Dragons Squad June 30 Deadline

[Drewbrees]

After what iv seen a lot of his efforts or lack of don’t think any coach would get the best out of him think it’s just him his lazy
Dufty I think with the right coach could be a superstar
Aiken at manly if he happens will be a super star

Sorry mate, Dufty is shit.

 

[stevedragon]

Even RFM from the hapless Dogs would rather stay with them than come here.

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-th...-mariner/8fd866b0-6f5d-48a3-96f7-17bf363684c2

Even RFM from the hapless Dogs would rather stay with them than come here.

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-th...-mariner/8fd866b0-6f5d-48a3-96f7-17bf363684c2

Smart man

 

[Michaeldragonslife25]

Sorry mate, Dufty is shit.

Under this coach who doesn’t play to his strengths sure did you watch him and jay field among others under jd ? I know it’s reserves but complete different players

 

[Old Timer]

We certainly have some issues in who to recruit before June 30 and whilst doing so we should also reflect on the players we thought were of no benefit and let go to other clubs over the last few years.
How many of them of gone to clubs that are below us on the ladder and of the younger brigade how many have gained real time in 1st grade and have acquitted themselves worthy enough to get selected several times?
There is an equation to be done between those which we decided we didn't need and those which we did need (remembering coach's immortal words I now have the team I want).
I know which part of the equation we ended up with and there is no doubt it has a big - in front of it.
So how can we have any confidence in who we recruit next and who on earth would want to come here anyway?
Remember when people were singing the praises of Basil and that we would come up with a big signing well Maranta played 1st grade yesterday and that for me says it all?

 

[Dragonslayer]

We certainly have some issues in who to recruit before June 30 and whilst doing so we should also reflect on the players we thought were of no benefit and let go to other clubs over the last few years.
How many of them of gone to clubs that are below us on the ladder and of the younger brigade how many have gained real time in 1st grade and have acquitted themselves worthy enough to get selected several times?
There is an equation to be done between those which we decided we didn't need and those which we did need (remembering coach's immortal words I now have the team I want).
I know which part of the equation we ended up with and there is no doubt it has a big - in front of it.
So how can we have any confidence in who we recruit next and who on earth would want to come here anyway?
Remember when people were singing the praises of Basil and that we would come up with a big signing well Maranta played 1st grade yesterday and that for me says it all?

The highlighted sentences are the real facts here OT and the cold hearted truth is with all the names bandied about, who really wants to join the Dragons, who are struggling in 14th position and playing the way we do. We just found out that even a Dogs player has knocked us back.

McGregor stating he has "the team I want" further proves that he has a major input into recruitement and retention of players, also, does "the team he wants" extend past the 17 that continuously take the field each week? or is it 22? or the 30? Does it include the 6 DS players? The obvious answer to that is only the 17 faithful imo.

How Maranta, who hasn't played 1st grade for over 3yrs, and tauted by the coach as the "next man standing", gets a start will begger belief for eternity.

As June 30 approaches, and we wait for that "amazing signing", lets not forget who may also be looking to exit.

Be prepared for a couple of DS players to fill the void, or another round of Luke Page type signings.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Sorry mate, Dufty is shit.

If only Dufty and the SGI so called high performance unit would observe some of his better opponents- eg Tommy Turbo gave him a lesson in playing through the middle of the ruck which, with the retirement of Billy Slater, he does better now than any other full back. Of course, this would require imagination and a move away from the power game which seems to be Mary's A,B,C and D options and which renders Dufty largely impotent.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

The highlighted sentences are the real facts here OT and the cold hearted truth is with all the names bandied about, who really wants to join the Dragons, who are struggling in 14th position and playing the way we do. We just found out that even a Dogs player has knocked us back.

McGregor stating he has "the team I want" further proves that he has a major input into recruitement and retention of players, also, does "the team he wants" extend past the 17 that continuously take the field each week? or is it 22? or the 30? Does it include the 6 DS players? The obvious answer to that is only the 17 faithful imo.

How Maranta, who hasn't played 1st grade for over 3yrs, and tauted by the coach as the "next man standing", gets a start will begger belief for eternity.

As June 30 approaches, and we wait for that "amazing signing", lets not forget who may also be looking to exit.

Be prepared for a couple of DS players to fill the void, or another round of Luke Page type signings.

Just when I thought we had dodged a bullet with Russell Packer coming in for JDB, his name has surfaced again. I can't stand this. Russell, can't you please confirm your flight overseas or give us some sign to indicate that you have no intention of going backwards and a move back to SGI would represent just that

 

[Frank Facer]

RCG is the player I am hoping we sign before June 30. He could be a long term prospect and was playing very well last year, until he broke his jaw.

M'au has been mentioned. At first I wasn't keen on the idea, but I have given it some further thought and have decided that he would be a good short term acquisition. He is a decent player, who is also tough and has intimidation factor. With DeBelin out, I would play him as one of my edge backrowers and play Frizell lock. If DeBelin was to come back, I would still keep M'au on the bench, as he can cover centre too.

 

[BLM01]

RCG is the player I am hoping we sign before June 30. He could be a long term prospect and was playing very well last year, until he broke his jaw.

M'au has been mentioned. At first I wasn't keen on the idea, but I have given it some further thought and have decided that he would be a good short term acquisition. He is a decent player, who is also tough and has intimidation factor. With DeBelin out, I would play him as one of my edge backrowers and play Frizell lock. If DeBelin was to come back, I would still keep M'au on the bench, as he can cover centre too.

No to RCG. A lot on here have become so desperate for a signing it is clouding reality. Because of those injuries you talk about he can not run straight and square into the line. He is lucky to make the reserve bench for a team nearly struggling as much as we are. He has lost his impact and his salary would be a waste. Mau..worth a try.
As Possm says "for goodness sakes" Panthers want to offload him.
How is St George going to make him a better player.
The only places that could possibly improve him are the 3 super coaches of our own Super League.

 

[possm]

Best thing for Lulia is to go to another club and get guidance to how to improve his game. Imagine him in the Melbourne , Roosters or Souths systems.Watch him go then !

This is the crux of our problems.It is not just that we have bad coaches, we have coaches that can't improve or keep the younger players !

I disagree and would say, the best way for Leilua to realize his full potential is for SGI to replace Mary with a top line head coach. Leilua is one of our most promising junior forwards and we have spent a lot of time and money to get him this far. I see him as having the potential to be one of the most damaging and creative props in the NRL.

 

[Frank Facer]

I have been doing some thinking about our salary cap and next year's team. We have Widdop off contract on what some say is 950K a year. I would be tapping Graham on the shoulder and telling him that this is his last year. He was on a reported 600K a year at Canterbury, but while Graham was on a recent Foxtel footy show, some compares were joking that Canterbury is still paying some of his wage. I would be releasing Lafai, Aitken, Dufty and Pereira. Latimore is also off contract. I will estimate

Widdop 950K
Lafai 450K
Aitken 400K
Pereira 200K
Latimore 200K
Graham 600K*
Dufty 250K

That adds up to 3.05 mil. Add DeBelin's dispensation and we could be up to 3.6

Now this would be my shopping list

Rapana $550K
D Walker $550K
Pangai $ 800K
RCG $500K
M'au $400K

Add 200K for Saab's upgrade.

That would leave 600K for another centre. I would be playing Lomax at fullback.

If I was coach, I would have either gone to watch some of Shiller's games and or asked for video replays of them. I would want to be getting a gauge on him to see if he is our long term fullback and if we should keep Lomax at centre. He is playing against grown men this year, so Maybe, with a captial M, he could be fast tracked into our team next year. Special players can play first grade when they are 18, especially outside backs.

I would like to see Rava given a run at centre over the next few games, while Lafai and Lomax are both out. Maybe, we could have a good centre on our hands and don't even know it.

So this is what I would be looking towards for next year.

1 Lomax
2 Rapana
3 Walker
4 Yet to be signed centre for up to 600K/Lomax
5 Saab
6 Hunt
7 Norman
13 DeBelin/Frizell
12 T Sims
11 Frizell/Mau
10 Pangai
9 McInnes
8 Vaughan

14 Mau/Ford/Host
15 Leilua
16 K Sims
17 RCG


20 Marsters
21 Field
22 Timm
23 Ravalawa

I know those prices are just estimates, some may be higher and others lower. All of the players I would sign are off contract at the end of this season, besides the unknown centre. I really like the look of that team too.

I would also obviously like us to sign a new coach. Flanagan would be my target, if he could get a clearance. Other than that there are not any other experienced coaches that really grab my fancy. I would like to see Demetriou given a shot. Griffin and Toovey could both be considered. Someone on this site previously suggested that Ryles could be our next coach with Fitzgibbon his assistant. I would be open to that.

edit. I just read BLM's post before I wrote this one. Maybe RCG isn't the right idea. I would have to find another good prop for around 500K. That is good money for bench prop.

 

[Frank Facer]

No to RCG. A lot on here have become so desperate for a signing it is clouding reality. Because of those injuries you talk about he can not run straight and square into the line. He is lucky to make the reserve bench for a team nearly struggling as much as we are. He has lost his impact and his salary would be a waste. Mau..worth a try.
As Possm says "for goodness sakes" Panthers want to offload him.
How is St George going to make him a better player.
The only places that could possibly improve him are the 3 super coaches of our own Super League.

Maybe you are more in the know in regards to RCG. If what you say is true, then we should pass on him too.

 

[Smurf]

I have been doing some thinking about our salary cap and next years team. We have Widdop off contract on what some say is 950K a year. I would be tapping Graham on the shoulder and telling him that this is his last year. He was on a reported 600K a year at Canterbury, but while Graham was on a recent Foxtel footy show, some compares were joking that Canterbury is still paying some of his wage. I would be releasing Lafai, Aitken, Dufty and Pereira. Latimore is also off contract. I will estimate

Widdop 950K
Lafai 450K
Aitken 400K
Pereira 200K
Latimore 200K
Graham 600K*
Dufty 250K

That adds up to 3.05 mil. Add DeBelin's dispensation and we could be up to 3.6

Now this would be my shopping list

Rapana $550K
D Walker $550K
Pangai $ 800K
RCG $500K
M'au $400K

Add 200K for Saab's upgrade.

That would leave 600K for another centre. I would be playing Lomax at fullback.

If I was coach, I would have either gone to watch some of Shiller's games and or asked for video replays of them. I would want to be getting a gauge on him to see if he is our long term fullback and if we should keep Lomax at centre. He is playing against grown men this year, so Maybe, with a captial M, he could be fast tracked into our team next year. Special players can play first grade when they are 18, especially outside backs.

I would like to see Rava given a run at centre over the next few games, while Lafai and Lomax are both out. Maybe, we could have a good centre on our hands and don't even know it.

So this is what I would be looking towards for next year.

1 Lomax
2 Rapana
3 Walker
4 Yet to be signed centre for up to 600K/Lomax
5 Saab
6 Hunt
7 Norman
13 DeBelin/Frizell
12 T Sims
11 Frizell/Mau
10 Pangai
9 McInnes
8 Vaughan

14 Mau/Ford/Host
15 Leilua
16 K Sims
17 RCG


20 Marsters
21 Field
22 Timm
23 Ravalawa

I know those prices are just estimates, some may be higher and others lower. All of the players I would sign are off contract at the end of this season, besides the unknown centre. I really like the look of that team too.

I would also obviously like us to sign a new coach. Flanagan would be my target, if he could get a clearance. Other than that there are not any other experienced coaches that really grab my fancy. I would like to see Demetriou given a shot. Griffin and Toovey could both be considered. Someone on this site previously suggested that Ryles could be our next coach with Fitzgibbon his assistant. I would be open to that.

Nice comments

 

[BLM01]

I have been doing some thinking about our salary cap and next year's team. We have Widdop off contract on what some say is 950K a year. I would be tapping Graham on the shoulder and telling him that this is his last year. He was on a reported 600K a year at Canterbury, but while Graham was on a recent Foxtel footy show, some compares were joking that Canterbury is still paying some of his wage. I would be releasing Lafai, Aitken, Dufty and Pereira. Latimore is also off contract. I will estimate

Widdop 950K
Lafai 450K
Aitken 400K
Pereira 200K
Latimore 200K
Graham 600K*
Dufty 250K

That adds up to 3.05 mil. Add DeBelin's dispensation and we could be up to 3.6

Now this would be my shopping list

Rapana $550K
D Walker $550K
Pangai $ 800K
RCG $500K
M'au $400K

Add 200K for Saab's upgrade.

That would leave 600K for another centre. I would be playing Lomax at fullback.

If I was coach, I would have either gone to watch some of Shiller's games and or asked for video replays of them. I would want to be getting a gauge on him to see if he is our long term fullback and if we should keep Lomax at centre. He is playing against grown men this year, so Maybe, with a captial M, he could be fast tracked into our team next year. Special players can play first grade when they are 18, especially outside backs.

I would like to see Rava given a run at centre over the next few games, while Lafai and Lomax are both out. Maybe, we could have a good centre on our hands and don't even know it.

So this is what I would be looking towards for next year.

1 Lomax
2 Rapana
3 Walker
4 Yet to be signed centre for up to 600K/Lomax
5 Saab
6 Hunt
7 Norman
13 DeBelin/Frizell
12 T Sims
11 Frizell/Mau
10 Pangai
9 McInnes
8 Vaughan

14 Mau/Ford/Host
15 Leilua
16 K Sims
17 RCG


20 Marsters
21 Field
22 Timm
23 Ravalawa

I know those prices are just estimates, some may be higher and others lower. All of the players I would sign are off contract at the end of this season, besides the unknown centre. I really like the look of that team too.

I would also obviously like us to sign a new coach. Flanagan would be my target, if he could get a clearance. Other than that there are not any other experienced coaches that really grab my fancy. I would like to see Demetriou given a shot. Griffin and Toovey could both be considered. Someone on this site previously suggested that Ryles could be our next coach with Fitzgibbon his assistant. I would be open to that.

edit. I just read BLM's post before I wrote this one. Maybe RCG isn't the right idea. I would have to find another good prop for around 500K. That is good money for bench prop.

i am glad we have Basil in lieu of you..sorry in regards to recuiting new players with the exception of Pangai..but 800K..no thanks. Lomax is and will always be a strong centre..stop going to fullback he aint quick enough

 

[Frank Facer]

I just had a look on Zero Tackle for who is off contract at the end of the season. There were no centers or props that I would be interested in, but there was one that jumped out at me. Scott Drinkwater, but there are rumours that he has already signed with Nth Qld. I have not seen him play, but there are some pretty big raps on him. At the start of the year, before he got injured, he was penciled in for Melbourne's fullback spot ahead of Hughes and Papenhouzen. Some think he will be a superstar. I would be signing him and offering him first crack at our fullback spot, which would mean keeping Lomax centre.

1 Drinkwater
2 Rapana
3 Lomax
4 Walker
5 Saab
6 Hunt
7 Norman
13 DeBelin/Frizell
12 T Sims
11 Frizell/M'au
10 Pangai Jr
9 McInnes
8 Vaughan

14 M'au/Ford/Host
15 Leilua
16 K Sims
17 Yet to be signed prop for up to 600K

 

[Frank Facer]

Nice comments

Thanks

 

[Frank Facer]

i am glad we have Basil in lieu of you..sorry in regards to recuiting new players with the exception of Pangai..but 800K..no thanks. Lomax is and will always be a strong centre..stop going to fullback he aint quick enough

For starters if you want Pangai, we will have to be paying him at least 800K to lure him here and even then we may even need some TPA's to go with it.

Please tell me, of players off contract at the end of this season who would be on your shopping list for next year. Anyone else is welcome to show us their shopping list too.

I will add that I previously suggested Flegger from Brisbane. He has now resigned with them. He would have been a great bench prop with upside. Uele is another who was off contract, but Cronulla recently resigned him. I would have taken him too. We have to get in quick.

 

[Frank Facer]

Sebastian Kris played one game for Canberra a couple of weeks ago. He played centre and looked to go alright. He has a good build for a centre/winger. I would have a look at replays of his game and have a closer look at him with the view of signing him as a back up centre or possibly winger. He could be better than a back up. He would probably come cheap.

 

[hewi]

Don’t forget about Eddie Blacker as a prop, only 19 but very good. Him, Timm andKerr should all get a go till seasons end if they don’t make the grade them let them go.

 

[Wittenberg]

If only Dufty and the SGI so called high performance unit would observe some of his better opponents- eg Tommy Turbo gave him a lesson in playing through the middle of the ruck which, with the retirement of Billy Slater, he does better now than any other full back. Of course, this would require imagination and a move away from the power game which seems to be Mary's A,B,C and D options and which renders Dufty largely impotent.

Duffy has improved somewhat in that mostly he doesn’t try to simply run around players as he did in the Under 10s and he is trying to go to the ground quickly when challenged near the line. His defence even has improved slightly, but he still plays the ball incredibly slowly and loses us a tackle every time as whoever gets the ball next has opponents all over him. Most importantly he does not trail players up the middle or target tired forwards in the last 15 minutes. He is such a gifted and dangerous runner of the ball but these weaknesses do not seem to be addressed. Sometimes a player does not learn but surely our coaches should.