2021 - Squad, Signings, Re-signings

[Crush]

Crush
I suggest you go back and have a look at some replays of games over the last few years especially against teams we should have beaten but in fact lost to them and some quite easily in fact.

What you will see predominantly is

1. 5 hit ups and a not very good kick.
2. No offloads
3. No second phase plays
4. No set moves
5. Players out of form continually picked
6. Players picked out of position
7. Players playing busted
8. Total inability to capitalise on good field position especially in the opposition 20m
9. The most useless bench rotation imaginable
10. The emphatic ability of a coach to get the worst out of players and total inability to capitalise on their strengths.
11. The complete disregard for youth in the squad and the way that they needed to be blooded and prepared for the NRL
12. Purchasing high profile players on considerable overs and then not getting anywhere enough out of them and at the same time buying busted up hacks and journeymen.

These are all attributable directly to the idiot at the helm of a directionless ship.

These simple facts show that regardless of how good the roster was / wasn’t the players rarely played to their true potential and had their best attributes coached out of them.

We have lost Frizz and Host in our forwards who were both very poorly used so any improvement in those that remain in the squad or are purchased will see better outcomes than if we had continued on as before.

We now have a far better chance of achieving improvements and securing a brighter future and for the 1st time in 8 years understanding how good / bad our junior and development players actually are and what it is we exactly need externally to compliment our squad.

Chin up Crush whilst it won’t all be roses and chocolates at least it won’t be mindless and meaningless.

Yes agree that it is an exciting time ahead.
Cannot wait for 2021 to kick off.
Just a bit nervous that Hook won't have anything near the cattle needed in the forwards.
JDB, Frizell, Host, K.Sims, Graham.
All gone.

 

[Inisai Toga]

Crush
I suggest you go back and have a look at some replays of games over the last few years especially against teams we should have beaten but in fact lost to them and some quite easily in fact.

What you will see predominantly is

1. 5 hit ups and a not very good kick.
2. No offloads
3. No second phase plays
4. No set moves
5. Players out of form continually picked
6. Players picked out of position
7. Players playing busted
8. Total inability to capitalise on good field position especially in the opposition 20m
9. The most useless bench rotation imaginable
10. The emphatic ability of a coach to get the worst out of players and total inability to capitalise on their strengths.
11. The complete disregard for youth in the squad and the way that they needed to be blooded and prepared for the NRL
12. Purchasing high profile players on considerable overs and then not getting anywhere enough out of them and at the same time buying busted up hacks and journeymen.

These are all attributable directly to the idiot at the helm of a directionless ship.

These simple facts show that regardless of how good the roster was / wasn’t the players rarely played to their true potential and had their best attributes coached out of them.

We have lost Frizz and Host in our forwards who were both very poorly used so any improvement in those that remain in the squad or are purchased will see better outcomes than if we had continued on as before.

We now have a far better chance of achieving improvements and securing a brighter future and for the 1st time in 8 years understanding how good / bad our junior and development players actually are and what it is we exactly need externally to compliment our squad.

Chin up Crush whilst it won’t all be roses and chocolates at least it won’t be mindless and meaningless.

Valid points OT; one of the reasons I can never be quite as critical as others around Millward’s recruitment is due to some of the points you outline.
I feel that there is often an expectation that the recruitment has to then fill the void and overcompensate for poor coaching vision and performance; big ask!

 

[possm]

Yes agree that it is an exciting time ahead.
Cannot wait for 2021 to kick off.
Just a bit nervous that Hook won't have anything near the cattle needed in the forwards.
JDB, Frizell, Host, K.Sims, Graham.
All gone.

Let's just hope the right players become available and are snapped up mainly because they really want to be at the Dragons.

 

[st george sam]

Crush those posts were sensible.

Like Crush, I haven’t got excited with the ‘hook’ coaching change. Good players make good coachs and in the last few years I have posted on the overstated influence of coaches( not saying no influence just overstated). I backed this up with direct evidence that even the best of them tank when they haven’t got the cattle in the team ( or stick to one team which has strong 3rd party deals to sign multiple top players.

The one year we had a very good all round team was 2018. Strong pack with Vaughan, Graham 32 years old, Au Mau, JDB, Tariq injury free until the Broncs semi final and Tyson still going well. MCG was coach and bar injury to Widdop and Tariq in Broncs semi we would have been Grand finalists.

Now Hook has arrived and our roster is the weakest for many years. Even Frizzel shot through even with $700k ready to come his way for another 3 years I think? We have signed 2021 a solid young second tier roosters prop and Jack Bird who has been basically in the sheds with serious injuries for the past 3 years; today still effectively in rehab. Cory N is hanging round for the last year of a huge ?$ 900k pay packet, ( so would any of us) while Gareth W is back and apparently offering cut price services.

I’m not knocking any 2021 player or coach just being realistic.

I feel that Cory Norman will play his best in 2021 as his contract is up and if he wants an extension like Mary used to get he will have have 5 unbelievable games in a row. I hope recruitment are awake to this ploy!

 

[Dragonslayer]

Yes agree that it is an exciting time ahead.
Cannot wait for 2021 to kick off.
Just a bit nervous that Hook won't have anything near the cattle needed in the forwards.
JDB, Frizell, Host, K.Sims, Graham.
All gone.

I think Hook has identified this as an area of concern. Just need to take a look at who we have targeted since he has taken over:
PF, Bird (signed), Ellis (re-signed), Joe O, Musgrove, Maguire, Asiata and a few others I believe.
These are all forwards (I put Bird in this catagory).

Our current edge forwards are very light on: Ford, Sims, Fuimaono and Bird (?)

Our prop are slightly better: Lawrie, Blacker, Kerr, Ellis, Vaughan Merrin and PF.

Lock: DeBelin or Bird or Fuimaono (?)

My current thinking is (baaed on what we have now):
Starting props: Vaughan and Lawrie
Bench props: Kerr and PF
Edge forwards: Sims and Ford
Lock: DeBelin or Bird
Bench utility forward: Fuimaono

The DeBelin case throws up some adjustments though, hence we are looking primarily for a forward.

 

[Outlaw Pete]

Are we still chasing Billy M from Cronulla

 

[Dragonslayer]

@George Dragon

Mate, the other day, you mentioned that a player had been added to the training group (young Wishart?). Any others been added since? I'm still a little concerned about where James Schiller fits into our plans moving forward.

Any update would be appreciated.

 

[George Dragon]

@George Dragon

Mate, the other day, you mentioned that a player had been added to the training group (young Wishart?). Any others been added since? I'm still a little concerned about where James Schiller fits into our plans moving forward.

Any update would be appreciated.

None that I am aware of.
James only has a lower grade contract and is training with the Flegg squad.
Luke Gale is training with the NSW squad.

 

[George Sancti]

Anthony Griffin is showing great confidence in the current squad, which I think will be reflected in the players’ performance. As mentioned in previous posts, I too expect that the game plan and player instructions to be a serious improvement on previous seasons. Whilst we are not currently a title prospect for 2021, I believe that we make the eight and we may be only one or two top forwards away from a top four finish (more likely in 2022).

 

[blacksafake]

None that I am aware of.
James only has a lower grade contract and is training with the Flegg squad.
Luke Gale is training with the NSW squad.

Some on here have good things to say about Gale.
George do you think he’s a possibility of playing nrl?

 

[qld redvee]

None that I am aware of.
James only has a lower grade contract and is training with the Flegg squad.
Luke Gale is training with the NSW squad.

George
Any idea if james is considered a long term player for us ? I remember when he signed he was seen as a great signing .

 

[George Dragon]

Some on here have good things to say about Gale.
George do you think he’s a possibility of playing nrl?

I like Luke good strong country boy, decent size and kicks goals.
Had a knee injury this year that has set him back but still only 21. Has the ability to be a decent FGer.

George
Any idea if james is considered a long term player for us ? I remember when he signed he was seen as a great signing .

Last I was talking to James he was in talks with the club, I would expect an upgrade during the year if he starts the season well.
I rate him and think he has the ability to be a star.

 

[qld redvee]

I like Luke good strong country boy, decent size and kicks goals.
Had a knee injury this year that has set him back but still only 2. Has the ability to be a decent FGer.



Last I was talking to James he was in talks with the club, I would expect an upgrade during the year if he starts the season well.
I rate him and think he has the ability to be a star.

thanks george much appreciated

 

[BLM01]

None that I am aware of.
James only has a lower grade contract and is training with the Flegg squad.
Luke Gale is training with the NSW squad.

Gday George, is not Ty Sloan a chance of a contract?

 

[George Dragon]

Gday George, is not Ty Sloan a chance of a contract?

Ty is one of our four DP contracts.
I think there will be movement there next year before June 30.

 

[blacksafake]

I like Luke good strong country boy, decent size and kicks goals.
Had a knee injury this year that has set him back but still only 21. Has the ability to be a decent FGer.



Last I was talking to James he was in talks with the club, I would expect an upgrade during the year if he starts the season well.
I rate him and think he has the ability to be a star.

As usual thanks George for your comments re all the youngsters we don’t get to see.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Are we still chasing Billy M from Cronulla

Good question- in a recent interview, Hook alluded to a player whom they were negotiating with and let go because he wasn't a "good fit". Magoulias was on our radar at the time and I just assumed he was the player in question. However, I haven't seen any confirmation of this.

 

[blacksafake]

Good question- in a recent interview, Hook alluded to a player whom they were negotiating with and let go because he wasn't a "good fit". Magoulias was on our radar at the time and I just assumed he was the player in question. However, I haven't seen any confirmation of this.

I think he was referring to Joe Offan

 

[goldiesaintz]

None that I am aware of.
James only has a lower grade contract and is training with the Flegg squad.
Luke Gale is training with the NSW squad.

GD,
My memory fails me at this time of writing but l must ask the question to you and or anyone else.
Is Luke Gale related to the old Tigers player, Scotty Gale?????

 

[George Dragon]

GD,
My memory fails me at this time of writing but l must ask the question to you and or anyone else.
Is Luke Gale related to the old Tigers player, Scotty Gale?????

I dont think so, he has never mentioned it.