Dragons poised to make a play for Bellamy

[Minh]

Not knocking you Minh, just the analogy of your thoughts. If Price was top shelf material, producing the goods week in week out, the club would have no need to go shopping elsewhere. He didn't and they did.

True he didn't set the world on fire did he, if we don't get Bellamy I hope he can pleasantly surprise us all.

 

[Old_Timer]

True he didn't set the world on fire did he, if we don't get Bellamy I hope he can pleasantly surprise us all.

Amen to that one brother. I am 100% behind you Minh!!

 

[Minh]

Amen to that one brother. I am 100% behind you Minh!!

Thanks Old Timer.

 

[Fire]

Price isn't a rookie coach.

It's his second season.

 

[Drain the Dragon]

Price's appointment was a massive mistake.

The decision by the club to appoint Price needs to be more closely looked at in terms of how it was made and when it was made.

Tell me what other options were at our disposal once Bennett had decided to move on. And which other marquee coach was available or coming off contract (e.g Bellamy)? It was around April 2011 if memory serves me, and the club needed to lock something in for 2012 to provide some certainty and continuity, particurlarly in terms of player retention and recruitment. At the time, the appointment of Price, whom Bennett himself anointed to take over, did not meet with any great criticism or pessimism, and I don't recall many forumers or supporters at large bleating "this is a mistake!"

It is only with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight that this now being viewed by many as a "massive mistake". This, after finishing 9th, and losing most of our go-forward (Weyman) halfway through the season, and the upcoming season not even yet underway.

I for one don't consider it a mistake. It was the correct decision in that place at that time. And it may well turn out to be a better decision than many expect. We'll see.

 

[Old_Timer]

Drain the Dragon who said what, at any particular point of time are just merely semantics. And no, almost none of us expressed concern with Price's appointment. The crux of it being a massive mistake was a compounding view, fuelled by Price's gross inadequacy last season. Some of us realised it earlier that others. The club as well, came to the same conclusion, hence the sounding out of and subsequent offer to Bellamy. Had the Club been of a similar disposition as yourself, then surely the Bellamy approach was somewhat premature to say the least.

 

[64 Dragon]

Believe this or not. "All coaches have to start somewhere as 1st grade rookies". It's just this time that we have got one in Steve Price. Name one coach who didn't start at the beginning. No? Didn't think so. Not many coaches are instant successes.

Let's give Price a chance in his second year and not tear him down in advance.

 

[Drain the Dragon]

Drain the Dragon who said what, at any particular point of time are just merely semantics. And no, almost none of us expressed concern with Price's appointment. The crux of it being a massive mistake was a compounding view, fuelled by Price's gross inadequacy last season. Some of us realised it earlier that others. The club as well, came to the same conclusion, hence the sounding out of and subsequent offer to Bellamy. Had the Club been of a similar disposition as yourself, then surely the Bellamy approach was somewhat premature to say the least.

So if Price's appointment was a massive mistake, as you've stated, what then was the correct decision to take in 2011, with the benefit of hindsight?

The club is merely exploring its options, as most clubs continue to do. The CEO isn't doing his job if he isn't looking to improve the club. Sure, it's a no-brainer that Bellamy is a better credentialled coach than Price. But he wasn't available in 2011 and still isn't. So where is this "massive mistake" you're referring to??

 

[gorilla]

Drain the Dragon who said what, at any particular point of time are just merely semantics. And no, almost none of us expressed concern with Price's appointment. The crux of it being a massive mistake was a compounding view, fuelled by Price's gross inadequacy last season. Some of us realised it earlier that others. The club as well, came to the same conclusion, hence the sounding out of and subsequent offer to Bellamy. Had the Club been of a similar disposition as yourself, then surely the Bellamy approach was somewhat premature to say the least.

You guys love the extreme adjectives: 'massive mistake' and 'gross inadequacy'.

You've whipped yourselves into a frenzy.

The seeking of Bellamy could also be regarded as panic by club executives.....

I see it as good sense with Bellamy coming off contract, but at the same time, the sense of hubris and throwing of crap-filled balloons is a disgrace.

You need to think about your extremism is a situation of relative disquiet.

I'm keeping away from the panicky language on this subject from now on, it's just a bunch of chickens calling out that the sky is falling.

 

[Fire]

I don't see what more Price can do

1. We missed the finals so he told everyone who needed surgery to f**k off and get it taken care of asap.
2. We lose two backrowers so he recruits another two (one who is an international).
3. We needed a ball playing fullback, he goes and and gets a Kiwi rep.
4. Has appointed a new captain.
5. Got a young half back as a back up for Fien.
6. While the board has been chasing Bellamy it's been all hands on deck in the pre-season.

It's important to keep a lid on expectations heading into a season, but he only missed the finals by one spot in his rookie season.

To call him a "failure" without one second of footy being played yet is a bit too much in my opinion.

I'm reserving judgement for the first five games.

 

[mightydragon]

I personally think we are better placed than last year. Hornby was ordinary last year. He stifled our attack and was poor in defence. Young only played limited games due to chronic injury and didn't make much of an impact (the bloke is all heart though). We lost Weyman who was going great guns until injured. We have the two best wingers in the world but each had to play out of position to cover the fact of not having a fullback. Scott clocked off as soon as he signed for the Newcastle Dragons. We have picked up three internationals in Beale, Harrison and Frizell as well as a few others. I am thinking positive for next year.

 

[redbreed]

As far as price's appointment goes he was probably only ever going to be a stop gap anyway. Doust said he did due diligence and the outcome was probably chase bellamy for 2014 and give price the gig pay him next to nothing and keep the money in the bank for a big tilt at bellamy. Doust knows the benefits of having the best especially after landing Bennett. If it doesn't happen then they will probably see how this season pans out and see if price comes good.

 

[hardbaby]

I think the appointment of Price was a "hiding to nothing" decision on minimal wage. It was worth a go given his annointment by Bennett. I also don't think the Dragons are flush with cash. So take the cheap (cross fingers) option and go hard the next year. We are doing it with the playing roster. We will do it with the coach. Browne in 2014. That's my tip.

 

[Old_Timer]

Believe this or not. "All coaches have to start somewhere as 1st grade rookies".

Indeed they do. How many of us would be keen to take on a few more at our club?

 

[Old_Timer]

You guys love the extreme adjectives: 'massive mistake' and 'gross inadequacy'.....

Spot on, LOL. How about passive paucity and dastardly dearth. No quite so over the top?

 

[Old_Timer]

To call him a "failure" without one second of footy being played yet is a bit too much in my opinion......I'm reserving judgement for the first five games.

Hmmmmm find one post where I have actually called him a "failure"? I would have to admit to other descriptives though.

And after the first 5 games, should our worst nightmares be realised, then what????

 

[Old_Timer]

As far as price's appointment goes he was probably only ever going to be a stop gap anyway.....

Is that what Price was told?

 

[Dea]

I don't see what more Price can do

1. We missed the finals so he told everyone who needed surgery to f**k off and get it taken care of asap.
2. We lose two backrowers so he recruits another two (one who is an international).
3. We needed a ball playing fullback, he goes and and gets a Kiwi rep.
4. Has appointed a new captain.
5. Got a young half back as a back up for Fien.
6. While the board has been chasing Bellamy it's been all hands on deck in the pre-season.

It's important to keep a lid on expectations heading into a season, but he only missed the finals by one spot in his rookie season.

To call him a "failure" without one second of footy being played yet is a bit too much in my opinion.

I'm reserving judgement for the first five games.

I'm probably of a similar view.
We've done some positive steps in preseason and not been inactive expecting a wooden spoon year. Im Hoping for a turn around this year and that te additions/ changes to our team gets us heading back up the ladder.
As for Bellamy, make a play for a great coach who can also attrack that last player or two we need as a game breaker to win the premiership. If he doesn't come, hope that Price gets it all together!

 

[Old_Timer]

.........It was worth a go given his annointment by Bennett.......Browne in 2014. That's my tip.

We were so infatuated with Wayne that had he anointed Ita Buttrose, we would have appointed her.

Agree whole heartedly with Brownie coming home, assuming we can pry him away from St Helens, which could be a tad difficult.

 

[redbreed]

Is that what Price was told?

Doubt it... If league was transparent this forum would be pretty dull. Even if he was told probably decided to back himself what other options did he have?