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2021 - Squad, Signings, Re-signings

Sloth

Juniors
Messages
1,693
Clune? No I'm not.

He was very poor today and after 15 games we've seen enough to say a big no thanks.
I agree he was poor today but I will disagree that we have seen enough of him to be sure he won’t make it. Our forwards have been shit all year, our game plans and lack of good quality set plays from our master coach were worse than our forwards. Willing to keep him in the squad and see how he develops. Don’t think he is costing us too much on the salary cap.
 

be55

Juniors
Messages
575
Ford is a young gun has been ruined by Mary. Don't worry, Griffin will sort him out.
I have always been a wrap for Ford...watched him closely in juniors and Canterbury Cup and i would have to say i was expecting more from him. Defensively he has had his problems this year and i would like to see him add a little size in the off-season...he weighs around 95kg and i'd like to see him up around the 105kg mark...if the conditioning staff can add some muscle and weight this might give him some extra confidence and you might see some defensive improvement from him...Adding some muscle could also allow him to play on an edge next year because he is certainly fast enough and good enough on his feet to do that.

One thing he hasn't showed in his time in 1st grade is his ability to off-load. While playing Canterbury Cup it was a highlight of his game and if you can add some muscle, this would increase his ability to stand in tackles and he could show his off-loading ability.

Hopefully the new coach looks to encourage off-loading because we all know the last one certainly didn't...
 

rasaint

Juniors
Messages
1,046
I think Clune went ok today and seems to be copping exaggerated criticism. He had Papenhuyzen covered in the 1 st try but a blatant obstruction tripped and slowed him from the tackle. Clune is genuinely very quick. Not saying he is our long term half.

Lomax tonight had a mixed bag. Great goal kicking in high wind, nice stab kick through for Dufty try and competed hard all game. Yet beaten by Earl for his try, dropped it cold twice and never really looked like he would break the line against Storm second string centres.
 

possm

Coach
Messages
15,587
Watching Christian Welch today I think he would be a great pick up. Is he out of the picture 100%?

Ofehegau, Welch and JDB will be huge improvement to the forwards.
Apparently, the Dragons made a low ball offer of 300K per season to his manager, which was quickly rejected. I feel sure that if we offered him 500k-600k and now having a new coach, we could very well win his signature.
 

Dragonslayer

First Grade
Messages
7,679
Hook has a lot of work in the off-season to sort out who will play in a number of positions.

A lot of water to go under the bridge before we can eliminate any player (probably Norman excepted).

At this stage we have 23 (or 22) players signed for next year including Saab and JDB. Ellis is currently unsigned, and there are 2 (or 3) in the DS (I'm unsure if Bud was promoted to the top 30 as yet).

We also have a load of juniors waiting in line:
SSE - specialist left side player
Schiller - fullback
Amone - halves
Sloane - backline (anywhere)
Wishart - halves
Gale - forward
H. Lomax - forward

However, only 6 for the DS.

So, at this stage we need to sign 7 players. Huge task imo
 

possm

Coach
Messages
15,587
I'd rather see him under a decent coach and some actual forwards before putting the line through him. He does straighten our attack and has a decent kicking game.
I've for a long time now, thought that Dufty would make a better 6 than fullback. I see him with explosive speed, very elusive and with a good passing game. He would cause heaps of problems for opposition teams at five-eighth. Yes defence is his problem at at least at 6 he could received protection from his left edge forward.
 

I'm Hornby

Juniors
Messages
564
I agree he was poor today but I will disagree that we have seen enough of him to be sure he won’t make it. Our forwards have been shit all year, our game plans and lack of good quality set plays from our master coach were worse than our forwards. Willing to keep him in the squad and see how he develops. Don’t think he is costing us too much on the salary cap.

At 25 he doesn't have much developing left to do. Would much prefer us having a younger halfback waiting in the wings who can learn the game under a new coaching structure.

Clune has had too much exposure to crappy coaching.

He has a degree so he might need to use it when Hook takes over IMO
 

I'm Hornby

Juniors
Messages
564
I've for a long time now, thought that Dufty would make a better 6 than fullback. I see him with explosive speed, very elusive and with a good passing game. He would cause heaps of problems for opposition teams at five-eighth. Yes defence is his problem at at least at 6 he could received protection from his left edge forward.

Mate he can run in broken play and he can throw a cut out pass.

He can't tackle and he can't kick.

After seeing Sullivan today why would we offload him to try and remake Dufty in to a five eighth?

Dufty will be lucky to still be playing for us post next season.
 

saintly1996

Juniors
Messages
2,292
Mate he can run in broken play and he can throw a cut out pass.

He can't tackle and he can't kick.

After seeing Sullivan today why would we offload him to try and remake Dufty in to a five eighth?

Dufty will be lucky to still be playing for us post next season.
There have been numerous piss poor defensive efforts over the last 3 years, including the half hearted effort on the winger yesterday, not in the top 10 fullbacks in the game and would get murdered at 5/8
 

Coffs dragon

Bench
Messages
4,247
Hopefully the Griffin fire sale will commence soon....
The list could & should be long, lead by Norman, Merrin & the Sims Bro’s for starters.
Then Reinforce our soft underbelly with some tough pigs with some steel in them.

Good luck Hook & Happy days ahead.
 

rasaint

Juniors
Messages
1,046
Fair enough that we need to rebuild and be more selective in recruitment etc.

posters rightly say we need the ‘fire sale’ and buy Big tough pigs etc. Who are our genuine big body junior forwards of NRL standard. I am yet to see Eddie Blacker show sufficient athleticism for NRL.Big bodies still need dash and quick movement laterally to be effective. I am not bagging him just observing the limited times he has had a run.

Seriously, no one can identify who these New tough pigs are? Wether they are playing now for other clubs or our juniors. Benny Hunt, Cory Norman, Simms brothers etc aren’t going anywhere. Why would or should they? We signed them up and they are contracted for season(s) yet. I doubt Benny Hunt would get more than $400 to 500 k on a contract and Norman $300 to $350 k now.

I agree that young Sullivan went well yesterday.

I’m only being a realist. Regardless of coach a club must have the ‘cattle’.
 

dungay dragon

Juniors
Messages
1,014
I have always been a wrap for Ford...watched him closely in juniors and Canterbury Cup and i would have to say i was expecting more from him. Defensively he has had his problems this year and i would like to see him add a little size in the off-season...he weighs around 95kg and i'd like to see him up around the 105kg mark...if the conditioning staff can add some muscle and weight this might give him some extra confidence and you might see some defensive improvement from him...Adding some muscle could also allow him to play on an edge next year because he is certainly fast enough and good enough on his feet to do that.

One thing he hasn't showed in his time in 1st grade is his ability to off-load. While playing Canterbury Cup it was a highlight of his game and if you can add some muscle, this would increase his ability to stand in tackles and he could show his off-loading ability.

Hopefully the new coach looks to encourage off-loading because we all know the last one certainly didn't...
Young Ford was very good yesterday , esp with his front on defence .
Hopefully with McGregor now gone , the hand brake has been released and we will see the very best of him next year , with a big off season and a quality coach to guide him
 

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