I appreciate that in Sydney there is not what could be called a massive gap between the various school systems - even CHS beat GPS last yer, but in Brisbane the situation is vast;y different. Without diminishing the importance or abilities of the AIC and State players, they are chalk and cheese. The GPS schools in Bris go to great lengths to secure the top talent. There are some like Nick Frisby etc who stay loyal to their schools, but I would be surprised if the GPS dont have a 90% representation in the final Qld sides - and it wont be based on bias as they will all cry - that is where the talent lies - the NTS in Qld for example has very few non GPS players.
I for one would like it to be more level but the fact is the GPS have the folding stuff and a couple of schools use it pretty well to secure their players. State High also offers tremendous opportunity to players and are a continuing source of talented players.

State high certainly put a few points on Terrace, as they did to us two weeks back, but I think Churchie and Terrace played two close games, only one try in both of them, for one win each. But you are correct, the gap between GPS and AIC is not close

I didn't make it to the game...thank god for small mercies

I don't think it is ever in doubt - Nudgee went thru a time a couple of years ago where they offered NO scholarships and they paid dearly wrt results - I don't think State High does as they don't have the fees the others do but theuy do offer a great opportunity to the kids, TSS has a small number of scholarship, as do Churchie - there are aren't as many as people think - basically many players simply gravitate to the three schools if they are any good at rugby -

All schools offer them but TSS seem to go out big time in Year 11 to get players. Their 15As last year were the wipping boys of GPS. Much improved this year with addition of 7 new kids.

and back on topic..

i hear people have been talking up the css 1 side but i havent heard much of the aic 1 side. who are we looking out for in the aic sides this coming qld trials?

Quite incorrect - there are still one or two at the Qld NTS who are not at a GPS school. I think you will find that Birmo was going to Grammar regardless of NTS position, can't speak for carpenter.

Back on topic
AIC 1 has really good front row all Ashgrove (1-3), so hunt together as a pack should, 3- Maafu is quite good.
Although from games I saw the Villa 3- McIntyre was unlucky not to get first choice rather than reserve T.H.
7 - Treby and 8 - Anderson very strong, agressive runners and should go well.
15 Felsman probably one of the fastest of any school on the paddock.

I saw red play in Armidale in 05 and the only reason he scored so many tries was he was twice the size of every other player - I also have never rated him and players now are starting to play all over him. I have also NEVER seen him in a hurdle race and he has never featured at GPS T&F in the hurdles.
Far too many people confuse size and its resulting dominance over smaller players with skill. More often than not those big 13, 14 and 15 year olds who are running all over other players are there because they are big, they don't have training regimen, they are rarely dedicated and they then get eclipsed once the slow developers with talent and a desire grow and their real skill level (and dedication) come to light. For that reason I have never put too much credence in representative teams before the age of 16, they just do not indicate who are the good players as opposed to dominant players. Lower grades at all schools are full of players who as 13 year old were touted as the next big thing and TSS, NC are no exceptions.
If a player is good enough, by age 16 he will be noticed. But don't take notice of anything beforehand.
As for kids being replaced, at TSS I have never seen a 'worthy' player replaced by a ring in - they do all they can to develop their own . TSS actually take great pride in the number of preppies that go thru to 1stXV. It is usually quite a respectable number compared to the other schools although this year and probably next is a bit down on previous years.
Of the current 1st XV, 2 came this year, and from memory all the others came at or before year 9 with 3 from prep school, one of those grade 2.
So imports at TSS this year in 1st XV are not as predominant as people think, well as opposed to the 2001 team that had to be introduced to each other at the beginning of the year.

Nutter are you saying there were only two scholarship players in the 2009 team? Because I was of the understanding there may have been a few more than that.