2021 - Squad, Signings, Re-signings

[Maddragon99]

It’s just so bloody good to not see McGregor’s stupid bald head there.

Yes I was thinking the same thing. The boys look fit, Eddie Blacker looked great I’m predicting a big year for him I expect him to be a starter by seasons end. Vaughan & Blacker great combo, the old dog & the young pup.

 

[Dragonslayer]

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/11/18/six-again-rule-a-focus-for-red-v-as-griffin-era-begins/

I believe this is where we are heading as far as recruitement is concerned. Agile, quick players both forwards and backs, the days of the plodding forward are over. We need players who can ball play, hence the focus (I believe) is on youth and agility.
The 6 again rule highlighted our lack of nouse in this area, and we never adapted.

Lets hope our new coaching team can get this aspect right as this will go a long way is making us very competitive in 2021.

 

[Maddragon99]

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/11/18/six-again-rule-a-focus-for-red-v-as-griffin-era-begins/

I believe this is where we are heading as far as recruitement is concerned. Agile, quick players both forwards and backs, the days of the plodding forward are over. We need players who can ball play, hence the focus (I believe) is on youth and agility.
The 6 again rule highlighted our lack of nouse in this area, and we never adapted.

Lets hope our new coaching team can get this aspect right as this will go a long way is making us very competitive in 2021.

the difference is Hook is on a short 2yr leash so doesn’t have time to waist. No mention of Saab when he referenced the young developing players I wonder if he’s at preseason training or he’s refused to show up.

 

[RedVDave]

If Saab trained as hard as he spits the dummy he'd be an absolute star I'm getting a real looks like Tarzan plays like Jane vibe from him.

 

[Gareth67]

the difference is Hook is on a short 2yr leash so doesn’t have time to waist. No mention of Saab when he referenced the young developing players I wonder if he’s at preseason training or he’s refused to show up.

If he starts to refuse to train then Hook should take a leaf out of the tiger’s book and get him out mowing the lawns - in his beloved Dragon Jersey , in fact the full game day kit , minus the water bottle .

 

[Inisai Toga]

Yes I was thinking the same thing. The boys look fit, Eddie Blacker looked great I’m predicting a big year for him I expect him to be a starter by seasons end. Vaughan & Blacker great combo, the old dog & the young pup.

Has anyone seen enough of Blacker play to give a good assessment? would be interested to hear..

 

[getsmarty]

DRAGONS


Six-again rule a focus for Red V as Griffin era begins
Author
Brad Walter NRL.com Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Wed 18 Nov 2020, 04:01 PM

New Dragons coach Anthony Griffin plans to work on ways to take better advantage of the six-again rule during pre-season training.

Griffin took charge of training at WIN Stadium for the first time on Tuesday with assistant coaches Peter Gentle and Matthew Elliott as the Dragons became one of the first teams to commence preparations for 2021.

Canterbury, South Sydney, Wests Tigers and the Warriors are also back in training, while Manly players return on Thursday.

Brisbane, Cronulla, Gold Coast, Newcastle and North Queensland start pre-season work next week.

For most clubs, including the Rabbitohs and Tigers, it will be a gradual build, with younger players starting now, the main group returning over coming weeks and Origin stars back in January.

Dragons' top five tries of 2020


Dragons' top five tries of 2020

"It was excellent," Griffin said of his first day with the Dragons players. "I met the full squad on the Wednesday after they broke the bubble but it was good to kick it off and get started."

Like most coaches in charge of a new team, Griffin will focus heavily on defence. The Dragons conceded an average of 22.6 points per match last season and 23.4 points per match in 2019.

However, there will also be changes in attack, with Ben Hunt likely to revert to halfback after spending more time in the hooking roles this year.

"I want to imprint our game philosophy and the way we want to play both in attack and defence," Griffin said.

Retiree reflections: James Graham


Retiree reflections: James Graham

"There will be an emphasis on tackle technique at the ruck and how we move together as a group.

"Attack-wise there are some experienced players here in [Ben] Hunt, [Corey] Norman and [Cameron] McInnes. Adam Clune had a break-out season and young Jayden Sullivan got his debut so there is a chance to work with those playmakers and put some stuff in place before next year."

With the six-again rule announced only weeks before the resumption of the Telstra Premiership on May 28, teams had to figure it out on the fly. Griffin has had the opportunity to sit back and analyse what it has done to the game.

The Dragons only scored eight tries after receiving a six-again call in the 18 rounds it was used, a stat Griffin plans on improving.

"There are obviously some tweaks you are going to have to make defensively because you are more than often going to be defending for a longer time," he said.

"If you have to make eight or nine tackles in a row and you lose the ruck two or three times in that period things will be put in place to counteract that now.

There will be an emphasis on tackle technique at the ruck and how we move together as a group

New Dragons coach Anthony Griffin
"In offense, it probably gives you more opportunity to play over the advantage line, so on both sides of the ball we have had a really good look at that over the last month since the coaching staff have been together and we will have some things to put in place to try and grab an advantage with that."

New recruit Poasa Fa’amausili was in attendance for the first training session under Griffin but star signing Jack Bird is continuing rehabilitation for the knee injured that sidelined him for the entire 2020 season.

Hunt, McInnes and fellow State of Origin suqad members Zac Lomax and Josh Kerr will take leave after the series.

As well as his proven performers, Griffin is excited about the opportunity to work with the emerging talent in the Dragons ranks.

New Dragons assistant coach Matt Elliott. NRL Photos
"I got a chance to see all the young guys who are coming through – Cody Ramsey, the Feagais [Mat and Max], Jayden Sullivan, Eddie Blacker and a couple of academy guys who trained really well like Tyrell Sloan, who played under 18s last year and was a standout," Griffin said.

When your club returns to training:

• Warriors: November 16
• Bulldogs: November 16
• Rabbitohs: November 16
• Wests Tigers: November 16
• Dragons: November 17
• Sea Eagles: November 19
• Broncos: November 23
• Cowboys: November 23
• Titans: November 23
• Sharks: November 25
• Knights: November 26
• Eels: November 30
• Roosters: November 30
• Raiders: December 7
• Panthers: December 14
• Storm: January 4

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/11/18/six-again-rule-a-focus-for-red-v-as-griffin-era-begins/

 

[Reddragon]

Griffin already sounds a lot better than McGregor; much more specific. Hooray!

 

[possm]

If Saab trained as hard as he spits the dummy he'd be an absolute star I'm getting a real looks like Tarzan plays like Jane vibe from him.

Saab is a stubborn angry youg man who signed a contract with the Dragons and now wants to play with Manly who won't pay out his contract.

It's a mess.

Saab should sack his manager.

 

[BLM01]

Griffin already sounds a lot better than McGregor; much more specific. Hooray!

McWho?
Hook just talk sense and football reality not Mumbo jumbo life coaching cliches regurgitated from books

 

[getsmarty]

Jason Saab a no-show at Dragons training as he deals with personal issues
Michael Chammas
November 19, 2020 — 2.57pm
St George Illawarra winger Jason Saab has been a no-show at the first week of training after informing the club he needed time to deal with personal issues.

Saab's manager, Mario Tartak, has been agitating for a release from his contract with the Dragons for months, and his client was absent for new coach Anthony Griffin's first day in charge of the joint venture club on Tuesday.

Dragons winger Jason Saab wants out of the club for family reasons.Credit:Getty

The Herald understands Saab, who still has another two years to run on his contract with the Dragons, wants to link with the Sea Eagles as early the upcoming season on a deal worth more than what he is currently earning at St George Illawarra.

The news comes just two days after The Herald revealed Wests Tigers prop Josh Aloiai vowed "never to wear the Tigers jersey again" as he also pushes for a release to join the Sea Eagles as a replacement for Addin Fonua-Blake.

Saab, who lives in the western Sydney suburb of Greystanes, has told the club he is struggling with the commute from his family home to Wollongong each day. The Dragons have been told the ordeal surrounding his future has impacted on his wellbeing.

The Dragons understand his predicament and had been willing to release him to a western Sydney club that would absolve him of the problem he now finds himself in.

The Dragons winger could be in Manly colours in 2021.Credit:Anna Warr

However, St George Illawarra officials are privately bemused by the situation that has unfolded given that the commute required from Greystanes to Manly's training base in Narrabeen is similar, if not more time-consuming, than the trip to Wollongong.

While Wollongong is almost double the distance from Greystanes than Narrabeen, the commute from Greystanes to the northern beaches often takes up to two hours in morning traffic, while Wollongong is about an hour and 20 minutes drive.

The Dragons are refusing to budge until they get an outcome that suits their roster, ending a recent attempt at a swap deal for Manly's Reuben Garrick.

The Dragons have turned their attention to a player at another club, potentially in another position, and could be closing in on a deal that would free Saab to join Des Hasler at the Sea Eagles.

Josh Aloiai is looking for the exit doors.Credit:NRL Photos

Fed-up Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe has called a meeting with NRL officials to discuss the role of managers in the game, having been frustrated by recent negotiations involving Josh Addo-Carr, who is also managed by Tartak, and Aloiai.

ARLC chairman Peter V'landys told The Herald in August that the NRL would be looking into the current system, which allows players to walk out on contracts to receive more money elsewhere.

The Commission is expected to be presented with a proposal from NRL salary cap auditor and chief financial officer Richard Gardham over the off-season that will address one of the biggest blights on the game.

The NRL is considering banning clubs from offering more money than the players stand to earn in their existing contracts.

"There will be a complete review in the off season," V'landys said. "I can assure you we will be addressing the frustrations of the fans."

In other transfer news:

• The Parramatta Eels have told Blake Ferguson he will not be at the club beyond the end of next season, opting against extending the contract of the former NSW winger. The Eels aren't actively forcing Ferguson out of the club, but nor would they stand in his way should he land an extended deal at a rival club, opening the door for a potential play at Josh Mansour.
• The Wests Tigers are willing to offer Mansour, who has been told he won't start next year in first grade, a contract for 2021 and 2022. The winger is holding out for another year on top.
• The Bulldogs' hopes of Penrith releasing Matt Burton in 2021 appear slim. The Panthers are making plans to play Burton at centre next year pending Brent Naden's rehabilitation from alcohol-related issues. Canterbury are one of several teams, including Cronulla and Melbourne, hopeful of finding out Burton's long-term future within the next week.
• The Wests Tigers are considering offering James Roberts a one-year deal on $150,000 with strict conditions, similar to the one-strike agreement he had with South Sydney.
• The Eels have received approval from the NRL Integrity Unit to sign Bryce Cartwright. The NRL wanted to make sure everything was above board with his departure from the Titans before the Eels could announce the $130,000 deal.
• Stephen Crichton will meet with the Panthers in the next few weeks to discuss the fallout from the handshake agreement gone wrong. Crichton's manager will argue he is worth more than the $1.5 million, three-year deal that was agreed upon mid-season. He is expected to remain at Penrith but on a more lucrative deal.
  
• Josh Aloiai has been ordered back to training on November 30 despite mocking club chairman Lee Hagipantelis. The Tigers won't release him until there is an advantageous outcome for the club.
• Penrith fullback Daine Laurie has agreed to a two-year deal with the Wests Tigers from 2022. His manager, Matt Desira, is expected to request an early release to play first grade with the Tigers in 2021.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/ja...als-with-personal-issues-20201119-p56g4i.html

 

[George Sancti]

DRAGONS


Six-again rule a focus for Red V as Griffin era begins
Author
Brad Walter NRL.com Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Wed 18 Nov 2020, 04:01 PM

New Dragons coach Anthony Griffin plans to work on ways to take better advantage of the six-again rule during pre-season training.

Griffin took charge of training at WIN Stadium for the first time on Tuesday with assistant coaches Peter Gentle and Matthew Elliott as the Dragons became one of the first teams to commence preparations for 2021.

Canterbury, South Sydney, Wests Tigers and the Warriors are also back in training, while Manly players return on Thursday.

Brisbane, Cronulla, Gold Coast, Newcastle and North Queensland start pre-season work next week.

For most clubs, including the Rabbitohs and Tigers, it will be a gradual build, with younger players starting now, the main group returning over coming weeks and Origin stars back in January.

Dragons' top five tries of 2020


Dragons' top five tries of 2020

"It was excellent," Griffin said of his first day with the Dragons players. "I met the full squad on the Wednesday after they broke the bubble but it was good to kick it off and get started."

Like most coaches in charge of a new team, Griffin will focus heavily on defence. The Dragons conceded an average of 22.6 points per match last season and 23.4 points per match in 2019.

However, there will also be changes in attack, with Ben Hunt likely to revert to halfback after spending more time in the hooking roles this year.

"I want to imprint our game philosophy and the way we want to play both in attack and defence," Griffin said.

Retiree reflections: James Graham


Retiree reflections: James Graham

"There will be an emphasis on tackle technique at the ruck and how we move together as a group.

"Attack-wise there are some experienced players here in [Ben] Hunt, [Corey] Norman and [Cameron] McInnes. Adam Clune had a break-out season and young Jayden Sullivan got his debut so there is a chance to work with those playmakers and put some stuff in place before next year."

With the six-again rule announced only weeks before the resumption of the Telstra Premiership on May 28, teams had to figure it out on the fly. Griffin has had the opportunity to sit back and analyse what it has done to the game.

The Dragons only scored eight tries after receiving a six-again call in the 18 rounds it was used, a stat Griffin plans on improving.

"There are obviously some tweaks you are going to have to make defensively because you are more than often going to be defending for a longer time," he said.

"If you have to make eight or nine tackles in a row and you lose the ruck two or three times in that period things will be put in place to counteract that now.

There will be an emphasis on tackle technique at the ruck and how we move together as a group

New Dragons coach Anthony Griffin
"In offense, it probably gives you more opportunity to play over the advantage line, so on both sides of the ball we have had a really good look at that over the last month since the coaching staff have been together and we will have some things to put in place to try and grab an advantage with that."

New recruit Poasa Fa’amausili was in attendance for the first training session under Griffin but star signing Jack Bird is continuing rehabilitation for the knee injured that sidelined him for the entire 2020 season.

Hunt, McInnes and fellow State of Origin suqad members Zac Lomax and Josh Kerr will take leave after the series.

As well as his proven performers, Griffin is excited about the opportunity to work with the emerging talent in the Dragons ranks.

New Dragons assistant coach Matt Elliott. NRL Photos
"I got a chance to see all the young guys who are coming through – Cody Ramsey, the Feagais [Mat and Max], Jayden Sullivan, Eddie Blacker and a couple of academy guys who trained really well like Tyrell Sloan, who played under 18s last year and was a standout," Griffin said.

When your club returns to training:

• Warriors: November 16
• Bulldogs: November 16
• Rabbitohs: November 16
• Wests Tigers: November 16
• Dragons: November 17
• Sea Eagles: November 19
• Broncos: November 23
• Cowboys: November 23
• Titans: November 23
• Sharks: November 25
• Knights: November 26
• Eels: November 30
• Roosters: November 30
• Raiders: December 7
• Panthers: December 14
• Storm: January 4

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/11/18/six-again-rule-a-focus-for-red-v-as-griffin-era-begins/

Getsmarty I have been meaning to thank you for some time now for all of the articles that you post. I used to spend hours searching through publications trying to find a story relevant to St George Illawarra. You provide a fine public service...well done !!

 

[getsmarty]

Getsmarty I have been meaning to thank you for some time now for all of the articles that you post. I used to spend hours searching through publications trying to find a story relevant to St George Illawarra. You provide a fine public service...well done !!

Your welcome @George Sancti .

 

[ALSGI]

Reported on 2GB news this morning.
Korbin has been released to Hull.
Ellis signed for further 12m.

 

[epDragon62]

Reported on 2GB news this morning.
Korbin has been released to Hull.
Ellis signed for further 12m.

I think this is a decent outcome. Hopefully Ellis develops with the new coaching and stays fit...

 

[Saints Forever]

I thought Ellis was very solid during his brief stint with the club.

He will be much fitter this coming season.

Has an offload in him and has footy smarts.

Solid defender.

Good result from recruitment.

Guessing it was made clear to Korbin that he would not receive a contract extension. Hence his decision to go to ESL.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Getsmarty I have been meaning to thank you for some time now for all of the articles that you post. !!

Big thanks you from me too Getsmarty, love your work champ.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Ellis is a good solid signing. He was unlucky not to be given a try against Parra when the bunker spotted a tiny movement of his hand to say he had no control or it was a knock on or some rubbish call. I felt for the kid cause he was wrapt when he scored only to be taken away by a dumb decision.

Can't wait for the JDB case to be over to get the team structure in place. 2 years of uncertainty over player retention.

Saints should learn from this and basically tell players from now. Anything like this happens again, you will be cut from the team immediately. JDB was an exception only because of the retrospective ruling as the rule was not in place when it happened, but they are all aware of it now and saw the impact it caused.

 

[1980]

I think this is a decent outcome. Hopefully Ellis develops with the new coaching and stays fit...

Yep that’s a nice little win I reckon. Not going to be that game breaking forward or two we obviously need but when you isolate those two players and force yourself to pick one, Ellis definitely gets the nod over Korbin. Another move on the chess board anyway. Like your pawn taking a pawn, hardly game deciding but advantage us nevertheless.

 

[qld redvee]

Yep that’s a nice little win I reckon. Not going to be that game breaking forward or two we obviously need but when you isolate those two players and force yourself to pick one, Ellis definitely gets the nod over Korbin. Another move on the chess board anyway. Like your pawn taking a pawn, hardly game deciding but advantage us nevertheless.

1980,
Agree with you and ellis was probably a tad cheaper thus keeping a bit more money in the war chest for further signings maybe ...... Unfortunately we didnt get to see the real Korbin due to injuries but ellis is a solid player that has potential to develop now that he is back under hook