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McInnes's defesive work could only be reduced if the rest of our forward pack are substantially effective in defence up the middle. Last season positionally, our defence close to the line was way off.
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McInnes's defesive work could only be reduced if the rest of our forward pack are substantially effective in defence up the middle. Last season positionally, our defence close to the line was way off.
McInnes has missed JdB the most, Jack did a lot of tackling in the middle Cam had to pick up the slack
Yes and no, in my opinion. I agree with you that our middle defence was terrible often close to the line by going though the teeth of our forwards, which when that happens i feel is game over. However, I also feel McInnes could be more selective in his defensive choices and save some petrol for attack that the TEAM needs. It would mean a change of identity for him as he’s much lauded for his stats, but while 70 tackles a match for a hooker is admirable achievement but silly in my opinion. Parramatta’s Hindmarsh was a good comparison where his attack suffered due to the huge workload he took on. Be surprised if Griffin wouldn’t address that..
Well we did say the drums were beatingHooper: McInnes contract scenario hands Hook his first real test as Dragons coach
Dragons
- January 18, 2021 4:02pm
- JAMES HOOPER
- Source: FOX SPORTS
Cameron McInnes has yet to receive an offer from the DragonsSource: Getty Images
The Cameron McInnes contract scenario at St George Illawarra is the first real test for new Red V coach Anthony Griffin as the club pursues Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough.
Dragons captain McInnes is a free agent as of next season and is still awaiting a formal offer from the Red V for 2022.
In the meantime, Griffin has green lit a move to chase Broncos hooker McCullough as the Red V look to overhaul their playing style.
In fairness, the Dragons have finished 15th and 12th the last two years.
By chasing McCullough, Griffin is sending a clear message reputations mean nothing and he will pick the St George Illawarra best 17 based on what he believes is best for the team.
It’s a strong message but also one that comes with an element of risk given the respect McInnes commands around the Red V playing group.
Whereas last year the Dragons opted to play Ben Hunt at hooker and use McInnes as a ball-playing, small lock forward, this year Griffin has signalled Hunt will return to the halves.
Hunt and McCullough are great mates from their days at the Brisbane Broncos together when they played in an under 20s grand final alongside Corey Norman.
The coach? Anthony Griffin.
So the McCullough play can be interpreted as putting the band back together.
McInnes turns 27 on February 1 this year while McCullough turns 31 on January 30.
McCullough is also coming off a major injury after tearing his hamstring off the bone playing for Newcastle last season.
But by all reports the Broncos dummy-half has been flying in pre-season at Red Hill.
The sticking point to the Broncos releasing McCullough for this year is whether the club is prepared to chip in to cover any of his $600,000-a-season deal.
The Broncos have already paid him from November 1 but will most likely need to throw something in to make the deal happen this year.
Both McCullough and McInnes are tough dummy-halves who primarily play 80 minutes most games.
So how do the Dragons fit them both in?
The simple answer is play McInnes primarily as a small lock forward – a role he proved more than adept at handling last year.
The Dragons skipper impressed so much he won selection in the NSW Blues State of Origin 27-man squad and received rave reviews from all the Blues coaching staff about his professionalism.
Even though the Dragons have had a forgettable past two seasons, McInnes has more than held his hands up.
The Fox Sports Lab shows how the St George Illawarra captain has only missed three games since linking with the club at the end of 2017, collecting back-to-back Dragons medals as the club’s best and fairest along the way.
Despite injuring his MCL in last year’s pre-season Nines tournament in Perth, the COVID shutdown meant the durable hooker only missed two games.
McInnes only returned to training in Wollongong last Monday and the club is expected to further clarify its position on a contract for next season later this week.
This is when the picture will become a lot clearer.
It’s no secret the Dragons captain met with Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire for a coffee prior to Christmas and the joint venture is clearly monitoring the situation.
Maguire was a huge McInnes fan when he coached him at South Sydney and it wouldn’t surprise if the club made a play to sign the Rabbitohs junior.
A major element of the Dragons negotiations with McInnes is what position he plays.
As much as money will by no means be the driving factor, if he’s starting at hooker he’ll command significantly more than if he’s playing as a middle forward.
It all adds up to a big call to be made by new coach Griffin before the new season has even started.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...h/news-story/1842d73437521e88beaefd45808ab2e5
Sounds plausible, McCulloch would be much cheaper that McInnes.
I think this more about Hunt transitioning into 9 than it is about McInnes staying or going.
You know what? I’m calling it, McInnes is gone.Hooper: McInnes contract scenario hands Hook his first real test as Dragons coach
Dragons
- January 18, 2021 4:02pm
- JAMES HOOPER
- Source: FOX SPORTS
Cameron McInnes has yet to receive an offer from the DragonsSource: Getty Images
The Cameron McInnes contract scenario at St George Illawarra is the first real test for new Red V coach Anthony Griffin as the club pursues Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough.
Dragons captain McInnes is a free agent as of next season and is still awaiting a formal offer from the Red V for 2022.
In the meantime, Griffin has green lit a move to chase Broncos hooker McCullough as the Red V look to overhaul their playing style.
In fairness, the Dragons have finished 15th and 12th the last two years.
By chasing McCullough, Griffin is sending a clear message reputations mean nothing and he will pick the St George Illawarra best 17 based on what he believes is best for the team.
It’s a strong message but also one that comes with an element of risk given the respect McInnes commands around the Red V playing group.
Whereas last year the Dragons opted to play Ben Hunt at hooker and use McInnes as a ball-playing, small lock forward, this year Griffin has signalled Hunt will return to the halves.
Hunt and McCullough are great mates from their days at the Brisbane Broncos together when they played in an under 20s grand final alongside Corey Norman.
The coach? Anthony Griffin.
So the McCullough play can be interpreted as putting the band back together.
McInnes turns 27 on February 1 this year while McCullough turns 31 on January 30.
McCullough is also coming off a major injury after tearing his hamstring off the bone playing for Newcastle last season.
But by all reports the Broncos dummy-half has been flying in pre-season at Red Hill.
The sticking point to the Broncos releasing McCullough for this year is whether the club is prepared to chip in to cover any of his $600,000-a-season deal.
The Broncos have already paid him from November 1 but will most likely need to throw something in to make the deal happen this year.
Both McCullough and McInnes are tough dummy-halves who primarily play 80 minutes most games.
So how do the Dragons fit them both in?
The simple answer is play McInnes primarily as a small lock forward – a role he proved more than adept at handling last year.
The Dragons skipper impressed so much he won selection in the NSW Blues State of Origin 27-man squad and received rave reviews from all the Blues coaching staff about his professionalism.
Even though the Dragons have had a forgettable past two seasons, McInnes has more than held his hands up.
The Fox Sports Lab shows how the St George Illawarra captain has only missed three games since linking with the club at the end of 2017, collecting back-to-back Dragons medals as the club’s best and fairest along the way.
Despite injuring his MCL in last year’s pre-season Nines tournament in Perth, the COVID shutdown meant the durable hooker only missed two games.
McInnes only returned to training in Wollongong last Monday and the club is expected to further clarify its position on a contract for next season later this week.
This is when the picture will become a lot clearer.
It’s no secret the Dragons captain met with Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire for a coffee prior to Christmas and the joint venture is clearly monitoring the situation.
Maguire was a huge McInnes fan when he coached him at South Sydney and it wouldn’t surprise if the club made a play to sign the Rabbitohs junior.
A major element of the Dragons negotiations with McInnes is what position he plays.
As much as money will by no means be the driving factor, if he’s starting at hooker he’ll command significantly more than if he’s playing as a middle forward.
It all adds up to a big call to be made by new coach Griffin before the new season has even started.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...h/news-story/1842d73437521e88beaefd45808ab2e5
Hook is no dummy. He’s not rushing to extend either McInnes or Dufty because he’s got options up his sleeve.
No . The manager is trying to get the Dragons to get a wriggle on.
No sorry
We don’t want a hooker, we need a lock! My reason for asking is why would Saints be looking for an immediate release for Brisbane Macca?
Experience back up because they don’t want to move Hunt to 9 if they don’t have to and maybe Britain’s just not quite first grade material
There’s definitely some shenanigans going on, I think it’s about McInnes’s asking price, Andrew McCullough is a decent player & much cheaper. McInnes would cost say $1.8M over 3yrs compared to McCullough who’d cost $700-$800K over 2 years.
