Recruit Pocock, urges retiring Red

[slomo]

he's a great player but he doesn't seem in any hurry to re-sign, this could be a sign hes off!!!

[James]

Depth?

Depth maybe but it just seems like a waste to me. Queensland sometimes complains that they just can't match what other teams can pay players but having a squad with 4 hookers and 3 openside flankers isn't exactly economical or sensible.

[TOCC]

Depth maybe but it just seems like a waste to me. Queensland sometimes complains that they just can't match what other teams can pay players but having a squad with 4 hookers and 3 openside flankers isn't exactly economical or sensible.

well i think the specialist positions like hooker need to be covered pretty exstensivley, if we only had 3 hookers and two were injured, then the Reds would be in a lot of trouble trying to find a benchie. You only have to look at QLD's halfback situation where they only have 3 halfbacks.

Props, Hookers and Halfbacks are pretty much the three specialist positions where you need strong depth, the other positions on the field can be covered pretty easily players playing out of position, apart from maybe 5/8.

I think a lot of QLD's squad issues at the moment have to do with the high turnover of coaches, Mooney pretty much moved into a squad which was already picked for him with most positions filled, so its probable that the Reds will see a high turnover of players this year and maybe even next whilst Mooney assembles the squad that he wants.

[James]

well i think the specialist positions like hooker need to be covered pretty exstensivley, if we only had 3 hookers and two were injured, then the Reds would be in a lot of trouble trying to find a benchie. You only have to look at QLD's halfback situation where they only have 3 halfbacks.

Props, Hookers and Halfbacks are pretty much the three specialist positions where you need strong depth, the other positions on the field can be covered pretty easily players playing out of position, apart from maybe 5/8.

I think a lot of QLD's squad issues at the moment have to do with the high turnover of coaches, Mooney pretty much moved into a squad which was already picked for him with most positions filled, so its probable that the Reds will see a high turnover of players this year and maybe even next whilst Mooney assembles the squad that he wants.

Ohh look I agree TOCC but 3 hookers is a generally accepted number for a squad of 30-35 and most teams will have one in their academy. You guys have 4 in your main squad and 2 in the academy. But whatever I'm sure Mooney will sort it out. The amount of quality players in the Queensland academy means if Mooney can hold out a year or two he will have riches to choose from.

[jono]

his career will be further developed here in perth i would say.
next year there will be no excuses for us not making the top 4.
bam bam will be crucial to the plans that mitch has in place to make this happen.
so i think they will be doing everything possible to keep him. i would be if i was on one of their posistions.
the reds can shove it!

[slomo]

next year there will be no excuses for us not making the top 4.

thats what we all thought at the start of this season......

[TOCC]

Ohh look I agree TOCC but 3 hookers is a generally accepted number for a squad of 30-35 and most teams will have one in their academy. You guys have 4 in your main squad and 2 in the academy. But whatever I'm sure Mooney will sort it out. The amount of quality players in the Queensland academy means if Mooney can hold out a year or two he will have riches to choose from.

whilst i have no qualms about the 4 hookers, i do think having 3 openside flankers is a bit excessive, considering that Croft has played close to 100 straight games.

I think over half the Reds squad is off contract this season, most of them are the reserves or squad players, but it should give Mooney the chance to start fresh and cut away some of the dead wood and build his own squad. Since he was the Reds Academy Coach/Manager he should have a pretty good idea of who has the right potential and attitude.

Thats the good thing about the Force, Mitchell was able to build a squad over the past couple of years where he was able to plan long term, and a bit of sucession planning, something which has being lacking from the Reds for quite some years.

[Burgs]

Must be almost the "other half" then TOCC? I seem to recall a huge number were up last season as well?

If we are getting Valentine then we definately need to retain Bam Bam, we'll need a world class #7 to clean up the mess

[TOCC]

Must be almost the "other half" then TOCC? I seem to recall a huge number were up last season as well?

If we are getting Valentine then we definately need to retain Bam Bam, we'll need a world class #7 to clean up the mess

not that i really feel there is a need, i can get the list of players if you think i am talking shit(dont know why i would on that topic though).

[Burgs]

Was a genuine question, I recall there being a heap last year as well.
The ""s indicating it wouldn't be exactly half, there would be a few for '09.
If a heap again in '08 then would indicate to me that the nearly whole Squad will be stitched up ready for next year meaning less disruption.
You can read into it what you like...

[TOCC]

Either way, here is the list, make what you want of it.

Reds:

In:
Anthony Faingaa (Brumbies)
Saia Faingaa (Brumbies)
Blair Connor(Reds Academy)
Ben Lucas(Reds Academy)

Out:
Chris Latham (OS)
Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
Rodney Blake (OS)
Sam Cordingly (OS)
Clinton Shifcoske (OS- tbc)
Lloyd Johansson (OS)
Ed O’Donaghue (OS- tbc)
David Croft(retired)

Unsigned:
Andrew Walker, Ben Coutts, Caleb Brown (rumoured Brumbies) , Chris Siale, Morgan Turinui, Quade Cooper, Robert Simmons, AJ Gilbert, Brando Vaalu, Charlie Fetoai, Geoff Abram, Herman Hunt, Ole Avei, Will Genia, Josh Afu, Henari Veratau, Dayna Edwards, Scott Higginbotham, Poutasi Luafutu.

Morgan Turinui, Clinton Shifcofske and Quade Cooper all have contracts on the table waiting to be signed. As far as i am awar that list is up to date, dont know about some of the lesser name players though.

[chook]

...I don't want him staying here because of money...we don't want to end up a team built on money...

Thats actually pretty funny!!

[BLR]

Thats actually pretty funny!!

It won't be when in a few years time we drub you with a team of WA borns.

[chook]

It won't be when in a few years time we drub you with a team of WA borns.

Thats even funnier!!!

[GIGS20]

Yeah but we all know what your sense of humour is like Chook!