As soon as they get a development contract with the Reds it's all too hard to play for SC or GC. Just easier to be 10mins away from a prems team than drive 3hrs return for training.Yes there is a benefit, it provides a pathway for representative rugby for those from those regions without forcing them to move to Brisbane.
Guys like Tate McDermott and Carter Gordon aren't moving back to the Sunshine Coast to play rugby for the Noosa Dolphins after school. You aren't keeping the best players in their respective regional competitions, they are forced to move to Brisbane, stay and plateau at a level below their potential, or worse yet swap codes and play QRL.
Once a region like Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast achieves a critical mass of players, there's no reason you cant achieve both a high level of community rugby, and cater for a prems team.
I see what you’re saying, but currently Bond have more Reds players then many of the Brisbane clubs with Nongorr, Jeans, Blyth(x2), Blake & Upfield. Throw in junior wallabies like Usher and Loader also. Mafi played for Bond for years also.As soon as they get a development contract with the Reds it's all too hard to play for SC or GC. Just easier to be 10mins away from a prems team than drive 3hrs return for training.
James Durkheim comes from a Lismore and was a league junior whose old man was also a league nrl player so he is a bad example.In my opinion to keep the best players or motivate players to stay in union you have to pay them.
2 years ago James Durheim played Colts 1 for easts and played in a couple of prem games as well. The following year he decided to play league for Ippy Jets (colts) instead of play prems. Says a lot about the attraction of rugby compared to league. Someone would rather play Colts league then play the highest level of club rugby.
Redcliffe or morayfield could work but best if it was based on an existing catchment wherever it isView attachment 15480
Fair to say the Brisbane metro is well covered with few junior clubs not represented. With Sunnybank and Bond further south, a case could be made for sunshine coast club.
Going to be a long season for the Bank based on trials. Off season start was positive but has just not delivered.Any other trial reports?
I wouldn’t write them off. Their new recruit 10/12 didn’t play and they make a massive differenceGoing to be a long season for the Bank based on trials. Off season start was positive but has just not delivered.
Souths under 2023 coaching team looked impressive.
Didnt they lose to Norths already? Norths seems to be their Achillies heal; time will tell.Going to be a long season for the Bank based on trials. Off season start was positive but has just not delivered.
Souths under 2023 coaching team looked impressive.
Any other trial reports?
So CabooltureRedcliffe or morayfield could work but best if it was based on an existing catchment wherever it is
The Red's have a tendency to cotton wool the guy's thought, but hopefully you're right.
Generally I agree but I feel the one plus about a coach like Brad Thorn is he’s been very supportive of having reds return to clubland.
I’m actually worried about any new incoming coach might not have this same philosophy… least the main candidate other then Thorn (Heeno) knows where his roots are and I suspect he will be same champion of reds back to club rugby.
The Red's have a tendency to cotton wool the guy's though, but hopefully you're right.
I can see an argument for Redlands being a possibility for a new Premier Club. They already have great fields, a supporter base and there are quite a few Redlands juniors running around QPR at the moment. I think with some assistance, they could be a great addition.
They barely have 1 senior team and no colts.