I went over to Boondal on Saturday to catch the Nudgee vs State high Fixture. Arrived in time for 16A's, 2nds and Firsts. Surprisingly, a seriously different result in the three games.
16A's for Nudgee were outstanding, they have pace, strength, serious skill, and basically Dan Carter in the team with that red hot kicker. The front rowers are strong ball runners, with slick hands, and the half back pairing including a new kid I have not seen or heard of and the previous fly half for this team were great. Don't know how they have dropped games this season, I suppose it could come down to late arrivals of first fifteen squad members, not allowing this team to merge correctly. Regardless, they completely outplayed state high - Where is the depth here for state high?
2nds for Nudgee put a cricket score on State high. They beat them with skill, beat them with physicality, and beat them with brains. Amazing depth for Nudgee, they really wouldn't be worried about injuries with their 16A and 2nds teams being this good. Why the coaches don't use their reserves, I do not know. Where is the depth here for state high?
1sts was a ripper. State high turned up to play. Both teams were physical, angry, and amazingly skillful. NC 13 and NC 10 were outstanding, as was the back row. State high had great ball runners and fast outside backs. They got away with the win, but I do not know how. NC have depth, and state high don't. For god's sake use your bench Nudgee! Haven't seen players look that fatigued for both teams at the end in a long time. You cannot rely on your players that start to leave everything out on the field for 8 weeks. I believe Nudgee would have gone undefeated prems if they used their bench.
Anyways, great fixture, excited to see what both teams can put together for firsts next year and clash.