
2017 - 24.3
2018 - 23.7
2019 - 23.3
2020 - ???
The trend is almost linear so expect an avg squad age of 22.6-22.7 next season. Also, by 2026 we will be running out a Reds Colts team
All jokes aside but, Brad and the senior players said a number of times that they wouldn't use their youth as an excuse this season but with the guys getting younger it's certainly got to be a factor. I really like that they appear to be playing the long game but by locking in core guys for big chunks of time. If they keep these guys together for the long time in a few years time they will hopefully be crushing all that come before them. I just don't think that results are going to be coming any time soon.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
Alex Mafi is signed for 3 more years, with more signings to be announced in the coming week.
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/08/21/super-rugby-reds-mafi
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/08/21/super-rugby-reds-mafi
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
It's great to get them in early, playing top level footy, developing into consistent players and having a crack at national teams. But I think this also leaves them more vulnerable to poaching from cashed up overseas clubs at an early age.
A lot of these young guys will end up playing in a world cup before they are in their mid-twenties. That's close to the highest honor you can get in the sport, aside from winning the thing. Once that's done and teams in Japan and the NH open their cheque books, I feel we will lose a lot of them. The Kerevi situation I fear is just the start of the trend.
I'm going on a bit of a tangent but essentially my point is that it's so good to see these young guys making their mark, but with the current financial state of rugby in Australia, I worry we will lose lots of them before they can become the stalwarts of Australian rugby that we want them to be.
A lot of these young guys will end up playing in a world cup before they are in their mid-twenties. That's close to the highest honor you can get in the sport, aside from winning the thing. Once that's done and teams in Japan and the NH open their cheque books, I feel we will lose a lot of them. The Kerevi situation I fear is just the start of the trend.
I'm going on a bit of a tangent but essentially my point is that it's so good to see these young guys making their mark, but with the current financial state of rugby in Australia, I worry we will lose lots of them before they can become the stalwarts of Australian rugby that we want them to be.
Jimmy_Crouch
Peter Johnson (47)
yeah, I don't think we've got the money for many more big names.
I'd be expecting it will be mostly re-signings such as BPA, Fotuaika, Hoopert, Stewart, CFS, Lucas at least. Perhaps a few of those juniors (Gordon, Kibble, Giquel, Wood, Farrell).
Bryce Hegarty wasn't a big signing last year, but an excellent one. A few more of those would be fantastic.
Maybe a Campbell Magney (suspiciously absent in Melbourne Rising team), Michael Wells (as rumoured) perhaps.
sunnyboys
Bob Loudon (25)
Not having grown up in Bris I don’t have an affiliation with club rugby (however Mr 7 is running around at Easts)... I was quite pleasantly surprised by the standard of the GF (watched the replay on Kayo).
Jock Campbell really impressed - hope to see some of that poise and play for Reds next year. Think he’s coming along well.
Jock Campbell really impressed - hope to see some of that poise and play for Reds next year. Think he’s coming along well.
Jimmy_Crouch
Peter Johnson (47)
JOC (James O'Connor) and Magney centre combo certainly would reduce the blow of losing Kerevi
Jimmy_Crouch
Peter Johnson (47)
Magnay can into the Rebels late and after that he wasn't used particularly well. Petaia is still very young and could still develop on the wing before moving into 13.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
I’d prefer the likes of Speight and Daugunu on the wings with Petaia at outside centre, he demonstrated he was up to it at the start of this year, and during last years NRC. Moving Petaia to the wing to make way for Magnay just weakens the whole backline and forces some very good wingers to the bench.
I would have CFS ahead of Magnay at 13 as well.
Jimmy_Crouch
Peter Johnson (47)
In no way am I saying that Petaia isn't up to it. I like CFS too and would like to see him extend himself and learn the skills to push in one (like Nonu and Umaga did). It just gives the Reds options to play a ball players or "bash up" players in either centre position. Our wing stocks with Campbell, Daugunu and Speight is interesting. I'm not quite sure how I feel about them at this point. Campbell ripped up in QPR however I am still a little nervous about him Super Rugby level. Daugunu and Speight under the highball scares me but both of them can score great tries.
Ignoto
Peter Sullivan (51)
CFS is only fit for half a season so you're going to need cover for when his hammy goes pop.
B
Bobby Sands
Guest
I’m more interested in who the reinforcements in the backs are, ie which young ones get the call up or which clubmen/overseas players.
I am always optimistic about the Reds fortunes, but genuinely don’t think we are that far away.
I am always optimistic about the Reds fortunes, but genuinely don’t think we are that far away.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
No doubt his knees and injuries are always a concern, he only missed 2 or 3 games in 2019 through injury though I believe?
Penguin
John Solomon (38)
I don't rate him highly at all and from what I've heard from one of his old school friends I don't think his attitude would fit very well with Thorns philosophies.