Grant Jones
Ted Fahey (11)
Very happy with our boys performance from QBN, although Wests were missing a number of players, especially in their forwards.
John I Dent Cup 2013
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No.8
Phil Hardcastle (33)
Did Easts have some players out or something? Hopefully not back to their old ways...
Empire
Syd Malcolm (24)
A shedload of injuries - the lads ended up with 12-13 guys on the field in 1sts due to injuries, including one to hospital with hypothermia. We may be stretched for the rest of the season in terms of numbers.
Not back to the 'old ways' (aside from this score!) - very happy club with the new head coach Jeremy Osborne and the other new faces really changing the atmosphere around the joint, on and off the pitch.
A long way to go, but many steps in the right direction.
Grant Jones
Ted Fahey (11)
Is it right that Smiler didn't show up and that Oosthuizen refused to play the second half? Not sure how you end up with 12-13 players on the field in first grade when you have 3 other grades that play before them?
Empire
Syd Malcolm (24)
Like you, I wasn't there, so I cannot definitively say whether what you're saying is right. Injuries are most likely, as well as the Brumbies requirements, which can change quickly.
However, I will say that both have been great for the club this year - your implied message seems off the mark, like most of your comments about Easts.
Having soaking wet guys stick around post match exposed in the open in literally freezing (-2 to -4 degree wind chill) temperatures with strong winds and sleet will always leave you short. And, as mentioned, a shed load of injuries across the grades.
However, I will say that both have been great for the club this year - your implied message seems off the mark, like most of your comments about Easts.
Having soaking wet guys stick around post match exposed in the open in literally freezing (-2 to -4 degree wind chill) temperatures with strong winds and sleet will always leave you short. And, as mentioned, a shed load of injuries across the grades.
No.8
Phil Hardcastle (33)
I understand that some 2nd grade/3rd grade players might not want to stick around on the bench for 1st grade but I guess if your asked to do this and dont stick around because its cold then hopefully these same players will not be asked again to cover for 1st grade...if I was the coach I would be dropping some of these players...sorry...
Rock Lobster
Larry Dwyer (12)
If you can't get enough blokes to bench for First grade, regardless of conditions, then I'm sorry, but there are serious cultural problems at your Club.
No.8
Phil Hardcastle (33)
100% agree.
Vikings V Royals must be the match of the round this weekend - I will be down there for most of the day...should be great!
canberra2011
Peter Burge (5)
Think Royals have much of a chance?
Grant Jones
Ted Fahey (11)
I think they are a massive chance, I would say Royals with the calibre of players they have back they would have to be favourites for the title. Big call I know with Tuggeranong not having lost a game, but I don't think they are as invincible as the past couple of years.
Grant Jones
Ted Fahey (11)
I know it might seem like I am picking on Easts, but I do want them to become a strong club again for the benefit of the game in Canberra and for the competition.
The reason why I am so critical is because they have been given a number of Brumbies this year and it seems some people think that after winning a few games they are on the rise. These wins as I see it is just papering over the cracks. Second and third grade are horrible and playing against them is just like having a training run. Easts do not have a colts team and the president of the club wants to get rid of the colts comp. I think this would be a terrible thing if it happened, it is one clear advantage we have over the local league comp in recruiting players out of school. If I was at Easts it would be my priority to get a good colts team on the paddock, this would provide depth in the years to come, something we have managed to do very well at Queanbeyan. The fourth grade team is better than the second grade team because of a number of league players that have come with the first grade coaches to have a run and it appears winning that comp is now the main focus of the first grade coach based on things that he has said.
I know it isn't easy being in the position that Easts are in, we have been there ourselves, but until you stop making excuses for how things are going and take some real action rather than rely on the Brumbies to get you out of trouble then you will continue to struggle.
Grant Jones
Ted Fahey (11)
Couldn't agree more, I know Nicholls is a horrible place to play rugby on cold days, but it was pretty horrible at Griffith too, we had a full bench!
Rock Lobster
Larry Dwyer (12)
Agree they are a big show this week but favourites for the title is a long stretch Grant. A lot will depend on who becomes available for the finals for all teams. If Royals get Siliva & Carter added to the pack, which is already pretty strong, plus To'omua, then yes, I would have them as near certainties. With Christian & Mowen in the Aus squad, the only additions for Vikings would be Colby & Scott Sio, who admittedly would make a fair difference. The Whites with Coleman alone are at least a 10 point better side but throw in Kuridrani, Leon Power & maybe Nic White & you beat just about anyone. Hell if all those guys were available a Royals/Whites GF would be one for the ages. Wests get Fotu & maybe Kimlin but I think they'd need Mogg to really challenge so his selection in the Aus squad will be critical for them.
Grant Jones
Ted Fahey (11)
There are a lot of good people at Easts, and sounds like you are one of them, I hope that they're passionate and determined enough to put the proud club back in a competitive position.
I think you may get your wish, I think Vikings will get knocked off!
Grant Jones
Ted Fahey (11)
I think Sio, To'omua and White will all be in Wallabies camp, but even without them it is very competitive. I think Kimlin will go straight to France after the Brumbies finish, just like Hegarty did last year.
It is pretty exciting that we are talking about 4 teams with a chance of winning it, Wests better improve if they want to keep Gungahlin out of the 4 and us at Queanbeyan are no certainties, we have to keep improving to make the 4 as we have Tuggeranong and Royals as the last 2 games of the season. I hope we aren't relying on winning one of those to make the 4!
Rock Lobster
Larry Dwyer (12)
Mate with Coleman in the team you make the 4, no probs.
Grant Jones
Ted Fahey (11)
You're probably right, we did play some very ordinary rugby towards the start of the year with him in the side though. No doubt he brings plenty to the side. I think it is a joke he is being left out of the Brumbies 22. Andrew Smith can only play centre and I think Rathbone's experience is overrated!
Rock Lobster
Larry Dwyer (12)
Spot on, he would offer the squad far more than both of them.
No.8
Phil Hardcastle (33)
What is the reasoning behind not wanting a colts team?!!?!? that is what builds the foundation of a good club - where does he expect the schoolboys to go - straight into 1sts/2nds? noway many of them would stick around if they were stuck in 3rds/4ths...
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