Auckland Nines squad

[Forster Dragon]

I know it is only nines footy but based on other team performances we really do have some issues to address.

 

[gitano]

I'm normally all for the Mary bagging, but maybe his mum having a massive stroke is reason enough to give him a break for a day or so.

I've never been coached by Jowlsy - I assume none of you lot have either, which makes it hard to pin point where we went wrong.

Having no chins managing the roster for as long as he did probably wasn't great. Bennett left us a weaker club too, but we dare not bring that up...

To me, the facts are our roster isn't as strong as the top teams. I understand Jowls doesn't have a say in recruitment?

He was given two halves who play sideways (one of which was a panic buy from no chins), a fullback sans passing/kicking game, and a less than creative hooker to work with last year.

I don't get our recruitment team at all. Mcdonald gives us nothing we don't have, nor did Lafai...Fai Fai Loa...

Maybe some accountability should fall there.

 

[Saints Forever]

Sorry to hear Mary's mother had a stroke.

Wouldn't wish that upon anyone.

The squad is a mid strength squad

8-12 finish with an ordinary coach

Yes he inherited a number of ordinary players. He was also responsible in sanctioning many ordinary players.

Mary is not the red V's only problem, but he is a sizeable impediment to squad improvement going forward.

But for his friends on the board a coach who produced poor results for the Cutters would never have been elevated to FG coach.

Yes the board should take responsibility for that decision and resign on masse

 

[dragonreddy]

Yes low expectations do help but with all the hype and statements of what we have to look forward to, it still hurts when this is what is trotted out.
Re the roster I firmly believe Dragon supporters are blindly optimistic and overstate the quality of what we have.
We basically buy who we buy because others are happy to let them go and when we get them we always talk them up as if the other teams were stupid to let them go.
Fancy us thinking that other coaches are dumb when their offloads end up with Mary.
Any chance of that player biting his former club on the arse is lost immediately when we get them.

This is STGI since 2011, sad but true,summed it up succinctly OT.

 

[Lewish33]

Looks like Field and Dufty left out of today's game. I know Dufty had a bit of an injury but maybe Field wasn't playing enough Dragons footy.

 

[twinkletoes]

After we finished last season in such appalling manner losing most of the last 8 games I think it was important that the Dragons made a statement at the nines to show they have a new attitude and develop a winning culture. Unfortunately their performances yesterday showed they have not changed at all either mentally or skill wise...they have just continued their losing ways. Yes the nines is not the proper competition, but for a team shown to lack mental toughness from last year it was extremely important to come out and start winning from the start. Today as well as the couple of trial matches will give an indication of whether things will change this year...otherwise as most are predicting we are in for a very long season..

 

[Alec's-saints]

if we win the next game supercoach McGregor will get a upgrade extension

 

[cleary89]

How do we let him score there? 1 out defending out line and he goes over.

 

[Lewish33]

Hanging back again, won't move up in defence.
One out running for the most part.

Not much has changed so far

 

[cleary89]

How does he f**k that up?

 

[getsmarty]

Mann to the rescue.

 

[Lewish33]

Kurt Mann dangerous everytime he touched the ball. Needs to be given a decent go in 1sts

 

[getsmarty]

Kurt Mann dangerous everytime he touched the ball. Needs to be given a decent go in 1sts

Correct...

 

[OzDragon]

Mann starting @ 7. Field on bench for Rd 1

Both deserve their spots

 

[emu62]

Kurt Mann , our best player by a mile.I know its only nines but does look classy with ball in hand. I hope McWrecker was watching closely

 

[Lewish33]

Mann starting @ 7. Field on bench for Rd 1

Both deserve their spots

This makes sense but will probably end up Debelin at 7 and Matthews as a utility. Supercoach.

 

[BlackDuckSaint]

Mann, Nene (besides the bombed try), Milne and Havili were all impressive. Disappointed Field didnt get a run as I feel he would have carved up. But, I am glad we have came through relatively unscathed. That is always my biggest fear when it comes to the nines.

 

[dungay dragon]

Correct...

K MANN Lock him in to 7 for the Charity Shield
Elusive , Inventive , takes on the line , straightens up our attack
Showed more in that game that out two over paid halves showed all last year
Young Field will obv get a chance as well
Spec mentions to McDonald Aitken and Milne
Rabbitohs will give us all a true yard stick as to where we are at...

 

[Old Timer]

I posted elsewhere Mc Donald is muscle bound, overweight and no flyer and was easily caught.
For all the hype would have expected him to sprint away with open space and leave the rest behind but not so.
Mann by far the best and must start in the 17.

 

[dungay dragon]

This makes sense but will probably end up Debelin at 7 and Matthews as a utility. Supercoach.

you forget to include marys other two favs Marketo and Lafai......lol