AIC Rugby 2015

[The Ballkid]

With all the talk about the Ashgrove vs SPC game here are some photos. They are taken by one of the parents.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/121788293@N02/sets/72157653837875179

 

[brad]

To the best of my knowledge, Padua has beaten Ashgrove only once in its history, and this year would be the first time ever that Padua's First XV will have finished ahead of Ashgrove on the ladder (assuming they beat SPLC).

As far as I know, Ashgrove has never lost the rugby aggregate competition (10/12 premierships last year), and will win it again easily this year.

So, after only one First XV victory, on your home ground, Paduans are going to start lecturing Ashgrove about its rugby superiority? OK...

Just enjoy the view from the top while it lasts mate, because you won't be there for long. The Padua game at Ashgrove next year will be very interesting, to say the least.

As far as the aggregate goes I believe that ASHs' dominance is due to there strength in the 'C' grades. But as far as I am aware the aggregate has changed this year to only include the A and B grades. And I the Padua v Marist round at banyo Padua won 3 of the 4 'A' games as well as at least 1 B grade game

 

[Galloper]

With all the talk about the Ashgrove vs SPC game here are some photos. They are taken by one of the parents.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/121788293@N02/sets/72157653837875179

Great photos, good team.

 

[macdaddy]

To the best of my knowledge, Padua has beaten Ashgrove only once in its history, and this year would be the first time ever that Padua's First XV will have finished ahead of Ashgrove on the ladder (assuming they beat SPLC).

As far as I know, Ashgrove has never lost the rugby aggregate competition (10/12 premierships last year), and will win it again easily this year.

So, after only one First XV victory, on your home ground, Paduans are going to start lecturing Ashgrove about its rugby superiority? OK...

Just enjoy the view from the top while it lasts mate, because you won't be there for long. The Padua game at Ashgrove next year will be very interesting, to say the least.

Holy Sh*t. Padua win a First XV premiership and beat Ashgrove for the first time ever and all you can read about on this forum is a bombardment of sour grapes and everything from how Ashgrove were the better team to how they should have virtually their entire forward pack in the AIC 1 team. It seems Ashgrove's supporters are just as out of touch with the game as their rugby directors. What ever way you want to slice it, Ashgrove were limited to 5 points and had an extra man for nearly half the game and still lost by 11. They have still had a great season but they will in all likelihood have to settle for the best of the rest. That's just the facts.

Secondly, there's no denying Ashgrove and SLC rugby is nowhere near the level it used to be. If you do its quite ignorant , and you weren't very in touch with both school's great rugby history. Both schools are pumping out nowhere near the amount of Australian Schoolboys and even at that rate, not as many QLD or AIC players either. You can run from it all you like but Ashgrove were a completely different animal ten years ago at 1st XV rugby than they are now and I don't know if they'll ever get back to that level. Ashgrove have gone from unparalleled 1st XV supremacy, to favourites to now contenders. But feel free to youtube the 06 team if you want to relive the glory years because those days are long gone.

 

[harriez_94]

Holy Sh*t. Padua win a First XV premiership and beat Ashgrove for the first time ever and all you can read about on this forum is a bombardment of sour grapes and everything from how Ashgrove were the better team to how they should have virtually their entire forward pack in the AIC 1 team. It seems Ashgrove's supporters are just as out of touch with the game as their rugby directors. What ever way you want to slice it, Ashgrove were limited to 5 points and had an extra man for nearly half the game and still lost by 11. They have still had a great season but they will in all likelihood have to settle for the best of the rest. That's just the facts.

Secondly, there's no denying Ashgrove and SLC rugby is nowhere near the level it used to be. If you do its quite ignorant , and you weren't very in touch with both school's great rugby history. Both schools are pumping out nowhere near the amount of Australian Schoolboys and even at that rate, not as many QLD or AIC players either. You can run from it all you like but Ashgrove were a completely different animal ten years ago at 1st XV rugby than they are now and I don't know if they'll ever get back to that level. Ashgrove have gone from unparalleled 1st XV supremacy, to favourites to now contenders. But feel free to youtube the 06 team if you want to relive the glory years because those days are long gone.

Okay firstly in MY opinion, Ashgrove hasn't fallen as much as you all are saying, the competition has simply gotten better. It is as simple as that. I remember when I was in the junior school at MCA (bias), going down one day and seeing Ashgrove smash Padua on some occasions 40+ points. That simply dosen't and will never not happen in the future, not just with regards to Ashgrove and Padua, but with all matches I believe.

I honestly believe the Ashgrove fall is attributed to the coach. Fitzgerald has been there for three or four years now (correct me if i'm wrong), and I don't believe he has delivered an outright premiership. Whereas back in the 'glory days' (06 etc), I think the firsts were coached by Meehan and Byrnes, who now coach the 16 A's, who for the past couple of years have gone through undefeated (bar this year i believe). Ashgrove needs an overhaul of the coaching program, teachers who have a passion for rugby simply aren't going to cut it, compared to the likes of Padua, coaching staff, who I was told are specialist coaches (correct me if they're teachers).

 

[Galloper]

Holy Sh*t. Padua win a First XV premiership and beat Ashgrove for the first time ever and all you can read about on this forum is a bombardment of sour grapes and everything from how Ashgrove were the better team to how they should have virtually their entire forward pack in the AIC 1 team. It seems Ashgrove's supporters are just as out of touch with the game as their rugby directors. What ever way you want to slice it, Ashgrove were limited to 5 points and had an extra man for nearly half the game and still lost by 11. They have still had a great season but they will in all likelihood have to settle for the best of the rest. That's just the facts.

Secondly, there's no denying Ashgrove and SLC rugby is nowhere near the level it used to be. If you do its quite ignorant , and you weren't very in touch with both school's great rugby history. Both schools are pumping out nowhere near the amount of Australian Schoolboys and even at that rate, not as many QLD or AIC players either. You can run from it all you like but Ashgrove were a completely different animal ten years ago at 1st XV rugby than they are now and I don't know if they'll ever get back to that level. Ashgrove have gone from unparalleled 1st XV supremacy, to favourites to now contenders. But feel free to youtube the 06 team if you want to relive the glory years because those days are long gone.

C'mon mate, this is your glory year, maybe your only crack at it for some time, just enjoy it......

It's guys like you who are insecure about your school's place in the pecking order, not us.

Sure, unlike some, we've got a great rugby history, but it's posters from other schools who keep bringing it up as some type of reference point, not ours.

I haven't seen one Ashgrove supporter who hasn't admitted that Padua beat us fair and square this year, or asserted that Padua don't deserve a sole premiership, but it seems to rankle that we haven't declared Padua 2015 as one of the all-time great teams. They're a good team who have beaten everything put in front of them, just celebrate that without worrying about Ashgrove for a change.

 

[harriez_94]

C'mon mate, this is your glory year, maybe your only crack at it for some time, just enjoy it..

It's guys like you who are insecure about your school's place in the pecking order, not us.

Sure, unlike some, we've got a great rugby history, but it's posters from other schools who keep bringing it up as some type of reference point, not ours.

I haven't seen one Ashgrove supporter who hasn't admitted that Padua beat us fair and square this year, or asserted that Padua don't deserve a sole premiership, but it seems to rankle that we haven't declared Padua 2015 as one of the all-time great teams. They're a good team who have beaten everything put in front of them, just celebrate that without worrying about Ashgrove for a change.

Agreed, would love to see Padua 2015 up against Iona 2013... See how great they really are...

 

[macdaddy]

C'mon mate, this is your glory year, maybe your only crack at it for some time, just enjoy it..

It's guys like you who are insecure about your school's place in the pecking order, not us.

Sure, unlike some, we've got a great rugby history, but it's posters from other schools who keep bringing it up as some type of reference point, not ours.

I haven't seen one Ashgrove supporter who hasn't admitted that Padua beat us fair and square this year, or asserted that Padua don't deserve a sole premiership, but it seems to rankle that we haven't declared Padua 2015 as one of the all-time great teams. They're a good team who have beaten everything put in front of them, just celebrate that without worrying about Ashgrove for a change.

2011 was very much the same except Ashgrove were able to capitalise on two yellow cards unlike this year. By all reports, Padua have about 5 or 6 players from this year's premiership side returning not to mention a very strong 2nd XV and 16A age group so don't think this is their last crack at it.

"It's guys like you who are insecure about your school's place in the pecking order, not us"

I think a lot of people would beg to differ, go back through the last couple of pages and it very much suggests the opposite. The only reason people bring up Ashgrove's history is because their own for whatever reason are very selective in acknowledging it. If it's to do with Ashgrove as one of Queensland's rugby nursery's you'll hear about Ashgrove's glory years until the cows come home but if it's to do with the decline of Ashgrove rugby you won't hear a peep, instead pointing to the strength of the school's lower grade teams to cover up the clear decline of the 1st XV.


Yes Padua won but that that doesn't make them the "better" team. A re-match would've been nice (Not sure about Padua but Ashgrove is weakened now due to injuries and other reasons) a re-match anywhere none of this depends who is home bullshit.



That doesn't sound slightly salty to you?

I would've liked to see that 2013 Iona team play a lot of schools. Would have loved to have seen them play the 2010 Villa side.

 

[Supersid]

2011 was very much the same except Ashgrove were able to capitalise on two yellow cards unlike this year. By all reports, Padua have about 5 or 6 players from this year's premiership side returning not to mention a very strong 2nd XV and 16A age group so don't think this is their last crack at it.

"It's guys like you who are insecure about your school's place in the pecking order, not us"

I think a lot of people would beg to differ, go back through the last couple of pages and it very much suggests the opposite. The only reason people bring up Ashgrove's history is because their own for whatever reason are very selective in acknowledging it. If it's to do with Ashgrove as one of Queensland's rugby nursery's you'll hear about Ashgrove's glory years until the cows come home but if it's to do with the decline of Ashgrove rugby you won't hear a peep, instead pointing to the strength of the school's lower grade teams to cover up the clear decline of the 1st XV.


Yes Padua won but that that doesn't make them the "better" team. A re-match would've been nice (Not sure about Padua but Ashgrove is weakened now due to injuries and other reasons) a re-match anywhere none of this depends who is home bullshit.



That doesn't sound slightly salty to you?

I would've liked to see that 2013 Iona team play a lot of schools. Would have loved to have seen them play the 2010 Villa side.

 

[Supersid]

As an Ashgrove supporter with a son running around at the school, I congratulate Padua and St Patrick's on the strength of their rugby programs. Apart from the 1st and 2nd XV, not one Marist side had a single trial game to prepare for the season. Compared to the other schools, the preparation was appalling. This is largely due to an unorganised rugby coordinator. Hopefully next year once David Miles has had time to set the standard he expects of this rugby program. It's not all doom and gloom as this weekend many Marist teams are contenders for premierships. Padua1st XV is a very good rugby side and it is not fair comparing them to other winners in the past. They have throughly deserved their victory. Congratulations to them.

 

[Breakdown]

Hewitt has always earnt the right to play #8 it's just the fact that selectors think QLD 1 would be better with Hewitt at lock and add another huge and good ball runner at number 8. TSS #8 and BBC #8 are both massive lads who will probably get the #8 position with Darcy and Reece being the locks.

Hewitt @ #8.

 

[Breakdown]

Are you sure? From what I've heard the QLD #8 will probably be Ben Gunter from BBC. He's 6'6 and 110kg+ an enormous backrower and hard runner. Hewat should play his preffered position, but I can only really see him at lock or blindside.

Very sure.

 

[Supersid]

I see an old post regarding the 8A competition. Both Ashgrove and Lauries are undefeated (Ash drew with Padua) and face each other this weekend to decide the premiers. St Patrick's are third with two losses, followed by Padua, Iona and the rest. Good competition without scholarships.

 

[rugbyXV]

Hewitt @ #8.

Very sure.

Congratulations Breakdown, you picked Hewit to be the #8 for GPS1. You have achieved the unthinkable, and thus valiantly deserve a medal for your heroic predictions. Kidding aside, who actually replies a month later saying "very sure" or "Hewit @ #8". The fact that you remembered it... Anyways mate, don't dwell on what I have to say, if it makes you happy I can plan a party for you this Saturday for your tremendous achievements and enjoy a beer at the pub with you, maybe you could predict where the holy grail is next and tell me?

I think this sums up what Breakdown is currently feeling -

 

[behindthescenes]

What's quite ironic about the rise of some of the other AIC schools is that there has actually been an Ashgrove influence at the school. St Edmonds & Padua both had Ashgrove old boys driving their rugby programs. I'm told both have moved on now though?

There is no doubt the Comp has evened out. 10 years ago there were only really 2 or 3 schools which had a proper rugby program in AIC. Some schools use to actually celebrate 'best of the rest' as if it was an achievement.

Even when Ashgrove were dominating the AIC comp, they still weren't getting many Australian schoolboy rep players. Only 1 or 2 since the 97/ 98 super team.

I don't think it's really a case of Ashgrove going backwards -
They are just doing the same as they always have, but it's not enough anymore.

Be interesting to see how good this year's Padua team is when they front up against the GPS boys next weekend. If a few get through to QLD schoolboys, it will certainly silence a few critics.

 

[pundit]

Does anyone know when the AIC & Chaiman's teams are announced? Must be in the next few days...

 

[Prince Henry]

As an Ashgrove supporter with a son running around at the school, I congratulate Padua and St Patrick's on the strength of their rugby programs. Apart from the 1st and 2nd XV, not one Marist side had a single trial game to prepare for the season. Compared to the other schools, the preparation was appalling. This is largely due to an unorganised rugby coordinator. Hopefully next year once David Miles has had time to set the standard he expects of this rugby program. It's not all doom and gloom as this weekend many Marist teams are contenders for premierships. Padua1st XV is a very good rugby side and it is not fair comparing them to other winners in the past. They have throughly deserved their victory. Congratulations to them.

Well said. Preparation is key

 

[Prince Henry]

I see an old post regarding the 8A competition. Both Ashgrove and Lauries are undefeated (Ash drew with Padua) and face each other this weekend to decide the premiers. St Patrick's are third with two losses, followed by Padua, Iona and the rest. Good competition without scholarships.

And these teams would beat the GPS scholarship laden equivalents

 

[ruggasXV]

To say that the competition catching up is the biggest contributing factor to Ashgrove's decline is an absolute joke.

Sure, the competition may have caught up - but only Eddies, and recently Padua, have consistently posed a significant challenge for Ashgrove since the 'glory days'.

The fact is that the standard of the AIC competition has plummeted. No other way around it. Now what has caused this can be a number of things - GPS scholarships, the coaches, the students - whatever it is, it has caused the AIC comp to weaken incredibly over the past half a decade save for a couple of flash teams like Iona 2013. If you still don't believe me, just look at the number of representative schoolboy players coming out of the comp.

 

[Derick Slater]

To say that the competition catching up is the biggest contributing factor to Ashgrove's decline is an absolute joke.

Sure, the competition may have caught up - but only Eddies, and recently Padua, have consistently posed a significant challenge for Ashgrove since the 'glory days'.

The fact is that the standard of the AIC competition has plummeted. No other way around it. Now what has caused this can be a number of things - GPS scholarships, the coaches, the students - whatever it is, it has caused the AIC comp to weaken incredibly over the past half a decade save for a couple of flash teams like Iona 2013. If you still don't believe me, just look at the number of representative schoolboy players coming out of the comp.

Pretty much the only smart person on this forum.