Cronulla game round 3

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

We do have the flashy backs in 17, 18, 19 and a few more playing for Lower grades. Blood them now, they'll learn fast, get knocked about and make mistakes. Or we could watch Lafai and Aitken make mistakes, Nighty get slower and slower, McCrone...........

Yeah, good point. We do have the flashy backs, just not in the first grade side.

 

[Lovemedragons]

Our backline is broken, and in need of major repair. Our only hope at shark park is if the sharks don't turn up or we use our players listed 17, 18 and 19 as starters. Lafai, Aitken, Nighty have to go. Aitken needs a major overhaul if he wants to stay in FG. McCrone should never have been considered in the first place.

Unless there's big changes in our backline and halve nothing will change, we'll be a sputtering, broken down, hit and miss rable, hoping for teams to have a bad day or for wet weather to make us look better.

Very hard to get optimistic about our once feared Dragons.

Is it really necessary to dump Nightingale - he does the job asked, is a legend of the club and part of our soul of the red v. Don't throw him out with the other pretenders who haven't given us fans anything.

 

[ALSGI]

Is it really necessary to dump Nightingale - he does the job asked, is a legend of the club and part of our soul of the red v. Don't throw him out with the other pretenders who haven't given us fans anything.

Lovemedrageons
No argument, he is a club legend, will always be one of my favourites. It's not about 'dumping' him, it's about picking the best available players across the park.

Yes, he does the job Mary asks of him,
as does McCrone, Lafai, and Aitken.
Is Nighty our best option on the Wing right now? No way, not imo, I would rather Mann in an instant, but I'd also prefer Mann at 7 over McCrone, in which case I'd be going for Field, Dufty or another of our promising speedsters on his wing. If they don't perform after a decent go, maybe Nighty?

Nighty scored 6 tries in 24 games last year. 5 the year before, 15 the year before. I know it's not just about scoring tries but ..... he's not our best option atm.

 

[Gareth67]

Lovemedrageons
No argument, he is a club legend, will always be one of my favourites. It's not about 'dumping' him, it's about picking the best available players across the park.

Yes, he does the job Mary asks of him,
as does McCrone, Lafai, and Aitken.
Is Nighty our best option on the Wing right now? No way, not imo, I would rather Mann in an instant, but I'd also prefer Mann at 7 over McCrone, in which case I'd be going for Field, Dufty or another of our promising speedsters on his wing. If they don't perform after a decent go, maybe Nighty?

Nighty scored 6 tries in 24 games last year. 5 the year before, 15 the year before. I know it's not just about scoring tries but ..... he's not our best option atm.

ALSGI , You have summed it up nicely , and without any iceing on top of the cake .
Everyone does appreciate what Nightingale has done for the team ever since he first donned the Big Red V jersey . He has most certainly given his all for the club , done his utmost for the team.

Unfortunately , old Father Time has finally caught up with him , in the most important aspect required for a winger and that is speed . We now badly need the younger players with speed and also to fulfil any potential that they may have . Watching other teams play in last weekends matches , one thing that stood out was the speed of their respective backlines , they were quick , very quick .

Opposition teams only need to hold our forwards in check , as Parramatta did last week and their outside backs will rip us to shreds . Should they watch a replay of that game , then they will know exactly what is required to beat us .

Mann is one player that has both speed and potential in abundance , put him on the wing , he proved in the last few matches of 2016 that he knows his way to the try line . The bloke needs to be given the opportunity , and by so doing prove his true worth to the club .

He along with Milne , would both inject some much needed speed and skill to a backline, that even at this early stage of the competition , seems to be stagnating and in much need of a overhaul , otherwise we will all once again , be in for a very long cold winter .

 

[Fangs]

Dragons are spoon favourites IMO

But in wet conditions I'd give them a chance against the Sharks. Cronulla might try to overplay their hand, will probably be a game filled with errors.

 

[ALSGI]

Agree Gareth67,
I started a thread on Nighty in the off season and there wasn't much agreeing, but that's understandable for one of our best modern clubmen. Some posters (who's opinions I respect) suggested he's got 2 or 3 years left.
We'd all love to see him finish the year of on a high, but I'd prefer to see the best team pushing for the best results.

 

[Eastview]

Bomb and grubber the f**k out of Edrick Lee... surely the supercoach will have this as part of his "game plan"

 

[Redhoopz]

As much as I would like to see some players dropped this week, it won't happen. It's only round 3 and there's only been one bad performance. Until it happens in consecutive weeks, Mary won't make a change.

 

[getsmarty]

Sharks v Dragons: Schick Preview
Thu 16 Mar, 2017, 12:00pm
By Martin Gabor ‌, National Correspondent , NRL.com
@MartinJGabor

Schick Hydro Preview: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v St George Illawarra Dragons
Southern Cross Group Stadium
Sunday 6:30pm

The defending premiers take on last year's strugglers on Sunday night, but past form counts for little when the Sharks and Dragons do battle for southern Sydney supremacy.

Cronulla rebounded from their season-opening loss with a convincing win over the much-fancied Raiders down in Canberra. After an even first half, the Sharks ran away with it with new No.9 Jayden Brailey touching down for his first try in the NRL.

It was a different story for the Dragons who came crashing back down to earth after their Round 1 win over Penrith, humbled at home by the Eels on Sunday night. The signs weren't good when Russell Packer made an error from the first play of the game, and things didn't get much better as they eventually fell 34-16.

The Sharks have named the same 17 that took care of Canberra and could be boosted by the return of Valentine Holmes and Gerard Beale who are part of the extended bench.

Paul McGregor has stuck solid with the same side went down to the Eels, although excitement machine Jai Field has been included in their 21-man squad.

‌

Rnd 3: Sun 19 Mar 2017, 6:30pm, Southern Cross Stadium
#NRLSharksDragons
ADD
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
5th
$1.37
St George Illawarra Dragons
6th
$3.20
Buy Tickets Team Lists
Match Preview Tipping

‌Why the Sharks can win: Written off after their Round 1 loss to the Broncos, Cronulla answered their critics in style with an attacking masterclass against the Raiders in the nation's capital. Wade Graham was the focal point in attack with a hat-trick, but a lot of that came down to five-eighth James Maloney's ability to straighten up and attract the third-in defender. Halfback Chad Townsend has also taken on the line a few times this year, with his show-and-go against the Broncos leading to a Maloney try. If they can square up nervous edge defenders then expect plenty of points to flow on the fringes.

Why the Dragons can win: No team has missed fewer tackles than the Dragons (31) in 2017 despite the Red V having had to contend with attacking powerhouses Penrith and Parramatta in the first two rounds. Their opponents, Cronulla, average 33 missed tackles per game in 2017, and missed a whopping 41 attempts when these sides met in Round 23 last season. The Dragons will be disappointed with their performance against the Eels on Sunday and will be keen to produce another dogged defensive display this time around.

‌The history: Played 38; Sharks 18; Dragons 19; Drawn 1. Honours were even in 2016 with both teams notching victories on home turf. The Sharks were clinical in Round 2 on their way to a 30-2 victory, while the Dragons showed they can be equally adept with ball in hand en route to a shock 32-18 win later in the season. The Red V have won four of the past six meetings but have lost two on the trot at Shark Park.

What are the odds: The market with Sportsbet is fairly one-sided in favour of the Sharks, but punters have nibbled away at the big price on offer for the Dragons. The Sharks have been backed to win 1-12 rather than 13+ so we could be in for another tight local derby according to the flow of money. Latest odds at Sportsbet.com.au.

Match officials: Referee: Ben Cummins. Assistant referee: Adam Gee. Sideline officials: Rickey McFarlane and Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski.

Televised: Fox Sports 2 – Live coverage from 6:30pm.

NRL.com predicts: Two of the best forward packs in the competition going toe-to-toe in front of what should be a sold-out Southern Cross Group Stadium ensures we're in for a thrilling contest. There is nothing better than a local derby, and a 2-1 start is on offer for these traditional rivals. It'll be interesting to see where Valentine Holmes plays if he is cleared in time. Whether he plays fullback or on the wing, expect him to be the difference on the night with a long-range try in the second half. Sharks by 7.


http://www.nrl.com/sharks-v-dragons-schick-preview/tabid/10874/newsid/104681/default.aspx

 

[possm]

NEWS FLASH!!
I now understand why Mary has not dropped anyone for Round 3. It seems he realised he did not get much praise for the win against the Panthers in round 1 mainly because he went public and told the plays to just play what they seen in front of them.

So in round 2 Mary decided to give some specific instructions - his game plan.

1. Attack their left side because they would not be ready for that.
2. Forget about Norman, focus on his team mates around him.
3. Take two steps forward and wait for the opposition to come to you. Gives you more time to adjust.
4. Anyone who does not follow these instructions will be dropped for next weeks game.

 

[Qdf]

ALSGI , You have summed it up nicely , without placing any iceing on top of the cake .
We all appreciate what Nightingale has done for the team ever since he first donned the Big Red V jersey . He has most certainly given his all for the club , done his utmost for the team.

Unfortunately , old Father Time has finally caught up with him , in the most important aspect required for a winger and that is speed . We now badly need the younger players with speed and also to fulfil any potential that they may have . Watching other teams play in last weekends matches , one thing that stood out was the speed of their respective backlines , they were quick , very quick .

Opposition teams only need to hold our forwards in check , as Parramatta did last week and their outside backs will rip us to shreds . Should they watch a replay of that game , then they will know exactly what is required to beat us .

Mann is one player that has both speed and potential in abundance , put him on the wing , he proved in the last few matches of 2016 that he knows his way to the try line . The bloke needs to be given the opportunity , and by so doing prove his true worth to the club .

He along with Milne , would both inject some much needed speed and skill to a backline, that even at this early stage of the competition , seems to be stagnating and in much need of a overhaul , otherwise we will all once again , be in for a very long cold winter .

Definitely,
McGregor needs to get his head out of his a#se & grow some balls. Just do your job,you imposter.
Can't see why you've got last year's leading tryscorer in reserve grade(Mann)
& the games slowest winger in the team.
We all know what Nighty has done for our Club, but the NRL is know place for pedestrians.

 

[ALSGI]

Definitely,
McGregor needs to get his head out of his a#se & grow some balls. Just do your job,you imposter.
Can't see why you've got last year's leading tryscorer in reserve grade(Mann)
& the games slowest winger in the team.
We all know what Nighty has done for our Club, but the NRL is know place for pedestrians.

Qdf
Back off mate, honestly.

Mary's focussing on 'coaching' this year and he's working on the the 'power game' right now. One thing at a time.

From big things little things grow?

Next year, the backline can chime in - 'Power Game Plus'

 

[possm]

I don't find our current situation funny. Win or lose this week, we still will be stuck with a crap coach, crap management and a wasted year.

 

[Crush]

I don't find our current situation funny. Win or lose this week, we still will be stuck with a crap coach, crap management and a wasted year.

Very negative. I think we could be in for a good year. Hopefully we are playing finals footy.

 

[Qdf]

Very negative. I think we could be in for a good year. Hopefully we are playing finals footy.

You gotta be dream'n...

 

[possm]

Crush,

I like your positive attitude.

There was a time - until Price was appointed - that I too was very positive about our Club however, the rubbish has gone on for over 5 years now and there is no sign that it will be resolved any time soon.

 

[Old Timer]

How long before the game starts do the teams have to advise firstly there 19 (I think they initially drop 2 off ??) and then the final 17 players to take the field?

 

[Dragonslayer]

How long before the game starts do the teams have to advise firstly there 19 (I think they initially drop 2 off ??) and then the final 17 players to take the field?

I believe it's:
Name 21 by 4pm on Tuesday's
Cut to 19 24hrs prior to start of game
Cut to 17 1hr prior game starts

I could be wrong though.

This week it really holds no water because the Illawarra play on Saturday, so we will know then who will be the 17 (unless they hold 1 as the 18th man which is a bit ridiculous because that player cannot play for Illawarra and wont play 1st grade, so no game for him this week).

 

[Old Timer]

I believe it's:
Name 21 by 4pm on Tuesday's
Cut to 19 24hrs prior to start of game
Cut to 17 1hr prior game starts

I could be wrong though.

This week it really holds no water because the Illawarra play on Saturday, so we will know then who will be the 17 (unless they hold 1 as the 18th man which is a bit ridiculous because that player cannot play for Illawarra and wont play 1st grade, so no game for him this week).

Exactly the stupidity we did in Rd1 with Mann

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

It's early days and having won the first round, we can have a win here.
We don't know what team of ours will turn up but let's be positive.
I'm not big on the coach but l can't do anything about that.
I can however, support my team so ..................... C'om you Dragons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!