10 Lessons from the Storm game

[Ted bartolo]

Aitken In my opinion would be a outstanding bench player

 

[2010]

Aitken has got this habit of rushing up for the big hit. It's not working and, sad to say he needs to be dropped to work on that
It's obvious opposition coaches have looked at him and direct their attack at him.
People say that Flo has lost speed. I agree but another hat trick today shows he still has it and his defence is ok.

 

[Dragonslayer]

The goal kicking options are thin and both options play in the halves.
So dies McGregor roll the dice and start either Field or Nona at 7, keep Mann as the 6 and have McCrone as the 17?

 

[TruSaint]

Milne needs a crack ahead of Aitken.
Sorry, but his defensive reads are very poor. He is a strong runner, and has had some good games, but overall at the minute, he is costing us. I cant see Mary making that call though.

 

[mickeylane]

Milne needs a crack ahead of Aitken.
Sorry, but his defensive reads are very poor. He is a strong runner, and has had some good games, but overall at the minute, he is costing us. I cant see Mary making that call though.

I think by replacing him he's identified the problem - surely that's a start!

 

[Ted bartolo]

We have a side that could win a comp but have coach who is playing it safe.

 

[TruSaint]

I think by replacing him he's identified the problem - surely that's a start!

Hope so ML

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Milne needs a crack ahead of Aitken.
Sorry, but his defensive reads are very poor. He is a strong runner, and has had some good games, but overall at the minute, he is costing us. I cant see Mary making that call though.

I agree Tru as you know I am a Milne fan......I really think he could become a great player for us BUT McGregor has got to show some faith in him and pick him week to week...it must be very disconcerting not knowing if your in or out every week and the lack of obvious support from your coach.......I think he would work very well with Macdonald and add some starch out wide

 

[TruSaint]

I agree Tru as you know I am a Milne fan......I really think he could become a great player for us BUT McGregor has got to show some faith in him and pick him week to week...it must be very disconcerting not knowing if your in or out every week and the lack of obvious support from your coach.......I think he would work very well with Macdonald and add some starch out wide

If we dont give him a chance BSE, he wont be with us next year. He atleast needs to be offered an opportunity. Like we did with Mann ... Aitken is already under contract, ... he may come good, but right now, he is a liability. 100% agree that he would work well with Nene.

 

[Life's Good]

After watching some highlights of the game it's now obvious Aitken needs dropping for Milne. His defence is just not up to scratch and he needs a stint in the ISC.
Milne looks like he is busting out of his skin to have a crack. His time is now.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

I think by replacing him he's identified the problem - surely that's a start!

Has replaced him before and still played him the following week...

 

[j0nesy]

Yes, Aitken should be dropped and Milne should be given a shot. Aitken needs some time to work on his defence. The kid is only 21 years old, he has plenty of improvement left in him. It would be a mistake to try to redevelop him as a 2nd rower at such a young age. He is a centre and a damn good one. He just needs a little work.

 

[barry]

What I learnt.

1. Dugan is NOT a must re-signing. His attacking play in the opponents half is simply not good enough. Not for the amount of coin he is chasing. As mentioned previously in another post, defensively and attack in our own half he is amazing, however in attack in the oppositions half it is attrocious. In actually with Millward on this one, Dugan should be in the centres. The club should really go hard out for Gagai and if Dugan decides to stick around (which I hope he does) he should be in the centres.

2. Milne > Aitken

3. Nightingale age is proving to be a liability but I still wouldn't drop him. I think this is surely his last year

4. Lafai must be re-signed

5. Milne must be re-signed and needs to replace Aitken

6. Packer must be re-signed

7. Thought Mann played great but I'm still not sold on him, my first priority for fullback next year would be Gagai

8. Our last tackle options in particular or kicks in the oppositions half is terrible and has been all year. Not one bomb to McDonald has been on target.

9. Nene is a BEAST and must be retained

 

[giboz71]

I learnt that if we had a FB with the speed and skill of Slater or Munster paired with Gaz and Hunt, we'd be practically unstoppable next year.

Think people should watch closely what they provided in the first half for the Storm, and what we don't get with Duges as our FB.

 

[hazzbeen]

I learnt that if we had a FB with the speed and skill of Slater or Munster paired with Gaz and Hunt, we'd be practically unstoppable next year.

Think people should watch closely what they provided in the first half for the Storm, and what we don't get with Duges as our FB.

IMO Mann given time to settle in would replace Duges at fullback . He is strong in defense and has a lot more ball skills than Dugan . If its a million a season to keep Dugan , and loose others Id rather Mann at Fullback .

 

[possm]

Yes, Aitken should be dropped and Milne should be given a shot. Aitken needs some time to work on his defence. The kid is only 21 years old, he has plenty of improvement left in him. It would be a mistake to try to redevelop him as a 2nd rower at such a young age. He is a centre and a damn good one. He just needs a little work.

Aitken is signed for 3 years. For some reason he is rated ahead of Lafai, Mann and Milne. Millward has always said he wants Dugan at right centre. Why Aitken was chosen I'm not sure. But he and Herbert are the only right centres currently under contract at the Dragons.

I would have thought that Milne would currently be our best right centre, Lafai our best left centre and Dugan our best fullback at the club. I really don't know where Aitken fits in but for me Milne is the one to play right centre.

 

[thebigredv]

Mann's price tag will go up every week now. If we end up with either Dugan or Mann, we win but I hope there is a chance of keeping both.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

If we dont give him a chance BSE, he wont be with us next year. He atleast needs to be offered an opportunity. Like we did with Mann ... Aitken is already under contract, ... he may come good, but right now, he is a liability. 100% agree that he would work well with Nene.

Mate I agree, but the thing that worries me is that because Aitken is already signed and we are chasing dollars for the retention of Dugan and Packer etc and the lack of faith the coach has shown in Milne there may not be enough coin left to offer him anything.....maybe they already know this........if true then I for one will be filthy...ive been around footy long enough to know if this bloke if given a fair go we wont be sorry

 

[possm]

Mann's price tag will go up every week now. If we end up with either Dugan or Mann, we win but I up there is a chance of keeping both.

Mann could have been signed by now if:
1. Millward got it right and signed up all our marquee players much earlier.
2. Millward had Mann in his plans for next year.
3. Mary did not keep Mann in Limbo, sitting on the bench, getting a few minutes here and there but not n the halves.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Aitken is signed for 3 years. For some reason he is rated ahead of Lafai, Mann and Milne. Millward has always said he wants Dugan at right centre. Why Aitken was chosen I'm not sure. But he and Herbert are the only right centres currently under contract at the Dragons.

I would have thought that Milne would currently be our best right centre, Lafai our best left centre and Dugan our best fullback at the club. I really don't know where Aitken fits in but for me Milne is the one to play right centre.

Spot on Possm