Corey Norman??

[Datramp]

I would have as 14 can play anywhere in the backline .

Ridiculous. you don't spend the kind of money we would have to for Norman to sit him on the bench.

Anyways Robert Jennings has apparently been told to look elsewhere so likely we will get him instead

 

[Gareth67]

Old mate tells me Norman is on his way

The calm one - you can’t have it both ways buddy .

 

[dangerousdave]

Well it's like this tool. No one was coming until Mann left. FMD, I don't come with a crystal ball.

But we've known Mann would likely be Newcastle bound for over a month.
And even then, initial discussions with Parra over Norman's contract predate this.

 

[possm]

Millward has indicated that they do not have a replacement for Mann but will be signing a couple of outside backs soon. So it appears that Norman's asking price is beyond what the Dragons are looking to pay.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...r/news-story/ef1d05a27b7fde4df0f32adf7a97ac3e

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/12/10/dragons-release-kurt-mann/

 

[chowiesplatterpoo2]

I would have Norman and Hunt in the Halves, Widdop at the back and Duffy off the bench. Perhaps...

 

[The calm one]

The calm one - you can’t have it both ways buddy .

????

 

[possm]

After listening to Millward on Dragons TV, I'd day we are not going to sign Norman. I get the feeling we are going to sign R Jennings and another outside back and then keep an eye out for a replacement for Mann.

Makes no sense to me. I really doubt Millward knows what he is doing.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/12/10/dragons-release-kurt-mann/

 

[Dragonslayer]

The main question for me...…………..is Norman considered an outside back or a half?

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

From the Smellygraph just now ( 4:15pm ) .......... I can't post the story cause l'm not a subscriber.
Just the headline.

 

[dragonssamy61]

Ridiculous. you don't spend the kind of money we would have to for Norman to sit him on the bench.

Anyways Robert Jennings has apparently been told to look elsewhere so likely we will get him instead

I was asked were I would play him if widdop was still here and 14 is were I would.
You are entitled to have your own option but weather or not you agree or disagree
Don't make my option wrong.
If he comes this year it will be payed by parra as well.

 

[dragonssamy61]

The main question for me...…………..is Norman considered an outside back or a half?

The main question is norman the target or someone else.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Just further on this and again just my opinion.

I think we may have signed Norman for 2020 and this maybe revealed tomorrow.

My guess is that Norman still is the target for 2019, but we were short of what Parra were willing to pay and what we had available (therefore agreeance by Parra to let him go), otherwise releasing Mann now wouldn't have made any sense as he was still contracted.

 

[The calm one]

But we've known Mann would likely be Newcastle bound for over a month.
And even then, initial discussions with Parra over Norman's contract predate this.

You're entitled to your opinion but the facts are. If Mann stayed there would no Norman. They might have had preliminary talks with him, incase they had spare cash if Mann left. This is what happened. Btn the money they save in not paying Mann and what is left in the salary cap they are now In a position to sign a quality back, which I have heard will be Norman especially if
the eels are will to pay a portion of his contract. Time will tell

 

[red rocket]

You're entitled to your opinion but the facts are. If Mann stayed there would no Norman. They might have had preliminary talks with him, incase they had spare cash if Mann left. This is what happened. Btn the money they save in not paying Mann and what is left in the salary cap they are now In a position to sign a quality back, which I have heard will be Norman especially if
the eels are will to pay a portion of his contract. Time will tell

Would love to have norman but not at the expense of young Robinson who could play man's role from the bench this bloke is the most promising number 9 in the comp

 

[jak]

The main question is norman the target or someone else.

samy how is the knee going and what % are you at?

 

[muzby]

 

[WoyD4LWoy]

The main question is norman the target or someone else.

Alex Johnson was mentioned in one of the news reports

 

[slippery5]

A post in JA said that Norman has been signed and his signing will be announced on Tuesday.

Announcement of Kurt Mann today makes sense for Tuesday announcement. Where there's smoke there's fire.

 

[redV06]

I wouldn’t get too excited re: outside back
Another budget buy coming up.

I’d be happy with Norman, he’s a class player, not as good as Widdop though.

 

[slippery5]

Bingo!!! 100% spot on.

If Norman does sign and if he joins us now, what a perfect opportunity to us him as our utility back. Remember that Mann will be let go and whilst I'd prefer Robson on the bench, I can see the merits of having Norman there.
Norman would most probably be used to rest Widdop during the game. If this is the case then we need to play Lomax as the right centre (as the additional goal-kicker). It would be a travesty to play him on the wing.
Of course Norman could also be used as a back-up for McInnes, by this I mean, McInnes coming off and Hunt moving to hooker and Norman to half. Plenty of creativity there.
Finally, Norman could back up for Dufty, if he starts getting the yips at fullback.

If Widdop moves on in 2020, then Norman slots straight into 5/8. If this rotation proves successful then, this leaves the door open for Field to fulfill the role moving forward.

My biggest concern is Robson. He needs to be in the 17 for sure, but where?

All this is pending Widdop staying in 2019, even if we sign Norman (now).

Rotating halves during a game should never happen unless you have no faith in your starting playmakers, not sure how many other teams have used this theory successfully before.