Reds, please sit down, we need to talk.
I think you know what this is about – it’s been coming for a while now.
I got your email about renewing my membership. Thanks, but I think I want out. I guess you’ll agree – we’ve been heading in different directions for a while now.
Me, well, I’ve been trying to move forward. I’ve ditched the Ralph Lauren polo, burned my school tie, and have kicked off my boat shoes.
I quaffed my last pinot gris this morning, then cancelled my Foxtel.
I call it personal growth.
I’m sorry Reds. But it’s not me, it’s you. I’ve stood by you through thick and thin – the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. But last year was the final straw.
You were belted by the Sunwolves, and lost twice to the Tahs. You’re play ranged from listless to inept. I turned up to every game, but I’m not sure that you did.
You’ve lacked spark for a while now. And with “to be announced” in the halves it’s not getting any better.
First you boned Will Genia, then Nick Frisby, and now Quade Cooper. But please don’t get me started on Quade. Love him or loathe him, he sure is unique. If nothing else, he was the only Kiwi in south Brisbane without a scaffolder’s ticket last year.
And who knows where you’re headed? You’re a walking contradiction. You focus on defence, then leak a record number of points.
Crowds are at an all-time low, but beer prices keep rocketing skyward. It’s time to reconnect with the fans, you say – sure, then why charge us to watch a suburban trial game?
The best seats at Suncorp are even out-of-bounds, and the game-day experience has bordered on absurd. If you tolerate loud dance music and flame throwers, then your children will be next.
Membership is a steal at just two hundred and fifty bucks, you reckon. But wait, there’s more, you’ll even throw in an inflatable finger.
Umm thanks, I guess. After twenty years of loyalty, I still trust it’s the middle one…
graymatter
Roar Rookie
Zado. I think given the Wallabies current form. Only having 4 in the squad is a plus! I've said elsewhere I am a Brumbies fan but I predict that the top of the conference will be a battle between the Reds and the Rebels
Bobby
Guest
Agree that Rome wasn't built in a day. But it was built on great foundations. Thorn says great things but finds it difficult to communicate at ANY level. Until there is a clean out of the Board particularly Miller and Sharpie and replacing Thorn with a real and experienced coach (like a Matt Taylor) the Reds will continue to suffer a lot more losses than wins together with terrible crowds. Over many years I have purchased many dozens of memberships for family, friends and employees. I have decided not to do so again until some success both on and off the field.
Danny
Roar Pro
I'm an Australian citizen with Australian kids and Australian wife and lived in Australia for two decades. But sure I'll butt out.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Hey Jacko, Of course you'll go - why should you care if the Reds never improve. If they are cellar dwellers for eternity. You'll get to watch the Kiwi teams that you are actually supporting come over and give the Reds a good thrashing and be happy with that. I on the other hand do want the Reds to be a better team.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Hey Jacko, Yeah it's the coach's call who he wants, he gets to live or die by his playing group. But still delaying the decision until every other super rugby roster was full was a little beyond the pale. It just reeked of a vindictive attitude.
Charlie Turner
Guest
The Reds board must be panicking over the membership atrophy. Take a look at the cringeworthy propaganda video "Believe" they've put up on redsrugby.com.au. I can only imagine they forced Thorn star in that at gun point. The vintage highlights have some glaring omissions which while understandable in light of recent history are nevertheless awkward.
Kiwi Bob
Guest
Jacko - 30yrs and that chip hasn't been knocked off, you musn't get out much. I notice most of your replies on this site are defensive and I can only imagine how tough your life must be if you take that attitude on your journey. I've been in qld now for all of 10 months and I'm doing my best to learn about Australian rugby. Its actually fascinating in comparison to NZ because coarse changes can make a huge difference whereas at home the systems are so refined its not easy for the average punter to spot areas to improve. I've had a few scaffolding cracks directed at me but I'm a civil engineer so I guess it's just complex scaffolding anyway. My boys club is real league of nations, NZ, PI, SA, GB, PNG, US, AUS and the banter amongst the dads and coaches is very healthy and no one take things too seriously. I'm a Brad Thorn too fan but I respect this is a Reds thread and I can tell from the mood at our club there is a lot of frustration and anger towards the Reds administration. I get it! Thorn took a calculated risk dumping a 100 cap club legend in Cooper and how it plays remains to be seen. Let the Reds fans vent their spleens, they've earnt it! Hopefully the Reds win and Thorn in turn wins them over.
Bobby
Guest
The fact is BT is unsuccessful at this level . Reds board has backed him totally. How long can they afford to back him with about a 30 + % success rate. Crowds were rubbish last season and likely to be similar next. Reds Board is inept same as RA. It genuinely annoys me that a weak QLD normally means a weak Wallabies.
Jacko
Guest
So BUTS are your thing then ZADO?
Jacko
Guest
RO I agree that the timing wasnt great but getting dropped never is.......It made it harder for QC but it didnt make it impossible......He had offers and chose to do his own thing....thats no issue either but dont blame others for the decisions he made......Thorn dropped him....beyond that he made the decisions...
Bobby
Guest
Reds forwards look good but their bench will likely let then down in the last 20. Seems to be a big gap in quality. The halves will be another issue as Hamish has a long way to go to become a competitive Super 10 and quality game manager. Reds draw is tough and a few loses early will deflate the group. Big Brads win ratio is worse than Cheika and unfortunately I see that continuing.
Jacko
Guest
Cheers Don.......Yeah I too am fast becoming a prop and started off as a skinny winger............maybe its all that fantastic club rugby canteen food LOL.....
Jacko
Guest
RO if being a deserter is your thing then enjoy your rugby season doing something other than going to the Reds...You are not forced to go....I will happily watch the Reds just as I watch club rugby and just as I watch test matches.....For me its the rugby......For you its the coach....whatever......
Don
Roar Rookie
I get where you are coming from. In our business I joke with our Kiwi logistics manager when he needs new guys in the warehouse, instead of running ads to just call home and get us another scaffolder or removalist relative from over there. Our old first grade halfback looks like a prop nowadays. I reckon he secretly loves being mistaken as an ex prop.
Ruckin oaf
Guest
The timing was the issue Jacko, I thought anybody that followed rugby was aware of that.
Ruckin oaf
Guest
You're paying good money to watch the Reds and you'd call that smart? The club rugby scene is much better value. And I can understand you're position on the Reds, you being a Chiefs fan and a Thorn fan. Why would you want the Reds to improve? Whereas those of us who really care about Qld rugby will be voting with our feet. And I guess you're trying hard to show us all that a well balanced Kiwi has a chip on both shoulders :)
Zado
Guest
but but but Thorn basket case, but but but 11th, but but but nearly finals, but but but Rome wasn't build in a day, but but but Thorn ego driven cess pitt , but but but Eddie Jones, but but but culture ,but but but Cooper, but but but Mcakenzie, but but but Graham, but but but Stiles. We coulda woulda shoulda but we didn't. But But Butt out , All Black fan .
Feff
Guest
" The reds have three half backs all under 22, in fact they only have 5 players in their squad over the age of 25." Therein lies the problem ,not enough experience and hard heads. I expect a lot more thrashings in 2019. it`ll be a a repeat of the 2007 2008 years.
Jacko
Guest
Considering that Thorn pretty much did all he could to end Cooper’s career I think it was a fairly mild chip on his way out........RO he dropped QC........Like other coaches have in Pro rugby ( 7s..Toulon, Cheika, Deans)...QC had choices and chose club rugby......
Jacko
Guest
Evan what you say is true but where could the REDS get these quality experienced players from? There does not seem to be a lot of options available to sign and the REDS are not financially as well off as the Rebels so much of the available talent has gone to the Rebels....The REDS are doing the best for Aus rugby.....And more REDS will debut for the Wallabies in Thorns time than from any of the other Aus franchises in that same time....