Another Straw to Clutch at: Bennett Rumour Resurfaces.

[redv13]

Very multicultural there Banjo

 

[Dragonslayer]

DRAGONS


Euan Aitken, Billy Brittain, Jack de Belin, Jackson Ford, James Graham, Jacob Host, Josh Kerr, Timoteo Lafai, Joe Lovodua, Issac Luke, Mikaele Ravalawa, Tristan Sailor

12 players off contract

Bye Bye Rav
Aur Revoir Euan
Auf Wiedersehen James
Yasou Timoteo
Arrivederci JDB
Adios Isaac
Namaste Joe
Do svidaniya Jackson Jacob and Josh

I hope Tristan goes on his own accord and scores a great contract under a great coach - same with Jackson Jacob and Josh

A lot will depend on who is coach at the end of this season. This will determine which players are retained and who wont be retained or at least offered a contract. FYI Clune is another who s off-contract and Brittain is signed until the end of 2021

It wouldn't surprise me to see a few of these offered contracts for 2021 and beyond, especially Ford, Kerr and Clune. Rava is an enigma and with a good coach could turn into a very good player. JDB is off contract as of Nov 1, his court case sometime in December, the outcome of which will be interesting. I think Joe will go, he may join the new Fijian team which has been approved to compete in the reserve grade comp next year. Luke, another who could be given a year, play CC and used as a backup when necessary. Hosty is another who would bloom under a new coach. Sailor likewise.

As far as gone well that leaves: Aitken, Graham (retired) and Lafai who we all know about in any case.

In a bizarre twist it wouldn't surprise me if they re-signed Aitken and Rava and used them as chips to entice JAC to our club, allowing the Storm to release him early (they/we have no bargaining chips if they're not signed to us).

However, in saying all that, if the season doesn't start or is further restricted by #'s of games, what negotiations have taken place between the RLPA and the NRL regarding current contracts for 2020 will be interesting.

 

[getsmarty]

A lot will depend on who is coach at the end of this season. This will determine which players are retained and who wont be retained or at least offered a contract. FYI Clune is another who s off-contract and Brittain is signed until the end of 2021

It wouldn't surprise me to see a few of these offered contracts for 2021 and beyond, especially Ford, Kerr and Clune. Rava is an enigma and with a good coach could turn into a very good player. JDB is off contract as of Nov 1, his court case sometime in December, the outcome of which will be interesting. I think Joe will go, he may join the new Fijian team which has been approved to compete in the reserve grade comp next year. Luke, another who could be given a year, play CC and used as a backup when necessary. Hosty is another who would bloom under a new coach. Sailor likewise.

As far as gone well that leaves: Aitken, Graham (retired) and Lafai who we all know about in any case.

In a bizarre twist it wouldn't surprise me if they re-signed Aitken and Rava and used them as chips to entice JAC to our club, allowing the Storm to release him early (they/we have no bargaining chips if they're not signed to us).

However, in saying all that, if the season doesn't start or is further restricted by #'s of games, what negotiations have taken place between the RLPA and the NRL regarding current contracts for 2020 will be interesting.

Clune is on the Radar of other clubs....needs to be given a run...drop Norman and Clune 7 Hunt 6.

You are spot on in regards to who will be in charge and the flow through in regards to players staying or leaving , but don't discount flanno ...he will have a say for sure...

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

The following is an article from Foxsports on 15 April for your info guys.

URL LINK: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...t/news-story/261eb105f74916264bca3ca863702b34

St George Illawarra assistant coach Shane Flanagan has smacked down rumours of a homecoming for premiership coach Wayne Bennett after whispers of his return to the Red V reignited recently.

Bennett, who is contracted to South Sydney until the end of 2021, has been linked with a move back to the Dragons as soon as next season.

The NRL’s most accomplished coach won a premiership with the Dragons in 2010, and a poor start to the season has heaped pressure on current mentor Paul McGregor, who has held the reins for six seasons for minimal success.

However, speaking on Fox League on Wednesday night, Flanagan said he couldn’t see the Dragons considering a coaching change now in the middle of the coronavirus shutdown.

“I’d be very surprised. The club is 100 per cent behind Paul McGregor, he’s doing a really good job. We didn’t get off to a great start but who knows what the rest of the season holds,” he said

“The club is really united and working really hard from top to bottom and I’d be really surprised if that was on the club’s agenda, especially at the moment.

“We’re all working hard and he’s working harder than everyone else and to think that they’re going to have a coach change in this period of time is way off the mark.”

Although Bennett is contracted until the end of 2021, the Rabbitohs have named his successor in Jason Demetriou, meaning his time at the club will come to an end next season.

“There’s no recruitment going on, there’s no training going on, and I’m sure Paul and the recruitment staff have got their head around possible people that we could recruit to the club next year.

“And let’s be honest, he’ll be hard to replace. He’s an Origin and Test player.

“They’re just not out there to grab and we might have to get a younger one and hope that he develops into a Tyson Frizell but I’m sure the club is thinking about what’s next.”

Interesting that Flanagan has said that the club is 100 percent behind McGregor.

However, speaking on Fox League on Wednesday night, Flanagan said he couldn’t see the Dragons considering a coaching change now in the middle of the coronavirus shutdown.

“I’d be very surprised. The club is 100 per cent behind Paul McGregor, he’s doing a really good job.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Yeah, l'm 100% behind McGregor as well ............... pulling faces at him, etc.
Its a contradiction using the words, McGregor and doing a really good job.

They could be behind him, ready to stick the knife in ........... well, you never know.
Its a 50 /50 call either way but l'm 100% sure Flannagan is only talking nice from a public perception point of view.

Still think our new CEO needs to show some balls and approach Vlandy for a special dispensation for Flannagan to take over next season. Politis would.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Clune is on the Radar of other clubs....needs to be given a run...drop Norman and Clune 7 Hunt 6.

You are spot on in regards to who will be in charge and the flow through in regards to players staying or leaving , but don't discount flanno ...he will have a say for sure...

Totally agree about Clune- of all the many unrecognised talents at this club over the last few years, he has been consistently one of the best- offers energy, skill and speed- where it counts- between the ears.

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

someone is handy with a hammer.

Held together with No More Gaps and comes complete with full driveway warranty. I might be rough but boy, am l slow & expensive.

 

[Dragon David]

Totally agree about Clune- of all the many unrecognised talents at this club over the last few years, he has been consistently one of the best- offers energy, skill and speed- where it counts- between the ears.

If Clune leaves us, that will be the end of me following the Dragons. What you have said redandwhite4evr is the same as how I feel about him. Put him full-time in firsts and you will see a much improved and consistently better game from our guys. He has not been able to show his skills properly so I do hope he gets the chance and if the comp restarts, McGregor has got to put him in at 6 - he his so much better as a playmaker than Norman IMO.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Ey???? We are a SHAMBLES!!!! Spine is shocking... we have shocking wingers... shocking centres.... we have lost Tyson... we have signed nobody and the coach we want can’t actually coach.

McInnes is one of the best 9s in the comp and we have some good juniors coming through. If JDB is back and we do jag Suli as slated then the couple of players id buy is a winger and a prop, decent ones if possible. I hope the season does kick off and would love to see Lomax continue at fullback because I reckon Wayne could get him humming, plus we have Ramsey coming through who in 2021 will be early 20s and probably ready to roll himself. Im not saying we are premiership material this year or next but I do think if we got Wayne we could have a serious crack within 3 years. A conceivable side may look something like this next season.
1.Lomax (or Ramsey)
2.C.Graham
3.Wiliame
4.Suli
5.Ramsey (or Saab)
6.Hunt
7.Clune (Sullivan when ready)
8.Vaughan
9.McInnes
10.J.Saifiti
11.Sims
12.Fuimaono
13.JDB
14.Ford
15.Merrin
16.Lawrie
17.Kerr
Not a superstar side ill admit but I believe a great building block for a strong future. Enough experience to still win games while having enough young guys coming through to peak at the right time. Once Sullivan, Ramsey, Saab and co are ready Ford, Fuimaono, Kerr, Lawrie, Ivan Drago and co should all be pretty established and starting to really hit their straps. Someone like Wayne would be good for someone like Saab for example, he would just give him a couple of jobs and make sure he does them well. Which would be scoring tries off kicks in the corner and defending.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

if Bennett goes back to you guys, Flanno will be as gone as Mary, There is an intense dislike between Wayne and Shane.
Whoever said about Dean Young training under the master is spot on if this rumour is true

Who's to say Dean would be a bad coach, there is nothing inherently wrong with St George players coaching as such its more the lack of an apprenticeship. If he did his dues under Wayne, then went to England and gained some success over there then who knows he might be good. The key is getting outside your comfort zone and coaching with different head coaches, different teams and different leagues even. I reckon a good solid 4-5 years in the assistant ranks then a head coach role in England would be a good preparation for a head coaching role in the NRL.

 

[The calm one]

Who's to say Dean would be a bad coach, there is nothing inherently wrong with St George players coaching as such its more the lack of an apprenticeship. If he did his dues under Wayne, then went to England and gained some success over there then who knows he might be good. The key is getting outside your comfort zone and coaching with different head coaches, different teams and different leagues even. I reckon a good solid 4-5 years in the assistant ranks then a head coach role in England would be a good preparation for a head coaching role in the NRL.

Dean and Uncle Wayne are thick. If Owen is right about Uncle Wayne, Dean will be his offsider. Stay calm

 

[redandwhite4evr]

If Clune leaves us, that will be the end of me following the Dragons. What you have said redandwhite4evr is the same as how I feel about him. Put him full-time in firsts and you will see a much improved and consistently better game from our guys. He has not been able to show his skills properly so I do hope he gets the chance and if the comp restarts, McGregor has got to put him in at 6 - he his so much better as a playmaker than Norman IMO.

I probably prefer him at 7 as I think he is more than capable of running the attack but just want him on the field in the halves somewhere

 

[possm]

Exactly. This point is very often overlooked, or ignored or both.

Letting someone go would constitute us having to pay freight for maybe 1 , 2 or 3 years, depending on the player, which ultimately plays havoc with our cap. Of course add to that, is the other fact that someone else wants to pick them up eg Aitken this year, was offered but no takers.

Not if the player requests a release.

 

[Gareth67]

However, speaking on Fox League on Wednesday night, Flanagan said he couldn’t see the Dragons considering a coaching change now in the middle of the coronavirus shutdown.



“I’d be very surprised. The club is 100 per cent behind Paul McGregor, he’s doing a really good job.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Yeah, l'm 100% behind McGregor as well ............... pulling faces at him, etc.
Its a contradiction using the words, McGregor and doing a really good job.

They could be behind him, ready to stick the knife in ........... well, you never know.
Its a 50 /50 call either way but l'm 100% sure Flannagan is only talking nice from a public perception point of view.

Still think our new CEO needs to show some balls and approach Vlandy for a special dispensation for Flannagan to take over next season. Politis would.

Jumping Geehosafat ! ! “ The man , ( our Mary the maestro ) is doing a great job “ .

It’s happened folks , just as some members predicted - Mary has brainwashed Flanagan and much quicker than it took to do likewise with many of the players . Unbelievable , I am totally flabbergasted , I don’t know what to say as Flanagan looked such a smart cookie.

Not much point having Flanno as the head coach any longer if his brain has been tinkered with by Mary . Bring in Bennett , as least we will keep him of the pension for a while longer .

 

[The calm one]

Not if the player requests a release.

Why would either of them ask for a release when no other club will give them anything near what they are on now. Be realistic man.

 

[BLM01]

Why would either of them ask for a release when no other club will give them anything near what they are on now. Be realistic man.

Double your breathing time today Master and relax under a tree. I sense some irritation in your voice.
Dont succumb to those that threaten the serene surroundings as is our club
Hmmmmmmm....hmmmmmmmm...Namaste!
No player wants to come or leave!...bit like Hotel California!

 

[The calm one]

Double your breathing time today Master and relax under a tree. I sense some irritation in your voice.
Dont succumb to those that threaten the serene surroundings as is our club
Hmmmmmmm....hmmmmmmmm...Namaste!
No player wants to come or leave!...bit like Hotel California!

Top of the morning to you Chosen One. Once again you are correct. This club is like hotel California. "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." If you don't believe me, just ask Euan Aitken.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Interesting side note to this Bennett rumour is that people assuming players will come here with him.
Question: how many and who went from the Broncos to the Bunnies when he left there? I can only think of 1. Yet I read that he will bring this player and that player from the Bunnies to us. Seriously, this is not 2009/2010.

Bennett, if he even does come here, will be tasked with fixing what we have, clearing the deadwood and setting up the right systems for the future. He may 'coach' for 1, maybe 2yrs max, with basically the 1st year to rid the place of the 'virus' that exists here now. Hardly the environment that any player outside our system would want to eagerly come here for.
Again, if he was to sign on for 2021, most of our squad are contracted for that season with only Kerr and clune serious resigning cases. Our focus would be developing our juniors with the likes of Ramsey, Sullivan etc the forefront. Bennett will at least ensure the proper development and progression.

 

[LINESPEED]

1. Yeah

Brickbats & humiliation heading his way unless he steps aside in the next couple of weeks.

“I did my best” might be a useful offering.

Bennett might be a tailor made cheap fix in this abridged year

Who's to say Dean would be a bad coach, there is nothing inherently wrong with St George players coaching as such its more the lack of an apprenticeship

“Who's to say Dean would be a bad coach, there is nothing inherently wrong with St George playerscoaching as such its more the lackofan apprenticeship”

Agree FCD

As long as the apprenticeship is preferably at this point in time with a well established & credentialed coach (at another Club ideally).

Old boys can have old allegiances, old prejudices, old ways & old personnel debts that might impinge on team selection & the requirements of change & renewal.

Waterboy’s disastrous tenure has been the result of the above, along with lack of due diligence ( esp the failure to note the man’s rank incompetence & stupidity) and the endemic factionalisms of a Joint Venture

Bennett might be a useful template for how to win, as his influence was dramatic & immediate.

His immediate shafting of Waterboy, in retrospect, should’ve told Doust something - but then old allegiances took over.

Old boys with a unified & decent Board & CEO have certainly prospered at our Club:

Frank Facer played 74 games for Dragons from 1947-50 & as administrator from 1956-78 guided us to 12 titles.

Norm Tipping was a local rugby player who coached us to the 1956 title (18-12 v Balmain), having a win ratio of 67% overall & he coached many of the future stars Dad used to say in the President’s Cup teams of the late ‘50’s

Kearney Capt-coached 1957-61(80%) & brought great innovations from Leeds, where he played for 3 years & introduced our famous brick wall defence

Norm Provan Capt-coached 1962-65 (60%)

Ian Walsh 66-67 (69%)

Craig Young 1989-90 (40%)!!!!!!!!

So there you have some history Ryan.

We just don’t have the right competencies, guys or pedigree in charge ATM:


“Facer was responsible for bringing many famous players to, and keeping them at the club,[4] and his recruitment was seen as a key factor in the club's success.[5] He was a highly regarded sports administrator who built a supportive environment in the club for the players and their families; demonstrated regard for the players financial welfare and who was a skillful negotiator and a balanced disciplinarian.”

So therein lies your problem Andrew & Albert
....have a look in the mirror

And at those past faces as you walk that staircase

& then at your dumbass coach of 7 fuc/king years?

Tipping was shafted after winning a title.

They had balls & an eye for the immediate future in those days?

10 consecutive titles followed FFS

And you guys are hoping Waterboy can win the next game or 2 to ‘prove’ himself?

Are you for real Ryan Webb??
Hello in there?

And can you see,
through the fug of delusion,
why we’re totally justified to be pissed off when you read the history in this post?

 

[possm]

Jumping Geehosafat ! ! “ The man , ( our Mary the maestro ) is doing a great job “ .

It’s happened folks , just as some members predicted - Mary has brainwashed Flanagan and much quicker than it took to do likewise with many of the players . Unbelievable , I am totally flabbergasted , I don’t know what to say as Flanagan looked such a smart cookie.

Not much point having Flanno as the head coach any longer if his brain has been tinkered with by Mary . Bring in Bennett , as least we will keep him of the pension for a while longer .

Flanagan is mouthing a club line rather than his real opinion. I would rather he speak about his own intentions rather than guessing what others are thinking.

 

[LINESPEED]

Not if the player requests a release.

eg Aitken this year, was offered but no takers.

The turd that will not sink

He’s too cosy nuzzling at the pap of Waterboy