Aitken Re-signs with dragons for 3 years

[Glenn01]

Glenn 01 writes, "So having said that, let's just agree to disagree." That is fair enough on the Forum but why accuse another Forum member of 'tripping'. Despite some divergent views here we do all purport to follow the same team! Over time you will note some frivolous views but they won't be coming from Old Timer who has watched a lot of footy, is very knowledgeable and expresses his thoughts rationally.

I certainly rate Mann highly. I think he has a touch of class about him which allows him to excel in a number of positions. I want to see him picked in the halves for Round 1. If he is left out I will be shattered but having said that I was shattered when Mary was confirmed as 2017 coach and when JD jumped ship. So it would not be a new experience for me.

Well I don't know. The old dude who I think has been smoking something you can't pick up at the local store suddenly sent a nasty message about me being asleep or something like that because I stated that as an outside back, Mann is a fringe first grader. As he is.

 

[since77]

I see. He did well finishing off tries on the wing. For most of those he didn't have to do much but catch and run. I can't remember him taking on the opposition defensive line and going through it. I don't remember him making a lot of meters running out of dummy half either. But anyway, just my opinion. I agree he is solid in a number of position but this far, hasn't gone close to excelling in any. I hope he gets a chance at 5/8 but if he can't make it in the halves, NSW Cup beckons.

Catch and run huh? Sounds easy. I'm glad others beat me to the punch / slice / dice / weave on your hilariously wrong opinion on Mann.

 

[since77]

[/QUOTE]t the Old Dude tripping, talking about him (Mann) being the best back last season is without question false and not a matter of just my opinion.[/QUOTE]

Wrong, you're definitely in a very small club of delusional and uneducated people if you think Mann wasn't the only positive thing in our pathetically inept backline last year, despite my man love for the Duges.

 

[BrissyRedV]

https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=fGAONUIsOek
Mann was a positive from last season. Those suggesting he just finished off backline moves should check out the link and some of the tries he scored.

 

[BringTheNoise]

Well I don't know. The old dude who I think has been smoking something you can't pick up at the local store suddenly sent a nasty message about me being asleep or something like that because I stated that as an outside back, Mann is a fringe first grader. As he is.

Hi Vas.

 

[BennyV]

https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=fGAONUIsOek
Mann was a positive from last season. Those suggesting he just finished off backline moves should check out the link and some of the tries he scored.

Great package. Few things of note (other than what you pointed out):
- As down as he was on form, Widdop definitely has ability when he's on.
- Nightingale still holds plenty of value.
- We are going to have serious headaches with centres soon.

 

[Rocket Rod]

We have a lot of centres available and the trick is to find the best combo. Over the years what has worked best is a great defensive centre and a great attacking centre. Eg
Gasnier/Evans
Pethybridge/Ferguson
Goodwin/I forgot his partner
Gasnier/Cooper
Up to super coach to find the right combo

 

[BrissyRedV]

As down as he was on form, Widdop definitely has ability when he's on.

He did seem to feature a lot in the tries we did put on last year. But some people do have selective memories. I still believe the source of all our issues is in the coaches box.

Nightingale still holds plenty of value.

Agree 100%. Flo is the best specialist winger and finisher we have.

We are going to have serious headaches with centres soon.

I believe we already have that issue with Dugan, Milne, Lafai and Aitken and with Herbert, Thompson, Garrick and Dodds coming through.

 

[Rocket Rod]

My preferred option is Duges/Milne
Where does that put Aitken
Maybe #14

 

[hewi]

My preferred option is Duges/Milne
Where does that put Aitken
Maybe #14

I'm a great fan of Milne but from all reports he didn't shine in last weeks trial. With Dufty injured I think it's fair to say Dugan will be full back so the two center spots will be between Aitken, Lafai and Milne. The Charity Shield will be so important this weekend for final chance to excel.

 

[giboz71]

Hi Vas.

Was thinking exactly the same. How many usenames is that now? Sure the Widdop rant is coming shortly.

 

[Dragsters]

The CS will be interesting but without the possibility of Dufty at fullback due to injury, I feel the best backline option available at present is...

Dugan

Flo

Milne (natural right centre)

Lafai (natural left centre) (if truly fit)

Nene

Mann (at 5/8th)

Widdop (at half)

Unless there is a bolter or a train wreck this weekend, that is the backline I would run with against the Panthers.

 

[Dragsters]

Was thinking exactly the same. How many usenames is that now? Sure the Widdop rant is coming shortly.

Certainly has that whiff about it...

 

[Rocket Rod]

The CS will be interesting but without the possibility of Dufty at fullback due to injury, I feel the best backline option available at present is...

Dugan

Flo

Milne (natural right centre)

Lafai (natural left centre) (if truly fit)

Nene

Mann (at 5/8th)

Widdop (at half)

Unless there is a bolter or a train wreck this weekend, that is the backline I would run with against the Panthers.

Sort of with you on that, but where do you fit Aitken, # 14 ?
Don't think he deserves to be dropped

 

[BringTheNoise]

Was thinking exactly the same. How many usenames is that now? Sure the Widdop rant is coming shortly.

It's always the same pattern - at first tries to present as a reasonable poster, then gets caught in an argument that can't let go of, then descends into complete madness.

 

[possm]

Field
Macdonald
Dugan
Milne
Nightingale
Mann
Widdop

Good mixture of youth and experience.
All very talented - hope Widdop plays well.

 

[Ben_Kusto_magic]

We have a lot of centres available and the trick is to find the best combo. Over the years what has worked best is a great defensive centre and a great attacking centre. Eg
Gasnier/Evans
Pethybridge/Ferguson
Goodwin/I forgot his partner
Gasnier/Cooper
Up to super coach to find the right combo

Coyne and the Penguin!

 

[Dragsters]

Sort of with you on that, but where do you fit Aitken, # 14 ?
Don't think he deserves to be dropped

I agree.

I think Havilii or mccrone need to be the bench utility for the hooker rotation with 3 forwards.

Aitken definitely doesn't "deserve" to be dropped and I'm on record saying that milne is a lock in.

A fully fit and firing Lafai (ala 2014) would be a more potent option on the left.

Bottom line though for me, if aitken pips out Lafai then I'm OK with that too.

 

[Glenn01]

https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=fGAONUIsOek
Mann was a positive from last season. Those suggesting he just finished off backline moves should check out the link and some of the tries he scored.

I didn't say he "just" finished off backline moves. I said "many" (or something to that end) of the tries he scored, that was the case.

It's just my opinion and let's see if it comes to pass. If Mann doesn't make it in the halves, he will be in and out of the team this season and won't be resigned for next season (I believe he is off contract this season). That is if McWrecker is replaced or not. But from what I saw at the 9s, even though the Rorters and Melbournes rookie halves were much better, I believe Mann will be able to make it in the halves for this season even if he is just a stop-gap measure before Hunt and Field are the halves next season.

It's just my opinion. I'm sorry if some people don't like it but....... it is what it is.

But the comment that he was the ebst back for the Dragons last season, even better than Duges is nonsensical. He was light-years behind Duges and IMO behind Aitken and Nightingale.

 

[Dorothy the Winowhore]

Aitken at right centre is ahead of Milne, imo, currently.