Kurt Mann didn't play last weekend!!!!!!!!

[BennyV]

The NRL is more or less even with regards to the amount of talent in each club. The most important factor is getting the best out of the playing group and having the right game plan for them to be motivated and firing. If nightingale brings something to the group that Mann cannot then that will be more important than just matching like for like skills on the park.
What is good for winning is having the right attitude as a group.

Dont get me wrong, I love flow, but all of the above simply says that you would make these selections on personality and sentiment, rather than skill. Let's not go overboard with 'what Nighty brings to the team' because in theory, it's all off-field stuff. Motivation, attitude etc is more important on the training paddock than on the field, where what's really important is scoring tries. He's a winger, outside another experienced player, so his influence isnt really going too far on the field. Far less important than that of Dugan, Widdop and our forward leaders.

If Nightingale doesn't score a try or make a break where Mann could of, then Mann should get the spot. And based on last year, that's the case. Sentiment is great and all, and Nightingale is a legend of the Dragons, however if there is a better player there then that player should get the spot.

 

[Dragsters]

Just like in cricket selections alot of it has to do with work ethic and personality. Khawaja scored 1000 first class runs last year, averaged 63 in last series and got dropped. Marsh boys stay in the team because they are good for the group, they enjoy a can of vb after the game, khawaja doesn't drink.

I see the best spot for Mann being on the wing to replace nightingale but they will never drop nightingale this year, no way. Nightingale is a nice guy and club champion. Good for the group.

So Mann, like khawaja, will just have to sit on the sidelines until someone gets injured then score as man tries as he can, or runs in khawajas case. Then once the injured player is back in, Mann and khawaja will be back to the bench.

Its about personalities not skill.

While there is truth in this post regarding both Mann and Khawaja's situations it does not necessarily mean that it is the best way to go.

These are both professional outfits and should place winning above all else.

A winning culture is the best type there is in elite sport and while the Mann situation my require patience as the Dragons are coming off a win, as for the cricket, Mitch Marsh needs to make way for Khawaja to bolster the batting as he is barely used as a bowler in India and has failed with the bat too many times.

 

[since77]

If Craig Bellamy had both Lafai & Mann in his roster, which one would he choose first? It wouldn't be the guy who was in our first 13 last week, thats for sure.

Mann will potentially lose 2 years of his career coming to this club. If I was him, I'd be asking for a release sooner rather than later, before 2017 is gone too.

 

[giboz71]

Guys, it's week 1. It's a long season where injuries and rep season will have an effect. Mann has been confirmed as 18th man so he's the next guy in.

He will get plenty of game time and we can assess where he best fits long term.

 

[hazzbeen]

Lets not go overboard on Kurt Mann. I also think that he is a good player but I don't think he is anything special. If he goes to another club then so be it. Plenty of Kurt Manns in the comp.

There are a lot players like him , my point is what does he have to do to make the team he has done nothing wrong . Maybe he hasn't bent over yet .

 

[Crush]

There are a lot players like him , my point is what does he have to do to make the team he has done nothing wrong . Maybe he hasn't bent over yet .

I cannot explain it just as I cannot explain what Khawaja has to do to secure a spot in the Australian Test batting lineup. Thats why I brought personality and work ethic into the conversation. Maybe Mann is just a lazy prick at training? Or maybe he did indeed kick marys dog?

 

[GC Dragon]

To me it make no logical sense at all that Mann isn't in the starting line up . He was our best back at the back end of last year . I could understand if he had a poor attitude but that isn't the case .

He is a better all round player than both Lafai and Nighty . Better laterally in defence , He is a lot faster , Better foot work , Has a good passing and kicking game , Just as safe under the high ball and much more likely to score tries . He should be playing left centre or left wing . For me it's a no brainer Mann should be a starter .

 

[Ray McKigney]

Kurt Mann to the Titans before round 10

http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/threads/rumoured-signings.452237/page-130

 

[BennyV]

I cannot explain it just as I cannot explain what Khawaja has to do to secure a spot in the Australian Test batting lineup. Thats why I brought personality and work ethic into the conversation. Maybe Mann is just a lazy prick at training? Or maybe he did indeed kick marys dog?

''Twas mentioned last year that Mann was in the Top 5 trainers at the club and took on a leadership role during the real hard slogs when mental toughness came into play (along with Creagh, Aitken, Widdop and I think Rein).

I'd say there's a combination of 3 reasons he's not being picked:
- He is a Mullholland signing, whereas Lafai is a Mary signing.
- Mary views him as a utility only. Despite the fact that he is in the Top 2 in 3 different positions, the fact that he has utility value means, to Mary, that he is a utility only (as opposed to Lafai/Aitken who are left/right side specialists).
- He actually kicked Mary's dog (although Mary seems more like a cat person...)

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

probably took Mary's Jetski out without asking....

 

[Coffs dragon]

Rumours are freely flowing that Mann will be out the door and heading to the Goldie within a week.
Hayne plane may be superseded by the "Man" real soon.
Why the hell we couldn't give them the Tin Man instead has me stuffed!!!!

 

[Western red]

There is talk of the storm are in the race to. Such a shame to see this kid go but you can't blame him the way he has been treated.

 

[Crush]

For whatever reason Mann just hasn't worked out at Dragons. I think he is a good young player with a bright future ahead of him. I doubt he will ever be a household name though.

 

[goggles]

I cannot explain it just as I cannot explain what Khawaja has to do to secure a spot in the Australian Test batting lineup. Thats why I brought personality and work ethic into the conversation. Maybe Mann is just a lazy prick at training? Or maybe he did indeed kick marys dog?

Mary just has no idea... and I have no doubt Mann will be a household name, I just hope it's here and not somewhere else... same as with Milne!

 

[Crush]

Mary just has no idea... and I have no doubt Mann will be a household name, I just hope it's here and not somewhere else... same as with Milne!

You have no doubt that he will be a household name? Based on what?

 

[Kuro]

You have no doubt that he will be a household name? Based on what?

It feels good to shout his name when he scores a try..

 

[goggles]

Based on the potential he has displayed so far Crush. That's a rather strange question for you to ask, considering your extreme optimism of Mary's coaching ability, which you said came from a few good sleeps and no football in the off season.

 

[Dragon Revival]

Kurt Mann should replace Nightingale now. The coach continues to play games. Despite what Millward says Field and Garrick are not up to it yet
and need another six months in the lower grades. Even Field thinks that his elevation is premature. This preoccupation with Mann as a utility is stupid. He is at least as good as Hornby but can score tries at ease. Last year he was our best winger. Last year Mary was scared to drop Marshall and this year he is scared to drop Nightingale. Our backline is very weak and only Dugan and MacDonald stand out. The rest are average and/or playing in the wrong positions. We play Frizell and Thompson out wide because our centres are about half as good as Gasnier and Cooper. We will probably lose Dugan and Mann and end up with a backline of no hopers with no speed or swerve. Things are still far from what they should be.

 

[Crush]

Based on the potential he has displayed so far Crush. That's a rather strange question for you to ask, considering your extreme optimism of Mary's coaching ability, which you said came from a few good sleeps and no football in the off season.

I love that you are hanging onto that one goggles. The infamous moment when I said that I was feeling positive about marys coaching ability. The "dumbest post ever bar none"
I actually enjoy that kind of banter. The kind where you look for any opportunity to remind someone of something they once said.
I look forward to Kurt Mann becoming a household name.
And btw, I am actually feeling really positive about Mary's coaching ability after last week, really positive!

 

[Old Timer]

Everyone says Flo is a great club man etc etc
Well now he has a real chance to prove it.
For the good of the long term future of our club Mann should be playing 1st grade as of now.
The sentimentality attached to Flo is clouding the rational thinking process.
DR made a good point in his post that, we run the very grave risk of losing a few players and having a dud backline when our long awaited halfback finally gets here.
At what point do players stop being a good club man and become a liability and hang on too long?