Dragons chase Jarryd Hayne

[Dragonslayer]

We are not really short now. Blake Lawrie ring a bell. I think we have 4 average props in our starting 17 with Sims, Graham & Vaughan...but 1 more big name would help especially with a major injury
Latimore did enough to prove his worth as an ISP and / or a back up 1st grade prop.
Again..McDonald & Herbert. No loss IMO,and we signed 2 wingers although not tested at 1st grade level enough.
And this will be the last time I say this on any forum..I am going to wait until March and see what Mary does with the back 5 without 2nd guessing before commenting which may include signing another decent back by then. It sounds to me POSS..you are losing too much sleep ATM over this back 5 and the broken lack of a prop recording. Lets review it in March-June 2019 to say how we go and what transpires.

Correct.
With (probably) Vaughan and Graham to start or even Vaughan and K.Sims starting we have some aggression for the first 20-25 mins. Then interchange Graham/Sims and Vaughan with Lawrie and Gragam/Sims. This continues the aggression and we lose nothing on what we had last year. Latimore is a steady, cheap and reliable and a handy back-up. I'm not a fan at all of Allgood, but at least he has 1st grade experience and again cheap. The new boy Timm looks promising but untested and Kerr, well lets see. ISO need 4 props as well so these 4 will make up the quota there.
McDonald is now at his 4th club and he is what 25yrs old? That in itself tells a story. I think Pearson has a higher ceiling than McDonald anyway and I cant remember yow many times i've stated to pissm that Periera is predominantly a right sided winger, its where he has played the majority of his career even in our ISP and only changed to the left when he got his 1st grade chance.
Lomax played right wing for the PM's game against PNG and did very well.
Back up for Dufty, take your pick. Lomax, Mann (who looks more likely to stay unless we nab Cotric), Field, Widdop and probably any of the wingers or even young Masters if we hold a spot open.
Young Saab is an absolute giraffe and just hetted off with the Aust team to tour England. Needs to fill out but wow an exciting prospect.
Like you i'm not ready to push the doomsday button just yet without even seeing yow these new guys go. Remember Addo-Carr was let go by both Cronulla and the Tigers and look at him now.

 

[BLM01]

Correct.
With (probably) Vaughan and Graham to start or even Vaughan and K.Sims starting we have some aggression for the first 20-25 mins. Then interchange Graham/Sims and Vaughan with Lawrie and Gragam/Sims. This continues the aggression and we lose nothing on what we had last year. Latimore is a steady, cheap and reliable and a handy back-up. I'm not a fan at all of Allgood, but at least he has 1st grade experience and again cheap. The new boy Timm looks promising but untested and Kerr, well lets see. ISO need 4 props as well so these 4 will make up the quota there.
McDonald is now at his 4th club and he is what 25yrs old? That in itself tells a story. I think Pearson has a higher ceiling than McDonald anyway and I cant remember yow many times i've stated to pissm that Periera is predominantly a right sided winger, its where he has played the majority of his career even in our ISP and only changed to the left when he got his 1st grade chance.
Lomax played right wing for the PM's game against PNG and did very well.
Back up for Dufty, take your pick. Lomax, Mann (who looks more likely to stay unless we nab Cotric), Field, Widdop and probably any of the wingers or even young Masters if we hold a spot open.
Young Saab is an absolute giraffe and just hetted off with the Aust team to tour England. Needs to fill out but wow an exciting prospect.
Like you i'm not ready to push the doomsday button just yet without even seeing yow these new guys go. Remember Addo-Carr was let go by both Cronulla and the Tigers and look at him now.

And Lomax had a great game for the Junior Roos. See how he also jumped for that high ball. Impressive!

 

[True_Believer]

Correct.
With (probably) Vaughan and Graham to start or even Vaughan and K.Sims starting we have some aggression for the first 20-25 mins. Then interchange Graham/Sims and Vaughan with Lawrie and Gragam/Sims. This continues the aggression and we lose nothing on what we had last year. Latimore is a steady, cheap and reliable and a handy back-up. I'm not a fan at all of Allgood, but at least he has 1st grade experience and again cheap. The new boy Timm looks promising but untested and Kerr, well lets see. ISO need 4 props as well so these 4 will make up the quota there.
McDonald is now at his 4th club and he is what 25yrs old? That in itself tells a story. I think Pearson has a higher ceiling than McDonald anyway and I cant remember yow many times i've stated to pissm that Periera is predominantly a right sided winger, its where he has played the majority of his career even in our ISP and only changed to the left when he got his 1st grade chance.
Lomax played right wing for the PM's game against PNG and did very well.
Back up for Dufty, take your pick. Lomax, Mann (who looks more likely to stay unless we nab Cotric), Field, Widdop and probably any of the wingers or even young Masters if we hold a spot open.
Young Saab is an absolute giraffe and just hetted off with the Aust team to tour England. Needs to fill out but wow an exciting prospect.
Like you i'm not ready to push the doomsday button just yet without even seeing yow these new guys go. Remember Addo-Carr was let go by both Cronulla and the Tigers and look at him now.

I've said in previous posts that some players don't excel at the first club they land at. It sometimes takes a couple of clubs for them to find their groove. Cook was the example I gave. Even Vaughn's move to us has provided him with a different focus and drive. It's just the way it works and it's not worth bemoaning players moving on.

The other thing we need to remember is that we've got until June to fill the team. Anything could happen between now and then. I'd like the team to be settled by the first game, but I also don't want to make desperate signings.

 

[possm]

Latimore is exactly the kind of bottom dollar/minimum wage solid performer every team needs if they want to have any semblance of a salary cap while still remaining competitive

We failed in 2018 because we did not have enough first grade props to rotate when players were slightly injured or fatigued.

 

[possm]

I've said in previous posts that some players don't excel at the first club they land at. It sometimes takes a couple of clubs for them to find their groove. Cook was the example I gave. Even Vaughn's move to us has provided him with a different focus and drive. It's just the way it works and it's not worth bemoaning players moving on.

The other thing we need to remember is that we've got until June to fill the team. Anything could happen between now and then. I'd like the team to be settled by the first game, but I also don't want to make desperate signings.

I'd like to think that it is better to sign earlier rather than later. Full off-season training together make the world of difference.

 

[True_Believer]

I'd like to think that it is better to sign earlier rather than later. Full off-season training together make the world of difference.

For a change, I agree with you possm. However, as I said, I don't want to sign someone just because they are available (ie Hayne) and because we want someone in to train with the team during pre-season. If we don't have any suitable candidates for the positions we are chasing now, then I would prefer to wait until someone does become available rather than tie up another few hundred thousand dollars for a year or more on a dud signing.

 

[Dragonslayer]

I'd like to think that it is better to sign earlier rather than later. Full off-season training together make the world of difference.

Works both ways.
Signing someone now does have the advantages of training with the squad and knowing our plays and system.
However, it also blocks an opportunity for a young gun to be promoted from the DS, particularly if they are killing it say in ISP.
Manly had this issue this season with their young hooker.
Selecting the right person is paramount, be that from internal or external. The advantage of internal of course, is the fact they are already in training now.
If Cotric became available for example, absolutely get him on board he that now or early in the new year. No brainer there, but patience must prevail otherwise we may be faced wirh more Dylan Farrell type signings.

 

[TruSaint]

I'd like to think that it is better to sign earlier rather than later. Full off-season training together make the world of difference.

@possm , mate ideally yes.

As mentioned by many others, the question now becomes a case of quality as opposed to filling in the numbers.

The way contracts are disregarded nowadays, shifting of coaches mid stream, etc, there will always be available talent at any given stage.

Personally, I think we are a few signings away ( back 5 ), from being a real force. Any band aid signing, for the sake of it would be money better off saved for our juniors upgrade.

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

I'm very confident the Bennett/Seibold 2019 swap will open doors for more player transfers. Problem now is we will also need to compete with scum for the quality outside backs looking to go on the move.

I like McInnes but think he needs someone making him earn his wage.
He played some blinders last year.
He also took annual leave several times as well.
Think we need a steady back up.

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

Would say that K Sims for Ah Mau is a like for like and have not problem with this only, we were short on first grade prop last year and are still short one for 2019. We have a few ISP props and should never have extended Latimore or Allgood, their used by date has expired.

Losing Macdonald and Herbert for me is a big blow. Currently we have not replaced Macdonald and we do not have a backup for Dufty. To me it seems the only backup winger we have is Pereira - left wing. No recognised right winger. In the centres we have Lomax and Mann as our best combination however, Mary is likely to be as stubborn as ever and select Lomax out of position on the right wing - outside Aitken of all players and use Mann as a utility again. So it looks to be Lomax as the backup for Dufty and Mann to the right wing as backup for Lomax. This is why we have problems with our back 5; Mary just does not have a clue.

Agreed,
To think Pereira ( as quoted by the papers* ).....has gone from novice to leading winger* for the club is a joke.

I saw it the other way .............In the space of a couple of months, we've gone from still not having a complete decent backline to having a bunch of half decent novices who may or not shine when under the pump.

Sure, we have some good young players and we DO need to blood them but in saying that, we are leaving ourselves wide open for any decent team to bust our forwards and having a easy run to the line.

We possibly have some good young attackers who at such a young age, must have some speed but wow, we need some capable defence and l just don't see it......... yet.

Macdonald was mainly attack.
Duffy pure attack.
Lomax attack but hoping he shows promise in defence. ( really confident he's going to be a real star )
Pereira is mainly attack and doesn't have the skill set for defence .......... not yet anyway.
Aitken is caught between a winger, a centre and getting injured.
Hopefully, he can find one and stick to it.

Lafai isn't too bad in either if he's decides to show up.
Someone please explain to him he gets paid weekly, not monthly and he needs to be at the club 10 years to take long service leave......... ( hint, hint ).
He's shown some great attack but tends to go MIA in defence.

Anyway, that's my two bobs worth of seriousness for the week.
As you were.

 

[GC Dragon]

Not sure that Corey Oates has put pen to paper with the Bronco's yet ? . With them about to release Bennett I would be having a real go at getting Oates as a genuine replacement for McDonald .

We will no doubt have to pay overs but get him signed then work out who/if we need to move somebody on to fit him in . In my opinion we are a top class winger short and he would be a upgrade on McDonald .

 

[41yearsaint]

Agreed,
To think Pereira ( as quoted by the papers* ).....has gone from novice to leading winger* for the club is a joke.

I saw it the other way .............In the space of a couple of months, we've gone from still not having a complete decent backline to having a bunch of half decent novices who may or not shine when under the pump.

Sure, we have some good young players and we DO need to blood them but in saying that, we are leaving ourselves wide open for any decent team to bust our forwards and having a easy run to the line.

We possibly have some good young attackers who at such a young age, must have some speed but wow, we need some capable defence and l just don't see it......... yet.

Macdonald was mainly attack.
Duffy pure attack.
Lomax attack but hoping he shows promise in defence. ( really confident he's going to be a real star )
Pereira is mainly attack and doesn't have the skill set for defence .......... not yet anyway.
Aitken is caught between a winger, a centre and getting injured.
Hopefully, he can find one and stick to it.

Lafai isn't too bad in either if he's decides to show up.
Someone please explain to him he gets paid weekly, not monthly and he needs to be at the club 10 years to take long service leave......... ( hint, hint ).
He's shown some great attack but tends to go MIA in defence.

Anyway, that's my two bobs worth of seriousness for the week.
As you were.

As you were. Mmmm interesting.
I know of one profession, which that phrase is used alot. Maybe a coincidence though.
Good post to BTW.

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

As you were. Mmmm interesting.
I know of one profession, which that phrase is used alot. Maybe a coincidence though.
Good post to BTW.

You've got me thinking.

Army - Attention, as you were....
Airforce - Righteo chaps, tally ho...
Navy - Batten hatches, dive, dive, dive....

Must be Army?

 

[41yearsaint]

As you were.

However,

Mary would make an excellent Air Force commander and Hayne wishes he was a Submariner.

 

[Fire]

Mary = Coast Guard.

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

Mary = Coast Guard.

..... more like, Dads Army.
They dont like the cold steel up em!

 

[Como Connection]

Works both ways.
Signing someone now does have the advantages of training with the squad and knowing our plays and system.
However, it also blocks an opportunity for a young gun to be promoted from the DS, particularly if they are killing it say in ISP.
Manly had this issue this season with their young hooker.
Selecting the right person is paramount, be that from internal or external. The advantage of internal of course, is the fact they are already in training now.
If Cotric became available for example, absolutely get him on board he that now or early in the new year. No brainer there, but patience must prevail otherwise we may be faced wirh more Dylan Farrell type signings.

Won't take long to work the plays out!
CC

 

[Dragonslayer]

Won't take long to work the plays out!
CC

OMG! yes how could i forget its the Dragons; hit up, hit up, hit up, sweep, sweep, kick

 

[Eatons Hill Dragon]

OMG! yes how could i forget its the Dragons; hit up, hit up, hit up, sweep, sweep, kick

Sorry Dragonslayer, it should read as follows,
hit up, hit up, hit up, hit up, sweep, poor kick, tackle x 5 but give up average 60 metres.
Program, repeat, play.

 

[aquiin]

We failed in 2018 because we did not have enough first grade props to rotate when players were slightly injured or fatigued.

This is the reason we weren’t minor premiers. Yes everyone agrees that they had one maybe two games where they could have been given a rest but they would say there were mitigating circumstances including the absence of Host and Lomax. Nothing is straight forward.

Also I don’t really understand comments like this given how strong we looked in the finals. As if it didn’t happen at all. Neither would I see the season as a failure given the majority believed we wouldn’t be in the finals. It’s just a broad brushstroke, rather looking at the detail.

The reason we didn’t get a game or two closer to the premiership were the players we had out. Nightingale aside, it wasn’t an issue of “wear and tear”. No amount significantly more or less than other teams, despite the usual discourse. Vaughn (freak injury on the way back from another), Widdop (likewise, played with surgery inevitable), TSims (absence changed the result) and Aitken (who they decided not to risk). These are not fatigue like injuries or absences. De Belin was probably the only one significantly under duress, under the assertion you and many people have made. I don’t see it when it came to finals.

We were playing well enough in the finals to beat Brisbane (who were expected to do something), Souths we almost did and would have if we were closer to full strength. I think we would have beaten the Roosters without Mitchell and Napa but likely not at full strength. Probably not Melbourne, though they looked short of ideas in the GF.

Roosters got their run near perfect starting the year off making changes and focusing on defence. They weren’t brilliant until the GF. They had some luck against Cronulla. They were nothing special against Souths. Spot on against Melbourne.

Could it have been us, with a week off in the finals? Given the wonton criticism of players and coach (who I don’t favour either), I can’t really see where the expectation is that would dictate a failure. Can’t have it both ways.