Where will the St George Illawarra Dragons finish in 2018?

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Bang smack in the middle 7, 8, 9 or 10. Yes our halves will improve, but our backline is still shit.

Hoping Manly will get Pearce because I reckon playing with two genuine halfbacks will work as well as playing two genuine 5/8's did for us.

 

[JDHD]

Bang smack in the middle 7, 8, 9 or 10. Yes our halves will improve, but our backline is still shit.

Hoping Manly will get Pearce because I reckon playing with two genuine halfbacks will work as well as playing two genuine 5/8's did for us.

I've always maintained that DCE can't organise for shit. Foran always ran the show and did the dirty work, leaving him to do the flashy stuff on the end of a set or put a good kick in. Even in 2017, Green basically played halfback with his game management and short kicking game and DCE was just the finisher. I reckon Pearce will annoyingly suit their style perfectly.

 

[getsmarty]

Its a tough one..on paper we could be as high as top 6 ...but then add in the " Coaching Factor" and we could be anywhere from 7 to 13. Taking into account that you only need to win half your games to roughly make it into the 8 ( 30 points). Surely we have to improve on 2017...8 - 9 at a guess. Chances of winning a premiership under current coaching regime = Buckley's.

 

[Life's Good]

For a coach that gets shit canned constantly a lot of people (72%) seem to think he can make the 8.
On those stats he can't be that bad a coach or is it just another year of false expectations and us lying to ourselves?

Definitely the latter. I am trying to suppress the pessimism and let the optimism shine through. After all, we have yet to lose a game.....

 

[getsmarty]

For a coach that gets shit canned constantly a lot of people (72%) seem to think he can make the 8.
On those stats he can't be that bad a coach or is it just another year of false expectations and us lying to ourselves?

I personally think its more a case of our side under-achieving. Should have made the top 8 consistently for the last few years with the roster we have.

 

[Reddragon]

For a coach that gets shit canned constantly a lot of people (72%) seem to think he can make the 8.
On those stats he can't be that bad a coach or is it just another year of false expectations and us lying to ourselves?

Most fans must be assuming the coach will get sacked early enough for an alternative to turn it around in time.

 

[nontime111]

IF we get Walmsley I say 4th

 

[KiamaSaint]

Its a tough one..on paper we could be as high as top 6 ...but then add in the " Coaching Factor" and we could be anywhere from 7 to 13. Taking into account that you only need to win half your games to roughly make it into the 8 ( 30 points). Surely we have to improve on 2017...8 - 9 at a guess. Chances of winning a premiership under current coaching regime = Buckley's.

Mary??? Is that you???

 

[Mr Red]

A coach and a strike centre short of a top 4 team. Therefore 6th to 9th.

 

[Old Timer]

IF we get Walmsley I say 4th

Seiously on what basis?
Without him where?

 

[Life's Good]

A coach and a strike centre short of a top 4 team. Therefore 6th to 9th.

I’d add a speedy winger to that order as well.

 

[emu62]

Last season was the "Power Game"
Next season we apparently are adapting to a "Nuclear Model" Not sure what the F#ck that is but it sounds awfully impressive,Doesn't it ? Therefore in that case any worse than top 4 must be a meltdown

 

[Mr Red]

I’d add a speedy winger to that order as well.

I think within the squad we have that covered, the question is if the guys who can fill this void will get a look in based on Mary’s stupid selections

 

[Frank Facer]

For a coach that gets shit canned constantly a lot of people (72%) seem to think he can make the 8.
On those stats he can't be that bad a coach or is it just another year of false expectations and us lying to ourselves?

I am taking the Coach is only as good as the cattle he has to work with perspective. I believe that we have a very good forward pack, a very good pair of halves and some very promising and exciting outside backs. I believe that we have the cattle to make the top 8 and possible finish top 4 if our young outside backs are given the opportunity and succeed. I am not happy with Mary as coach, but I am firm believer that games are won on the field. Jack Gibson used to say that Rugby League is a simple game. He also used to say, do the simple things right, well that can't be too hard to coach. Gibson also said that if you have got the best halfback in the comp (Sterling), then you are halfway there. Well Hunt may not be the best halfback in the comp, but he is one of he better ones and will be the best halfback we have had since Smith. I think the upgrade of Hunt from Mcrone, will make a massive difference too.

Basically I believe that we should make the top 8, irrespective of who the coach is.

 

[Life's Good]

I think within the squad we have that covered, the question is if the guys who can fill this void will get a look in based on Mary’s stupid selections

I totally agree that the talent is there. It’s my hope that they get the opportunities if/when they arise.

 

[slippery5]

I hope you really don’t believe that is our strongest team because if so no chance top 8.

You can bet your bottom dollar that is the exact team McNOIDEA will put out, barring injuries.

 

[slippery5]

For a coach that gets shit canned constantly a lot of people (72%) seem to think he can make the 8.
On those stats he can't be that bad a coach or is it just another year of false expectations and us lying to ourselves?

B4 reading this post I was thinking there is a lot of dilutional supporters out there, unless we run the gauntlet & blood the likes of Lomax, Materson Johns, Garrick etc we will be 100:1 for top 8.
Thats the reality !!!!!

 

[slippery5]

I personally think its more a case of our side under-achieving. Should have made the top 8 consistently for the last few years with the roster we have.

WTF ????

 

[Crush]

Nah screw you guys, I'm sticking with 3rd. How can we possibly miss the top 4 with a backline of Dufty, Nighty, Lafai, Aitken, Macdonald!?
Sigh......

 

[Old Timer]

Nah screw you guys, I'm sticking with 3rd. How can we possibly miss the top 4 with a backline of Dufty, Nighty, Lafai, Aitken, Macdonald!?
Sigh......

Every chance your sigh will turn to a gasp by seasons end.
Make sure your family have a defibrillator close by.