The Queensland Reds wish to farewell and thank Jock Campbell, Josh Flook and Hunter Paisami for their fine service in the maroon jersey at the conclusion of their contracts.
Over many seasons, the stalwart trio contributed determination and high standards to the Reds jersey which they all wore proudly.
In addition, the Reds wish Frankie Goldsbrough, Will McCulloch and Hamish Muller all the best for their futures after also departing the club.
"On behalf of the Reds and Queensland Rugby, I’d like to thank Josh, Jock and Hunter for their significant contributions to rugby in Queensland over many years. Each has made a lasting contribution and helped make the Reds program better,” said Sam Cordingley, the Reds General Manager, High Performance.
"I’d also like to acknowledge Frankie, Will and Hamish. While each has faced challenges with injury, they are all still early in their careers, and I’m confident they have plenty more to offer the game as they continue their professional rugby journeys."
For Campbell, his final season included the milestones of reaching 100 games for the Reds and being awarded this year's Pilecki Medal as Player of the Season for his silky moves from fullback.
“It’s been a heck of a journey over the past eight years,” said Campbell, who departs having played 109 games as Queensland player #1339.
“Those milestones of 100 games and captaining Queensland seem a bit surreal right now. It will be in the years to come that I appreciate them even more.
“It has been really satisfying to have a good year to finish. To be involved in that last-minute try in Canberra to beat the Brumbies was a highlight. I’ve really enjoyed all those last-minute successes like Jordie Petaia’s kick for Hunter’s matchwinning try in Canberra (2021) and James O’Connor’s try to win the Super Rugby AU grand final the same year.
“Coming into Ballymore to train and prepare has always been enjoyable with such good mates. There have been a lot of those days.
“It’s time for something new and I’m looking forward to what that holds.”
Centre Flook’s 70 games for the Reds were appreciated by coaches and teammates for all the speed, defensive nous, composure and class he brought to the jersey.
He will pursue an opportunity overseas after his recovery from an achilles injury but a chunk of his heart will always be at the Reds where he will always be Queensland player #1352.
“I was a 10 or 11-year-old kid in the stands dreaming of pulling on a Queensland jersey. To be able to do that so many times over seven seasons has been an honour. I’ve never taken it for granted,” Flook said.
“It’s been the best job to go to in the world. Hopefully, I’ll be able to pull it on again sometime in the future.”
A starting role in the 2021 Super Rugby AU grand final triumph is a highlight that has kept on giving.
“It always pops up on TV or on Instagram any time we play the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium. I still get a tingle down the spine every time I see that footage. To win in front of 40,000-plus fans was something special,” Flook said.
“Winning over in Christchurch for the first time in 25 years (in 2024) was another high point after so much Crusaders’ dominance.
“I came through at the same time as some great mates and made plenty of new ones.”
Paisami built a career of 80 games and greatly expanded the facets to his game after Queensland player #1347 was all hard-running and hard-hitting when he debuted in 2020.
“The Reds gave me the opportunity to live my dream of playing Super Rugby with my first game as a professional player back in 2020,” Paisami said.
“The Reds will always be home for me. I just love the club. They have given me pretty much everything. That's me and my family.”
Paisami’s full-throttle style contributed to significant victories and memories.
“My debut against the Brumbies in 2020 and experiencing the last Reds’ tour to South Africa in the same year are great memories,” Paisami said.
“Being part of the Reds team that beat the Crusaders in Christchurch for the first time in 25 years (in 2024) was very special. It was my 50th cap so it’s a game I’ll always remember.
“It's a tough decision to leave the club but I do to take on a different challenge."
Injuries and his teenage apprenticeship limited Goldsbrough to just two Reds appearances in three seasons to show off his skills as a strong-running outside back.
He made his debut with a promising 80 minutes against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan in 2024 and played off the bench against the Crusaders last year. Still just 20, his career is just beginning.
“It’s been three seasons of great memories and mates at the Reds,” said Goldsbrough, Queensland player #1405.
“I suppose the big lesson has been one of perseverance. Seeing a player like Isaac Henry beat his injuries and make his Wallabies debut this year is pretty inspiring to me.
“To lean on and learn from guys like Isaac and Liam Wright while in rehab myself in recent seasons has been valuable.
“The biggest moment for me was making my Reds debut in Japan and playing beside Dre Pakeho, my old school centre partner at Churchie. It was a real pinch-me moment.
“My shoulder is nearly right after surgery. I plan to be ripping in with Easts in club footy next season and go from there.”
For fullback-winger McCulloch, a debut against Tonga in Nuku’alofa in 2025 as Queensland player #1414 was the high point of two years in the Reds squad.
“Injuries have been unfortunate but I’ve learnt heaps. I’ve tried to be a bit of a sponge with so many high-calibre players at the Reds,” McCulloch said.
“Everyone has a different way of seeing the game. Jock Campbell was really helpful with specifics around playing fullback and Heremaia Murray as well when he was at the Reds.
“Obviously, playing for the Reds has always been a dream of mine. To do so against Tonga is something I’ll keep with me for the rest of my life as well as playing that game with my Norths clubmate Ollie Harris and Academy mates.
“My club Norths had a great season this year and the off-season vibe is good already so helping Norths stay strong is something I want to see.
“I feel I’ve only just started with my rugby so I’m excited about good stuff ahead.”
An unfortunate non-contact knee injury derailed lock Hamish Muller while playing for Brothers in the Sumo Energy Hospital Cup after a positive Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
He played 12 times this season, including a Reds Player of the Match performance against the Western Force, to build his resume to 15 appearances.
“I’ve had an unreal time at the Reds and been fortunate enough to learn from top coaches and play besides players of the calibre of Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Carter Gordon,” said Muller, Queensland player #1408.
“Probably my fondest memory is my Reds debut in Japan in 2024. I’d worked towards that goal for a while. To have mum and dad surprise me with a visit for that game made it even better.
“To earn the respect from my peers with that game against the Force when I started for the first time was pretty special. Being able to play at Super Rugby level and do a job felt really good.
“I’m going to get healthy again, get back to Brothers to win another premiership and finish my exercise physiology degree. I’ve got plenty ahead.”
