2024 Squad List

[TheRev]

Bird has always been determined to stay with the Dragons and late last week it was revealed the club agreed to meet his demands for a longer deal by adding a third year to their offer as a mutual option

I just realised this extract is taken from his previous deal, you scared me ^_^

 

[Dragonslayer]

I'm willing to give Bird the BOTD for at least the pre-season and possibly the first couple of rounds.
He knows what's expected undet Flanno, and he already chose to return to training 'early'.
There were lots of easy options under the previous coaching,however, this group knows already the new expectations.

Jack's a weapon when fit and in the right mind space, can Flanno get him there is the big question.

 

[BLM01]

A

I am hoping that there will be a big difference in 2024 as opposed to other years and that players like Bird don't get picked each week if they play poorly. If Bird plays similar to the last couple of years I am sure Flanno will sort it out. He got the best out of him at the Sharks so definitely knows how to use him more effectively.

Agree and if Flanno gets him playing reasonably close to what we need I see he has more game and upside than a Dan Russell or Billy Burns
If not the Bird can fly out of the 17

 

[Parko1310]

I'm willing to give Bird the BOTD for at least the pre-season and possibly the first couple of rounds.
He knows what's expected undet Flanno, and he already chose to return to training 'early'.
There were lots of easy options under the previous coaching,however, this group knows already the new expectations.

Jack's a weapon when fit and in the right mind space, can Flanno get him there is the big question.

The thing I find concerning is Flanno said he will play a bit of centre and second row. His best position for mine is exclusively lock. Centre he is no where near good enough in the attributes of a centre to play there anymore. It isn't 2016. As others have rightly pointed out, he's not much good in the second row either, especially defensively. Also concerning is the fact that Bird will by default be one of the coach's favourites. I hope that doesn't blind him when it comes to selections. If Bird plays first grade he needs to earn that spot. Time will tell I guess.

 

[The Word]

The thing I find concerning is Flanno said he will play a bit of centre and second row. His best position for mine is exclusively lock. Centre he is no where near good enough in the attributes of a centre to play there anymore. It isn't 2016. As others have rightly pointed out, he's not much good in the second row either, especially defensively. Also concerning is the fact that Bird will by default be one of the coach's favourites. I hope that doesn't blind him when it comes to selections. If Bird plays first grade he needs to earn that spot. Time will tell I guess.

I'd say Flanagan will get a close look at him in pre-season and trials across the different positions and make a call.

I think it's a bit of a stretch to say he will be one of the coach's favourites by default. Most high quality coach's have past relationships with players where they've achieved great things together. A good coach knows when to make the necessary changes, taking emotion out of the equation. I see Flanagan as a good coach.

 

[Slippery Morris]

I really hope Flanno does not have favourites like the previous coaches as that was their downfall. Hoping Flanno Jnr earns his place in the squad and not slotted in anywhere in the top 17. I am also hoping Jnr's time at the Chooks and Dogs has really toughened up young Flanno and will be out to prove he is a solid first grader.

Bird will be playing for a contract so we should get to see the best out of him or else his NRL career will be over and he will rely on an ESL team to pick him up.

 

[Biglance]

I too worry about the flano jnr perception but I do know Shane wants to win and does anything to win, that would be his priority over his son

 

[TheRev]

Flanno definitely has his favourites (if you listen to Gal or Wado talk about him), but the difference I think is he is also really comfortable holding those players to account.. I think its the man management we have been missing for a decade, i.e.

a) A coach who is able to have honest conversations about a players position, fitness, attitude, declining ability etc..
b) A coach who has the respect of the players, combined with the charisma, relationships and emotional intelligence that good people managers have.. so that when he has those conversations, the players can (mostly) respect his position, and ideally without blowing up the relationship.. which is something Hook was particularly useless at.

Flanno to me.. doesnt seem scared of a difficult conversation at all.. the way he handled his media interviews this year during so much controversy.. he almost leans into it.. I think however he will be disappointed with the way the recruitment has gone.. as much as he is patient, this has made his 2024 far more difficult than the other 16 clubs.. and it might mean Bird plays more games than he would if we had better options.. but it is what it is..

 

[Lindsay Moss]

The thing I find concerning is Flanno said he will play a bit of centre and second row. His best position for mine is exclusively lock. Centre he is no where near good enough in the attributes of a centre to play there anymore. It isn't 2016. As others have rightly pointed out, he's not much good in the second row either, especially defensively. Also concerning is the fact that Bird will by default be one of the coach's favourites. I hope that doesn't blind him when it comes to selections. If Bird plays first grade he needs to earn that spot. Time will tell I guess.

Disagree with the lock position i think if flanno can get the team defending as a team/unit he will be fine as an edge. I also feel our best lock is JDB but no longer an eighty minute one.

 

[steerlerbab]

A

Agree and if Flanno gets him playing reasonably close to what we need I see he has more game and upside than a Dan Russell or Billy Burns
If not the Bird can fly out of the 17

Is Billy Burns still with the club. I could not see his name in https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2023/11/02/new-look-dragons-return-to-training/.

 

[BLM01]

Is Billy Burns still with the club. I could not see his name in https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2023/11/02/new-look-dragons-return-to-training/.

You would never know with our club and media department about who, what and where

 

[randomdragon]

No, Billy burns has left

 

[Dragon David]

No, Billy burns has left

Any idea where he went Random?

 

[rasaint]

I understand that Curtis Scott looking for a club. Yes, we are aware of reported problems with him. Only 26 and from memory in storm‘s premiership winning 2017 team.

I remember one unbelievable try for Melbourne where he ran about 95 metres from standing start and kept beating blokes one after another With shear will, strength and speed. Others on the forum may remember it also.

Anyway, with his mind on the job a fabulous player.

 

[blacksafake]

I understand that Curtis Scott looking for a club. Yes, we are aware of reported problems with him. Only 26 and from memory in storm‘s premiership winning 2017 team.

I remember one unbelievable try for Melbourne where he ran about 95 metres from standing start and kept beating blokes one after another With shear will, strength and speed. Others on the forum may remember it also.

Anyway, with his mind on the job a fabulous player.

A big fat no from me.

 

[since77]

I understand that Curtis Scott looking for a club. Yes, we are aware of reported problems with him. Only 26 and from memory in storm‘s premiership winning 2017 team.

I remember one unbelievable try for Melbourne where he ran about 95 metres from standing start and kept beating blokes one after another With shear will, strength and speed. Others on the forum may remember it also.

Anyway, with his mind on the job a fabulous player.

as if we don't have enough clowns with terrible off field behaviour issues. He's a serial offender. That's all i remember.

 

[Biglance]

I understand that Curtis Scott looking for a club. Yes, we are aware of reported problems with him. Only 26 and from memory in storm‘s premiership winning 2017 team.

I remember one unbelievable try for Melbourne where he ran about 95 metres from standing start and kept beating blokes one after another With shear will, strength and speed. Others on the forum may remember it also.

Anyway, with his mind on the job a fabulous player.

We don't need the trouble imo.

In today's photos of training bird looks leaner

 

[Dragon David]

We don't need the trouble imo.

In today's photos of training bird looks leaner

Where are the photos Lance?

 

[saints4ever]

Insta

 

[Slippery Morris]

With Curtis Scott, he has off field issues that is for sure but so did Ben Barba and Flanno took a huge punt with him and Barba played a huge role that season in winning the comp. No reason why he cannot do the same with Scott if Flanno thinks he would be of any benefit. Flanno is not shy of giving bad boys a chance if he feels they can improve what he has.

Billy Burns seems to be gone and Bird looks to be in better shape looking at the pics we have seen so far.

Old cliche we hear every year but this off season will be one of the most important ones for Saints. If they have a great off season and all players improve even just slightly to last season, those games they lost by a few points will turn to wins and put them in much better shape in 2024. No need to stress over signings, just get these boys to play to their potential.