2023 Ladder Prediction

[Lovemedragons]

Been watching the other games this week - it is pretty clear at this stage that we are in a lower division and avoiding the wooden spoon will depend on how the Dolphins shape up and perhaps Newcastle. We are in no better a position to compete than where we were when Griffin took the reins, perhaps a bit worse actually.

 

[Inisai Toga]

D

Been watching the other games this week - it is pretty clear at this stage that we are in a lower division and avoiding the wooden spoon will depend on how the Dolphins shape up and perhaps Newcastle. We are in no better a position to compete than where we were when Griffin took the reins, perhaps a bit worse actually.

I’d have to respectfully disagree. When he took over i thought that squad that year was the weakest Saints squad i’d ever seen; with Covid been cancelled for lower grades didn't know any young players and it looked pretty dismal. Least now we can see some optimistic signs with some of the young players coming through despite of-field distractions. A couple of strong forwards would complement things really nicely. Takes a while to develop your confidence and craft in first grade and i don’t think Saints are quite the train wreck alot are suggesting. Anyway lets hope we get a bit out of this year……

 

[Illusion]

Been watching the other games this week - it is pretty clear at this stage that we are in a lower division and avoiding the wooden spoon will depend on how the Dolphins shape up and perhaps Newcastle. We are in no better a position to compete than where we were when Griffin took the reins, perhaps a bit worse actually.

Yep agree , just off topic here , every time I see a highlight reel of a team scoring a try or a player that is being mentioned and their personal reel , guess who's in the background more often ? Yep the Dragons

 

[Dragon David]

After this weekend, we will be 9th on the NRL ladder after the Roosters beat the Dolphins and the Tigers beat the Titans.

Well don't follow my tips. How wrong was I?

 

[denis preston]

If Lomax played the way he has played over past few years he doesn’t make most teams.
When he’s playing well he’s elite but when he’s flicking the ball into the crowd he’s a liability, that wouldn’t be tolerated in most teams.
Su’a and JDB credible first graders, agree.

Lomax is not elite , just on elite money.

 

[denis preston]

This is just one example of how the coaching staff have let down a player who was once considered a up and coming talent

IMO blame recruitment not thre coaches.

 

[SEAT 1A]

After watching the first round, don't think we will get the spoon and yes, it's depressing to say I'm happy not to get the spoon.

Newie v Warriors and Bulldogs v Manly weren't much chop and after a good start, Tigers gave the game away.

 

[kit66]

When I got home and turned on the footy yesterday it was around the 55 minute minute mark of the Dolphins vs Rorters game and I thought wow 28-12 this will be good but obviously I missed all the action because the rest of that game was pretty average. Lots of errors, the phins service from dummy half was abysmal, and the overall handling and attack was really poor. The highlights looked good but the game tanked with 25 to go, just the one Rorters try. Sloppy and disorganized - both teams. First game of the year though I guess.

How many forward passes were thrown this weekend and not pulled up ? Also looks like the hold down is still allowed from some teams. I'd make a terrible ref, I'd penalize some teams off the park.

 

[Victoire]

When I got home and turned on the footy yesterday it was around the 55 minute minute mark of the Dolphins vs Rorters game and I thought wow 28-12 this will be good but obviously I missed all the action because the rest of that game was pretty average. Lots of errors, the phins service from dummy half was abysmal, and the overall handling and attack was really poor. The highlights looked good but the game tanked with 25 to go, just the one Rorters try. Sloppy and disorganized - both teams. First game of the year though I guess.

Umm.. bit weird to pass judgement when you started watching when the game was already done? Redcliffe were great for the rest of it, dominated the middle all game long, bashed the Roosters out of the contest and their dummy half was close to the man of the match

 

[Slippery Morris]

Totally agree Kitt66, there were a lot of forward passes this week but what was annoying was it was as if the refs were picking which to penalise and which not. There was no consistency at all. I saw some that were so blatant I thought I was watching NFL that were not called up and then I saw some that were called up and the pass was flat at best. Hopefully this improves.

 

[kit66]

Umm.. bit weird to pass judgement when you started watching when the game was already done? Redcliffe were great for the rest of it, dominated the middle all game long, bashed the Roosters out of the contest and their dummy half was close to the man of the match

Wasn't passing judgement, well not on the whole game, only on the 25 minutes I saw which were very ordinary from both teams. Yeah, some good hits and a couple of breaks but overall sloppy and just the one try. Some of the passes, mostly from dummy half from both teams went all over the place - over the sideline, behind everyone, at players feet and some kicks were just as bad. It's all there. But as I said, probably fatigue from the first game and the fast start, I'm sure the first 55 minutes were great to watch - the highlights certainly looked that way.
I like the Dolphins, I live in Brisbane and I'm really happy to have a second team here. Also Bennett is a magician only the Dragons were dumb enough not to sign him long term - a fact that still has me shaking my head - fkn Albert and Doust, what a pair of meatheads.

 

[Dragon David]

Gus 'guarantee' after disastrous Dragons run

'Got to make a statement about yourself'

wwos.nine.com.au

 

[OneEyedDragon]

Gus 'guarantee' after disastrous Dragons run

'Got to make a statement about yourself'

wwos.nine.com.au

Well, I hope for once that Gus knows what he is talking about! This is probably only the second time in my life I can say "I agree with Gus".

 

[Victoire]

This is what we've become. A club who promises to avoid the wooden spoon.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Yeah Gus is 100% sure Saints won't come last. That is what Saints have now become. A team that will try to avoid the spoon and if so make it a successful season. What a joke. Would love it if it was a matter if whether or not Saints can make top 4 but that won't be happening for a while if things don't change significantly.

People can hope Saints can repeat what the Cowboys did as they were tipped to come last in 2022 but made top 4. Difference is Cowboys had Payten start his tenure at the Cowboys in 2022 and was an unknown hence the prediction of coming last was partly made due to that I feel more than the cattle. He definitely proved that the Cows had the cattle and brought out the best in them. I honestly feel Saints are in the same boat. Gould even states that the cattle is good hence why he does not think they will finish last. The big change needed is direction of team on the field and that starts with the coach.

 

[Dragon David]

Yeah Gus is 100% sure Saints won't come last. That is what Saints have now become. A team that will try to avoid the spoon and if so make it a successful season. What a joke. Would love it if it was a matter if whether or not Saints can make top 4 but that won't be happening for a while if things don't change significantly.

People can hope Saints can repeat what the Cowboys did as they were tipped to come last in 2022 but made top 4. Difference is Cowboys had Payten start his tenure at the Cowboys in 2022 and was an unknown hence the prediction of coming last was partly made due to that I feel more than the cattle. He definitely proved that the Cows had the cattle and brought out the best in them. I honestly feel Saints are in the same boat. Gould even states that the cattle is good hence why he does not think they will finish last. The big change needed is direction of team on the field and that starts with the coach.

Hi Slippery

Todd Payten joined the Cowboys in 2021 from the Warriors and to replace Paul Green.

In 2021, the Cowboys finished 15th (second last) having lost 11 of the last 12 games in that year.

He had a good squad of players and he had Dean Young and Steve Georgallis as his assistant coaches. New Club, new ideas, new assistant coaches - needed time to gel.

In 2022, the coaches and players gelled and they came 3rd on the ladder so it didn't take them long to get used to Todd's coaching conditions. They were mentioned as the wooden spooners based on how they went in 2021 but they proved the pundits wrong.

Hook is now in his 3rd year with us and with new assistants and some roster changes. These changes could help us avoid the spoon, which Gus Gould thinks we will, but in my opinion is not strong enough to get to the 3rd position on the ladder as the Cowboys achieved last year.

For us to be in the top 4, which we have not been able to achieve since 2011, a reasonably long time ago, we would need to see how we are going say up to round 14 (arbitrary number) this year. If we are winning more than losing and our combinations are working and conditioning and strength holding on well, that would be a good time to determine if a better coach can instil more in the players we have, determine what players we need for more improvement etc for 2024. Maybe after round 14, Hook and his assistants are doing great and we just keep them and tweak with some player changes.

If of course we are hopeless by round 14, just get rid of the coach and many players and start all over again for 2024 which will be soul destroying as we will just go on and on to find the right regular winning formula.

 

[Walpole]

This is what we've become. A club who promises to avoid the wooden spoon.

It's ridiculous isn't it. Feels like it means if we finish 15th or 16th it will be seen as a good season.

 

[Dragon David]

As far as I'm concerned, Gould saying that we are a million to one of being the wooden spooners this year is a form of reverse psychology. He has put the mockers on us and we are doomed wooden spooners in 2023. Please don't let it happen!!

 

[kit66]

Is there a tipping thread in here somewhere ? I want to put my tips up for the round so I can go back later for a laugh.

 

[kit66]

As far as I'm concerned, Gould saying that we are a million to one of being the wooden spooners this year is a form of reverse psychology. He has put the mockers on us and we are doomed wooden spooners in 2023. Please don't let it happen!!

I noticed in the NRL.com "Expert" Tips that Ruan Sims has stopped tipping us, bloody turncoat, as soon as Tariq leaves. Pretty funny.
Freddy and Ennis have tipped us to beat the Tits as well. Good on Gus though, no way do we get the spoon.