Auckland Nines squad

[getsmarty]

Dodd: Unexpected Call Up
Fri 27th January, 05:00PM
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St George Illawarra centre Levi Dodd has opened up about his selection in the Dragons' Auckland Nines squad to be played at Eden Park on February 4 and 5.

Dodd also discusses how the Illawarra Cutters' successes of 2016 has translated to the first grade pre-season, his recovery from a training mishap and how he is fitting in at the club.

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2017/01/27/dodd_.html

 

[Crush]

Dragons to win the whole thing, then smash the bunnies in charity shield then march into the season by punishing penrith by 30 round 1. Ohhhhhh how good would that be!? Oh, my alarm just went off......

 

[2010]

Just don't want to see any injuries

 

[blacksafake]

Why are they risking Friz

 

[Drakon]

blacksnake - He's in the leading player group. They are exposing him to captaincy. They also need to fulfil certain requirements regarding number of regular NRL players and number of top 5 players etc

 

[Old Timer]

blacksnake - He's in the leading player group. They are exposing him to captaincy. They also need to fulfil certain requirements regarding number of regular NRL players and number of top 5 players etc

All true but he is coming off a heavy workload and injury
IMO not worth risking him

 

[Drakon]

Yeah OT but he asked why, and that's why. Also, he is the type of player who will potentially do well at Auckland Nines.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Really happy to see Dodd get an opportunity in the 9's. If he's completely over his injury then I see him as a smoky for an NRL spot later on in the year or if injuries continue.

 

[dino2170]

but has he got speed and more speed

 

[coast_dragons]

but has he got speed and more speed

 

[blacksafake]

blacksnake - He's in the leading player group. They are exposing him to captaincy. They also need to fulfil certain requirements regarding number of regular NRL players and number of top 5 players etc

I understand all that D, but my issue is that he has just had a long series & reports are his back ain't 100%. Surely the club could have said he's not fit. He's too valuable to risk in a tournament like the 9's

 

[Drakon]

Yeah, I agree, always the chance of injury but he's also going as squad captain. Doesn't mean he has to be on the field all the time. I think its to test him out for post Widdop captaincy.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Yeah, I agree, always the chance of injury but he's also going as squad captain. Doesn't mean he has to be on the field all the time. I think its to test him out for post Widdop captaincy.

This.
Plus Friz is the photo they use on Facebook, which is interesting seeing he's not captain.

 

[Drakon]

Yep, they are definitely lining Friz and Dufty up as the future face of the Dragons. Maybe Hunt will get a look in soon too.

 

[getsmarty]

Herbert Achieves Nines Goal
Sun 29th January, 12:00PM
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St George Illawarra utility Patrick Herbert is already ticking boxes in 2017 after being named in the Dragons' 18-man Auckland Nines squad.

Herbert said the Nines was a goal set out for him by Dragons coach Paul McGregor at the beginning of the pre-season.

The Junior Kiwis representative also discussed how is fellow NYC teammates are progressing and his recent mishap with an oyster.

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2017/01/29/herbert_achieves_nin.html

 

[Como Connection]

This.
Plus Friz is the photo they use on Facebook, which is interesting seeing he's not captain.

Who said, the captain hasn't been named as yet has it?

 

[Dragonslayer]

Who said, the captain hasn't been named as yet has it?

True.
Makes you wonder about wether Widdop will remain captain and possibly aim for a new contract extension or if he replaced as captain it would probably see the end of him definitely by the end of the year and possibly sooner.

 

[Como Connection]

True.
Makes you wonder about wether Widdop will remain captain and possibly aim for a new contract extension or if he replaced as captain it would probably see the end of him definitely by the end of the year and possibly sooner.

Perhaps he would like to the captaincy to be handed to someone else.
Sick of sitting next to Mary at the press conferences.
Don't think he enjoyed the job and it affected his game.
CC

 

[Sheridan Stand]

Send our best young juniors - good experience and at the end of the day it is just a carnival.

The club (by which you should read new committee) has picked a very smart squad for the Auckland nines.

Most importantly, we are using the tournament to do the following for several earmarked star juniors who really do show high future potential:

1. Blood select junior rising stars
2. See how they perform on a bigger (yet carnival like) stage
3. Reward their pre season efforts.

Friz is there for a longer term reason.

Things are starting to turn for the better.

 

[hazzbeen]

Add to that it was the poorest demonstration of nines footy I have ever witnessed.
it was like the game plan was the 13 a side game plan, but only 9 men on the field.
One out runs for the first three tackles were common and then 2 tackles to create something, with a random kick at the end....
Pityful stuff...

Its called Dragons Footy .......