Qld Premier Rugby 2023

[LeCheese]

Were the fields actually flooded ?
didn’t think the floodwater went that high

Yep, certainly did

2022 Floods | We will be closed until further notice waiting for water to go down. No trivia for this week. Stay safe | By Wests Bulldogs RugbyFacebook

We will be closed until further notice waiting for water to go down. No trivia for this week. Stay safe

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[LeCheese]

Can't use floods as an excuse. Norths, UQ and Brothers all cop it when it floods and their fields don't look that bad

No, hence why I said that they didn't help the overall situation as opposed to suggesting they were the direct cause

 

[JRugby]

that's still quite new really. Shouldn't have to resurface fields that frequently.

There's something not quite right with that pitch at Wests, it's been looking like shit for a few years now. Assuming they actually spent a bit on the irrigation and drainage when they realigned it, the ongoing condition and state of the pitch is a real disappointment

Those fields do get heavy daily use with Wests being a massive junior/senior club and no other adjacent areas for teams to use to train (unlike Norths, Easts, UQ etc). All turf variety regardless of irrigation/ sunlight need a break to repair from continuous wear and tear. Unsure if their allowed to use chemical fertilisers or anything to help push it along as it's a public park?

All considered it's probably reasonable to expect that the fields need a resurfacing every year or 2.

 

[Bulldog]

I am no turf expert but my understanding is that flood waters leave a film of crap below the grass level witch should be scraped off otherwise the roots of the turf can’t penetrate the film crust left behind and perish.

 

[Sir Charles]

Can we expect to see Reds players filter back into QPR this week - important games this week Brothers v Bond, Souths v GPS, UQ v West.

 

[PhilClinton]

Can we expect to see Reds players filter back into QPR this week - important games this week Brothers v Bond, Souths v GPS, UQ v West.

In recent years there has been at least a week off for most of the main group Reds players.

Not sure what Eddie's directive will be for the blokes who are likely to be involved with the Wallabies either.

 

[JRugby]

I am no turf expert but my understanding is that flood waters leave a film of crap below the grass level witch should be scraped off otherwise the roots of the turf can’t penetrate the film crust left behind and perish.

Nor can water/ oxygen/ nutrients get down to established roots as easily.

#turfchat

 

[MoneyBill685]

I think we can all agree that Wests have a terrible field.... Guess the only fair thing to do is dock their points.

 

[Dan54]

There’s a lot of players at wests who’ve been at wests and then went onto earn a super rugby contract.

in 2020 during that awkward Covid year - the bulldogs had an amazing colts team that missed out on finals. Mason Gordon, David & Glenn Vaihu, Keynan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua. None of these boys had super rugby contracts yet but they went onto higher honours. All repping at aus u20 level and getting super rugby contracts.

last year Angelo Smith, Ben Navosalagi & Ethan Dobbins all got super rugby contracts from qpr form.

these are bulldogs products first. Super rugby players second.

Out of interest who is coaching Wests colts nowadays, Rob Roiri was doing them in 2020 and I been back in nZ since then.

 

[Adam84]

Given the field's positioning and surrounds, I don't think they get much winter sun and therefore struggle with growth/rejuvenation throughout the season. The floods last year wouldn't have helped either of course

Had a look on Nearmap, the field issues date back to 2017 with running repairs, especially on the half closest to the clubhouse between the 22s.

I just don’t think it was laid well to start with, surprising given it was a new build

2017

 

[RugbyReg]

Out of interest who is coaching Wests colts nowadays, Rob Roiri was doing them in 2020 and I been back in nZ since then.

A guy called Roscoe Deacon.

 

[The Nomad]

Had a look on Nearmap, the field issues date back to 2017 with running repairs, especially on the half closest to the clubhouse between the 22s.

I just don’t think it was laid well to start with, surprising given it was a new build

2017
View attachment 16435

The side of the field nearest the clubhouse spends a lot of time in the shade over winter and the foundations of the clubhouse are also close to the sideline preventing natural drainage that way, so it’s all on what’s under the turf to let excess water disappear.

The north eastern end of the field is cut out of a hill with a substantial retaining not far from the dead ball line. This end always seems damp, most likely from moisture further up the hill.

I’m no expert, but seems like the turf was always going to struggle.

 

[MoneyBill685]

Begs the question...who's got the best fields from a spectator perspective and turf quality?

 

[SouthernX]

Begs the question...who's got the best fields from a spectator perspective and turf quality?

Id say UQ. They have stadium style seating with shade and the fields are maintained by full time green keepers.

that athletics track around the field also prevents any ugly incidents you might get at Easts, Brothers and GPS where the wrong bounce of a ball out of bounds could have some unwanted interaction with player and drunken spectator. If Easts and Brothers had athletics tracks around their paddock they’d still have average fields… if you put the athletics track out at Yoku and then provided shade for their bleacher style seating, GPS does keep their fields in immaculate shape.

 

[Oracle83]

Id say UQ. They have stadium style seating with shade and the fields are maintained by full time green keepers.

that athletics track around the field also prevents any ugly incidents you might get at Easts, Brothers and GPS where the wrong bounce of a ball out of bounds could have some unwanted interaction with player and drunken spectator. If Easts and Brothers had athletics tracks around their paddock they’d still have average fields… if you put the athletics track out at Yoku and then provided shade for their bleacher style seating, GPS does keep their fields in immaculate shape.

Your miles from the action at Uni and it has very little atmosphere - I enjoy watching from both Norths and Brothers amphi-stadiums

 

[Dan54]

Used to really dislike going to Jeeps though. Shit of a place to get to, no parking and just not a real good atmosphere or something, Perhaps felt it a little standoffish?

 

[SouthernX]

Your miles from the action at Uni and it has very little atmosphere - I enjoy watching from both Norths and Brothers amphi-stadiums

Yeah atmosphere is lacking but it’s great sight lines to be honest.

I’ve been to a lot of sporting events and row 20 is always better than row 1. You kind of want to be a little away so you can see everything

 

[Bulldog]

T

Nor can water/ oxygen/ nutrients get down to established roots as easily.

#turfchat

yes that sounds more logical.
It gets really slippery when wet also.

 

[RugbyReg]

Used to really dislike going to Jeeps though. Shit of a place to get to, no parking and just not a real good atmosphere or something, Perhaps felt it a little standoffish?

Main field facing the wrong direction doesn’t help.

 

[PhilClinton]

Field conditions aside, I really enjoy going to Wests for games. Love the setup there.

Makes me a bit envious as a GPS supporter, honestly I’m not overly fussed with the clubhouse reno at Yoku. I’m obviously not across the ins and outs of it all, but doesn’t seem as substantial as I expected considering the build up. No beer taps etc like at Wests which I think is a big miss. Also still confused why it’s all maroon coloured.