2019 team line up

[Saint_JimmyG]

Charlesv
Dylan had a poor year last year in and out of the jersey flegg.
He is now to old for flegg and not good enough for isp.
Needs to improve a lot.

Dylan’s year unraveled not because of inability, rather it was due to the coach: a) losing faith and b) not allowing him to settle on one position.

Talent isn’t the issue.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

We get the rough end of the pineapple if we take SKD for Mann.

Don't understand why management doesn't simply tell Mann that he is a Saint till the end of 2019.

If Pearson, Peirera, Ravalawa, and Lomax are considered too inexperienced, why not play Mann on the wing.

Scored a bucketful of tries as a winger before.

The answer to your question may be predicated on Mann not wanting to play on the wing,

He’s the type of bloke who likes to see as much of the ball, hence his alleged desire to join Newcastle as a hooker.

 

[Crush]

You’re comparing apples and oranges there, although I (sorta) understand your point.

“Simpler fan base”? Phew, fortunately I don’t reside in that clique. As mentioned previously many times over, I don’t believe Saints necessarily received a “better option” though.

Hopefully, Robson’s development continues to accelerate next year.

Hey, "simpler fan base" is better than "window washers"! That's how BennyV refers to posters in the MAIN forum.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Hey, "simpler fan base" is better than "window washers"! That's how BennyV refers to posters in the MAIN forum.

I suppose that’s not too bad. After all, there are many worse things to lick.

 

[BennyV]

You’re comparing apples and oranges there, although I (sorta) understand your point.

“Simpler fan base”? Phew, fortunately I don’t reside in that clique. As mentioned previously many times over, I don’t believe Saints necessarily received a “better option” though.

Hopefully, Robson’s development continues to accelerate next year.

Didn’t group you in that category!

The comparison is more regarding fans being blind to their shortcomings because of a few highlights (and being a local junior), only to be hit by the truth a few years down the track when those shortcomings become impossible to ignore. Aitken falls into that category. Let’s hope Dufty doesn’t end up that way!

Hey, "simpler fan base" is better than "window washers"! That's how BennyV refers to posters in the MAIN forum.

Not all posters! But a decent sized sub-group! For example, anyone who has referred to Dufty as a future rep player, superstar or ‘da next Billy Slater’ when he’s a young fullback with potential to build into a career first grader.

 

[possm]

There is no balance to our 1-5. we are all HOPING that:
1. Dufty improves in the off-season and becomes more reliable at the back. We also hope he does not get injured because there is really no suitable replacement.
2. Pearson is all he is built up to be. We really won't know until he becomes our left winger. Can he play at right wing? Pearson, Pereira and Mann can all play left wing.
3. For those who promote Aitken as the most likely at right centre, consider whoever has to play outside him. Also consider how many times over the past few years he was found out in defence at right centre. Lomax immediately showed himself to be more than capable at right centre at the end of last season.
4. Lafai had his good games and his poor games last season. He can be effective at left centre and it appears the only player in our squad that is capable of keeping him honest is Mann - who wants out.
5. Who to select on the right wing. No one really stands out at this stage. If we bring in a tried and true first grade right winger / fullback, I would feel much more confident about our chances in 2019.

We have too many young and inexperienced backs at the Club who will be a risky selection in 2019. There is the chance that a couple of them will come through, maybe Pearson and Lomax however, the long term contracts of our preferred centres for the past few years - Aitken and Lafai will prove to be the decision that sets us back for the next two years. I'd prefer to see Lomax and Mann as our centres but then what do we do with Aitken and Lafai?

I'd put forward the following 1-5 noting their suitability out of 10:
1. Dufty - 5 who replaces Dufty if injured or if he fails?
2. Pearson - 4 an alternative left wing may cause a re-shuffle; Mann or Pereira.
3. Lomax - 7
4. Mann - 7
5. Pereira - 5

 

[Saints Forever]

Possm

In terms of depth for 1-5 we have the following possibilities:

Fullback Dufty,Field, Mann, Lomax, Marsters

RW Ravalawa,Lomax, Mann, Field, Marsters

RC Lomax, Aitken, Mann, Field

LC Lafai, Mann, Aitken

LW Periera, Mann, Pearson

5/8 Widdop, Field, Mann, Lomax

7 Hunt, Nicholls

I am more worried about who Mary selects if Hunt were injured.

When Lomax or Mann played RC this season our defence tightened up considerably.

Had the forwards not been mentally fatigued in second half of season, our halves would have had more time and space on the ball and the centres would have been more effective in attack.

For me Lomax must start at RC because he has far more skill in attack and is an excellent defender.

Given his ability under the high ball and his ability as a defender I would not be surprised to see Lomax given a crack at Fullback if Dufty is injured.

 

[watatank]

We get the rough end of the pineapple if we take SKD for Mann.

Don't understand why management doesn't simply tell Mann that he is a Saint till the end of 2019.

If Pearson, Peirera, Ravalawa, and Lomax are considered too inexperienced, why not play Mann on the wing.

Scored a bucketful of tries as a winger before.

It's pretty clear that the club doesn't rate Mann and he won't stay past 2019 so letting him go early to sign someone who can contribute makes a lot of sense.

 

[BLM01]

Possm

In terms of depth for 1-5 we have the following possibilities:

Fullback Dufty,Field, Mann, Lomax, Marsters

RW Ravalawa,Lomax, Mann, Field, Marsters

RC Lomax, Aitken, Mann, Field

LC Lafai, Mann, Aitken

LW Periera, Mann, Pearson

5/8 Widdop, Field, Mann, Lomax

7 Hunt, Nicholls

I am more worried about who Mary selects if Hunt were injured.

When Lomax or Mann played RC this season our defence tightened up considerably.

Had the forwards not been mentally fatigued in second half of season, our halves would have had more time and space on the ball and the centres would have been more effective in attack.

For me Lomax must start at RC because he has far more skill in attack and is an excellent defender.

Given his ability under the high ball and his ability as a defender I would not be surprised to see Lomax given a crack at Fullback if Dufty is injured.

Good analogy but my opinion re your possibilities
Fullback - take out Mann
RW - take out Field put in Pereira
RC - delete Field
LC - take out Aitken cant play left side for some reason (1st of my big worry positions)
LW - add Ravalawa (should be able to play both sides)
5/8th - Lomax?..no
7 - Big worry. Add Field or Widdop? Need someone better to back up (Nicholls is too slow) and I am sure Benny will end up being a hooker in time. Have we paid too much for Benny as a 5 more year half? Time will tell

LOMAX - 100.1% our right centre and Gasnier look alike. Bye bye Euan..see you in the backrow or utility spot

Forwards mentally fatigued. Our biggest and Mary's copout for an excuse. The backs were too if we are going down that path. All looked pretty fresh in the finals without a break as they played football. Injuries did hit us at the wrong time right near the end..but
The whole team got showed up for weaknessess in Round 10-24..in both attack and defense they did not address early on. We got away with it more early on.
e.g.
1. Heaps of mistakes were made in possession early on - dropped ball, poor pushed passing as we thought after the Titans / Newcastle game attack was going to come easy and we lost concentration
2. Missing tackles outside the middle (2nd half Round 4 against Newcastle highlighted that) and teams were cutting us up out wide only to squander chances early on..we scrambled OK early on to save our backside but lost that as the season went on.
3. By mid season teams had worked out our attack / defensive game plan and were ready. We were not ready to change!..and thought we did not need to as we already had our eye on playing and rolling into finals football mid season........and I lay full blame on Mary for that as he too..got comfortable and it showed!.
Just my take on last season

 

[Dorothy the Winowhore]

Not sure where the idea that Pearson can only play left wing came from. Yes, he played on the left for Redcliffe, but pretty sure he played right wing when selected for Broncos.

 

[Dragonslayer]

So, Fittler names Aitken in the emerging Blues squad.

This almost guarantees he will be our right centre in 2019.

Now what to do with Lomax? Right wing? Or ISP?

Who knows what goes through the mind of McGregor, in fact i'm not convinced he knows either.

 

[BLM01]

So, Fittler names Aitken in the emerging Blues squad.

This almost guarantees he will be our right centre in 2019.

Now what to do with Lomax? Right wing? Or ISP?

Who knows what goes through the mind of McGregor, in fact i'm not convinced he knows either.

Lomax no way..he should be right centre and hopefully trials or 1 trial proves that.

Call me old school and out of touch if you like but sometimes all these emerging camps and Representative jerseys from all walks of life is the norm but it means that just about nearly all in 1st grade gets touted as a rep player....and it may do more harm than good
I reckon that is what stuffed up Merrin at Saints when he was touted as the next big thing and he changed his game to his detriment and started talkin about himself how he would love to represent just after he got a regular 1st grade spot
Why do we need emerging Blues Squad..does it not swell the head of some of these players and $$$ signs for their managers, especially who have hardly played a game of 1st grade
Are we that short of NSW players that anyone in 1st grade is on the cusp of origin?
I mean Reece Robson & Blake Lawrie ...seriously.
I suppose this everyones a winner attitude in sport starts at Junior level and makes it tough to coach especially by the time they are 16-20

 

[possm]

Lomax no way..he should be right centre and hopefully trials or 1 trial proves that.

Call me old school and out of touch if you like but sometimes all these emerging camps and Representative jerseys from all walks of life is the norm but it means that just about nearly all in 1st grade gets touted as a rep player....and it may do more harm than good
I reckon that is what stuffed up Merrin at Saints when he was touted as the next big thing and he changed his game to his detriment and started talkin about himself how he would love to represent just after he got a regular 1st grade spot
Why do we need emerging Blues Squad..does it not swell the head of some of these players and $$$ signs for their managers, especially who have hardly played a game of 1st grade
Are we that short of NSW players that anyone in 1st grade is on the cusp of origin?
I mean Reece Robson & Blake Lawrie ...seriously.
I suppose this everyones a winner attitude in sport starts at Junior level and makes it tough to coach especially by the time they are 16-20

I'd say:
Select Lafai and Aitken in reserve grade and see if they ask for a release, also take a list of all the clubs chasing their signature. That's alright let them go.
Re-sign Herbert.

Select Lomax and Mann in the centres, they are our best options at centre right now.

So where would we be if we did this, we'd have our two best centres playing in the NRL run on side and we would have approx. an extra 450k to go with the approx. 700k already spare in our salary cap. That is an approx. 1.15m to spend on a good first grade winger/fullback and a first grade prop.

I wonder if Millward understands how easy it can be?

 

[ALSGI]

Lomax no way..he should be right centre and hopefully trials or 1 trial proves that.

Call me old school and out of touch if you like but sometimes all these emerging camps and Representative jerseys from all walks of life is the norm but it means that just about nearly all in 1st grade gets touted as a rep player....and it may do more harm than good
I reckon that is what stuffed up Merrin at Saints when he was touted as the next big thing and he changed his game to his detriment and started talkin about himself how he would love to represent just after he got a regular 1st grade spot
Why do we need emerging Blues Squad..does it not swell the head of some of these players and $$$ signs for their managers, especially who have hardly played a game of 1st grade
Are we that short of NSW players that anyone in 1st grade is on the cusp of origin?
I mean Reece Robson & Blake Lawrie ...seriously.
I suppose this everyones a winner attitude in sport starts at Junior level and makes it tough to coach especially by the time they are 16-20

If you’re saying Josh McCrone wasn’t the best potentialed Country Rep player ever........last year......then I’m hearing you.

 

[aquiin]

Mann doesn’t want to play in the centres. Easy.

 

[BLM01]

I'd say:
Select Lafai and Aitken in reserve grade and see if they ask for a release, also take a list of all the clubs chasing their signature. That's alright let them go.
Re-sign Herbert.

Select Lomax and Mann in the centres, they are our best options at centre right now.

So where would we be if we did this, we'd have our two best centres playing in the NRL run on side and we would have approx. an extra 450k to go with the approx. 700k already spare in our salary cap. That is an approx. 1.15m to spend on a good first grade winger/fullback and a first grade prop.

I wonder if Millward understands how easy it can be?

Not sure how you figured all those numbers out... but you have just explained it to him ..make sure your comment goes through the right channels and it might just land in his In-box. But I think Millward has an idea but he also is not the team selector. Mary..are you listening or reading all this stuff?

 

[BLM01]

If you’re saying Josh McCrone wasn’t the best potentialed Country Rep player ever........last year......then I’m hearing you.

I forgot..did he rep For the last country game in 2017?

 

[Dorothy the Winowhore]

And Herbert's partner wants to live in NZ.....easy.

I am sure Millward isn't as thick as some in here.

 

[Dragon66]

Found this over at The Kennel. Thought it might be of interest.

NRL DRAGONS 2019

SIGNED
Eddie Blacker (Brisbane Broncos U20). Jonus Pearson (Brisbane Broncos). Mikaele Ravalawa (Canberra Raiders). Korbin Sims (Brisbane Broncos). Lachlan Timm (Melbourne Storm).

RELEASED
Leeson Ah Mau (New Zealand Warriors). Reuben Garrick (Manly Sea Eagles). Patrick Herbert (New Zealand Warriors). Nene Macdonald (North Queensland Cowboys). Hame Sele (Penrith Panthers). Jason Nightingale (Retirement).

2019 SQUAD
1. Euan Aitken 2. Mitchell Allgood 3. Jack De Belin 4. Matthew Dufty 5. Jai Field 6. Tyson Frizell 7. James Graham 8. Jacob Host 9. Ben Hunt 10. Josh Kerr 11. Tim Lafai 12. Jeremy Latimore 13. Blake Lawrie 14. Luciano Leilua 15. Zac Lomax 16. Kurt Mann 17. Cameron McInnes 18. Darren Nicholls 19. Jonus Pearson 20. Jordan Pereira 21. Mikaele Ravalawa 22. Reece Robson 23. Tristan Sailor 24. Korbin Sims 25. Tariq Sims 26. Lachlan Timm 27. Paul Vaughan 28. Gareth Widdop 29. TBA 30. TBA

Development Squad: 31. Eddie Blacker 32. Jackson Ford 33. Hayden Lomax 34. Joe Lovodua 35. Steven Marsters 36. Jason Saab

NSW CUP

SIGNED
Tristan Alvarado (Mascot RLFC). Luke Asquith (Jamberoo Superoos). Zeik Foster (Central Queensland Capras QLD Cup). Michael James (Mascot RLFC). Eli Levido (Tweed Heads Seagulls QLD Cup). Charlton Schaafhausen (Newtown Jets NSW Cup). Topiese Taufa (Ex-Canberra Raiders). Mid: Pio Sokobalavu (Wentworthville Magpies NSW Cup).

RELEASED
Ryan Fletcher, Jay Gallagher, Stuart Mason, Jack Payne, Damian Sironen, John Tohi, TJ Uele (Released). Mid: James Hasson (Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles).

2019 SQUAD
https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/11/23/2019-isp-and-jersey-flegg-squads-announced/

JERSEY FLEGG

SIGNED
Blake Barbuto (Wests Illawarra RLFC). Jake Brisbane (Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles). Ashley Dunlop (Corrimal Cougars). Jake Fitzgerald (Collegians RLFC). Ethan George (Thirroul Butchers). Blair Grant (Warilla Lake South Gorillas). Mid: Jack Gordon (Canterbury Bulldogs U20).

RELEASED
Matheson Johns (Penrith Panthers). Tom Angel, Jack Cross, Josh Dowel, Jack Gordon, Dylan Morris, Trent Peoples, Jackson Willis (Released).

2019 SQUAD
https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/11/23/2019-isp-and-jersey-flegg-squads-announced/

CLUB RETENTION
Jason Saab (2022). Hayden Lomax, Zac Lomax, Jordan Pereira (2020). Mitchell Allgood, Matt Dufty, Josh Kerr, Jeremy Latimore, Joe Lovodua (2019).

 

[getsmarty]

NRL 2019: The biggest issue facing your NRL club this pre-season

• December 4, 2018 11:44am
• John Dean@johndean_
• Source: FOX SPORTS

DRAGONS — The wing position

St George Illawarra are still on the lookout for an established winger following Nene Macdonald’s release to North Queensland and Jason Nightingale’s retirement.

The club reportedly has around $500,000 to spend and was interested in Jarryd Hayne, but that’s now a no-go after the former Dally M winner was charged with aggravated sexual assault.

The Dragons have signed Jonus Pearson from Brisbane and Mikaele Ravalawa from Canberra, so both are options should they fail to find someone.

Book rookie Zac Lomax could also shift to the wing if coach Paul McGregor plays Tim Lafai and Euan Aitken in the centres.


https://www.foxsports.com.au/news/n...n/news-story/0870f34805b1425fe446458cd421ff40