Canberra Raiders prop Paul Vaughan accepts St George Dragons' offer

[MattoDragon]

This signing really makes no sense when you still need a 7.

They could have given Nona a year deal yet even JD could no convince the club to keep him around.

Wait till poor Hutchison gets hung out to dry by Widdop he will get slaughtered in here.

I don't know what your problem is with Widdop? There's only one person that's going to hang Hutch out to dry. and that's our freeloader coach.

 

[MattoDragon]

I agree with most of what you have said, and I like your starting pack based on what we have/might be getting in Vaughan.
The only think I don't agree with is the claim that JDB had a bad year. He ran for the most metres out of the forwards and made the most tackles. A middle player that has the ability to play 80 minutes is an asset. I don't particularly like the way he is used as a suedo Graham-esque halfback sometimes. But he gets through a lot of work and his stats back that up.

The players at risk next year of possible demotion are Thompson, Leeson and Marketo. I like Thompson but he hasn't performed that well this year and plays very light in a day and age where most centres are in his range.Host or Leilua (if he stays) will be putting him under immense pressure. Marketo speaks for himself, solid player but not big or powerful enough to provide impact off the bench. And finally Leeson is at risk because his output simply isn't good enough and can be improved upon by others.

My first pack in 2017 would be as follows

8. Packer
9. Mcinnis
10. Vaughan
11. Thompson (for now)
12. Friz
13. JDB

14. Sims
15. Masoe
16. Host
17. Havili (can cover hooker and middle forward and was heaps impressed by his finals form with the cutters)

Marketo should never have been re-signed. With Havili, like you said, you have a replacement hooker/second row.
The re-signing of Marketo shows the poor decision-making by our Recruitment and Retention people. Ian Millward is f**king useless and an embarrassment to the club. He fits in well with McGregor and Doust.

 

[MattoDragon]

Cannot see Havili or Marketo challenging for top 17 spot unless McInnes struggles to play 80 minutes

Matthews from disappointing this year.

Injuries will of course turn our predictions upside down long before the finish

Why did we sign the rabbit reject? He is certainly no better than Rein. He was dumped from souths firsts because of poor dummy half service, slow out of dummy half and no creativity. Sounds like why we sacked Mitch Rein!!!

 

[MattoDragon]

whats the bet that even with a pack like that, marketo still gets named every week!

McGregor's love child

 

[BringTheNoise]

A NASTY LEAK
DRAGONS officials are filthy the size of Raiders recruit Paul Vaughan’s new $1.6m contract was leaked to the media. The Dragons say it was a deliberate ploy by a particular club to plant the figure in the hope of splintering the rest of the Red V playing squad. Watch this space.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...d/news-story/630d2d612262ff7ca8a4bbf8454d8f54

 

[coast_dragons]

I don't know what your problem is with Widdop? There's only one person that's going to hang Hutch out to dry. and that's our freeloader coach.

Problem with Widdop is he isn't that good.

Isn't a 5/8.
Doesn't know how to direct the team around the paddock.
Goal kicking has gotten worse over time.
General kicking is pathetic.
Sure as hell isn't a captain.

And what I meant by hanging Hutchison out to dry is when things go to shit he will go into his shell just like he did with Benji.

 

[getsmarty]

Problem with Widdop is he isn't that good.

Isn't a 5/8.
Doesn't know how to direct the team around the paddock.
Goal kicking has gotten worse over time.
General kicking is pathetic.
Sure as hell isn't a captain.

And what I meant by hanging Hutchison out to dry is when things go to shit he will go into his shell just like he did with Benji.

I think the problem is Mary...Widdop was fine under Bellamy and the storm system. Get rid of Mary and bring in a coach who actually knows what he is doing and we may also be able to recruit a half back who compliments Widdop. Most players have gone backwards under Mary.

 

[coast_dragons]

Well that could be true getsmarty maybe a different coach could help.

 

[rasaint]

First day at training Leeson, Russell go up to Paul.(fantasy)

'Welcome to the Dragons Paul'

'Thanks guys, got $530k a season, this is a truly great club'.

'Yeah Paul we saw your Mounties highlights, you are a powerhouse. Feel humbled to be playing with a marque prop'.

' Thanks again, I know you two will bust a gut following me eating the metres'.

'You bet Paul'. We are so motivated'.

Paul Vaughan is a good prop but is this $1.6 million true? Surely after all the cap problems not?

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Agreed re the forwards, I think Hutch might surprise with proper coaching. The blocks are all in place let's see what happens.

Depends are we talking starting blocks or chopping blocks

 

[Mr Red]

I think the problem is Mary...Widdop was fine under Bellamy and the storm system. Get rid of Mary and bring in a coach who actually knows what he is doing and we may also be able to recruit a half back who complements Widdop. Most players have gone backwards under Mary.

Widdop needs two things to be successful like he was at the storm.
1. Good coaching with a good game plan and clear instructions for him to follow
2. A dominant half that will steer the team around the field, allowing Widdop to play a supporting role and focus more on his own game

At the dragons he has neither, no wonder his game has gone backwards since joining.

 

[FlameThrower]

A NASTY LEAK
DRAGONS officials are filthy the size of Raiders recruit Paul Vaughan’s new $1.6m contract was leaked to the media. The Dragons say it was a deliberate ploy by a particular club to plant the figure in the hope of splintering the rest of the Red V playing squad. Watch this space.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...d/news-story/630d2d612262ff7ca8a4bbf8454d8f54

I think we got ripped off...and now even before preseason starts some potential bad blood about how much coin he is on..

 

[Saintsified]

Straight replacement for Cooper. A big boy who will have a point to prove.
Hows this for up front grunt in 2017:
8. AhMau
10. Vaughan
11. Friz
12. Thompson
13. JDB
Bench: Mose, Packer, Leilua, Sims
That pack will demolish any pack in the comp!!!!
Mose and Packer coming on after 20... Sims doing his beast mode, and Leilua providing the silky smooth hands!!!
Now lets focus on the backs and half and A NEW COACH to get the best of this team we have!!!

Not a Mary fan. But I credit him for assembling that pack. Hopefully he becomes a good coach as a result.

 

[Forster Dragon]

Why did we sign the rabbit reject? He is certainly no better than Rein. He was dumped from souths firsts because of poor dummy half service, slow out of dummy half and no creativity. Sounds like why we sacked Mitch Rein!!!

What a load of crap mcInnes will be a winner.

 

[SaintPauli]

Your comment about Kurt Mann is so true. He was made the scapegoat for that poor "team" performance against the sharks. imo the Dugan to centre, Mann at fullback would have worked if it was given a fair go. Look how well Mann performed when he came back. I know he was on the wing, but he made plenty of try-saving tackles, defused bombs with ease and if I'm not mistaken, was our top tryscorer even after missing a good part of the season either injured or playing with the Cutters.
Hutch has to be given a minimum 8 games to show his worth. But McGregor doesn't want him and he will shaft him the moment he can.

Yeah Mann payed less than half a season in first grade and was our leading try scorer! Figure that.

 

[RPG437]

First day at training Leeson, Russell go up to Paul.(fantasy)

'Welcome to the Dragons Paul'

'Thanks guys, got $530k a season, this is a truly great club'.

'Yeah Paul we saw your Mounties highlights, you are a powerhouse. Feel humbled to be playing with a marque prop'.

' Thanks again, I know you two will bust a gut following me eating the metres'.

'You bet Paul'. We are so motivated'.

Paul Vaughan is a good prop but is this $1.6 million true? Surely after all the cap problems not?

Massive overs for a reserve grade prop!!!
How good did Merrin go in the test and they're playing him at lock.
I will be truly thrilled if they've pulled off a coup with Vaughan - at that price he will need to be the leader of our pack! Lot of pressure on him.

 

[Sheridan Stand]

Massive overs for a reserve grade prop!!!
How good did Merrin go in the test and they're playing him at lock.
I will be truly thrilled if they've pulled off a coup with Vaughan - at that price he will need to be the leader of our pack! Lot of pressure on him.

I think it's the dogs chasing Leilua who have most to gain by leaking any overs - don't believe all the posts in here. Packer salary structure had compensating considerations and it will be the next salary that russel gets a fair upgrade. Saints took a big chance and Russel repaid that faith. He will be here for a long long time.

 

[dragonssamy61]

I agree with most of what you have said, and I like your starting pack based on what we have/might be getting in Vaughan.
The only think I don't agree with is the claim that JDB had a bad year. He ran for the most metres out of the forwards and made the most tackles. A middle player that has the ability to play 80 minutes is an asset. I don't particularly like the way he is used as a suedo Graham-esque halfback sometimes. But he gets through a lot of work and his stats back that up.

The players at risk next year of possible demotion are Thompson, Leeson and Marketo. I like Thompson but he hasn't performed that well this year and plays very light in a day and age where most centres are in his range.Host or Leilua (if he stays) will be putting him under immense pressure. Marketo speaks for himself, solid player but not big or powerful enough to provide impact off the bench. And finally Leeson is at risk because his output simply isn't good enough and can be improved upon by others.

My first pack in 2017 would be as follows

8. Packer
9. Mcinnis
10. Vaughan
11. Thompson (for now)
12. Friz
13. JDB

14. Sims
15. Masoe
16. Host
17. Havili (can cover hooker and middle forward and was heaps impressed by his finals form with the cutters)

I agree with above starting pack and reserves.
I think if luch stays he need at least 6 game at cutters level against the big boys and then some 1st grade.
But just hope hutch has a big year and injury free.
Because if he or Widdop have a bad start or a injury we don't have any back up.
I think that field is the future but needs a full year playing for cutter against the big guys.
He needs to build up his body and put on 5 kg at least to be able to play nrl week in week out.

 

[Slippery Morris]

An awesome buy. He will be huge upgrade to Marketo, Matthews, Lui and Cooper. With Vaughn, Host and Lueilia we probably will see less and less of Matthews, Lui and Marketo unless their are injuries which is good to see. There will be heaps of competition for spots that is for sure in the forwards.

 

[since77]

I can only hope Mary (how the F*%K can that guy STILL be the coach?) has changed his opinion on barge-over tries as it seems thats the only way we're going to score points in 2017 if we don't have a competent set of halves.