Aitken Re-signs with dragons for 3 years

[MattoDragon]

That trippy old dude is really on my case.

I would agree that after his average game at fullback against Melbourne and Shocker against the Scummies, Mann was among the better backs. Not close to Duges but up there with Aitken and Nightingale. I just think if he can't make it in the halves and then be in a shootout for 5/8 with Field next year, maybe pushing Field to fullback depending on how Dufty goes, there are too many good young outside backs coming through and Mann will be surplus to the teams needs.

You are surplus to this forum's needs

 

[MattoDragon]

What do I have to offer? On this thread just my opinion on Kurt Mann. The trippy old dude really got on my case about it saying I had no idea what I was talking about and etc so after demonstrating I did know what I was talking about, felt mildly insulted by his haranguing of me. Sorry if you don't like that but you can ___________ as well if you don't like it and I don't care how long you have been a member.

Can you please point out where you demonstrated you knew what your are talking about?
Haven't seen anything yet!!!

 

[MattoDragon]

"If he can't make it in the halves, and I think he can based on what I saw in the 9s"
I don't think that mann's 9s performance could give an indication of how he would go as a half in NRL.
As a half in 13 man game he would be playing to a game plan and directing the forwards around. He would be kicking for field position at the back of sets and would be a very important piece of the puzzle.
9s is just play whats in front of you and have a run.
In my opinion unrelated especially when talking about the halfback position.

I agree with what you say about the 9's. However, I do think Mann also showed in the Tigers trial, he has the makings of a half. I just hope Supercoach gives him enough time to prove his worth in the CS.
After All, McCrone is no more than a reserve grade half or, at best a bench hooker (i'd prefer Havili).
And I would like to see Field given some time in the Cutters but added to the firsts for injuries etc. Next year will be Field's breakout year imo

 

[MattoDragon]

Same reason he keeps picking Lafai, Marketo and McCrone and keeps Widdop as captain. Other things he can justifiably hang around good ol Chinless' neck but the above were his decisions so he is hoping and praying they come good even though evidence almost empirically points to it not coming good.

Finally, some common sense from you, Glenn01. I totally and utterly agree with you!

 

[MattoDragon]

He was recruited as a fullback. He and Beale are reminders that even though ball playing fullbacks are all the rage these days, good fullbacks need more than some ball playing ability.

At least Beale was given more than 2 games.

 

[MattoDragon]

I can't understand this thinking at all. At fullback he looked like a downgrade on Gerald Beale. The fact is that Mann simply isn't that good a player. He is okay in a number of positions but not more than an average first grader at best. Based on the 9s I am cautiously optimistic he can provide at least a decent stop-gap measure until Field and Hunt take over but I believe this is his last chance. If he can't make it in the halves I very much doubt he will be with the club next season because he won't get an offer. He will likely be in the ESL.

If Duges leaves and he isn't on much money, he may be kept as a depth player but otherwise Duges, Milne, Aitken and a host of good young outside backs coming through means there won't be room for Mann if he can't make it in the halves.

You really are a pain in the ass. You have no idea, and that's been proven by the lack of support here.
Please take your delusional comments elsewhere

 

[ALSGI]

Matto, really?
It's a public forum - not your forum. There's something about getting different opinions that make the forum interesting, wether we agree or not. Imagine if everyone agreed had the same opinion.
No need to bag posters on here mate.
Go the Dragons!

 

[BrissyRedV]

Matto, really?
It's a public forum - not your forum. There's something about getting different opinions that make the forum interesting, wether we agree or not. Imagine if everyone agreed had the same opinion.
No need to bag posters on here mate.
Go the Dragons!

Agree. If you don't like an opinion or a poster, don't engage. The beauty of a platform like this is the differing opinions and discussion.

 

[Crush]

Matto, really?
It's a public forum - not your forum. There's something about getting different opinions that make the forum interesting, wether we agree or not. Imagine if everyone agreed had the same opinion.
No need to bag posters on here mate.
Go the Dragons!

ALSGI, so true. I admire Glenn for having a strong opinion about mann, I personally disagree but like that he speaks his mind. No need to bag posters for having an opinion! Correct.

 

[ALSGI]

ALSGI, so true. I admire Glenn for having a strong opinion about mann, I personally disagree but like that he speaks his mind. No need to bag posters for having an opinion! Correct.

Crush, yes Glenn has a strong opinion, made some good points I thought but didn't come up with the same conclusions I would have. Still, some good discussion.
Not saying I don't admire the passion from MattoDragon just don't like making it personal, as Glenn has been equally guilty of as well.
Go the Mighty Dragons.

 

[Glenn01]

You really are a pain in the ass. You have no idea, and that's been proven by the lack of support here.
Please take your delusional comments elsewhere

Okay. I don't know why you are so defensive about it. If Mann doesn't make it in the halves and (barring injury) finds a position in the outside backs for the whole season and gets resigned, I will gladly apologize and admit I was wrong. Will you do the same if I'm right?

I just think Field, Dufty, Thompson, Garrick and Herbert are all going to be pushing for a first grade spot if not this season, certainly next. I've heard good things about Matheson Johns as well. Then there is Aitken and Dugan. Of course McDonald is signed for (2 or 3?) years. If Mann is good in the halves, even if Field turns out as we hope and expect, Mann would be a Gidley-like utility player worth keeping. If not, a 24, turning 25 year-old (next year) import who doesn't excel in any one position isn't worth keeping ahead of promising young players coming through.

 

[RufusRex]

Aitken was trash today .. offered nothing in attack and offered the try line to the rabbits in defense.

Milne easily the best centre for the dragons out there today.

Mann one bad mistake trying to catch a ball facing the sun, apart from that solid without being spectacular .. Almost "dived over" to score and some reasonable defence. Was carried over the line on one of the bunnies tries after Widdop made poor first contact.

 

[Glenn01]

Aitken was trash today .. offered nothing in attack and offered the try line to the rabbits in defense.

Milne easily the best centre for the dragons out there today.

Mann one bad mistake trying to catch a ball facing the sun, apart from that solid without being spectacular .. Almost "dived over" to score and some reasonable defence. Was carried over the line on one of the bunnies tries after Widdop made poor first contact.

Really disappointed with Aitkens game today.

 

[SBD82]

Matto, really?
It's a public forum - not your forum. There's something about getting different opinions that make the forum interesting, wether we agree or not. Imagine if everyone agreed had the same opinion.
No need to bag posters on here mate.
Go the Dragons!

I quite enjoyed Matto's comments, and enjoyed how he wrote them on a forum where I could read them. It's nice to have a variety of opinions, don't you think?

 

[SBD82]

Agree. If you don't like an opinion or a poster, don't engage. The beauty of a platform like this is the differing opinions and discussion.

How can there be differing opinions if people don't engage when they don't like an opinion?

 

[BrissyRedV]

How can there be differing opinions if people don't engage when they don't like an opinion?

True. More focusing on the abusive comments that do not add to a conversation. You know yourself I am sure SBD that there is several posters that post regularly that are not worth engaging with alternative opinions. But I get your point.

 

[possm]

Mann was our top try scorer last year. He SHOULD be our halfback this year and he has great utility value. He can play fullback, wing, centre, half and I'm quite sure he could slot into lock with a few extra kgs.
Milne played the last 10-12 games of 2016, how could you not see enough of him? Based on form, he's a far better prospect than Lafai.
Mann and Milne are NOT NSW Cup players, they are both quality!

It should have been Mann / Widdop in the first half and Mann / Field in the second half. We already new what McCrone had to offer and now we know that neither McCrone nor Widdop are the answer.

Introduce both McCrone and Widdop to the Cutters for season start and if they don't improve, get rid of both at season end. Begin negotiations to sign Hunt's partner for 2018.

Dugan should be seen as a right centre and selected there in 2017 or let go.
Aitken should be dropped to the Cutters and selected in the backrow. From what I saw yesterday, our centres should be either Dugan and Mann or Milne and Mann. We have enough backup centres to see us through.

 

[Dragon Revival]

Aitken was useless as was Widdop. McCrone was workmanlike. I would select Mann at half and Field at five-eighth.
When Dufty returns the team would be:-
Dufty
Nightingale
Milne
Dugan
Mac Donald
Field
Mann
Sims
Frizell
De Belin
Packer
McInnes
Vaughan
Ah Mau
Host
Thompson
Havili
From what I can recall
we went close to scoring another three tries through De Belin,
Host and Mac Donald so I will not jump over the gap yet.
I wonder why FaiFai Loa was on the bench?
If Nightingale does not
fire I would replace him with Dodd, Garrick or Herbert depending on who is in the best form.