Qld Premier Rugby 2024

[LevitatingSocks]

What distinguishes each club culturally from one another? Or better yet what are some stereotypes?

I played my first year of lower grades rugby this past season after moving to Brisbane, but feel like I don't have a good handle on the background of each club besides some off-hand comments from the sideline. I know a bit about Brothers getting Nudgee or Terrace guys, Churchie boys going to Easts, and Norths tending to struggle to hold onto their standout colts, but not much else. Apologies if this isn't the right place for this question.

 

[PhilClinton]

Depends on who you ask Socksy. Most posters on here will tell you their club's shit doesn't stink and everyone else are a bunch of cheaters and liars.

Probably fair to say most of the clubs generally have a private school catchment made up of AIC/GPS schools. Norths and Sunnybank probably struggle the most in that area in terms of having cohorts of students from strong rugby schools that will flock to the club without fail.

If I were to generalise about clubs I'd probably say:

- GPS, Easts and Brothers stereotypically have a vocal and abrasive home crowd that rubs away supporters the wrong way
- UQ and Wests have good facilities and get painted with a brush they are able to afford better players because of that
- Souths have a lot of strong culture and depth at the club but have struggled to maintain that into 1st grade lately
- Norths get shafted because all the good players go to other clubs, they haven't had a winning season since the moon landing
- Sunnybank pumped a heap of money into the club via their pokie clubhouse years ago, now going through a rough patch as they try to rebuild the culture
- Bond I've already seen getting hit with the cashed-up chat since they've acquired Heenan. Sounds like people think they're about to buy themselves a premiership.

 

[Keeno3]

Looking forward to Heenan back in qpr.

I think there’s a lot of parity in the comp atm but Mick back at the helm at one of the contenders, surely they’ll be competition favourites in 2024 considering they won the minor premiership?

Have to be favourites now. Definitely rescinding my earlier statement about them maybe struggling.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

Depends on who you ask Socksy. Most posters on here will tell you their club's shit doesn't stink and everyone else are a bunch of cheaters and liars.

Probably fair to say most of the clubs generally have a private school catchment made up of AIC/GPS schools. Norths and Sunnybank probably struggle the most in that area in terms of having cohorts of students from strong rugby schools that will flock to the club without fail.

If I were to generalise about clubs I'd probably say:

- GPS, Easts and Brothers stereotypically have a vocal and abrasive home crowd that rubs away supporters the wrong way
- UQ and Wests have good facilities and get painted with a brush they are able to afford better players because of that
- Souths have a lot of strong culture and depth at the club but have struggled to maintain that into 1st grade lately
- Norths get shafted because all the good players go to other clubs, they haven't had a winning season since the moon landing
- Sunnybank pumped a heap of money into the club via their pokie clubhouse years ago, now going through a rough patch as they try to rebuild the culture
- Bond I've already seen getting hit with the cashed-up chat since they've acquired Heenan. Sounds like people think they're about to buy themselves a premiership.

Thanks Phil, definitely caught a few wayward chirps from some 60 year old dads in the Brothers crowd so that lines up. Otherwise thought the Filth reputation was a bit overblown since only 1 or 2 guys on the Brothers team were dirty while the rest seemed alright. Have Griffith or QUT ever had entries or affiliates in the comp like UQ and Bond do?

 

[Bulldog]

The filth is a nickname dating back to the 1970-80’s when they ruled over the competition. It really doesn’t sit well in the modern game as far as being dirty but they are undoubtedly the most arrogant club in the competition.

 

[PhilClinton]

Have Griffith or QUT ever had entries or affiliates in the comp like UQ and Bond do?

QUT had an affiliation with Norths for about ten years in the early 2000s, going as far as being renamed Norths-QUT.

 

[warhorse]

Great game by HMP. Player of the Match on debut. Well done!!

 

[Pieman]

I also thought John Bryant (who usually plays at No. 8?) had a very strong game in both attack and defence - particularly in the first half.

 

[RugbyReg]

Wests fields getting destroyed in the rain. Mud paddock. Will be interesting to see if it can bounce back with (hopefully) no use.

 

[The Whisperer]

Wests fields getting destroyed in the rain. Mud paddock. Will be interesting to see if it can bounce back with (hopefully) no use.

I heard today that apparently the field is due to be torn up tomorrow anyway

 

[RugbyReg]

I heard today that apparently the field is due to be torn up tomorrow anyway

Yeah. Heard it was closing for repairs. Wasn’t sure how extensive. Hopefully very much so.

 

[Hound]

Yeah. Heard it was closing for repairs. Wasn’t sure how extensive. Hopefully very much so.

Was told yesterday that they are relaying the turf so they were not worried about the rain.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

Was told yesterday that they are relaying the turf so they were not worried about the rain.

The field was pretty much hard dirt with a few bits of green the last time I played on it, is it an issue with lack of sun exposure and overuse?

A guy at a different club was complaining to me about his club's selection of a turf variety that looks greener and nicer initially for the photos, but doesn't hold up as well to prolonged use because the roots don't go as deep/thick as other turf types. The phrase "golf course grass" was used. He was of the opinion that a turf variety that tends to brown but is a bit hardier would be better.

Sidenote: I've had scans done at Wests and the main field view from the MRI waiting room is stunning.

 

[D'Lite Full]

How long before one of the Brisbane clubs puts in a synthetic turf field like Easts in Sydney? Would make sense at Toowong.

 

[LeCheese]

How long before one of the Brisbane clubs puts in a synthetic turf field like Easts in Sydney? Would make sense at Toowong.

Genuine Q - is it possible to scrummage (and other situations which result in studs digging into the turf) on synthetic?

 

[LevitatingSocks]

Synthetic has a lot of downsides. Gives you turf burn when you slide on it, heats up incredibly hot on a sunny day, lacks the "give" natural grass or dirt have which puts more stress on your tendons/joints/ligaments and increases injury risk, feels like falling on concrete with a towel over it, and tends to let nasty bacteria like MRSA hang around at a higher rate than natural grass.

Any forwards that wear metal studs are asking for a torn ACL, most soccer boot manufacturers make specific synthetic turf boots with shorter and rounder moulded studs to minimize injury risk.

It's ok for a sport like soccer where you're not spending as much time on the ground or taking hard contact.

But I personally wouldn't play rugby on it as someone with no professional prospects or pay riding on my participation.

 

[Wolfie]

Why can't we hang onto our coaches? Word is Chris Latham heading back to the MLR in January to link up with the Seattle Seawolves.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Why can't we hang onto our coaches? Word is Chris Latham heading back to the MLR in January to link up with the Seattle Seawolves.

Club rugby v semi pro. Yeah wonder what it could be

 

[D'Lite Full]

Synthetic has a lot of downsides. Gives you turf burn when you slide on it, heats up incredibly hot on a sunny day, lacks the "give" natural grass or dirt have which puts more stress on your tendons/joints/ligaments and increases injury risk, feels like falling on concrete with a towel over it, and tends to let nasty bacteria like MRSA hang around at a higher rate than natural grass.

Any forwards that wear metal studs are asking for a torn ACL, most soccer boot manufacturers make specific synthetic turf boots with shorter and rounder moulded studs to minimize injury risk.

It's ok for a sport like soccer where you're not spending as much time on the ground or taking hard contact.

But I personally wouldn't play rugby on it as someone with no professional prospects or pay riding on my participation.

Not sure how informed your views are but if the most successful rugby club in the UK have adopted it, there must be some merit in considering.

Saracens unveil artificial pitch they hope will transform rugby union

Saracens have publicly displayed the new, controversial artificial pitch that could herald a new era for the sport – an era without mud

www.theguardian.com

Fake turf for Woollahra Oval - Turfmate

An unprecedented demand for sporting grounds from all girls’ schools and a desperate lack of available land in the eastern suburbs is what led council to the $3 million decision to fake turf Woollahra Oval. In the past, the Rose Bay oval was regularly closed to allow it to dry out after wet...

turfmate.com.au

 

[D'Lite Full]

And this...

Do artificial pitches in rugby affect playing style? - Stats Perform

There is an argument that playing on artificial pitches brings a greater risk of injury, with the surface coming under the microscope any time a player is forced off after picking up a knock. However, does the type of surfaceRead More ›

www.statsperform.com