What's new
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

2021 - Squad, Signings, Re-signings

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
35,643
Dragons ditch fat club for coffee club under Griffin
Dragons Den
r0_0_4496_2997_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

BALANCE: Dragons prop Kaide Ellis said Anthony Griffin's relaxed approach off the paddock has taken the edge of the necessary torture sessions on it. Picture: Dragons Media

OF all the men coaching in the NRL, you wouldn't tip Dragons boss Anthony Griffin to place the most importance on coffee dates. Yet it's one of the famously no-nonsense Queenslander's key preseason edicts as he looks to lay the foundation for his third coming as a head coach.

The rules are simple: once a week groups of five players are chosen at random, they must go out for a coffee at a local cafe and - perhaps most importantly - phones must be left at home. There's also a looser directive to keep footy talk to a minimum

Prop Kaide Ellis - who's familiar with Griffin's approach having debuted under him at Penrith in 2018 - says it's a welcome relief in an otherwise unforgiving preseason.

"That's one of the things [Griffin] used to do back in the [Panthers] day," Ellis said.

"Once a week he'd put you in groups, young and old mixed together, leave your phones at home, go for brekky and a coffee for an hour just to get away from training and learn about one another. If you're caught with you phone it's your shout and there's a lot of tight arses here.

"When you're [at training] it's all on, it's all about footy, you don't get a spare five minutes to get to know someone. It brings you closer together if you can go and have a coffee with someone away from the club you're not thinking 'oh I don't really know him'.

"Everyone's comfortable and on the same level. Early on [footy talk] probably saves you a bit, it's a bit of a security blanket to talk about footy, but I think now it's a bit different. If you look at the group, everyone's a bit different so we can all talk about anything, the boys like talking rubbish so it's not hard to come up with something."

Ditching fat club for coffee club runs counter to perception, rightly or wrongly, that Griffin's personal approach has had a tendency to put players offside - though that hard-nosed reputation played some role in the entire squad returning from the off-season break in excellent nick.

Read more: Dream debut really hits home for Dragons newest cult figure

He's still setting typically high standards, but Ellis has noticed some subtle changes in his former mentor's approach after two years out of the coaching furnace.

"He's made a lot of changes. He's had two years off so I'm sure he would've sat down and thought about what he did well and what he didn't do well," Ellis said.

"I think a few of the boys heard a few rumours about what he used to be like back in the day and it scared them a fair bit. He used to do a lot of early morning clubs if you weren't fit enough and really drive [high] standards. The boys probably heard those things and knuckled down really well over the break.

"The one thing I've noticed is he's a bit more relaxed. His relationship with the players was good back [at Penrith], but even more now. He used to try and assert himself more. He was bit louder, he'd kick and scream a bit, which works, but you can see now he's toned it back a bit and he's more relaxed.

"He's given [assistant coaches Matt Elliott and Peter Gentle] their roles and he just floats a bit, so there's less on his shoulders. It's a good combination those three together."

Breakfast club's a completely fresh approach for winger Jordan Pereira, who feels the relaxed approach off the training paddock is taking the edge of the necessary torture sessions on it.

"There's just smiling faces. We know we're in for an absolute slaughterhouse of a running session but we're still turning up real happy to be here," Pereira said.

"It's something I've noticed that probably hasn't been here in the past. Sometimes you'd walk in and know there was a hard day ahead of us and you wouldn't even say hello to people because you were so daunted by the day ahead. Now, we're just excited to get after it and it's contagious."

A change of coaching staff is a first for the 27-year-old, having played his entire career under former coach Paul McGregor and assistant Dean Young. Griffin's decision to bring in Elliott after a long hiatus from coaching raised some eyebrows, but Pereira says the pair have complemented each other well.

"It's good to have a different insight from a head coaching standpoint and you probably have a closer relationship with the assistants because they're ones relaying the messages from the head coach," he said.

"So far it's been really good just learning different aspects... having different people implementing it is a breath of fresh air. If you're not running as good as you should be Hook's the one who's going to pull you into line, Matty Elliott's just got a good sense of humour and good personality.

"There's definitely some Dad jokes there, there's a few fakes laughs and 'haha nice one Matt' but he brings really good vibes and really good insights."

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/7056571/dragons-ditching-fat-club-for-coffee-club/
 

possm

Coach
Messages
16,651
When it comes to recruitment, I'd say selling a compelling narrative is just as important as identifying a player who is the right fit for our squad.
 

Maddragon99

Juniors
Messages
2,075
https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/12/17/dragons-sign-daniel-alvaro/

Daniel Alvaro for 2 years, Hook coached his as a junior. I don’t know much about him. Does anyone have info on him?


Daniel Alvaro
Prop

eels-badge.svg

Instagram
Height:
190 cm
Date of Birth:
28 May 1993
Weight:
115 kg
Birthplace:
Camperdown, NSW
Age:
27
Nickname:
Polar
Debut Club:
Parramatta Eels
Date:
29 May 2015
Opposition:
Penrith Panthers
Round:
12
Previous Club:
New Zealand Warriors
Junior Club:
Mittagong Lions
Biography:
Daniel Alvaro is on his eighth season with the Eels in 2020 and his sixth season at NRL level.

In 2013 he left the Brisbane Broncos for Parramatta, featured in the National Youth Competition and completed two seasons with the Wentworthville Magpies NSW Cup team to be ready for first grade in 2015.

He represented Country Origin and the Italian Rugby League World Cup squads in 2017 before earning the 2018 Ken Thornett Medal and 2018 Blue & Gold Army award.

He played 11 NRL games in 2019.

CAREER/
APPEARANCES
95
TRIES
6

2020 SEASON/

APPEARANCES
8
SCORING
TRIES
0
ATTACK
TACKLE BREAKS
1
AVERAGE HIT UPS
5.5
POST CONTACT METRES
219.9
PASSING
OFFLOADS
4
DEFENCE
TACKLES MADE
147
TACKLE EFFICIENCY
Tackle Efficiency94.2%

RUNNING METRES
AVERAGE RUNNING METRES
62.8
TOTAL RUNNING METRES
502
 
Messages
1,054
https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/12/17/dragons-sign-daniel-alvaro/

Daniel Alvaro for 2 years, Hook coached his as a junior. I don’t know much about him. Does anyone have info on him?

He was actually a very good player prob back around 2017-2018 pushing out some decent stats. Then for whatever reason he went to sh!t the past few years.
From memory he was the Eels player of the year a few years back.
Let’s see if a change of Clubs can kick start him, is only 27.
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
18,711
Don't mind Alvaro and think he will go well under Hook.

I actually rate him ahead of Graham, K Sims and probably just above Lawrie.

The good thing is that it is a Hook purchase so proper homework & evaluation has been done.

He just needs to maintain intensity as some of the stuff he delivers in short bursts is good quality.
 

denis preston

First Grade
Messages
9,064
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.
Only Host ( still cant believe the way he was treated by Mcwrecker & Dimward ) has any upside out of those 5 players. All the rest were & are on a downward curve. Wont miss them that much at all.
 

Maddragon99

Juniors
Messages
2,075
Don't mind Alvaro and think he will go well under Hook.

I actually rate him ahead of Graham, K Sims and probably just above Lawrie.

The good thing is that it is a Hook purchase so proper homework & evaluation has been done.

He just needs to maintain intensity as some of the stuff he delivers in short bursts is good quality.

190cm & 115kg he’s a great build perhaps he’ll get a shot on the right edge.

He certainly wouldn’t be the first good player to end up in the wilderness at Parra. I’m sure he wouldn’t have been expensive, looks to be an astute purchase
 

Delboy

First Grade
Messages
8,255
190cm & 115kg he’s a great build perhaps he’ll get a shot on the right edge.

He certainly wouldn’t be the first good player to end up in the wilderness at Parra. I’m sure he wouldn’t have been expensive, looks to be an astute purchase
FYI, most Parra fans have no issues with Alvaro, always Horace great service. The base reason for the release is there are 19/20 year old front rowers bigger and quicker graded into NRL and the club want to promote them.
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
35,643
alvarod-17031206.jpg


SIGNINGS


Dragons sign Daniel Alvaro
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Thu 17 Dec 2020, 10:57 AM
Share on social media
St George Illawarra have signed Parramatta Eels front-rower Daniel Alvaro for the next two seasons, until at least the end of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership season.

The Italian international made his first grade debut in 2015 and has played 95 NRL games to date, including a six-game loan spell at the New Zealand Warriors last season.

The Mittagong Lions junior also won the Ken Thornett Medal as the Eels' Player of the Year in 2018.

Three spots now remain in the Dragons' Top 30 for the 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership season following the signing of the former Country Origin representative Alvaro.

"Daniel has shown his competitiveness and capabilities as a first grade player over the past six years and we're excited to see how he complements our squad," General manager of football Ben Haran said.

"Head coach Anthony Griffin oversaw Daniel's development in the Under-20s during their time at the Brisbane Broncos together.

"Their long-standing relationship can only be a positive and will certainly help Daniel settle into his new surroundings over the remainder of our pre-season."

Alvaro's arrival follows the signing of Jack Bird and Poasa Faamausili and the retention of Mat and Max Feagai, Josh Kerr, Jackson Ford, Mikaele Ravalawa, Adam Clune, Junior Amone and Tyrell Sloan ahead of the Dragons' 2021 campaign.

Be in that number in 2021. Become a Red V member today. For more information on membership, please visit: dragons.com.au/membership. Have any questions? Check our membership FAQs or contact us via 1300 DRAGON (1300 372 466) during business hours, or email [email protected].


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/12/17/dragons-sign-daniel-alvaro/
 

Dragonslayer

First Grade
Messages
7,912
Type of signing we can expect for 2021. No 'star' but serviceable player. Has good defensive stats and can offload.
Would have come on the cheap and handy back-up prop.

Our prop situation is now:

Vaughan, Lawrie, Ellis, Kerr, PF, Blacker, Merrin
 

Auntie.Gerald

First Grade
Messages
7,691
IN
Jack Bird
Poasa Faamausili
Daniel Alvaro

OUT
Tyson Frizell
Euan Aitken
James Graham
Jacob Host
Korbin Sims
Jason Saab.
 

Maddragon99

Juniors
Messages
2,075
Type of signing we can expect for 2021. No 'star' but serviceable player. Has good defensive stats and can offload.
Would have come on the cheap and handy back-up prop.

Our prop situation is now:

Vaughan, Lawrie, Ellis, Kerr, PF, Blacker, Merrin
Pretty decent
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
35,643
Dragons add bulk to roster in former Eels prop
Dragons Den
NEW ARRIVAL: Former Eels prop Daniel Alvaro will join the Dragons for the next two seasons. Picture: NRL Photos

ST GEORGE Illawarra have added some starch to their engine room with the signing of Eels prop Daniel Alvaro for the next two seasons.

The 27-year-old played 89 games for Parramatta after debuting in 2015 but was off-loaded to the Warriors on an on-loan basis after struggling for time in a tacked Eels pack including the likes of Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Junior Paul, Kane Evans and Nathan Brown. He played six games for the Warriors through rounds 12-18 before being recalled for a final Eels appearance in round 20.

The Mittagong product - who first encountered coach Anthony Griffin in the Broncos system - will add some much-needed experience up front with the likes of Tyson Frizell, James Graham and Korbin Sims having departed the Dragons.

The club had previously been linked to Joe Ofahengaue before he ultimately signed with the Tigers, with Alvaro joining Jack Bird and Poasa Faamausili as new arrivals in Wollongong.

"Daniel has shown his competitiveness and capabilities as a first grade player over the past six years and we're excited to see how he complements our squad," Dragons general manager of football Ben Haran said.

"Head coach Anthony Griffin oversaw Daniel's development in the Under-20s during their time at the Brisbane Broncos together. Their long-standing relationship can only be a positive and will certainly help Daniel settle into his new surroundings over the remainder of our pre-season."

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/7059660/dragons-add-bulk-to-roster-in-former-eels-prop/
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
35,643
DRAGONS

2021 squad: Daniel Alvaro (2022), Jack Bird (2022), Eddie Blacker (2021), Adam Clune (2022), Jack de Belin (2021), Matt Dufty (2021), Kaide Ellis (2021), Poasa Faamausili (2022), Jackson Ford (2022), Tyrell Fuimaono (2021), Ben Hunt (2022, PO 23), Josh Kerr (2023), Blake Lawrie (2022), Zac Lomax (2025), Cameron McInnes (2021), Trent Merrin (2021), Corey Norman (2021), Jordan Pereira (2021), Mikaele Ravalawa (2023), Tariq Sims (2022), Paul Vaughan (2021, PO 22), Brayden Wiliame (2021),

2021 gains: Poasa Faamausili (Roosters), Jack Bird (Broncos), Daniel Alvaro (Dragons)

TBC: Billy Brittain (2020)

2021 losses: Jacob Host (Rabbitohs) Tyson Frizell (Knights), Euan Aitken (Warriors), Korbin Sims (Super League), Jacob Host, Tristan Sailor, Joe Lovodua (all unsigned), Jason Saab (Manly)

Coach: Anthony Griffin (2022)

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/f4b11495d5bc9d81cd052ca7b3d15dcc
 
Top