2022 Squad: Gains, Losses & Re-signings.

[Gareth67]

Draw comes out at the end of the week for 22.
We will get sharks and dogs ×2 for sure.
Souths v Brisbane looks like being pencilled in for Round 1.

Realize that both teams have recruited well over the off season , however I feel confident that we will be able to beat them .

What concerns me is that for some unknown reason the Dragons always manage to play the previous season’s grand finalists twice , plus the ‘ powder monkeys ‘ from Sin City and those damn sombrero wearers from the Eastern suburbs also twice .

However that aside , we have ourselves a good size pack now with a few workhorses and some tough nuts that will not be pushed around . If the refs leave our boys alone this year then I believe that the Big Red V will be there at the end of most matches in 2022 .

 

[Drakon]

Hey guys. I used to be able to watch video stuff on the Dragons official website but now I can't. There is a message every time I try that "Sorry, this video is currently unavailable. Please try again soon" I've tried many times but to no avail. Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers DD

Hi David, sent you a message re your video watching problem.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

We have reasonably good depth for next year, however, the worrying issues are with Bud Sullivan, Bird, the Feagai brothers. The team shown in the Roar looks to me to be the one that Hook will be naming for round 1 subject to pre-season and trial games efforts.

After November 1 we should know who will go and who will stay out of these guys.

SGI must believe that their high performance/medical staff are a cut above every other clubs- Moga has been shown the door at multiple clubs so SGI has to be last chance hotel for him. I have to admit that I had serious doubts about the wisdom of signing dicky (knee) Bird, but, apart from a lack of pace, he has not disappointed. Just need to find the right spot for him which is probably No 13.

I probably say the same thing every year BUT... this has to be one of the most open and unpredictable years for the Dragons in a long time. Covid has ruined the last two seasons but hopefully players will revert to training at Wollongong and sleeping in their own beds. And with so many new players but also a bunch of existing talented but young and inexperienced players, it will take time to work out our best 17. Some will be brilliant and dominate, some will succumb to their injury proneness and or disciplinary problems, some will surprise and show form not shown for years and others, exposed as not NRL level, won't be able to cope with the pressure and disappear without a trace. Just who will fall into which box is what will keep me intrigued.

However, shrewd old Hook knows that the bait is 2023 and the inflated market with the Dolphins and an additional 10 mill up for grabs. Those contracted just for 2022 in particular have something exceptional to play for- either at the Dragons or somewhere else. Hook is hoping that will bring the best out of them- and I think his Psychology is on the money.

 

[possm]

I love Craig’s passion for St.George. But it does worry me reading him say he’s been there for 40 years so he knows how it all works. I mean ..... ok point taken in the spirit he probably meant it, but if things still work the way they did 40 years ago then we’re miles off.

I really loved Graig and Mary as a player in their day but good players don't necessarily make a good coach or manager and these two Dragons players are a prime example.

Just line up their achievements as a player up against their achievements post their playing days and no more needs to be said.

 

[possm]

SGI must believe that their high performance/medical staff are a cut above every other clubs- Moga has been shown the door at multiple clubs so SGI has to be last chance hotel for him. I have to admit that I had serious doubts about the wisdom of signing dicky (knee) Bird, but, apart from a lack of pace, he has not disappointed. Just need to find the right spot for him which is probably No 13.

I probably say the same thing every year BUT... this has to be one of the most open and unpredictable years for the Dragons in a long time. Covid has ruined the last two seasons but hopefully players will revert to training at Wollongong and sleeping in their own beds. And with so many new players but also a bunch of existing talented but young and inexperienced players, it will take time to work out our best 17. Some will be brilliant and dominate, some will succumb to their injury proneness and or disciplinary problems, some will surprise and show form not shown for years and others, exposed as not NRL level, won't be able to cope with the pressure and disappear without a trace. Just who will fall into which box is what will keep me intrigued.

However, shrewd old Hook knows that the bait is 2023 and the inflated market with the Dolphins and an additional 10 mill up for grabs. Those contracted just for 2022 in particular have something exceptional to play for- either at the Dragons or somewhere else. Hook is hoping that will bring the best out of them- and I think his Psychology is on the money.

Until development clubs receive fair compensation for the work they do for the NRL, they will mostly struggle to put a competitive team on the field each year. For all the time and expense it takes to develop an NRL standard player and then see them move on or not deliver the goods when it is time to give back is a week point in the current system.

Out situation, this season is that we have some very talented young talent coming through and rightly so, we need to usher them through even though they may not be up to the task each wee, So, in the time that they are not up to the task we need to have the depth to cover for them when they need a break from NRL games or when they are injured because their body shape still needs a lot of development.

The solution to this problem is salary cap compensation with any new recruits to the NRL,, the gaining club pays the development club a fee equal to the average annual salary of his contract.

This measure would:

* Provide the development club the necessary resources to provide better backup players for the players they get to keep.

* More fairly compensate the development club for their development cost.

* Encourage non-development clubs to invest in the development of their own juniors.

 

[Dragon David]

Hi David, sent you a message re your video watching problem.

Hi Drakon

I haven't received your message. Any chance of re-sending?

Cheers DD

 

[Yow]

Until development clubs receive fair compensation for the work they do for the NRL, they will mostly struggle to put a competitive team on the field each year. For all the time and expense it takes to develop an NRL standard player and then see them move on or not deliver the goods when it is time to give back is a week point in the current system.

Out situation, this season is that we have some very talented young talent coming through and rightly so, we need to usher them through even though they may not be up to the task each wee, So, in the time that they are not up to the task we need to have the depth to cover for them when they need a break from NRL games or when they are injured because their body shape still needs a lot of development.

The solution to this problem is salary cap compensation with any new recruits to the NRL,, the gaining club pays the development club a fee equal to the average annual salary of his contract.

This measure would:

* Provide the development club the necessary resources to provide better backup players for the players they get to keep.

* More fairly compensate the development club for their development cost.

* Encourage non-development clubs to invest in the development of their own juniors.

You are right on the money Possum our feathered friends will find away around that like he swam at Bondi 1 day makes him a junior

 

[hewi]

You are right on the money Possum our feathered friends will find away around that like he swam at Bondi 1 day makes him a junior

I think that’s perfectly reasonable, what’s the problem? Maybe dinner at the Iceburgs with Uncle Nick as well just to put polish on it

 

[Drakon]

Hi Drakon

I haven't received your message. Any chance of re-sending?

Cheers DD

I re-sent this morning David

 

[RedVDave]

I didn't like this quote:


“I’m not saying we are going to win the competition or finish in the top four – we just need to get into the semi finals,” Young said. “The fans are sick and tired of not (featuring). It’s as simple as that. You can’t hide from the fact

Why isn't it WE are all sick and tired of not being successful it feels like a subtle jab at our "hard to please die hard fans" the club should want success regardless. I might be reading to much into it but all clubs should strive to be great not just doing to appease the fans and keep em at bay.

..

 

[redandwhite4evr]

I didn't like this quote:


“I’m not saying we are going to win the competition or finish in the top four – we just need to get into the semi finals,” Young said. “The fans are sick and tired of not (featuring). It’s as simple as that. You can’t hide from the fact

Why isn't it WE are all sick and tired of not being successful it feels like a subtle jab at our "hard to please die hard fans" the club should want success regardless. I might be reading to much into it but all clubs should strive to be great not just doing to appease the fans and keep em at bay.

..

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Exactly RedVDave- The reason I was worried about having Albert, the proverbial bull in the China shop-as Chairman. He's managed to threaten poor old Hook who's hardly been able to get out of first gear with his coaching and now insult us, the fans.

 

[BBTB]

Exactly RedVDave- The reason I was worried about having Albert, the proverbial bull in the China shop-as Chairman. He's managed to threaten poor old Hook who's hardly been able to get out of first gear with his coaching and now insult us, the fans.

Actually yes, Fat Albert is a
Ex Bull ( police detective) He has the charisma of "Stand overman".Totally out of his
Use by date" ....Wrong man for the job.....Let move into the modern era....Sack the board,and let us vote a Board in that aren't dinosaurs..

 

[OhWhenTheSaints]

Yeah God love him. Back in the earliest days I remember him .... say that brutal Minor Semi Final against Souths in 1984 (still one of my favourites) he stood tall. But post playing career not so much. You’d want to hear your chairman talking about evolving and learning all the time .... even if we weren’t. NOT I know how it all works. That whole mentality is just wrong. Even IF it is out of context probably.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Les Davidson word for word said the only player he feared was Albert

And lets be honest Les thru more cheap shots than any footy player i have every watched

the challenge is working out has that tendency / behaviour made Albert into a great board member ?

 

[Gareth67]

Still early days , but let’s give the old bull a bit of time and if not , then I am sure that our friends at - TripADeal would have a discount airfare to China .

Albert certainly has not set the world on fire as a administrator , but as you gents have already said as a player the man was a joy to watch , the way he would tear into the opposition’s defense .

I recall a semi against Parramatta and the Dragons took a tap on the halfway mark , with Steve Edge feeding the ball straight on to a rampaging Albert who hit the line that hard that both Ronny Hiltich and that mug Graham Olling we’re both sent flying with Young going straight through their pack .

The look of surprise on Albert’s face was priceless , but the poor bloke was eventually pulled down just short of the Eels try line .

For what it’s worth I do hope that the man is able to do a good job in his new position and that in turn is passed on to the team itself on game day .

 

[ChocOConnor]

Say what you like about Albert but I was just starting my teens and my dad would also say in his ethnic accent how he would not stand in front of that number 11 of st George. He is very tough man. Imagine if we had 2 or 3 of him now. JWH wouldn’t be throwing his weight around like he does most games I can assure you. The photo of him and Dean in 2010 still brings a tear to my eye. Good luck Albert we need it.

 

[Dragon David]

I re-sent this morning David.

Thanks Drakon. Got your message and will get back to you. Appreciate your help.
Cheers DD

 

[possm]

Still early days , but let’s give the old bull a bit time of time and if not I am sure that our old friends - TripADeal would have a discount airfare to China .

Albert certainly has not set the world on fire as a administrator , but as you gents have already said as a player the man was a joy to watch , the way he would tear into the opposition’s defense .

I recall a semi against Parramatta and the Dragons took a tap on the halfway mark , with Steve Edge feeding the ball straight on to a rampaging Albert who hit the line that hard that both Ronny Hiltich and that mug Graham Olling we’re both sent flying with Young going straight through their pack .

The look of surprise on Albert’s face was priceless , but the poor bloke was eventually pulled down just short of the Eels try line .

For what it’s worth I do hope that the man is able to do a good job in his new position and that in turn is passed on to the team itself on game day .

Just like Gordon, his predecessor, no matter what the circumstances, Graig Young will remain in the job for the next 3 years. It was all part of the grubby deal done with the WIN / Gordon takeover. That deal robbed the Club of over 6m dollars when the underbid was granted the deal.

Young has been part of the problem for years. Along with Doust and a few shonky board members whose only concern has been their own self-interest. Mark my words g Craig Young's greatest gift the Dragons as a chairman of the board will be him paving the way for the appointment of his son Dean Young as head coach.

Frank Facer will go down in the St George history books as our greatest ever administrator, while Peter Doust and Craig Young will go down as our worst.

 

[BBTB]

Just like Gordon, his predecessor, no matter what the circumstances, Graig Young will remain in the job for the next 3 years. It was all part of the grubby deal done with the WIN / Gordon takeover. That deal robbed the Club of over 6m dollars when the underbid was granted the deal.

Young has been part of the problem for years. Along with Doust and a few shonky board members whose only concern has been their own self-interest. Mark my words g Craig Young's greatest gift the Dragons as a chairman of the board will be him paving the way for the appointment of his son Dean Young as head coach.

Frank Facer will go down in the St George history books as our greatest ever administrator, while Peter Doust and Craig Young will go down as our worst.

Couldn't agree more.Thanks for your comments......
That is the Truth of this shambolic Boys Club....That has ruined our Club.
Now it continues on....