2018 and beyond, our squad and recruitment.

[Dragonslayer]

So, with the rumoured signings of Nicholls and now Allgood our top 30 squad is now complete (assuming Thommo is staying).
Many people forget or choose to ignore the fact we now need to fill 2 squads.....1st grade and now the revamped reserve grade.
Signings such as Latimore, Allgood and Nichollscare not to prevent any junior progression, moreso to enhance it and even secure their position within the Dragons network. Experience is essential with the mix we gave of juniors coming through. Imagine them (our juniors) gaining experience in reggies only getting flogged each week. It would do norhing for their confidence or development. A competitive reggies team would keep pressure on 1st graders and when the time was right, they would slot in seemlessly into the 1st grade team. A playet diwn on confidence or playing in a poorly performed team would probably begin looking elsewhere sooner rather than later.
So, these "reserve grade" signings serve more purpise than just naking up numbers, their roles are much bigger and crucial to our club now and moving forward.

 

[coast_dragons]

So, with the rumoured signings of Nicholls and now Allgood our top 30 squad is now complete (assuming Thommo is staying).
Many people forget or choose to ignore the fact we now need to fill 2 squads.....1st grade and now the revamped reserve grade.
Signings such as Latimore, Allgood and Nichollscare not to prevent any junior progression, moreso to enhance it and even secure their position within the Dragons network. Experience is essential with the mix we gave of juniors coming through. Imagine them (our juniors) gaining experience in reggies only getting flogged each week. It would do norhing for their confidence or development. A competitive reggies team would keep pressure on 1st graders and when the time was right, they would slot in seemlessly into the 1st grade team. A playet diwn on confidence or playing in a poorly performed team would probably begin looking elsewhere sooner rather than later.
So, these "reserve grade" signings serve more purpise than just naking up numbers, their roles are much bigger and crucial to our club now and moving forward.

Slayer as always your post makes alot of sense.

The same people who have an issue with Latimore and Allgood (If he comes) are the same people who said Lawrie isn't ready for the rigours of week to week first grade and in truth he isn't so having guys with experience will only help.

If you look at the prop rotation Vaughan and Graham will start with Ah Mau off the bench and hopefully another prop to ease the load.

Graham is on the wrong side of 30 and Ah Mau went froma start to the bench last year so that leaves Vaughan who had to carry the load alot when Packer decided to go missing at the backend of the year.

Latimore is a no fuss low error rate prop and Allgood will give that little insurance allowing Lawrie and Kerr to progress further.

Another year plying their trade in a prop reserve based grade team will do Blake and Josh wonders.

Nicholls adds a 7 who has experience at ISP and Q Cup level. He is a much more complete player then Nona and Hutchison and is a good leader who will help whoever plays 6 (Field perhaps).

 

[getsmarty]

So, with the rumoured signings of Nicholls and now Allgood our top 30 squad is now complete (assuming Thommo is staying).
Many people forget or choose to ignore the fact we now need to fill 2 squads.....1st grade and now the revamped reserve grade.
Signings such as Latimore, Allgood and Nichollscare not to prevent any junior progression, moreso to enhance it and even secure their position within the Dragons network. Experience is essential with the mix we gave of juniors coming through. Imagine them (our juniors) gaining experience in reggies only getting flogged each week. It would do norhing for their confidence or development. A competitive reggies team would keep pressure on 1st graders and when the time was right, they would slot in seemlessly into the 1st grade team. A playet diwn on confidence or playing in a poorly performed team would probably begin looking elsewhere sooner rather than later.
So, these "reserve grade" signings serve more purpise than just naking up numbers, their roles are much bigger and crucial to our club now and moving forward.

Well Said.

 

[dragonssamy61]

So, with the rumoured signings of Nicholls and now Allgood our top 30 squad is now complete (assuming Thommo is staying).
Many people forget or choose to ignore the fact we now need to fill 2 squads.....1st grade and now the revamped reserve grade.
Signings such as Latimore, Allgood and Nichollscare not to prevent any junior progression, moreso to enhance it and even secure their position within the Dragons network. Experience is essential with the mix we gave of juniors coming through. Imagine them (our juniors) gaining experience in reggies only getting flogged each week. It would do norhing for their confidence or development. A competitive reggies team would keep pressure on 1st graders and when the time was right, they would slot in seemlessly into the 1st grade team. A playet diwn on confidence or playing in a poorly performed team would probably begin looking elsewhere sooner rather than later.
So, these "reserve grade" signings serve more purpise than just naking up numbers, their roles are much bigger and crucial to our club now and moving forward.

100%.
Finally someone who gets it.

 

[Dragon Revival]

If we need to use at least 34 players each week for NRL and NSW Cup we need to have at least 40 capable players bearing in mind that about 6 are out injured once the season starts. We have had inadequate depth since Bennett left so it is crucial to get back to the depth we had in 1985 when I think we reached all three grand finals.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

2018 = 2009

 

[Dragonslayer]

So now we have our 30 players. Broken down as:

Forwards: 14
Ah Mau, Allgood, DeBelin, Frizell, Graham, Host, Kerr, Latimore, Lawrie, Leilua, Sele, Sims, Thompson, Vaughan

Backs: 11
Aitken, Dufty, Field, Garrick, Herbert, Lafai, Lomax, McDonald, Mann, Nightingale, Periera

Hookers: 2
McInness, Robson

Halves: 3
Hunt, Nicholls, Widdop

Development players: 2 (at this time, more to be added)
Masters, Sailor

Early squads (my opinion only what McGregor will go with)
.............................1st grade..................................................Reserve grade
Fullback.................Dufty...........................................................Field
Wing......................Nene...........................................................Periera
Wing......................Nighty.........................................................Garrick
Centre....................Aitken.........................................................Lomax
Centre....................Lafai...........................................................Herbert
5/8..........................Widdop......................................................Sailor*
Half........................Hunt...........................................................Nicholls
Lock.......................JDB............................................................Sele
Prop........................Vaughan...................................................Lawrie
Prop........................Graham.....................................................Latimore
Back-row.................Friz...........................................................Leilua
Back-row.................Thommo...................................................?
Hooker....................McInnes....................................................Robson

Bench......................LAM.........................................................Allgood
Bench......................Sims........................................................Kerr
Bench......................Host.........................................................?
Bench......................Mann........................................................Masters*

*I'm sure they can play reserve grade but not 1st grade, but I may be wrong.

2 spots to fill in reserve grade, wether that be by development players or are they sourced from the Illawarra league, I don't know.

Looking closely at the squads its pretty obvious why we signed Nicholls and Allgood and given the structure there appears to be no roadblocks to junior development or youngsters who are ready to take the next step.

 

[BennyV]

Lack of a backup hooker is concerning.

 

[Life's Good]

Lack of a backup hooker is concerning.

Lack of a coach trumps that.

 

[jak]

speaking of recruitment can somebody tell me if craig young is still with the club if so in what capacity.thanking all in advance.

 

[MrDragon007]

So now we have our 30 players. Broken down as:

Forwards: 14
Ah Mau, Allgood, DeBelin, Frizell, Graham, Host, Kerr, Latimore, Lawrie, Leilua, Sele, Sims, Thompson, Vaughan

Backs: 11
Aitken, Dufty, Field, Garrick, Herbert, Lafai, Lomax, McDonald, Mann, Nightingale, Periera

Hookers: 2
McInness, Robson

Halves: 3
Hunt, Nicholls, Widdop

Development players: 2 (at this time, more to be added)
Masters, Sailor

Early squads (my opinion only what McGregor will go with)
.............................1st grade..................................................Reserve grade
Fullback.................Dufty...........................................................Field
Wing......................Nene...........................................................Periera
Wing......................Nighty.........................................................Garrick
Centre....................Aitken.........................................................Lomax
Centre....................Lafai...........................................................Herbert
5/8..........................Widdop......................................................Sailor*
Half........................Hunt...........................................................Nicholls
Lock.......................JDB............................................................Sele
Prop........................Vaughan...................................................Lawrie
Prop........................Graham.....................................................Latimore
Back-row.................Friz...........................................................Leilua
Back-row.................Thommo...................................................?
Hooker....................McInnes....................................................Robson

Bench......................LAM.........................................................Allgood
Bench......................Sims........................................................Kerr
Bench......................Host.........................................................?
Bench......................Mann........................................................Masters*

*I'm sure they can play reserve grade but not 1st grade, but I may be wrong.

2 spots to fill in reserve grade, wether that be by development players or are they sourced from the Illawarra league, I don't know.

Looking closely at the squads its pretty obvious why we signed Nicholls and Allgood and given the structure there appears to be no roadblocks to junior development or youngsters who are ready to take the next step.

Spot on. We seem to have good depth players going into 2018.
If our forwards get injured, id rather a Latimore or Allgood over Marketo and Mathews.
Hopefully Latimore and Allgood can provide the mental and physical challenge the likes of Kerr, Leilua and Lawrie need to take the step up and maybe make a go of it in first grade.
If these youngsters arent upto it, then Latimore and Allgood are miles ahead of Mathews and Marketo imo.

 

[BennyV]

speaking of recruitment can somebody tell me if craig young is still with the club if so in what capacity.thanking all in advance.

I believe he is on the board of directors.

 

[jak]

I believe he is on the board of directors.

thanks ben.

 

[Coffs dragon]

I believe he is on the board of directors.

Hey Benny I think he's only on the Board for St.George Leagues Club these days and not the JV operation!

 

[hewi]

speaking of recruitment can somebody tell me if craig young is still with the club if so in what capacity.thanking all in advance.

Ballast?

 

[2010]

Spot on. We seem to have good depth players going into 2018.
If our forwards get injured, id rather a Latimore or Allgood over Marketo and Mathews.
Hopefully Latimore and Allgood can provide the mental and physical challenge the likes of Kerr, Leilua and Lawrie need to take the step up and maybe make a go of it in first grade.
If these youngsters arent upto it, then Latimore and Allgood are miles ahead of Mathews and Marketo imo.

How did Kerr perform this season. Is he first grade material

 

[BennyV]

Hey Benny I think he's only on the Board for St.George Leagues Club these days and not the JV operation!

Fair enough.

 

[getsmarty]

Jeremy Latimore
A A

• Date of Birth: 08-10-1986
• Height: 191cm
• Weight: 110kg
• Position: Prop
• Rep. Honours: PM XIII (2015), Junior Kangaroos (2005)
• Junior Clubs: Port Macquarie Sharks
• Previous Clubs: Parramatta Eels (2009), New Zealand Warriors (2010-2011), St George Illawarra Dragons (2012), Penrith Panthers (2013-2016), Cronulla Sharks (2017)
• FG Debut: Parramatta Eels v South Sydney Rabbitohs, ANZ Stadium, 22/05/2009 (Round 11)
• Club Debut: v Newcastle Knights, Hunter Stadium, 01/03/2012 (Round 1)

Latimore returns to the Dragons for the first time in six years after signing a one-year deal with the Red V for the 2018 Telstra Premiership season.

With stints at the Penrith Panthers and Cronulla Sharks under his belt since his time at the Dragons, Latimore will add invaluable experience to the club's wider squad in 2018.

http://www.dragons.com.au/team/profiles/jeremy_latimore.html

 

[denis preston]

Hey Benny I think he's only on the Board for St.George Leagues Club these days and not the JV operation!

Doesn't he live in the Gong ? Strange if true .

 

[Coffs dragon]

Doesn't he live in the Gong ? Strange if true .

Hey Denis....it's only what I read a few years back. It claimed Craig Young was on the Board of Directors of both the St.George Leagues Club and the St.George District Rugby League. I know he owns a Pub in the Gong region and lives down that area, but being on the Board is a meeting now and then with a free Chinese feed!