100% Official Griffin for the next 2 years

[st.phil]

like the overall Griffin vibe thus far - everyone has to earn their keep and nobody bigger than the club. I dont mind contracts on the line for the first 6-8 rounds, keep em hungry.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

I like that he goes out of his way to mention players like Sullivan and Ramsey etc, just to let the incumbents look over their shoulders a bit.

 

[Biglance]

I like that he goes out of his way to mention players like Sullivan and Ramsey etc, just to let the incumbents look over their shoulders a bit.

I agree, and that he can get their names correct

 

[getsmarty]

Griffin opens up on Dragons' hellish off-season

Zachary Gates
9 hrs ago

Anthony Griffin's time at the Panthers ended in chaos and life as a coach continued to haunt him when he returned from the wilderness to lead the Dragons before Christmas.

The veteran mentor has endured a hellish off-season at St George Illawarra, which first turned ugly when playmaker Corey Norman was involved in a street fight in January. Norman and former NRL star James Segeyaro have since claimed to be innocent.


Drama again broke out when news surfaced of the club lodging an official submission to the NRL about signing controversial code-hopper Israel Folau, despite his history of making homophobic slurs on social media. That was followed by the Dragons' decision to abandon Folau but only closing out their pursuit with a two-line statement, prompting a roasting from rugby league great Mark Geyer.

Getty Israel Folau in action for Catalans Dragons in the Super League.
The blows continued to pound the club when inspirational skipper Cameron McInnes signed with arch-rivals Cronulla on a four-year deal from 2022, before the fringe NSW Blues hooker was ruled out of the 2021 season with the rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament.

And the latest controversy concerned the signing of former Brisbane and Newcastle hooker Andrew McCullough, which was questioned by Geyer and legendary code-hopper Wendell Sailor.

Getty Andrew McCullough at Broncos training.
Griffin addressed the avalanche of drama in an interview with WWOS Radio.

"The players are in great physical and mental condition. They're just busting to play as everyone is at this time of the year," Griffin said.

"Our club's going well. We did a couple of things over the last few weeks that in the short term might seem unusual but in the long term were all about making our club better.

"It's all going very well. Today was a good day to welcome Andrew to the club.

"We're looking forward to getting our game going in a couple of weeks' time.

"The big rehearsal is Souths in Mudgee next Saturday night, and then we've got two weeks to get prepared for Cronulla in Round One."

Getty Dragons captain Cameron McInnes.
The Dragons haven't played finals footy since 2018, having crashed to 15th on the ladder in 2019 and 12th in 2020.

Their quest for redemption copped a crushing blow when McInnes suffered his season-ending injury at training last Friday, with which Griffin has empathised.

"It was a terrible day on Friday for Cam," Griffin said.

"I really feel for him, he's a lovely kid, he's done a lot for the club over the years and for him to go down in his last year like that - it was one of those real tragedies that you unfortunately come across in rugby league."

The Dragons will get their 2021 campaign underway in a clash with the Sharks at Kogarah Oval on March 14.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/mor...iwhgIDAJEp9pgmKin3--n1KoVB8Xa3zSMqgNADgL6BRyc

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Griffin opens up on Dragons' hellish off-season

Zachary Gates
9 hrs ago

Anthony Griffin's time at the Panthers ended in chaos and life as a coach continued to haunt him when he returned from the wilderness to lead the Dragons before Christmas.

The veteran mentor has endured a hellish off-season at St George Illawarra, which first turned ugly when playmaker Corey Norman was involved in a street fight in January. Norman and former NRL star James Segeyaro have since claimed to be innocent.


Drama again broke out when news surfaced of the club lodging an official submission to the NRL about signing controversial code-hopper Israel Folau, despite his history of making homophobic slurs on social media. That was followed by the Dragons' decision to abandon Folau but only closing out their pursuit with a two-line statement, prompting a roasting from rugby league great Mark Geyer.

Getty Israel Folau in action for Catalans Dragons in the Super League.
The blows continued to pound the club when inspirational skipper Cameron McInnes signed with arch-rivals Cronulla on a four-year deal from 2022, before the fringe NSW Blues hooker was ruled out of the 2021 season with the rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament.

And the latest controversy concerned the signing of former Brisbane and Newcastle hooker Andrew McCullough, which was questioned by Geyer and legendary code-hopper Wendell Sailor.

Getty Andrew McCullough at Broncos training.
Griffin addressed the avalanche of drama in an interview with WWOS Radio.

"The players are in great physical and mental condition. They're just busting to play as everyone is at this time of the year," Griffin said.

"Our club's going well. We did a couple of things over the last few weeks that in the short term might seem unusual but in the long term were all about making our club better.

"It's all going very well. Today was a good day to welcome Andrew to the club.

"We're looking forward to getting our game going in a couple of weeks' time.

"The big rehearsal is Souths in Mudgee next Saturday night, and then we've got two weeks to get prepared for Cronulla in Round One."

Getty Dragons captain Cameron McInnes.
The Dragons haven't played finals footy since 2018, having crashed to 15th on the ladder in 2019 and 12th in 2020.

Their quest for redemption copped a crushing blow when McInnes suffered his season-ending injury at training last Friday, with which Griffin has empathised.

"It was a terrible day on Friday for Cam," Griffin said.

"I really feel for him, he's a lovely kid, he's done a lot for the club over the years and for him to go down in his last year like that - it was one of those real tragedies that you unfortunately come across in rugby league."

The Dragons will get their 2021 campaign underway in a clash with the Sharks at Kogarah Oval on March 14.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/mor...iwhgIDAJEp9pgmKin3--n1KoVB8Xa3zSMqgNADgL6BRyc

Thanks for yet another informative post GS- I, for one, have enjoyed many a good afternoon, evening and weekend as a result of your cheerful sign offs and I've never doubted it was meant in the right spirit. There are many ways of being generous and you give your time and skill to this forum to enrich all our lives. Don't let the doubters and haters get to you- the Dragons needs passionate people like you!

IMO, the signing of McC could be the make or break call for Griffin's coaching. Effectively, he's signalled that SGI won't be chasing Brandon Smith or any other younger gun hooker for the next three years. McCullough may offer what Cam didn't- a more dominant leadership style but we now have no reliable defender- and then we're back to the bad old days of leaking points. If Bird, a major medical risk as well, is reinjured or doesn't perform and if McCullough suffers another injury or fails to live up to what Griffin is claiming for him, Griffin will be out the door at the end of 2022.

 

[possm]

Thanks for yet another informative post GS- I, for one, have enjoyed many a good afternoon, evening and weekend as a result of your cheerful sign offs and I've never doubted it was meant in the right spirit. There are many ways of being generous and you give your time and skill to this forum to enrich all our lives. Don't let the doubters and haters get to you- the Dragons needs passionate people like you!

IMO, the signing of McC could be the make or break call for Griffin's coaching. Effectively, he's signalled that SGI won't be chasing Brandon Smith or any other younger gun hooker for the next three years. McCullough may offer what Cam didn't- a more dominant leadership style but we now have no reliable defender- and then we're back to the bad old days of leaking points. If Bird, a major medical risk as well, is reinjured or doesn't perform and if McCullough suffers another injury or fails to live up to what Griffin is claiming for him, Griffin will be out the door at the end of 2022.

On a more positive note:

• If McCullough's game management skills turn out to be match wining.
• If Bird successfully recovers and desplays the skills we all know he has.
• If The forwards step up in defence and produce the line speed in defence we all know is needed to win games.
• If our young guns produce the tries that have been locking over recent seasons.
• If De Belin becomes available and plays well
• If Griffin and his staff get us into the finals

Then all will be well and the Club seen to have made the right decisions.

 

[Willow]

Griffin opens up on Dragons' hellish off-season

Zachary Gates
9 hrs ago

Anthony Griffin's time at the Panthers ended in chaos and life as a coach continued to haunt him when he returned from the wilderness to lead the Dragons before Christmas.

The veteran mentor has endured a hellish off-season at St George Illawarra, which first turned ugly when playmaker Corey Norman was involved in a street fight in January. Norman and former NRL star James Segeyaro have since claimed to be innocent.


Drama again broke out when news surfaced of the club lodging an official submission to the NRL about signing controversial code-hopper Israel Folau, despite his history of making homophobic slurs on social media. That was followed by the Dragons' decision to abandon Folau but only closing out their pursuit with a two-line statement, prompting a roasting from rugby league great Mark Geyer.

Getty Israel Folau in action for Catalans Dragons in the Super League.
The blows continued to pound the club when inspirational skipper Cameron McInnes signed with arch-rivals Cronulla on a four-year deal from 2022, before the fringe NSW Blues hooker was ruled out of the 2021 season with the rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament.

And the latest controversy concerned the signing of former Brisbane and Newcastle hooker Andrew McCullough, which was questioned by Geyer and legendary code-hopper Wendell Sailor.

Getty Andrew McCullough at Broncos training.
Griffin addressed the avalanche of drama in an interview with WWOS Radio.

"The players are in great physical and mental condition. They're just busting to play as everyone is at this time of the year," Griffin said.

"Our club's going well. We did a couple of things over the last few weeks that in the short term might seem unusual but in the long term were all about making our club better.

"It's all going very well. Today was a good day to welcome Andrew to the club.

"We're looking forward to getting our game going in a couple of weeks' time.

"The big rehearsal is Souths in Mudgee next Saturday night, and then we've got two weeks to get prepared for Cronulla in Round One."

Getty Dragons captain Cameron McInnes.
The Dragons haven't played finals footy since 2018, having crashed to 15th on the ladder in 2019 and 12th in 2020.

Their quest for redemption copped a crushing blow when McInnes suffered his season-ending injury at training last Friday, with which Griffin has empathised.

"It was a terrible day on Friday for Cam," Griffin said.

"I really feel for him, he's a lovely kid, he's done a lot for the club over the years and for him to go down in his last year like that - it was one of those real tragedies that you unfortunately come across in rugby league."

The Dragons will get their 2021 campaign underway in a clash with the Sharks at Kogarah Oval on March 14.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/mor...iwhgIDAJEp9pgmKin3--n1KoVB8Xa3zSMqgNADgL6BRyc

I wouldn't be calling Corey Norman as part of some 'hellish' off season.

 

[Dragon David]

On a more positive note:

• If McCullough's game management skills turn out to be match wining.
• If Bird successfully recovers and desplays the skills we all know he has.
• If The forwards step up in defence and produce the line speed in defence we all know is needed to win games.
• If our young guns produce the tries that have been locking over recent seasons.
• If De Belin becomes available and plays well
• If Griffin and his staff get us into the finals

Then all will be well and the Club seen to have made the right decisions.

I like your positives possm.
While McInnes's defence will be missed, our players will definitely be coached to do a lot more team defending than it had done and relied on McInnes to do too much. As you say, if the forwards step up in defence and produce the line speed in defence this will help us win games provided of course we score more than the opposition and defend the points.

 

[blacksafake]

On a more positive note:

• If McCullough's game management skills turn out to be match wining.
• If Bird successfully recovers and desplays the skills we all know he has.
• If The forwards step up in defence and produce the line speed in defence we all know is needed to win games.
• If our young guns produce the tries that have been locking over recent seasons.
• If De Belin becomes available and plays well
• If Griffin and his staff get us into the finals

Then all will be well and the Club seen to have made the right decisions.

Lot of If's.

 

[blacksafake]

Thanks for yet another informative post GS- I, for one, have enjoyed many a good afternoon, evening and weekend as a result of your cheerful sign offs and I've never doubted it was meant in the right spirit. There are many ways of being generous and you give your time and skill to this forum to enrich all our lives. Don't let the doubters and haters get to you- the Dragons needs passionate people like you!

IMO, the signing of McC could be the make or break call for Griffin's coaching. Effectively, he's signalled that SGI won't be chasing Brandon Smith or any other younger gun hooker for the next three years. McCullough may offer what Cam didn't- a more dominant leadership style but we now have no reliable defender- and then we're back to the bad old days of leaking points. If Bird, a major medical risk as well, is reinjured or doesn't perform and if McCullough suffers another injury or fails to live up to what Griffin is claiming for him, Griffin will be out the door at the end of 2022.

Well said.

 

[randomdragon]

Paul Kent wrote an article today about why mccollough will be good for us in the long run, can someone post? I believe it was in the tele or SMH

 

[getsmarty]

Thanks for yet another informative post GS- I, for one, have enjoyed many a good afternoon, evening and weekend as a result of your cheerful sign offs and I've never doubted it was meant in the right spirit. There are many ways of being generous and you give your time and skill to this forum to enrich all our lives. Don't let the doubters and haters get to you- the Dragons needs passionate people like you!

IMO, the signing of McC could be the make or break call for Griffin's coaching. Effectively, he's signalled that SGI won't be chasing Brandon Smith or any other younger gun hooker for the next three years. McCullough may offer what Cam didn't- a more dominant leadership style but we now have no reliable defender- and then we're back to the bad old days of leaking points. If Bird, a major medical risk as well, is reinjured or doesn't perform and if McCullough suffers another injury or fails to live up to what Griffin is claiming for him, Griffin will be out the door at the end of 2022.

Thanks for your positivity @redandwhite4evr ...Enjoy the rest of your week and hopefully we see some good signs against the Eels in the next trial.

 

[getsmarty]

Paul Kent wrote an article today about why mccollough will be good for us in the long run, can someone post? I believe it was in the tele or SMH

Very good article and on the mark...maybe a digital subscriber can post. Thanks in advance.

 

[draco]

Paul Kent wrote an article today about why mccollough will be good for us in the long run, can someone post? I believe it was in the tele or SMH

Paul Kent: Dragons signing Andrew McCullough and letting Cameron McInnes leave is salary cap gold


The St George Illawarra faithful are filthy, but Anthony Griffin’s Cameron McInnes-Andrew McCullough switch might be the catalyst to take the club back a decade to some good times.


Andrew McCullough’s contract with St George Illawarra looks remarkably astute after Cameron McInnes’ season-ending injury suffered last week.

Assuming, of course, we didn’t know the Dragons had pursued McCullough for some time.

And assuming, also, we didn’t know that regular hooker and two-time Player of the Year McInnes was bumped out of the club on the expectation McCullough, in the twilight of his career, would soon be arriving.

Dragons fans are already thinking up witty signs to wave on the hill at Kogarah to show their displeasure at coach Anthony Griffin’s recruitment strategy, letting McInnes leave in place of McCullough.

A few ideas to get them started: “Hook, Hook”, “Ain’t riffin’ with Griffin”, “By Hook You’re Crook”.

But Dragons fans might need a rethink.

Griffin’s decision to swap McInnes out and bring McCullough in might be the catalyst to take the club back a decade when they were defending premiers, premiership heavyweights, with one of the game’s best rosters.

As unpopular as it seems, it is among the most grown up decisions the Dragons have made for some time.

Few agree with McCullough’s signing on a three-year deal finally confirmed on Monday, although more do now after McInnes went down at training last week with a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear.


But it made sense all along.

As equally important as talent on any roster is the assembly of talent.

One of the two functions of the salary cap, the first being to stop clubs spending themselves broke, is to level out the playing talent. In theory, anyway.

If it fails, it fails because of human error. Mostly clubs.

The trick to beating the cap is value for money and, while most fans compare McInnes and McCullough purely on a talent for talent basis, few factor in what they consume on the cap.

The Wests Tigers are still to emerge from their Siberia after the salary cap got bent wildly out of shape under previous coach Ivan Cleary.

When Josh Reynolds brought the Tigers offer into Ray Dib’s office, the then Canterbury chairman picked himself off the floor and told Reynolds there was no way the Bulldogs could possibly compete.

Dib urged Reynolds to take the money yet he was crucified by the Bulldogs faithful for letting a favourite son like Reynolds go, with no consideration to the difference in offers.

The Dragons were in a similar quandary.

McInnes deservedly won the club’s Player of the Year award the past two seasons. He did so playing a mix of hooker and lock, two vastly different positions.

He was originally a hooker but seemed more comfortable at lock, where the burden of running the attack did not interfere with his effort.

But in a premiership team like the Storm or Roosters, the premiers from the past three seasons, where would McInnes play?

Would he oust Cameron Murray or Damien Cook at Souths?

If it would be hard to find a position for McInnes at those clubs, how could the Dragons spend the same money in terms of cap space and still hope to compete on the field?

When do the Dragons begin to discipline their cap, if not now?

Cronulla was prepared to offer McInnes money that another club chief executive conceded, privately, was about $100,000 to $150,000 above his true market value.

It might suit Cronulla, given where the club is at in terms of salary cap space and playing strength.

But it did not suit the Dragons, who have Jack de Belin at lock (pending his court case) and could get McCullough for less than half of what McInnes would be paid.

There is now money to also push elsewhere into the cap.

All the strong clubs have clear values what they call a player’s “walk away” number.

After Shannon Boyd played for Australia, his manager sought a significant upgrade in his next contract with the Raiders.

Boyd was chasing north of $600,000 to stay in Canberra, a number well above the Raiders’ walk away number.

And so he walked, leaving to join Gold Coast who paid what Boyd wanted, with questionable return.

After Brenko Lee played for Queensland last year, having been picked up on a train and trial contract with the Storm a year earlier, his manager quietly pushed for an upgrade that would reflect Lee’s State of Origin status.

The Storm, one of the better teams at keeping their cap in shape, re-signed Lee for another year but well short of what would be considered Origin money.

They weren’t prepared to bend their cap out of shape.

McInnes went to market and his manager told the Dragons early that he would be looking at around $650,000 a season to stay.

It was above the Dragons’ walk away amount and so, when the Cronulla offer lobbed, the Dragons did nothing but give him their blessing.

Why insult him with a lesser offer?

Why not wish him the best, the reward for his hard work?

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...d/news-story/e379f9b61e60c48de405e0c076581b40

 

[BLM01]

So Hook and our club are copping it a plenty from many a media source (but not all)
Unlike our prior protected species coach and club of previous years
Warranted?..debatable... so far this year for the club.
But for Hook without 1 NRL game under his belt with us...No

But I also can see losses in the first 2-3 rounds and the vultures will swirl and swoop.

It is just going to take some time to establish the right depth, players, these young guns time to adapt to playing against some hardened seasoned players in reggies and $$$ balance in our squad noting also we cant afford to pay out 3 years of Hunt if he does not perform. If he does he might be close to earning his keep.

Yes I am hoping to shut all these knife chuckers up with some mixed but solid performances. But it will take a few rounds for us to see the Hook and staff influence and fairly he needs at least half a season to get our squad firing to a point of cohesion and looking like winning or dominating some games and next year a well improved roster challenging for the 8 in 2022 after another needed but carefully selected clean out.
Look at the Titans..they now roll out the Holbrook / Mal Meninga Messiah calls after a few wins on the trot late season catapulted them into 9th and after opening the cheque book, look a fair bit stronger and have invested a lot of $$$ in only a couple but admittedly key players with some yet to live up to the hype.

I just hope Hook is given the same time latitiude but we all know he wont...but the supporters and club should.
Please dont stress about trials. Yes the CS they dont have to win but it is tradition to show some competitiveness and grit, not like the debacle of the last 5 years.
Mary was given 6 years by the club and media..the supporters were harsher and rightfully so....talk about equality.

If we are still playing like its 2019 / 2020 well into 2022, well I will be the 1st to stand up and say Hook may have been a failed exercise and bring back mary ..bring in someone else....but not even on the radar right now.

 

[Gareth67]

So Hook and our club are copping it a plenty from many a media source (but not all)
Unlike our prior protected species coach and club of previous years
Warranted?..debatable... so far this year for the club.
But for Hook without 1 NRL game under his belt with us...No

But I also can see losses in the first 2-3 rounds and the vultures will swirl and swoop.

It is just going to take some time to establish the right depth, players, these young guns time to adapt to playing against some hardened seasoned players in reggies and $$$ balance in our squad noting also we cant afford to pay out 3 years of Hunt if he does not perform. If he does he might be close to earning his keep.

Yes I am hoping to shut all these knife chuckers up with some mixed but solid performances. But it will take a few rounds for us to see the Hook and staff influence and fairly he needs at least half a season to get our squad firing to a point of cohesion and looking like winning or dominating some games and next year a well improved roster challenging for the 8 in 2022 after another needed but carefully selected clean out.
Look at the Titans..they now roll out the Holbrook / Mal Meninga Messiah calls after a few wins on the trot late season cataputed them into 9th and after opening the cheque book, look a fair bit stronger and have invested a lot of $$$ in only a couple but admittedly key players with some yet to live up to the hype.

I just hope Hook is given the same time latitiude but we all know he wont...but the supporters and club should.
Please dont stress about trials. Yes the CS they dont have to win but it is tradition to show some competitiveness and grit, not like the debacle of the last 5 years.
Mary was given 6 years by the club and media..the supporters were harsher and rightfully so....talk about equality.

Agree BLMO1 , the supporters must give Griffin our full support and far as the results go I believe we will not see the benefits upon the team until the latter part of the year .

Still in saying that there shall be glimpses of good form throughout the season , however we cannot expect the man to wave a magic wand and expect the many years of ‘ Marynism ‘ to disappear overnight .

 

[Gareth67]

Well how wrong can a man be ? ? ?

 

[redVinme]

View attachment 46064

Well how wrong can a man be ? ? ?

Link?

 

[Gareth67]

Link?

I have no idea how to supply a link my friend as I possess an iPad only - not computer literate unfortunately. However if you look at tonight’s FoxSports NRL page you will certainly see the story .

 

[redVinme]

I have no idea how to supply a link my friend as I possess an iPad only - not computer literate unfortunately. However if you look at tonight’s FoxSports NRL page you will certainly see the story .

That's all I need. Thank you good sir.

What a crock of shit.