Signings for 2020 and future looking team

[possm]

This post says it all. Our roster is in a complete mess thanks to Millward:
Player Contracted seasons
Euan Aitken 2020 - should never have been signed long term
Eddie Blacker 2020 - Keeper
Jack de Belin 2020 - over 550k tied up in a risky legal action.
Matt Dufty 2020 2021 - there is no justification for this long term extension
Jackson Ford 2020 - Keeper
Tyson Frizell 2020 - should have been extended by now
James Graham 2020 - Should have been tapped on the shoulder for 2020. We need the cap space.
Jacob Host 2020
Ben Hunt 2020 2021 2022 PO - only hope Flanagan makes a difference
Josh Kerr 2020 - Keeper
Tim Lafai 2020 - should never have been extended long term
Blake Lawrie 2020 2021 2022
Luciano Leilua 2020 - should have been extended by now
Zachary Lomax 2020 - should have been extended by now
Cameron McInnes 2020 2021
Corey Norman 2020 2021
Jonus Pearson 2020
Jordan Pereira 2020 2021
Mikaele Ravalawa 2020
Jason Saab 2020 2021 2022 - keeper
Korbin Sims 2020 2021
Tariq Sims 2020 2021 2022
Paul Vaughan 2020 2021 PO
One of our biggest problems is that we are loaded with too many reserve grade level outside backs. The same problem we faced in 2019. Something is drastically wrong when problems recognised after season 2018 are still there for season 2020.

New faces
Eddie Blacker, Jackson Ford, Jason Saab (upgraded from development contracts) - these are players who should be extended a further 12 months as they will be on show to other clubs this year and in my opion, all will do well.

Unsigned/Losses
Jeremy Latimore (retired), Gareth Widdop (Warrington), Reece Robson (Cowboys), Steven Marsters (Rabbitohs), Mitchell Allgood, Jai Field, Lachlan Maranta, Patrick Kaufusi, Darren Nicholls, Lachlan Timm, Tristan Sailor (unsigned)
Except for Widdop who's salary cap is mainly taken up by Norman - are all low cost players who will need to be replaced at around the same price. I'm surprised that Sailor has not been contracted.

 

[Dragonslayer]

St George Illawarra Dragons

Player Contracted seasons
Euan Aitken 2020
Eddie Blacker 2020
Jack de Belin 2020
Matt Dufty 2020 2021
Jackson Ford 2020
Tyson Frizell 2020
James Graham 2020
Jacob Host 2020
Ben Hunt 2020 2021 2022 PO
Josh Kerr 2020
Tim Lafai 2020
Blake Lawrie 2020 2021 2022
Luciano Leilua 2020
Zachary Lomax 2020
Cameron McInnes 2020 2021
Corey Norman 2020 2021
Jonus Pearson 2020
Jordan Pereira 2020 2021
Mikaele Ravalawa 2020
Jason Saab 2020 2021 2022
Korbin Sims 2020 2021
Tariq Sims 2020 2021 2022
Paul Vaughan 2020 2021 PO
New faces
Eddie Blacker, Jackson Ford, Jason Saab (upgraded from development contracts)

So, 23 contracted players (so, far)

Not listed are:
Joe Lovodua - the club already sayibg he's been upgraded.
Tristan Sailor - apparently close to a 2yr extension with us.

So lets say 25.

4 players required before March 1 (5 if JDB case fails).

Hooker: Lovodua as the back-up? Or are we still chasing Luke?
Lock: if JDB fails then do we try to fit square pegs in round holes again?
Halves: No specialist back-up, maybe Dufty or Sailor, but surely Clune worth a look.
Fullback: Remains an uncertainty with Sailor (incumbent), Lomax and Dufty the current contenders.

From who's available there aint much to choose from.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

St George Illawarra Dragons

Player Contracted seasons
Euan Aitken 2020
Eddie Blacker 2020
Jack de Belin 2020
Matt Dufty 2020 2021
Jackson Ford 2020
Tyson Frizell 2020
James Graham 2020
Jacob Host 2020
Ben Hunt 2020 2021 2022 PO
Josh Kerr 2020
Tim Lafai 2020
Blake Lawrie 2020 2021 2022
Luciano Leilua 2020
Zachary Lomax 2020
Cameron McInnes 2020 2021
Corey Norman 2020 2021
Jonus Pearson 2020
Jordan Pereira 2020 2021
Mikaele Ravalawa 2020
Jason Saab 2020 2021 2022
Korbin Sims 2020 2021
Tariq Sims 2020 2021 2022
Paul Vaughan 2020 2021 PO
New faces
Eddie Blacker, Jackson Ford, Jason Saab (upgraded from development contracts)

So, 23 contracted players (so, far)

Not listed are:
Joe Lovodua - the club already sayibg he's been upgraded.
Tristan Sailor - apparently close to a 2yr extension with us.

So lets say 25.

4 players required before March 1 (5 if JDB case fails).

Hooker: Lovodua as the back-up? Or are we still chasing Luke?
Lock: if JDB fails then do we try to fit square pegs in round holes again?
Halves: No specialist back-up, maybe Dufty or Sailor, but surely Clune worth a look.
Fullback: Remains an uncertainty with Sailor (incumbent), Lomax and Dufty the current contenders.

From who's available there aint much to choose from.

When does the CC squad get announced? It will be interesting.

 

[BLM01]

When does the CC squad get announced? It will be interesting.

They have'nt even talked about pre season starting (for a large group of players) which is usually the norm that they get the fans excited about.
The Dragons media has been very reluctant to say anything little this offseason..more so than its usual cloak and dagger self.
Oh sorry...the announcement of re signing 3 fringe / young players is about all we have got from Millward and our media dept which was done weeks ago
Dont even have the balls to tell us who is being let go or signed as in players and McGrexit assistants and why.
Where was the nice departure feel good interview of one of my favourite players Ben Hornby who is one of our Dragon player legends.
What about the real important signings of a highest profile players and coaching staff....
how are they all going?
That is someone else's job in the media these days.

Dont worry..they have stopped doing the footbal club department and Mcgregor review interviews as they have run out of tape for the cut and paste from the 2015 and 2016 reviews.
Last time McGregor spoke was after the 2017 off season
Which says a lot about the fan backlash they have been copping and rightfully so.
Notice only Dean Young & Millward spoke last off season.

But I can say there will be some announcements in the next couple of weeks re players and coaches but not sure it will be the Dragons media that will release this info...we wait & see

 

[getsmarty]

This post says it all. Our roster is in a complete mess thanks to McGregor:
Player Contracted seasons
Euan Aitken 2020 - should never have been signed long term
Eddie Blacker 2020 - Keeper
Jack de Belin 2020 - over 550k tied up in a risky legal action.
Matt Dufty 2020 2021 - there is no justification for this long term extension
Jackson Ford 2020 - Keeper
Tyson Frizell 2020 - should have been extended by now
James Graham 2020 - Should have been tapped on the shoulder for 2020. We need the cap space.
Jacob Host 2020
Ben Hunt 2020 2021 2022 PO - only hope Flanagan makes a difference
Josh Kerr 2020 - Keeper
Tim Lafai 2020 - should never have been extended long term
Blake Lawrie 2020 2021 2022
Luciano Leilua 2020 - should have been extended by now
Zachary Lomax 2020 - should have been extended by now
Cameron McInnes 2020 2021
Corey Norman 2020 2021
Jonus Pearson 2020
Jordan Pereira 2020 2021
Mikaele Ravalawa 2020
Jason Saab 2020 2021 2022 - keeper
Korbin Sims 2020 2021
Tariq Sims 2020 2021 2022
Paul Vaughan 2020 2021 PO
One of our biggest problems is that we are loaded with too many reserve grade level outside backs. The same problem we faced in 2019. Something is drastically wrong when problems recognised after season 2018 are still there for season 2020.

New faces
Eddie Blacker, Jackson Ford, Jason Saab (upgraded from development contracts) - these are players who should be extended a further 12 months as they will be on show to other clubs this year and in my opion, all will do well.

Unsigned/Losses
Jeremy Latimore (retired), Gareth Widdop (Warrington), Reece Robson (Cowboys), Steven Marsters (Rabbitohs), Mitchell Allgood, Jai Field, Lachlan Maranta, Patrick Kaufusi, Darren Nicholls, Lachlan Timm, Tristan Sailor (unsigned)
Except for Widdop who's salary cap is mainly taken up by Norman - are all low cost players who will need to be replaced at around the same price. I'm surprised that Sailor has not been contracted.

Our roster is in a complete mess thanks to McGregor...There...fixed it for you.:

 

[Dragonsamy]

BLM
Dragons so called media department is very poorly run and very unprofessional a bit like the majority other departments within the dragons

 

[TruSaint]

BLM
Dragons so called media department is very poorly run and very unprofessional a bit like the majority other departments within the dragons

Yep, fricken crickets

 

[BLM01]

BLM
Dragons so called media department is very poorly run and very unprofessional a bit like the majority other departments within the dragons

Id like to know did anyone apply on this forum like i did about 3-4 years ago or more to go on that members panel that reports direct to the CEO and club about improving membership experience and were to sit on some club meetings with the CEO and others
Did anyone who applied actually get on the panel or was it like a TV contestant selection where the club strategically selected the panel about who would be YES people and suited their agendas to not rock the boat?

 

[Wittenberg]

This post says it all. Our roster is in a complete mess thanks to Millward:
Player Contracted seasons
Euan Aitken 2020 - should never have been signed long term
Eddie Blacker 2020 - Keeper
Jack de Belin 2020 - over 550k tied up in a risky legal action.
Matt Dufty 2020 2021 - there is no justification for this long term extension
Jackson Ford 2020 - Keeper
Tyson Frizell 2020 - should have been extended by now
James Graham 2020 - Should have been tapped on the shoulder for 2020. We need the cap space.
Jacob Host 2020
Ben Hunt 2020 2021 2022 PO - only hope Flanagan makes a difference
Josh Kerr 2020 - Keeper
Tim Lafai 2020 - should never have been extended long term
Blake Lawrie 2020 2021 2022
Luciano Leilua 2020 - should have been extended by now
Zachary Lomax 2020 - should have been extended by now
Cameron McInnes 2020 2021
Corey Norman 2020 2021
Jonus Pearson 2020
Jordan Pereira 2020 2021
Mikaele Ravalawa 2020
Jason Saab 2020 2021 2022 - keeper
Korbin Sims 2020 2021
Tariq Sims 2020 2021 2022
Paul Vaughan 2020 2021 PO
One of our biggest problems is that we are loaded with too many reserve grade level outside backs. The same problem we faced in 2019. Something is drastically wrong when problems recognised after season 2018 are still there for season 2020.

New faces
Eddie Blacker, Jackson Ford, Jason Saab (upgraded from development contracts) - these are players who should be extended a further 12 months as they will be on show to other clubs this year and in my opion, all will do well.

Unsigned/Losses
Jeremy Latimore (retired), Gareth Widdop (Warrington), Reece Robson (Cowboys), Steven Marsters (Rabbitohs), Mitchell Allgood, Jai Field, Lachlan Maranta, Patrick Kaufusi, Darren Nicholls, Lachlan Timm, Tristan Sailor (unsigned)
Except for Widdop who's salary cap is mainly taken up by Norman - are all low cost players who will need to be replaced at around the same price. I'm surprised that Sailor has not been contracted.

Not surprised by Sailor. He finishes his degree at the University of Wollongong next year then he will be off to the Broncos.

 

[TruSaint]

Id like to know did anyone apply on this forum like i did about 3-4 years ago or more to go on that members panel that reports direct to the CEO and club about improving membership experience and were to sit on some club meetings with the CEO and others
Did anyone who applied actually get on the panel or was it like a TV contestant selection where the club strategically selected the panel about who would be YES people and suited their agendas to not rock the boat?

Yep, a mate of mine, ex-member on this forum, did and got on.
He even did report back from time to time.

 

[BLM01]

Yep, a mate of mine, ex-member on this forum, did and got on.
He even did report back from time to time.

Do tell. I mean as much as in general
How was the experience?.
Worthwhile...all got a fair input?..or was it restrictive
Do they still exist and is you mate still on it?

 

[TruSaint]

Do tell. I mean as much as in general
How was the experience?.
Worthwhile...all got a fair input?..or was it restrictive
Do they still exist and is you mate still on it?

He was on the first group and enjoyed it. I believe it was changed annually, if I am not mistaken.

He posted here about it at the time. I cant recall the thread, or of it was part of another topic, but it was a good experience.

At the time, it was good to have members involved and provide input. It was a step in the right direction I believe.

 

[TruSaint]

If the squad we have now will not include any marque / top line player additions, then 2020 is a total write off. Building to 2021 ? Maybe. But im getting a tad tired of the old re-building stage phase, since we have been doing so for nearly a f**king decade. As it stands, Flanno or not, we are bottom 4 material.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

If the squad we have now will not include any marque / top line player additions, then 2020 is a total write off. Building to 2021 ? Maybe. But im getting a tad tired of the old re-building stage phase, since we have been doing so for nearly a f**king decade. As it stands, Flanno or not, we are bottom 4 material.

I would still rather win the wooden spoon almost though than buy someone for the sake of it. I just don't think we have the spots available or salary cap space to turn our current squad into a premiership side unless there are some major movements but for that to happen someone would need to be interested in say for example poaching Aitken or Lafai and if they are in the market for a centre they will be after the same centres we are chasing and probably not the two blokes mentioned.

 

[TruSaint]

I would still rather win the wooden spoon almost though than buy someone for the sake of it. I just don't think we have the spots available or salary cap space to turn our current squad into a premiership side unless there are some major movements but for that to happen someone would need to be interested in say for example poaching Aitken or Lafai and if they are in the market for a centre they will be after the same centres we are chasing and probably not the two blokes mentioned.

Not disagreeing one iota.

Buying another Maranta / Kaufusi etc would do nothing. As to spots available / selling of players,.. that's on the board and Club. Disgraceful position to be in.

My point being, anyone expecting anything from next season is delusional. The team we have as it stands is one of the weakest teams we have fielded in years.

For records sake, I don't want the spoon.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Not surprised by Sailor. He finishes his degree at the University of Wollongong next year then he will be off to the Broncos.

Spot on.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Not disagreeing one iota.

Buying another Maranta / Kaufusi etc would do nothing. As to spots available / selling of players,.. that's on the board and Club. Disgraceful position to be in.

My point being, anyone expecting anything from next season is delusional. The team we have as it stands is one of the weakest teams we have fielded in years.

For records sake, I don't want the spoon.

Since 2007, in my opinion.

Richie Williams, anyone?

 

[TruSaint]

Since 2007, in my opinion.

Richie Williams, anyone?

Decade was close.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Not disagreeing one iota.

Buying another Maranta / Kaufusi etc would do nothing. As to spots available / selling of players,.. that's on the board and Club. Disgraceful position to be in.

My point being, anyone expecting anything from next season is delusional. The team we have as it stands is one of the weakest teams we have fielded in years.

For records sake, I don't want the spoon.

Nor do I, nor do I particularly want a rebuilding year either tbh. But as you correctly say this is the situation management have got us into. I don’t want another Maranta or another marquee player on overs. I would much prefer to blood some youngsters than buy some journeyman. In saying this that Greg chap from Parra with the difficult to spell surname has awesome CC stats and is unsigned, he would be probably worth picking up. He’s stuck behind Fergo and Sivo and there’s no shame in that.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

I've been saying for quite some time now, that Millward has made a MESS of our roster. The experiment of having him and his department operating outside of the head coach and reporting directly to the CEO has failed and should be discontinued.

Any head coach worth is salt would not stand for this as at any club except SGI, the head coach assumes the responsibility of the performance of the NRL team.

It seems that Millward assumes no responsibility of poor decisions made, taking credit for signings that turn out fine e.g. T Sims and Vaughan, but deflects criticism away from himself when things go badly.

I say hire Brown to replace Millward as one of many necessary steps to turn around the plight of SGI.

I strongly doubt Mary has no input into buying and selling players though. I just can’t imagine any head coach could just sit back and accept that. I reckon Mary just doesn’t want his name to hiring and firing because he doesn’t want to deal with the friction it causes. I could be wrong it’s just my feelings on it.