Great start to 2017 and then.............

[Dragonslayer]

Now, after a great start to the season, you know the first 7 games when we were 6 and 1, 1st on the ladder with for/against of +87, where we had won all of our away games and our only loss was a bad 34-16 against the Eels in Rd2.

So, what happened?

It's interesting to go back and review the events that unfolded from Rd7 onwards, particularly between Rd's 8 and 12, where we lost 3 straight, won 1 and had the bye. During this period there was:

1. Widdop injured
2. Millward video regarding the retention of Dugan, Packer and Widdop
3. Widdop re-signs but still out injured.
4. 19 Dragons appeared in test matches, and/or City/Country
5. Announcement regarding Packer leaving
6. Announcement regarding Dugan issue
7. Lawrie re-signs and Vaughan's contract extended

Now let's jump to RD's 13 - 22. During this period we played 8 games, won 3 lost 6 (also 1 bye). During this period:
1: Lafai re-signs
2. McGregor re-signed
3. Millward video regarding Dugan departure
4. Milne signs with the Tigers
5. Both Mann and Nightingale re-sign
6. Tabled offer to Hutch (not yet taken although tabled prior to rd 15)
7. SOO

Also during this time (rd 13-22) we have won 1 lost 2, won 1 lost 2, won 1 lost 2 in that sequence.

For mine, the team was playing very well, doing everything right and then the rot set in. Contract issues and injuries to key players, seemed to take the steam out of the team. wether its psychological or there is another hidden element, that fact is from rd 8 onwards we have replaced top footy with 2016 footy. There is a disconnect somewhere, from playing group to coach or coach to recruitment or the whole combined issue has impacted on them in ways we don't know along with the drama and public theatre of it

 

[dannyt]

Now, after a great start to the season, you know the first 7 games when we were 6 and 1, 1st on the ladder with for/against of +87, where we had won all of our away games and our only loss was a bad 34-16 against the Eels in Rd2.

So, what happened?

It's interesting to go back and review the events that unfolded from Rd7 onwards, particularly between Rd's 8 and 12, where we lost 3 straight, won 1 and had the bye. During this period there was:

1. Widdop injured
2. Millward video regarding the retention of Dugan, Packer and Widdop
3. Widdop re-signs but still out injured.
4. 19 Dragons appeared in test matches, and/or City/Country
5. Announcement regarding Packer leaving
6. Announcement regarding Dugan issue
7. Lawrie re-signs and Vaughan's contract extended

Now let's jump to RD's 13 - 22. During this period we played 8 games, won 3 lost 6 (also 1 bye). During this period:
1: Lafai re-signs
2. McGregor re-signed
3. Millward video regarding Dugan departure
4. Milne signs with the Tigers
5. Both Mann and Nightingale re-sign
6. Tabled offer to Hutch (not yet taken although tabled prior to rd 15)
7. SOO

Also during this time (rd 13-22) we have won 1 lost 2, won 1 lost 2, won 1 lost 2 in that sequence.

For mine, the team was playing very well, doing everything right and then the rot set in. Contract issues and injuries to key players, seemed to take the steam out of the team. wether its psychological or there is another hidden element, that fact is from rd 8 onwards we have replaced top footy with 2016 footy. There is a disconnect somewhere, from playing group to coach or coach to recruitment or the whole combined issue has impacted on them in ways we don't know along with the drama and public theatre of it

Same sort of stuff happens to other clubs.

We played a power game for the first 7 games, and it was unexpected.

Teams worked us out, mary didn't have a plan B, and here we are.

 

[gaz_head]

Same sort of stuff happens to other clubs.

We played a power game for the first 7 games, and it was unexpected.

Teams worked us out, mary didn't have a plan B, and here we are.

I have to agree. Great teams evolve as the season goes on. We have remained the same. It's a sad state of affairs at the moment and it's up to the playing group and not Mary to do something about it because our 'supercoach' is an imposter. Hell, I've even started revving up Thommo on twitter with quotes from pundits saying we don't deserve to be in the 8 in the hope he gets the boys firing.

 

[RedV Resurgence]

Now, after a great start to the season, you know the first 7 games when we were 6 and 1, 1st on the ladder with for/against of +87, where we had won all of our away games and our only loss was a bad 34-16 against the Eels in Rd2.

So, what happened?

It's interesting to go back and review the events that unfolded from Rd7 onwards, particularly between Rd's 8 and 12, where we lost 3 straight, won 1 and had the bye. During this period there was:

1. Widdop injured
2. Millward video regarding the retention of Dugan, Packer and Widdop
3. Widdop re-signs but still out injured.
4. 19 Dragons appeared in test matches, and/or City/Country
5. Announcement regarding Packer leaving
6. Announcement regarding Dugan issue
7. Lawrie re-signs and Vaughan's contract extended

Now let's jump to RD's 13 - 22. During this period we played 8 games, won 3 lost 6 (also 1 bye). During this period:
1: Lafai re-signs
2. McGregor re-signed
3. Millward video regarding Dugan departure
4. Milne signs with the Tigers
5. Both Mann and Nightingale re-sign
6. Tabled offer to Hutch (not yet taken although tabled prior to rd 15)
7. SOO

Also during this time (rd 13-22) we have won 1 lost 2, won 1 lost 2, won 1 lost 2 in that sequence.

For mine, the team was playing very well, doing everything right and then the rot set in. Contract issues and injuries to key players, seemed to take the steam out of the team. wether its psychological or there is another hidden element, that fact is from rd 8 onwards we have replaced top footy with 2016 footy. There is a disconnect somewhere, from playing group to coach or coach to recruitment or the whole combined issue has impacted on them in ways we don't know along with the drama and public theatre of it

Time for us to win based in the sequence you identified above.

 

[Bests Golden Boots]

Now, after a great start to the season, you know the first 7 games when we were 6 and 1, 1st on the ladder with for/against of +87, where we had won all of our away games and our only loss was a bad 34-16 against the Eels in Rd2.

So, what happened?

It's interesting to go back and review the events that unfolded from Rd7 onwards, particularly between Rd's 8 and 12, where we lost 3 straight, won 1 and had the bye. During this period there was:

1. Widdop injured
2. Millward video regarding the retention of Dugan, Packer and Widdop
3. Widdop re-signs but still out injured.
4. 19 Dragons appeared in test matches, and/or City/Country
5. Announcement regarding Packer leaving
6. Announcement regarding Dugan issue
7. Lawrie re-signs and Vaughan's contract extended

Now let's jump to RD's 13 - 22. During this period we played 8 games, won 3 lost 6 (also 1 bye). During this period:
1: Lafai re-signs
2. McGregor re-signed
3. Millward video regarding Dugan departure
4. Milne signs with the Tigers
5. Both Mann and Nightingale re-sign
6. Tabled offer to Hutch (not yet taken although tabled prior to rd 15)
7. SOO

Also during this time (rd 13-22) we have won 1 lost 2, won 1 lost 2, won 1 lost 2 in that sequence.

For mine, the team was playing very well, doing everything right and then the rot set in. Contract issues and injuries to key players, seemed to take the steam out of the team. wether its psychological or there is another hidden element, that fact is from rd 8 onwards we have replaced top footy with 2016 footy. There is a disconnect somewhere, from playing group to coach or coach to recruitment or the whole combined issue has impacted on them in ways we don't know along with the drama and public theatre of it

I always thought the writing was on the wall after the Parra game.
They showed the blueprint, hold in the middle, attack on the wings, Radradra scored four tries that day, every other team took notice.

The difference with other teams and ours is when the opposition finds a weakness in other teams thier coach fixes it, ours just hopes it will go away on its own.

 

[Old Timer]

A couple of scenarios

1. Either people overrate our team or we have a shit coach or a combination of both.
2. If we played at our best at the start of the season and the others didnt and when they clicked into top gear our best wasn't good enough then point 1 is the answer.
3. If the team was truly capable of winning well and constantly as evidenced in the first 10 rounds and should have kept doing so then the question of what happened to the rest of the season is highly relevant.
   
4. If point 3 is correct it can't be the players it has to be the coach and the game plan.
5. If it is the game plan then that plan was not sustainable and need to be altered which it wasn't.
6. So all roads lead to the coach in the end as after all this is the squad he said he wanted.

All the other contending teams have the ability to cope with SOO, injuries and bring people in and out of their team and at the same time keep a reasonably acceptable win/loss ratio in respect of the time of the season whereas our season always comes with a free-fall and an ongoing decline in our fortunes.

 

[Bests Golden Boots]

We do follow a consistant pattern of falling apart at this end of the season, it started in 2011 and no one currently at the club seem to be able to do anything about it.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

A couple of scenarios

1. Either people overrate our team or we have a shit coach or a combination of both.
2. If we played at our best at the start of the season and the others didnt and when they clicked into top gear our best wasn't good enough then point 1 is the answer.
3. If the team was truly capable of winning well and constantly as evidenced in the first 10 rounds and should have kept doing so then the question of what happened to the rest of the season is highly relevant.
   
4. If point 3 is correct it can't be the players it has to be the coach and the game plan.
5. If it is the game plan then that plan was not sustainable and need to be altered which it wasn't.
6. So all roads lead to the coach in the end as after all this is the squad he said he wanted.

All the other contending teams have the ability to cope with SOO, injuries and bring people in and out of their team and at the same time keep a reasonably acceptable win/loss ratio in respect of the time of the season whereas our season always comes with a free-fall and an ongoing decline in our fortunes.

Reminds me of Newcastle in Rick Stone's last year. Were unexpectedly leading the comp after first 5 or six rounds, beat teams like the Cowboys who ended up winning the comp. Unfortunately they then won bugger all and finished with the spoon. It all smacks of a coach working on fitness, fitness, fitness in the off season. That enabled them (and us) to steam roll quite a few teams until other team's match fitness caught up. Once fitness has evened out it comes down to skills, ability, coaching, strategic game planning, player desire etc.

I reckon it's 60/40 MacGregor/Players. I still think our forwards are good and our back-line and halves are ordinary. No doubt a smarter coach could get better results.

 

[Slippery Morris]

I know it is a poor excuse but there are a few games that could have gone Saints way if not for officials in the last few rounds or so. Saints were robbed against Raiders with Papali taking out Dugan and staying on. The momentum changed and Raiders beat a depleted Saints on the night. Knights game was a debacle of poor ref errors. Add those 2 games and Saints are on 28. 6 in front of Raiders and 2 ahead of the Knights. With Panthers playing 3 top 8 sides Saints are guaranteed top 8.

I thought Saints played well against Raiders until those incidents. They held them out when they were coming on strong early on then got on top of them until the Papali incident.

I know I am clutching at straws here but it shows how much an impact those bad decisions in a game can have. Saints have just not had any luck at all this year. They are not a good enough team to win with adversity but then again when have Melb or Bronco's been robbed a game? 2001?

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

Now, after a great start to the season, you know the first 7 games when we were 6 and 1, 1st on the ladder with for/against of +87, where we had won all of our away games and our only loss was a bad 34-16 against the Eels in Rd2.

So, what happened?

It's interesting to go back and review the events that unfolded from Rd7 onwards, particularly between Rd's 8 and 12, where we lost 3 straight, won 1 and had the bye. During this period there was:

1. Widdop injured
2. Millward video regarding the retention of Dugan, Packer and Widdop
3. Widdop re-signs but still out injured.
4. 19 Dragons appeared in test matches, and/or City/Country
5. Announcement regarding Packer leaving
6. Announcement regarding Dugan issue
7. Lawrie re-signs and Vaughan's contract extended

Now let's jump to RD's 13 - 22. During this period we played 8 games, won 3 lost 6 (also 1 bye). During this period:
1: Lafai re-signs
2. McGregor re-signed
3. Millward video regarding Dugan departure
4. Milne signs with the Tigers
5. Both Mann and Nightingale re-sign
6. Tabled offer to Hutch (not yet taken although tabled prior to rd 15)
7. SOO

Also during this time (rd 13-22) we have won 1 lost 2, won 1 lost 2, won 1 lost 2 in that sequence.

For mine, the team was playing very well, doing everything right and then the rot set in. Contract issues and injuries to key players, seemed to take the steam out of the team. wether its psychological or there is another hidden element, that fact is from rd 8 onwards we have replaced top footy with 2016 footy. There is a disconnect somewhere, from playing group to coach or coach to recruitment or the whole combined issue has impacted on them in ways we don't know along with the drama and public theatre of it

Nearly all clubs have similar issues to a lesser or greater extent.
Yet we are the only one that has slid down the table and capitulated so dramatically.
You pose a serious question - Why?
The worst is there seems no light at the end of the tunnel under the current set up.

 

[grouch]

I know it is a poor excuse but there are a few games that could have gone Saints way if not for officials in the last few rounds or so. Saints were robbed against Raiders with Papali taking out Dugan and staying on. The momentum changed and Raiders beat a depleted Saints on the night. Knights game was a debacle of poor ref errors. Add those 2 games and Saints are on 28. 6 in front of Raiders and 2 ahead of the Knights. With Panthers playing 3 top 8 sides Saints are guaranteed top 8.

I thought Saints played well against Raiders until those incidents. They held them out when they were coming on strong early on then got on top of them until the Papali incident.

I know I am clutching at straws here but it shows how much an impact those bad decisions in a game can have. Saints have just not had any luck at all this year. They are not a good enough team to win with adversity but then again when have Melb or Bronco's been robbed a game? 2001?

You're 100% right - it is indeed a poor excuse and you are clutching at straws.

 

[grouch]

At the start of the year McGregor talked about how his role had been narrowed. He didn't have to worry about recruitment and other stuff and just focused on coaching - and the results improved. How about we take a few more duties off his plate next year and see how much we improve? Like, all of them?

 

[Bests Golden Boots]

At the start of the year McGregor talked about how his role had been narrowed. He didn't have to worry about recruitment and other stuff and just focused on coaching - and the results improved. How about we take a few more duties off his plate next year and see how much we improve? Like, all of them?

Hey, someone still needs to pick up the trash after home games.

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

At the start of the year McGregor talked about how his role had been narrowed. He didn't have to worry about recruitment and other stuff and just focused on coaching - and the results improved. How about we take a few more duties off his plate next year and see how much we improve? Like, all of them?

Yeah - like the coaching function.

 

[blacksafake]

Hey, someone still needs to pick up the trash after home games.

I'll do it if it means getting rid of him.