This BSHS outfit may not look too impressive, however, the likes of Jack Martin, Joe Kendall, Joseph Agresta, Dim Loukaras (All QLD Clubs regulars), and Josh L'Hota (injury prone), Vai Fitisemanu and Liam Dunne are all to pack surprises. Maybe so, even their younger players in Antoine Pereira (winger like Digby), Serge Panochini (absolute killer within his age group) and Callum Enoch (former winger, amazing pace, will have to see how he goes on the flank).
I must say, Liam Dunne is one quiet figure that will surprise many. I believe a possible QLD outfit for this amount of talent, being overshadowed by his preference of pursuing rowing during the pre-season footy stuff. Dunne, in my opinion, could've become a regular for the 2011 BSHS XV, however his commitment to the rowing hindered that chance miserably.
With other schools, sad to see Dean Van Heteran of Churchie being moved to AIC footy for Marist. Should see him in a hopeful QLD jersey as well.
With IGS, anybody know what has happened to Latham Takau? Is he still looking promising, considering his 6-ft 5" frame hahaha!
Great to see that everybody here realises that Lachlan Oppenheimer, of Churchie, is destined for great things this season. Should be the standout no.8/backrower of the competition. Monty should also see representative honours.
BBC have a new-look squad, with the surprising signing of prop Benroy Sala, formery BSHS. Sala mirrors Daniel Anae's (NC) scrummaging abiities, however, with fitness, can definitely out-attack any other prop in the GPS system at the moment. Gareth Kallel will also see representative honours. This marvel of a winger has been a standout for the past 2 years in the BBC line up, and pairing with Ned Heathcoate, within the centres, should see some awesome changes for the College boys. Heathcoate is also one who hasn't seen a mention. Great attacking skill, dominates every tackle, chances of furthering his name last season due to injuries, from what was heard, but he will be a force to be reckoned with in the centres.
Not much on Grammar at all, except the obvious Lakhem Aiono to try and prove that his move from the centres to the backrow was genius. Still has a Ma'a Nonu frame, in my opinion, but we shall see how he goes with a not-too-fancy team, in general.
Word on Dylan Sikimeti, of Nudgee, anybody? And awesome awesome awesome stuff to finally see the two Tuttle brothers finally together in the one team.
Surprised to hear of Ben Tarr's move to the south. Should also hopefully see him play well, and not let his knees buckle in the scrums.
And without further or do, my predictions for 2012 GPS season:
1. Anglican Church Grammar (predicted to lose to BSHS, considering past motives, however will destroy any other outfit)
2. Nudgee College (just lose one or two through nail-biters, will be the ones who simply get the job done, not overly fancy)
3. Brisbane Boys College (should surprise the competition, will win enough to keep them in the top 3)
4. Brisbane State High School (to shock Churchie, but lose a few shockers themselves)
5. Southport School (in my opinion, not a standout, like typical TSS line ups, but will shock a few of the better teams)
6. Gregory Terrace (past experiences should keep them on their toes, especially 2 70+ point losses in a row last season. Plenty of these boys were the younger ones last year to suffer major defeats, huge turnaround with huge motives to win)
7. Brisbane Grammar (enough said, Blackhurst and Aiono to hold the forward pack together, not much of a punch anywhere else)
8. Ipswich Grammar (huge losses from last years seniors, not enough punch to crack enough wins, but they will win and only JUST lose to the better teams)
9. Toowoomba Grammar (might look like I'm not a fan of the Grammars, but Toowoomba will be the outright losers. I beg of the boys from the Downs to prove me wrong, as the higher 8, in my opinion, are just in different strides compared to you lot.. For now)
The year will see very tight games, I can sense major losses and surprise wins. The competition will only get tighter, and good to see that every school has at least 4+ trial fixtures, probably the standardised amount necessary, compared to the last years where most were maxing out on 3 trial games. Should be another great season in the GPS, and please.. Make a statement for the AIC and Combined Secondary Schooling blokes. Unlike last year, blow the other competition out of the park because GPS was, and always will be, the better association.. By a long shot!
