Risdon Cup year ahead
The 2019 Downs Rugby season kicks off today and The Chronicle looks at how each Risdon Cup team is shaping up
CONDAMINE Last year: Fifth 2019 Coaches
BEN TAYLOR and SAM McCOSKER Captains
ROGER GELDARD and
JAMES GUEST The Cods this year have lost a few key players from the backs, Angus Smith, Charlie Friend and Drew Abell-King. However, they’ve been able to do an exchange of sorts for a few new players from Marcus Oldham Uni who are completing their placement years in the Condamine district. The club has also attracted a new prop, Patrick Brendan, who has brought plenty of front-row experience from North Queensland.
As with every year, a few players have moved in and out of the district, so this season will see some new faces, however the core player group remains strong.
The Cods made a promising start to the season with a win against the Dawson Valley Drovers in Moura two weeks ago. It has put the club in good spirits and they are looking forward to kicking off the 2019 Risdon Cup with a bang.
DALBY
Last year: Second 2019 Coach EDDIE DEAN A-grade captain
ROB WALTON The depth of the club received a huge boost with the inclusion of a couple of representative players who will partner up with the ever growing Wheatmen family. This year they have mix of players and although they have lost captain Sam Hogarth, they have regained Paul Maguire.
Even though the gap Hogarth has left will be hard to fill, the Wheatmen believe they have the players to not only fill the void, but will thrive doing so.
The Wheatmen are progressing well and training as one unit. All teams train together, with no divide or segregation.
They have been training well and the 40-plus players are excited as everyone will get a taste of what it's like to play with the big boys.
GOONDIWINDI Last year: Premiers 2019 Coach LUKE FRITZ Assistants
DAVID WILD and RYAN McDONALD Captain
SAM TWEEDY The reigning premiers lost some key personnel for their Risdon Cup defence, with crack rep centre Harry Hawker relocating; Queensland Country prop Jack Cook out with a neck injury and James Tweedy retiring.
On the plus side they have picked up for 2019 Ben White, Billy Thompson, Tom Menzies, Shane Hassett and Rowan Hickson.
The Emus believe they are shaping up well after gaining some talented young players. The club in all has 15 new players which it believes are exciting new additions as it prepares to have new faces perform through the grades.
The Emus have trained strongly in preparation for the season with a strong focus on fitness.
HIGHFIELDS
Last year: Ninth 2019 Coach TED VINSON Club Captain
BLAKE PARTON The Redbacks have had a nett improvement in player numbers for 2019 with the inclusion of some quality experienced players.
The club believes with its young team having another year under its belt and the inclusion of the new players it is expecting a significant improvement in its third season of A-grade rugby.
It will be missing players for the first few rounds when it plans to give young players the chance to gain experience as they come through and the season progresses.
Due to uncertainties around the C-grade competition the club will not be fielding a Cgrade team this season and will focus all its efforts and resources to building on its A-grade performance.
ROMA
Last year: Eighth 2019 Coach
LIAM WALKER BEN BRIGHT and DAN COULTHURST Captain
MATT WILKIE The Echidnas are looking to build this season after a few lean years and have picked up some experienced club additions including Ben Bright from the University club in Brisbane and NSW country club player Dan Coulthurst.
Hooker Dan Sutherland and Matt Wilkie have also been school teacher transfers to the region and join Roma from from Norths Rugby Club.
Roma began the year with a 40-8 win over Highfields in a round-two match moved to last weekend and have set themselves the goal of building up a strong home record in 2019 while keen to also do well on the road.
BEARS
Last year: Sixth 2019 Coach
MICK JARROUSH and BRYAN BATTERSBY Bears have not selected a team or club captain as yet but one of their younger Agrade players
Mick Collins has taken on a leadership role as seniors vice president with the club.
Bears have suffered player losses — mainly work related — including a large portion of its A grade from last year.
But they have picked up some new and younger players who have come to the club to start afresh in 2019.
A couple of players returning from serious injuries are former captain Brett Huth and Will Jackson.
Bears started well with good numbers but unfortunately some have already departed.
On the positive side Bears have some good, dedicated coaches who are hoping to develop another young side into being competitive throughout the season.
RANGERS
Last year: Fourth 2019 Coach TOM CROCKETT Assistant coach CAM DONALDSON Club captain/player rep
BRANDON MURRAY Rangers have managed to retain most of last year’s squad with a good number of welcome additions from Toowoomba, Brisbane and further afield.
Losses include Clayton Clinch to Sydney Rugby, Baci Wilson (taking a break) and Fraser Donaldson, who has relocated Cairns.
Rangers believe they have an exciting season shaping up, with the majority of last year’s players returning to combine with a number of new players to the club.
Pre-season training games have had a great vibe to them and they are setting their sights high on both the Risdon Cup and club championship.
They still have lots of work to do but the off-season was extremely productive on and off the field.
The combination of Tom Crockett returning, and Cameron Donaldson joining the club, along with great lower grade coaches, sees depth and a greater rugby development focus for Rangers.
USQ
Last year: Third 2019 Coach ELISHA ELISAIA Captain
ANGUS RAMSEY Club captain
JAKE SCHMIDT Lost players for USQ this season include Liam Harms (work), James Gough (work), Chris Little (travel), Michael Boyd (injured) and Brendon Ralph to retirement.
New players are Jordan Carrington, Byron Dunstone who has returned from Brisbane, Jamie Callaghan, Jack Heather, Kelp Havea Matape, Mal Ayuel, (returning from injury), Anrich Briel, and Tyson Cuskelly who is returning after leaving because of work.
With a good season last year and off the back of its 50th year celebrations, USQ is still in a solid place with a good team culture and club support.
Saints started pre-season training on January 8 and with three sessions a week its numbers have exceeded all expectations. The club is once again aiming at a top finish.
It believes last year’s grand finalist Goondiwindi and Dalby will again set the standard with Rangers, Cods and Bears as always being more than competitive. Saints believe that sets up a hard fought season.
UQ GATTON Last year: Seventh 2019 Captain-coach
JOHN VINSON The Black Pigs have suffered player losses including Todd Daniels (Dalby), Mitch Waters, James McColl (Goondiwindi), Pete Harding (Central Queensland).
But on the plus side they have gained John Vinson (West Bulldogs), Max Hemming (St George Frillnecks), Ned Sedgwick (Brisbane), Nick Loughnan (Roma), Reece Heuir (Burdekin), Harrison Turner (Townsville).
Once again the club has had a big turnover of players with blokes graduating from university which the team will miss considerably, however there is a strong crop of new students that are bringing a lot of enthusiasm to training.
John Vinson returning to the club after a season playing in the Brisbane rugby competition will be big plus for the club, adding much-needed size and weight into the second row as well as a solid game plan for the team.
The squad as a whole is looking very fit with plenty of depth to last through the holiday period, and after two trial matches is beginning to gel as a team.