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Desmond Connor (43)
It’s not the kids fault. I blame the coaches. He was put into a situation he was far from ready for. We don’t have anyone else, so he might improve by being thrown in the deep end.
Reds 2023
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Ignoto
John Thornett (49)
I'm not calling for their heads, just we need other alternatives. The amount of unforced and handling errors the backs have made over the last three weeks has been astronomical. I'd probably even say the ball handling of the squad is extremely poor where any momentum we try to grapple back completely gets shut down within a half dozen or so phases.
LeCheese
Peter Johnson (47)
In saying we need alternatives, aren't you implying the players you mentioned should be benched/dropped? A big call after only a couple of below-expected games from who we know can be great players.
As I said though, we already have a number of alternatives, both established members in the squad and coming up through the pipeline. The likes of Flook, Grealy, Henry and Creighton (as well as Aubrey and Lynagh). Injury to key incumbents (JOC (James O'Connor), Petaia, Vunivalu, also Henry) has obviously stretched the squad's depth, and given some of these guys a baptism of fire, when they probably need a bit of time to hone their craft.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Lawson to me been improving with every game at 10, and this is sometimes silver lining of key injury (in this case JOC (James O'Connor)) to give a player time in the starting role to develop. His performances suggests he deserves more game time and again and again reminds me why I miss the nrc to give players like him more starting time at a level higher than club rugby to develop him and showcase what he can offer.
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Desmond Connor (43)
Tim Horan mentions that Kerevi might be an option for 2023? Is Cordingley going in with a decent bid, even if it means putting a line through Vunivalu on that cheque?
PhilClinton
Geoff Shaw (53)
A year ago I would have said he would be nice to have, but don’t throw the chequebook at him, as the Reds gameplay evolved since he left (and other personnel changes).
But with Paisami being so inconsistent and the fact I have a bad feeling we may lose Stewart overseas (he’s in that sweet spot of not really in Wallabies contention, has played heaps of Super Rugby and is still young). I would be calling Kerevi up for sure. Of course there is the whole NewStar sports issue but maybe there has been enough water under the bridge.
PhilClinton
Geoff Shaw (53)
Interesting to hear lots of positive feedback about the Tahs filling up Leichardt stadium against the Saders, of course it helps they won!
Its in contrast to some of the feedback around Reds games this year, flat atmosphere, lots of facilities not open at Suncorp, even with 12k-15k in the stadium, it feels empty.
I wonder if there would be any serious consideration for the Reds to play at Ballymore once it is finished. I haven’t seen the final designs - is it being refurbished as a proper stadium or more of a training facility?
I know it would be a big step back from Suncorp in terms of the optics of walking away from the best facilities, but if you listen to the fans, they all say they’d rather go watch a club game at a local ground because true atmosphere is better.
Its in contrast to some of the feedback around Reds games this year, flat atmosphere, lots of facilities not open at Suncorp, even with 12k-15k in the stadium, it feels empty.
I wonder if there would be any serious consideration for the Reds to play at Ballymore once it is finished. I haven’t seen the final designs - is it being refurbished as a proper stadium or more of a training facility?
I know it would be a big step back from Suncorp in terms of the optics of walking away from the best facilities, but if you listen to the fans, they all say they’d rather go watch a club game at a local ground because true atmosphere is better.
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
I dunno - I don’t get to many Reds games, but the games I’ve been to, even when crowd numbers have been in the 15-20k numbers I’ve thought the atmosphere was pretty good. When the numbers get above 20k I think it seems really good. One those sort of numbers they don’t open the top tiers so you effectively get all your fans concentrated in areas and it they seem to get into it.
In saying that, the numbers Friday night did seem low. They need a win or two to get those numbers up.
In saying that, the numbers Friday night did seem low. They need a win or two to get those numbers up.
Cancelled Account
Desmond Connor (43)
Ballymore is the heart of Queensland rugby. Taking the games to Ballymore will be the ultimate.
LeCheese
Peter Johnson (47)
Friday game crowds are always down, plus a good number would’ve headed away for the long weekend.
The numbers have been on the low side all season. The highest I can recall was around 15k against the brumbies, with others around the 12 to 14 mark - pretty poor considering the Reds’ recent successes, especially at home.
LeCheese
Peter Johnson (47)
While this is true for the more enthusiastic fans, I reckon a game at Suncorp is more of a draw to the ‘casual’ fan that would go to a couple matches a season for a night out. Dinner and drinks (and even access and transport) around Milton, Paddington, and the city is much more appealing than suburban Herston
dru
Tim Horan (67)
There's no doubt that the Caxton Street entertainment precinct is a huge boost to any game day experience. It's chews up anything in Sydney that's for sure.
Still, for me it means little if numbers are not enough to create atmosphere. I really love the idea of returning to Ballymore, but I had thought that it wasn't allowed anymore? Too big for the suburb, difficulties with public transport etc. Wasn't the stadium size kept at around 10,000?
PhilClinton
Geoff Shaw (53)
But is the casual fan going because it is easy to attend? I would think going to watch a game where it is fun and engaging.
I am a big advocate of Caxton St, have been going there for years so I understand the appeal of games at Suncorp, I also happen to live locally. But I am not sure it’s what best for the Reds.
For example I find it quite easy to get my non GPS affiliated friends to attend club rugby games against the best teams, whether they are home or away. Because they know the atmosphere will be great, they can grab a burger for $5 and a few tins and not break a 20. They will travel to South’s to watch a good game.
LearningCurve
Bill Watson (15)
With the 10 replacement issue, I find it odd that the Reds haven't seemed to give game time to possible backups to JOC (James O'Connor) so that in the case of injury (as has happened) the replacements have some top level experience. Perhaps I missed it but hasn't he been coming on as a replacement outside back (fullback?) rather than a 10? It seems short sighted to then expect him to slot in at 10 starting a game when he hasn't been playing there. Often I think coaches neglect their specialist replacements until all of a sudden disaster strikes and those replacements haven't had much game time in their positions. Campbell was talked about being a 10 replacement - I like him as a fullback and would think he has the skills for 10, not sure what experience he has there.
LeCheese
Peter Johnson (47)
I think Suncorp (both the stadium design itself and the management of fan positioning) does a decent job at keeping the atmosphere even with low crowd numbers. Maybe it depends on where you sit though - I tend to go behind the sticks at the Caxton st end and it's always full of energy.
I think they're expecting a capacity of ~15k for the revitalised Ballymore - but for the reasons you mentioned, I can't see regular games being held there. It's very much being promoted as an elite training facility/centre of excellence, with probably a handful of games (QPR finals, Wallaroos) held throughout the year. Plus, with both Super Rugby and the Reds trying to grow the game (whether that's realistic or not), I doubt they would entertain the idea of capping crowds at that level, when they know that they could consistently draw ~25k only a few years ago.
Not going purely because it's easy to attend, rather it's not putting them off because it's too hard/out of the way - which I think Ballymore has become. I'm specifically talking about the crowd that are heading to the footy with plans for dinner and/or drinks at either end who aren't necessarily the biggest fans of the game itself, but are looking for a night out. If the game wasn't being played somewhere central enough to give you plenty of options pre and post, I think you'd be losing a lot of the 'casual' fans.
Of course the die hards will follow wherever - but again, I'm not sure the Reds would be wanting to limit their ticket sales to 15k die hards, when there is a possibility in the future (again, realistic or not) of the same number of die hards, plus a number of thousand more
Jimmy_Crouch
Ken Catchpole (46)
Adam84
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Ballymore doesn't have the corporate or match day facilities or transport access to facilitate big crowds, the new 'stand' can hold 3000 people but doesn't come with corporate boxes, catering etc required to capitalise on home games.
The old stand is still beat up and in need of some serious TLC before its suitable for hosting crowds again, which they're aiming to fund through Olympic funding but there's no commitment there yet either.
Queensland government were adamant in their stadium review conducted pre-covid that they won't be supporting Ballymore to be developed to host major events again, preferring to back funding for the existing major stadiums.
The old stand is still beat up and in need of some serious TLC before its suitable for hosting crowds again, which they're aiming to fund through Olympic funding but there's no commitment there yet either.
Queensland government were adamant in their stadium review conducted pre-covid that they won't be supporting Ballymore to be developed to host major events again, preferring to back funding for the existing major stadiums.
@LearningCurve creighton has played I think all but one game for the Reds this year.
As for the talk of Ballymore, the funding they have now covers a high performance centre that also basically replicates the McLean Stand - so about 1200. No northern stand and no access upstairs in the eastern stand plus basically no facilities over there (toilets or catering) means it’s a no go for super rugby until perhaps some Olympic funding comes in to replace the eastern stand.
As for the talk of Ballymore, the funding they have now covers a high performance centre that also basically replicates the McLean Stand - so about 1200. No northern stand and no access upstairs in the eastern stand plus basically no facilities over there (toilets or catering) means it’s a no go for super rugby until perhaps some Olympic funding comes in to replace the eastern stand.
Jimmy_Crouch
Ken Catchpole (46)
If the average salary of the top 5 wingers in league is sub $500k can't see Vunivalu going back to league to get paid more
