Dragon and Eels-whats going on ?????

[Tommy Smith]

Our injuries seem to be restricted to the back 5.

1. Minichiello (10 weeks)
2. Monaghan (season)
3. Cross (6 weeks)
4. Soliola (6 weeks)
Flannery - back-up centre - (6-8 weeks)

Very frustrating. Somewhat ironically, unlike the Dragons, it would be great if it was our halfback who got injured instead so we could see Anasta/Soward in action.

 

[Balmain_Boy]

I wonder if the Dragons push their players too hard in the gym? For mine they are by far the biggest team in the competition. Every single one of their players is huge, even the fringe forwards. As an example, look at Colin Best. who I never remember as being particularly solid during his time with Cronulla. As a Dragon he's a very big man.

It honestly wouldn't surprise me if the Dragons are being overtrained with weights.

 

[Eelementary]

But whats the difference?

They had set plays going out to them last year as well.

Its just that the Parramatta players played beyond their capablilities last year.

Tim Smith is a major reason, opposing teams didnt know him well last year while this year hes been targeted and presto, there goes the golden boy tag.

No biggie, Karmichael Hunt and Braith Anasta had it in their first year.

The difference is that last year, Tim Smith in particular was given practically a free reign to play his natural game.

This season, he's been held back because the coach feels he needs to change - and lo and behold, we're struggling.

 

[RiotAct]

Yeah well, when we tried to use injuries as an excuse last year, every non-doggies fan hammered us and rubbed in every loss, it's only fair to repay that favour. Cop that Dragons fans <3 \\\\/

 

[RiotAct]

tim smith is too predictable, one thing goes wrong for the kid and he falls apart aswell

 

[Eelementary]

But that's just it, isnt it?

This year he's too predictable because he takes the line on and passes. Whereas last year he'd kick OR pass.

It's a coaching thing, I tells ya.

 

[super_coach]

Smith will bounce back,theirs a fine line between champayne and beer.He has the skills,just needs 12 other blokes going forward.As posted,Parra are using their Rolls Royce as a tractor (Nathan hindmarsh) . Even Clarke Kent,cant be expected to make 60 tackles,50 hit ups and 20 line breaks a match

 

[petetheileet]

social loafing is whats going on....look it up!

 

[Kiwi]

STG have more injuries..and yes they are an excuse. Take a look at the Dragons with Head in the team, they played and won vs the Chooks and Eagles.

Wes Banana is out for the yr
Head out for 6 weeks.

It was no excuse for us when we had the likes of Carlaw, Ennis, Hodges, Tate, Thaiday, Costigan ect sitting out matches, so why should it be an excuse for anyone else?

 

[Mr Saab]

I agree kiwi, but some fans who have NFI dont care about injuries until it happens to their team.
Take Lockyer/Webcke and Petero out of the Broncos and see where we would be. It is the same for the dragons.

 

[Kiwi]

On the Dragons, it's not like their PL team is doing badly, they are running 3rd. So why the hell aren't out of form top graders being dropped for these young blokes who are playing well?

We hear about the Dragons depth ect, how about using it?

You have Barrett who is f**king off, Gasnier who lets be honest here will go, otherwise he would have made a call by now, he just wanted to play the test, an aging timmins, bailey who is leaving, Ryles who is sh*thouse, and a backrow who have done squat in most games, yet they are all still being selected when fit. Dragons need to bite the bullet now and blood these young blokes, before suddenly they have to step up week in week out next year.

 

[Kiwi]

Same could be said for the Eels, their PL team is running first, but the same out of form couldn't beat a dead horse players keep getting picked, drop some of the out of form players and get the young blokes in there. they couldn't do any worse.

It's interesting, even the Panthers who are struggling have their PL team in 2nd, yet do we see the young blokes who are actually performing get a chance...nope, and these teams wonder why their lower grade players f**k off to other clubs.

 

[Godz Illa]

Your knack for over-simplification is extraordinary. Most of the good PL players have been in first grade the last few weeks. Sheppard, Ndaira, Te Maari, Leaneo, Morris, Millard and this week Wicks. The PL side didn't look so hot last week with all the big guns up in first grade, lapped 56 to whatever by Cronulla.

The fact is we are without two Test props and our fulcrum halfback. Ryles was playing good football and Head was sensational. Throw in the starting winger (Naiqama) and backrower (Payne), and a few backup forwards for good measure (Price and Isemonger). Stir to taste. Mmm needs more salt. Lets have Ashton Sims as well for the season, and Gasnier for a week.

 

[borat]

On the Dragons, it's not like their PL team is doing badly, they are running 3rd. So why the hell aren't out of form top graders being dropped for these young blokes who are playing well?

We hear about the Dragons depth ect, how about using it?

You have Barrett who is f**king off, Gasnier who lets be honest here will go, otherwise he would have made a call by now, he just wanted to play the test, an aging timmins, bailey who is leaving, Ryles who is sh*thouse, and a backrow who have done squat in most games, yet they are all still being selected when fit. Dragons need to bite the bullet now and blood these young blokes, before suddenly they have to step up week in week out next year.

Kiwi,

In 10 rounds we have given debuts to 6 of our jersey Flegg team from last year.

Secondly, I have never heard the Dragons have great depth. Depth has always been our problem because we have so much money inveseted in our big name players. You have only got to look at most of our buys for this year like Isemonger and Price were players unwanted by their previous clubs. And they walk into our FG lineup.

 

[Eelementary]

Injuries are an excuse, I reckon.

I mean, the Eels themsleves went through an epdidemic a few seasons ago when Hindmarsh, Cayless, Vella, Lyon, Vaealiki, Solomona, Moodie, Hodgson and more weren't on the field at any given time. And boy - did they struggle!

 

[super_coach]

Yeh granted the drags have had no luck with injuries. The question is, is it just bad luck,or is their somthing wrong in their training structure.
Sheens puts hours and hours into devolping injury prevention programs and special rehab programs.Now you will never stop bad luck,but you can do things that might help you have better luck.
Not being close to the club i dont know,but over the past few years they have had a pretty bad run.I remember the Panthers going through the same run a few years ago and the same questions being asked