Angus Crichton

[RAB-161]

No the Storm just rely on their big 3 and pay them the big bucks, and then surround them with their best juniors and astute buys.

Vunivalu, Addo Carr, Curtis Scott, Tim Glasby and Dale Finucane would have been on minimal contracts when they joined. Same with Cam Munster, Jordan McLean and Brodie Croft who came through their junior system. Cheyse Blair is another guy who wouldn’t have cost a lot.

The Storm like the Roosters just get the best bang for buck with their players and only pay the big bucks to those who can deliver premierships.

Well it certainly hasn't worked for Easts.
Winning 2 premierships in 40 years is hardly an endorsement of their systems with all the money, power and influence at their disposal.

 

[Drag Queen]

I don't believe it ! That poor begger must had eaten someone's black cat and he received 7 years off bad luck for his trouble .

In truth though , I was so disappointed that we never got to see him run onto the field in 1st grade . I realise that he suffered serious injuries to his knee and that basically sealed his fate at the Dragons . Still , sad to hear about the mans latest injury .

Me too Gareth. Arrived at Hull KR with his existing injuries but Sheens still took a punt. It doesn't look like it worked out for him considering he was only given a 12 month deal. Mose is a great guy. Pure bad luck.

 

[_Johnsy]

I don't believe it ! That poor begger must had eaten someone's black cat and he received 7 years off bad luck for his trouble .

or is his rehab work ethic what it should be ?

 

[Drag Queen]

Maybe he will get better and become the top edge backrower in the comp. Or maybe this sort of attention puts a target on his back and he crumbles. Hard to say.

He did have a break out year, and as mentioned he's very talented. But next year, he will be put on notice and opposition will be doing a lot more work on him. The real big danger men will go hunting for him and he may not get the room to work with. He'll have to adjust his game from being a flashy, creative player to being a workhorse. And at 21, it's a tough gig to deal with. It's what separates the top shelf backrowers - the Cordner, Gillet and Hoffman's - from the 'decent' edge backrowers - the Guerra, McQueen and Cooper level. He's certainly not guaranteed.

Personally, I'm more excited to see what Host can do if given a proper opportunity over a season in his actual position than I would be if we signed Crichton.

It doesn't take long for the good coaches to close players down. Just need to watch how Dufty was shut down in his last few games. Crichton is a strong young player. Host could well prove to be as good given the chance. He's certainly got a few good role models/mentors around him next year. It goes without saying that McGregor needs to rotate the forwards off the bench a hell of a lot better than he did this season. Personally I think Hame Sele is the one to watch.

 

[Drag Queen]

or is his rehab work ethic what it should be ?

Sorry to say his body has let him down. It happens unfortunately.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

Maybe he will get better and become the top edge backrower in the comp. Or maybe this sort of attention puts a target on his back and he crumbles. Hard to say.

He did have a break out year, and as mentioned he's very talented. But next year, he will be put on notice and opposition will be doing a lot more work on him. The real big danger men will go hunting for him and he may not get the room to work with. He'll have to adjust his game from being a flashy, creative player to being a workhorse. And at 21, it's a tough gig to deal with. It's what separates the top shelf backrowers - the Cordner, Gillet and Hoffman's - from the 'decent' edge backrowers - the Guerra, McQueen and Cooper level. He's certainly not guaranteed.

Personally, I'm more excited to see what Host can do if given a proper opportunity over a season in his actual position than I would be if we signed Crichton.

I'm a huge fan of Host. When he first came into grade, McBellend was using him so poorly as a middle forward and he was getting smashed. To Host's credit he persevered until Mary came to his senses and played him on the edge where he excelled. He runs a good line and is solid in defence.

In fact, when Thompson was injured and Host was starting, I actually thought he was better than Thommo, particularly the Manly game. There are makings of a quality edge forward in Hosty, I genuinely hope he kicks on.

 

[dragonssamy61]

Agree
Host is used correctly as a edge runner.
He will have a great career.
He genuinely love the dragons.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Just on Host, I think he's a much better prospect than Crighton and 2018 will be his break-out year, assuming McGregor us aware he even exists.
I'm not saying this in response to the Roosters signing Crighton but based solely on what I've seen of both of them. The only difference is that Crighton has been given greater oppirtunity to play first grade where Host hasn't. I just hope, again, that McGregor usn't goint tp pitch the 1000 game veteran excuse and play Latimore just like he did with McCrone.

 

[Drag Queen]

Just on Host, I think he's a much better prospect than Crighton and 2018 will be his break-out year, assuming McGregor us aware he even exists.
I'm not saying this in response to the Roosters signing Crighton but based solely on what I've seen of both of them. The only difference is that Crighton has been given greater oppirtunity to play first grade where Host hasn't. I just hope, again, that McGregor usn't goint tp pitch the 1000 game veteran excuse and play Latimore just like he did with McCrone.

Put that question to Millward. He's the micro-manager.

 

[Gareth67]

Yes , I believe that we are short of another quality prop forward . Yes , we now have the services of Mr. Graham to replace Packer ( shame that he went , but that's life ) and also Leeson Mau , who always gives it 100% . However they will both be slowing down in the not too distant future , as age does indeed catch up with everyone .

James Grahams sheer willpower will keep him going that bit longer and the Dragons will still reap the benefits of his signature . I just hope that Leeson is also able to keep up his hectic pace , as the man plays well above his weight and is a crowd favourite .

We have been waiting for young Josh Kerr to make his 1st grade debut , perhaps 2018 may be his time and if he is good enough our problem may be solved , more so under Graham's tutelage . All in all , there is one thing that we can be assured of and that is that next season will be one to look forward to .

 

[2010]

2018 is beginning to look like a good year for us and if handled properly by McIdiot it can be the start of our team being top 4 for a few years down the road and I can see a premiership in 2019 or 2020.
We have a wealth of talent coming through and they need to be given game time and be allowed to play to their strength.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

Just on Host, I think he's a much better prospect than Crighton and 2018 will be his break-out year, assuming McGregor us aware he even exists.
I'm not saying this in response to the Roosters signing Crighton but based solely on what I've seen of both of them. The only difference is that Crighton has been given greater oppirtunity to play first grade where Host hasn't. I just hope, again, that McGregor usn't goint tp pitch the 1000 game veteran excuse and play Latimore just like he did with McCrone.

Fully appreciate and understand what you're saying, but Crichton is light-years ahead of Host right now in terms of potential. I don't think there is a forward in the game besides Taumalolo who I see with a higher ceiling potential-wise over the next few seasons.

Crichton WILL play representative footy at all levels, Hosty is a similar age but he is still finding his feet, and I don't think that has to do with being held back. If Host was doing the things Crichton was, he would be breaking down the selection door, even Mary wouldn't be stupid enough to not pick him.

 

[Frank Facer]

Just on Host, I think he's a much better prospect than Crighton and 2018 will be his break-out year, assuming McGregor us aware he even exists.
I'm not saying this in response to the Roosters signing Crighton but based solely on what I've seen of both of them. The only difference is that Crighton has been given greater oppirtunity to play first grade where Host hasn't. I just hope, again, that McGregor usn't goint tp pitch the 1000 game veteran excuse and play Latimore just like he did with McCrone.

I think Crichton looks like a much better prospect then Host at this stage. Yes, Crichton has had more opportunity, but he excelled. He looks raw talent, who will develop his game over the next few years. He looks like the most exciting backrower to have come along in a long time.

I hope that Host is given more opportunity this year. I think/hope he has a big future ahead of him. He should now be mentally and physically ready to play first grade regularly.

 

[Drag Queen]

or is his rehab work ethic what it should be ?

He worked hard with his rehab so don't make assumptions.

 

[Drag Queen]

Fully appreciate and understand what you're saying, but Crichton is light-years ahead of Host right now in terms of potential. I don't think there is a forward in the game besides Taumalolo who I see with a higher ceiling potential-wise over the next few seasons.

Crichton WILL play representative footy at all levels, Hosty is a similar age but he is still finding his feet, and I don't think that has to do with being held back. If Host was doing the things Crichton was, he would be breaking down the selection door, even Mary wouldn't be stupid enough to not pick him.

You have a point. I think his upbringing in union has given him an advantage. Whilst most NRL fans would beg to differ, union is a lot tougher physically.

 

[giboz71]

The difference between Crichton and Host is symptomatic of all our juniors. Guys like Crichton and Coen Hess are about the same age as Host and are far more advanced. Same can be said with our young backs. Plenty of young backs like Nick Cotric and Latrell Mitchell making an impact at 19 and 20 whilst ours remain question marks.

Imagine if Field, Dufty, Herbert, Host, Leilua and co became bona fide FG players who could play FG week in week out like some of their contemporaries. We probably wouldn’t need to carry guys like Lafai, Mann, Nighty, Nene and even Thommo as the young guys would be taking their spot. The mid level veterans who ideally could be replaced by rookies cost anywhere from 300k-500k a pop. You get too many of these guys and it’s a big chunk of our cap.

If we could replace these guys with youngsters on rookie contracts, we could probably afford some of the stars that we always seem to miss out on.

 

[denis preston]

" Clubs don't have to convince the pub but the NRL, and on that score, not a single eyebrow was raised at headquarters when news broke on Monday about Crichton's deal.

Presumably, the NRL's salary cap auditors agree with the Roosters' argument that they have turned over a stack of players since they won the 2013 grand final and their only significant signings since then have been James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk.

Since 2013, the club has lost the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Anthony Minichello, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck Michael Jennings, James Maloney, Aidan Guerra, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Dale Copley, Jackson Hastings, Conor Watson, Kane Evans, Michael Gordon and Jayden Nikorima …

Oh, and Mitchell Pearce.

"We plan five years ahead with our recruitment," Politis said. "We run our salary cap better than most clubs. We don't back-end contracts, we don't put in ratchet clauses that stymie some clubs. We don't have many third-party agreements. We make some hard calls. We don't always get it right but we correct them quickly.

"The bottom line is there are 10 to 12 players we let go in the last 12 months, and one very expensive one was Pearcey, who covers Cronk. We also had $600,000 left from 2016."

Politis also points out the salary cap jumps from $7 million in 2017 to $9.4 million next year and more than $10 million in 2022.

"The salary cap went up by $2 million — you don't have to be Einstein to work it out," he said. "Every club should have spare cash. It was a fair increase. I don't understand how some clubs don't have enough left."

Doubtless, all of this will fall on the deaf ears of rival fans, not just those of South Sydney.

The Roosters have become the New York Yankees of the NRL: the glamour club from the most glamorous city in the country that has an uncanny ability to snaffle all the glamour players."



Don't know if Andrew Webster is a fan or not of the Roosters but Politis contradicts himself here talking about 5 year plans. So they always were going to unload Pearce in 2017 ? Don't think so. They don't do many 3rd party ? Don't think so. They have so much money to legitimize their cap movements. Where this is disheartening is that every time a club has looked dodgy in the squad they have been able to accommodate it has been only found out by someone squealing not the NRL auditors finding out. Roosters obviously keep a tight ship in this regard.

 

[True_Believer]

I understand where TrueBeliever is coming from and do agree that we should not be forking out for every top shelf player that pops up. I do concede the Dragons have done many things right recruitment wise themselves. Adding key signings but more importantly really focusing on retaining most of our young prospects. I'd much prefer the club do this but realise this won't bring instant success but after reading other people's points of view have come to the conclusion that this concept may well be the best way for the club to build a strong foundation going forward.

Belta, we'll never truely know what the plan is, but outwardly it appears as though Millward has a junior focus and is doing what he can to keep the quality juniors in the club. He appears to be filling the gaps as best he can - eg Hunt, Graham, McInnes etc. And I agree that this may not be a blueprint for immediate success, but it may the blueprint for consistent success into the future. I fear though that the only gap we haven't filled that really has the impact we need is the coach. I pray I am proven wrong.

I guess the questions revolve around the backs. Why haven't we upgraded our backs? Does Millward have a number of key players targetted that don't come off contract for another year or 2? Is he hoping the young backs will be the stars we want them to be in the next year or 2? We probably won't see any of this come to fruition for another year or 2 unfortunately - but both Hunt and Graham have said they were attracted to the direction the club was going in - so I can only assume that the future looks good.

It's all exactly what you have said - unfortunately for us it's just a waiting game now. And sadly, we've already been waiting too long for this to happen and it's straining the relatiionship.

 

[possm]

I understand where TrueBeliever is coming from and do agree that we should not be forking out for every top shelf player that pops up. I do concede the Dragons have done many things right recruitment wise themselves. Adding key signings but more importantly really focusing on retaining most of our young prospects. I'd much prefer the club do this but realise this won't bring instant success but after reading other people's points of view have come to the conclusion that this concept may well be the best way for the club to build a strong foundation going forward.

Yes but with a coach like Mary, there is no guarantee that when our juniors are ready, they will stay or that we can afford them. Look at Bird for example. If the likes of Dufty, Field, Herbert, Garrick and Lomax show great form in 2018, they will expect upgrades in the same way that Bird and others have. So there is little gain money wise but a big loss time wise. So many seasons have passed by when all we did is talk about future years instead of focusing first on this season and secondly on future years.

I believe the only way around this is to offer long term contacts to brilliant juniors with clauses of upgrades on the attainment of certain goals..

 

[Drag Queen]

Yes but with a coach like Mary, there is no guarantee that when our juniors are ready, they will stay or that we can afford them. Look at Bird for example. If the likes of Dufty, Field, Herbert, Garrick and Lomax show great form in 2018, they will expect upgrades in the same way that Bird and others have. So there is little gain money wise but a big loss time wise. So many seasons have passed by when all we did is talk about future years instead of focusing first on this season and secondly on future years.

I believe the only way around this is to offer long term contacts to brilliant juniors with clauses of upgrades on the attainment of certain goals..

Totally agree with the exception of Bird. I'm glad he went elsewhere because he's nothing but a whingeing little princess.