Dragons Coach 2021 and Beyond

[getsmarty]

Seriously if Dean Young is appointed head coach I will throw, Wane or Griffin are a must!

Wane > Cows....

 

[I'm Hornby]

This 100%

The real legacy of McGregor will be length and depth he went to to survive. Not coach.
Our new coach, whoever that may be, will not have a magic bullet that will instantly solve our problems. This will take at least 2yrs to achieve any semblance of consistant performance and achievement. Then of course we will return to Young as our next 'career' coach thereafter and the cycle will rinse and repeat.

The dream of signing this player and that player is just that, a dream.
Players are avoiding us like the plague as are their managers.

Unfortunately, we will become a Knights clone of seasons past, relying on juniors to even fill a squad nonetheless fielding an NRL squad. How long did it take for them to dig themselves out? Thats our reality.

I don't agree or liken our situation with Newcastle's at all. They had a number of senior players retiring and an experienced coach leaving them in a bit of a mess roster wise (rightly or wrongly).

Despite this season being a complete write off, we have some positives to take away from it such as:

- The Lomax and Dufty combo has improved and we have got a genuine try scoring winger in Ravalawa that we didn't have to pay overs for.

- We are the only team in the comp that have 3 of the leading try scorers in our team.

- We have been ahead of several teams ranked higher than us on the ladder at half time but have lost simply due to soft defence and not competing for the 80 mins.

- We don't have a number of players leaving us at season's end except Frizell who hasn't been a huge contributer for a while for us anyway.

- Some of the younger forwards are showing promise such as Host, Lawrie, Ford, Kerr and Ellis.

I've already said I believe Norman and Hunt will improve massively with Griffin as coach and the same goes for our younger players above.

Our reality is that our rebuild is just about completed and with a good old school coach and a couple of experienced forwards/potential return of JDB we can reasonably expect much better results next season and in 2022 also.

 

[possm]

Wane > Cows....

Young should let go of his father's apron strings and and make his own career at another club. There is not more room for nepotism or corruption at out club.

 

[possm]

I don't agree or liken our situation with Newcastle's at all. They had a number of senior players retiring and an experienced coach leaving them in a bit of a mess roster wise (rightly or wrongly).

Despite this season being a complete write off, we have some positives to take away from it such as:

- The Lomax and Dufty combo has improved and we have got a genuine try scoring winger in Ravalawa that we didn't have to pay overs for.

- We are the only team in the comp that have 3 of the leading try scorers in our team.

- We have been ahead of several teams ranked higher than us on the ladder at half time but have lost simply due to soft defence and not competing for the 80 mins.

- We don't have a number of players leaving us at season's end except Frizell who hasn't been a huge contributer for a while for us anyway.

- Some of the younger forwards are showing promise such as Host, Lawrie, Ford, Kerr and Ellis.

I've already said I believe Norman and Hunt will improve massively with Griffin as coach and the same goes for our younger players above.

Our reality is that our rebuild is just about completed and with a good old school coach and a couple of experienced forwards/potential return of JDB we can reasonably expect much better results next season and in 2022 also.

We need our new coach to control recruitment and retension for next season. He also needs to be the one to design and control the pre-season training program.

 

[ChocOConnor]

A coach to control everything

Now that is the reason we will get someone like Georgiallis. Someone who will allow to be dictated to and won’t be allowed to hire and fire who he wants

Our club BOD are only interested in their own interests.

 

[Dragonslayer]

I don't agree or liken our situation with Newcastle's at all. They had a number of senior players retiring and an experienced coach leaving them in a bit of a mess roster wise (rightly or wrongly).

Despite this season being a complete write off, we have some positives to take away from it such as:

- The Lomax and Dufty combo has improved and we have got a genuine try scoring winger in Ravalawa that we didn't have to pay overs for.

- We are the only team in the comp that have 3 of the leading try scorers in our team.

- We have been ahead of several teams ranked higher than us on the ladder at half time but have lost simply due to soft defence and not competing for the 80 mins.

- We don't have a number of players leaving us at season's end except Frizell who hasn't been a huge contributer for a while for us anyway.

- Some of the younger forwards are showing promise such as Host, Lawrie, Ford, Kerr and Ellis.

I've already said I believe Norman and Hunt will improve massively with Griffin as coach and the same goes for our younger players above.

Our reality is that our rebuild is just about completed and with a good old school coach and a couple of experienced forwards/potential return of JDB we can reasonably expect much better results next season and in 2022 also.

We have some deep internal playing group problems, issues that any new coach will have to take a firm stance on. These issues were all on show last night, plain for all to see.

We are a long, long way from finalising a rebuild, in fact it really hasnt started yet and it will be several years before its resolution.

 

[I'm Hornby]

We need our new coach to control recruitment and retension for next season. He also needs to be the one to design and control the pre-season training program.

For sure, mate.

Mary would often shift accountability on to his support staff after a loss. This would give the impression that he wasn't clear in articulating a good game plan/style of play for the team and getting cohesion amongst the support staff to work towards this same thing. Instead it seemed like Mary would let the different support staff pull the team in their own direction which was one of the many reasons he was no good as a coach.

Our new coach definitely needs to be given full reign so we see cohesion in our game plan and onfield performances.

 

[I'm Hornby]

We have some deep internal playing group problems, issues that any new coach will have to take a firm stance on. These issues were all on show last night, plain for all to see.

We are a long, long way from finalising a rebuild, in fact it really hasnt started yet and it will be several years before its resolution.

I wouldn't classify soft defence or one dimensional attack as "deep internal playing group problems".

Both can and will be fixed by a good, experienced, competent and qualified coach.

 

[epDragon62]

Wane > Cows....

Speculative?

 

[Dragonslayer]

I wouldn't classify soft defence or one dimensional attack as "deep internal playing group problems".

Both can and will be fixed by a good, experienced, competent and qualified coach.

Ok, lets run with your theory, but pray tell
1. how will these issues be fixed?
2. What players are coming to the Dragons in 2021 of quality and 'like' for 'like'?
3. I'm curious to know how our rebuild is 'nearly complete'?

 

[I'm Hornby]

Ok, lets run with your theory, but pray tell
1. how will these issues be fixed?
2. What players are coming to the Dragons in 2021 of quality and 'like' for 'like'?
3. I'm curious to know how our rebuild is 'nearly complete'?

Happy to discuss further once you clarify what is meant by "deep internal playing group problems"?

Are our players punching on with each other after games or shagging their team mates mrs'?

 

[Dragonslayer]

Happy to discuss further once you clarify what is meant by "deep internal playing group problems"?

Are our players punching on with each other after games or shagging their team mates mrs'?

Mmm answering a question with a question.

 

[Mjab]

We have some deep internal playing group problems, issues that any new coach will have to take a firm stance on. These issues were all on show last night, plain for all to see.

We are a long, long way from finalising a rebuild, in fact it really hasnt started yet and it will be several years before its resolution.

I know there was JDB factions in playing group
I also asssume that some players are pissed Hunt and Norman Take
up 2M salary cap and don’t perform

do u Or others know of any other issues Within playing group ?

 

[I'm Hornby]

Mmm answering a question with a question.

Mate, I've given you a substantial response as to why comparing us to Newcastle is dumb.

You then claimed there was a divide in the playing group without qualifying that statement with any fact whatsoever and then saw fit to start playing 20 questions with me.

So let's keep our debates/discussions substantive and fact based, hey?

 

[Dragonslayer]

I know there was JDB factions in playing group
I also asssume that some players are pissed Hunt and Norman Take
up 2M salary cap and don’t perform

do u Or others know of any other issues Within playing group ?

First 2 you mentioned are part of it. The continued selection of certain players, game time, attitude at training and attitude to training (esp at Wollongong), buy in to the game plan are just a few others.

A new voice (or voices) is needed but it wont be the magic bullet some expect it to be. Its going to take 1 maybe 2 years to rebuild and that may depend on who stays and who goes.

 

[Mjab]

Sounds like 2022 Bellamy Bennett and Fitz will be available

is it worth waiting as if they sign Griffin it will prob be at least 2 years and these 3 will be snapped up

or do we hope Griff can work some magic

I used to think Henry was ok too and he might be able to do better with our shit roster than Griff. I don’t know . He was f**kd over at Titans but wasn’t bad elsewhere

as some say Griff may be able to bring some Tongans but they won’t be immediately successful

after watching the game last night at our personnel we just look very below average fogerty a relative nobody plays better than our halves
Don’t pretend , Clune is not more than a stopgap backup and NoMan is possibly worse. Hunt is a bit better but not much

millward has a lot to answer for IMO

no sane good player would come here and sadly 2 nd tier coaches don’t attract that much in quality players

 

[I'm Hornby]

A new voice (or voices) is needed but it wont be the magic bullet some expect it to be. Its going to take 1 maybe 2 years to rebuild and that may depend on who stays and who goes.

1-2 years under a new coach (provided its a good coach) is a much fairer assessment I think, mate. As opposed to your Newcastle comparison where it has taken them 5 seasons and 3 consecutive wooden spoons to finally make the top 8.

 

[I'm Hornby]

Sounds like 2022 Bellamy Bennett and Fitz will be available

is it worth waiting as if they sign Griffin it will prob be at least 2 years and these 3 will be snapped up

or do we hope Griff can work some magic

I used to think Henry was ok too and he might be able to do better with our shit roster than Griff. I don’t know . He was f**kd over at Titans but wasn’t bad elsewhere

as some say Griff may be able to bring some Tongans but they won’t be immediately successful

after watching the game last night at our personnel we just look very below average fogerty a relative nobody plays better than our halves
Don’t pretend , Clune is not more than a stopgap backup and NoMan is possibly worse. Hunt is a bit better but not much

millward has a lot to answer for IMO

no sane good player would come here and sadly 2 nd tier coaches don’t attract that much in quality players

I take the optimistic approach that Griffin will be the man to blood some of our promising up and comers and if that proves successful and he can get more out of Hunt and Norman in particular, we will be close to a top 4 side again.

These are the notable players that Griffin either signed or promoted to first grade during his time at Penrith:

- James Fisher-Harris
- Peta Hiku
- Merrin
- Nathan Cleary
- Moses Leota
- Dylan Edwards
- James Tamou
- Viliame Kikau
- Corey Harawira- Naira
- James Maloney
- Christian Crighton
- Kaide Ellis
- Jerome Luai
- Caleb Aikins

Looking at this list, none of these players would be considered 'superstars' and for me this typifies Griffin's coaching ability. He is obviously very good at identifying/coaching young talent along with a couple of experienced additions to the squad.

The unfortunate thing is Griffin never gets to the bride in terms of making the grand final appearance, but he definitely has the runs on the board, moreso than Henry IMO.

 

[getsmarty]

Speculative?

Should be announced soon if correct ;-)

 

[SAP58]

Have a look at how Todd Payton has the Warriors playing. A totally different side since he took over as coach. This is how our Dragons should be playing with purpose & skill, backing each other up & enjoying their football.