Here it is folks hot off the presses - the GPS Rugby Draw for 2012
Round 1 21/7 IGS v TSS, BBC v NC, TGS v ACGS, BGS v BSHS, GT Bye
Round 2 28/7 ACGS v NC, BSHS v BBC, GT v IGS, BGS v TGS, TSS v Bye
Round 3 4/8 NC v TSS, BBC v ACGS, IGS v BSHS, TGS v GT, BGS Bye
Round 4 11/8 TSS v ACGS, NC v BSHS, BBC v GT, IGS v BGS, TGS Bye
Round 5 18/8 BSHS v TSS, GT v NC*, BGS v BBC, TGS v IGS, ACGS Bye
Round 6 25/8 TSS v TGS, NC v IGS, ACGS v BGS, BSHS v GT, BBC Bye
Round 7 1/9 BGS v TSS, TGS v NC, IGS v BBC, GT v ACGS, BSHS Bye
Round 8 8/9 TSS v BBC, ACGS v IGS, BSHS v TGS, GT v BGS, NC Bye
Round 9 15/9 TSS v GT, NC v BGS, BBC v TGS, ACGS v BSHS, IGS Bye
* = Tipping Nudgee to lose this one against the odds. Previous three opponents are ACGS, BSHS, TSS, 2 of which are away. Have IGS and TGS away following this match so expect a few upsets
Whilst speculating, it is very important to look at the draw when predicting results for next year. We saw in both 2010 and '11 that home advantage can be the deciding factor between two pretty equal teams. My thoughts on each teams performances at home and away
BSHS - Bad travellers, always a strong team but just don't get the away crowds they should get for being the largest school in the GPS. Even in premiership winning years the motivation for the students isn't there and I think it cost them dearly in 2011. At home they are very beatable, Fursden road is no fortress and Churchie showed how to win there comfortably.
Strengths: Forwards, psychology, know how to win.
Weaknesses: Depth not there to last 9 rounds, no real individual standouts, Nudgee, TSS, ACGS.
Nudgee - Are beatable at home but have to be having a very bad day. You wouldn't bet your house on them losing away either just quietly, look shaky against BSHS and TSS but have the majority of teams' measures. ACGS will be their big task in 2012.
Strengths: Hard to beat at home, skillful, physical.
Weaknesses: Experience, depth, ACGS, tough draw.
TSS - Very good at home, the trip down the coast seems to take away something from travelling teams and when the TSS army shows up they are as vocal as they come. That stupid shark fires them all up and in front of a very loyal old boy following they are tough to beat. Can falter away from home and travelling must hurt them if done in consecutive weeks.
Strengths: Strong at home, good forward pack, elusive backs.
Weaknesses: Depth, no real individual standouts, experience, Nudgee, BSHS.
ACGS - Great at home, good away. 100th year so expect the home crowds to be in the 1000's, away from home they will be rallying the students to support and will probably be more vocal than 2011. Nudgee, IGS and BSHS at home will favour them but TSS away looks to be their bogey match and probable premiership decider, this team is far too consistent to lose to any of the other teams at home or away.
Strengths: Depth, experience, crowd, speed, backs.
Weaknesses: Forward pack, ability to close out tight games, TSS away.
GT - The GT army is my most respected of the crowds, at home or away. Win, lose or draw they get behind the boys and carry the struggling team. Their annual match with Nudgee is always a great prospect and GT will see next year as an opportunity for an upset after years of domination by the blue and white. Expect them to struggle away from Tennyson though.
Strengths: Plenty to build on from last year, experience, back line combinations, crowd.
Weaknesses: Psychology of winning games, skill, depth, every other team.
BGS - IMO the weakest team at home, Northgate just isn't the field for vocal crowds and creates no real atmosphere. In saying that, their clash this year with Churchie was one of the best matches in the last few years of the competition but they just don't seem to draw energy from the crowd. Away from home they are hot and cold, when hot though they will be a hard team to beat. Momentum is their secret to success in 2012, a bad start and it's all over.
Strengths: Starting XV, experience, unpredictable, depth.
Weaknesses: Premiership monkey on the back, skill, physicality, mentality, ACGS, don't travel well.
TGS - The trip up the mountains to Toowoomba seems to leave a lot of teams flat and this works to their advantage, at home they are strong but away is another story. They can't seem to foster the support away from home and this is primarily due to crowds not willing to travel, that being said the boarders have the ability to create an atmosphere like no other when at home.
Strengths: At home, improving by game, physicality, forward pack.
Weaknesses: travel, strategy, depth, experience.
BBC - Hot and cold when it comes to vocal supporters but the highlander has a unique ability to fire up the boys in green and black. They haven't performed well away from home for the past few seasons and next year will probably struggle both home and away. They will fancy themselves at home against TGS with the country boys having to come down the mountain in the middle of winter after a tough game against BSHS.
Strengths: coach, skill, crowd.
Weaknesses: depth, travel, every other team.
