Dragons V Sharks Round 4

[jodragon40]

Stats like most metres can be deceiving. He also had the most runs at 19, meaning he averaged only about 7 metres per run. That's what my point is. Yes, he had good stats, but that's because he has a lot involvement. The involvement is not necessarily quality involvement. He also had way more minutes than any other prop in our team with 68. His next closest competitor in terms of minutes was Molo with 49. It's all effort and I will love him for the effort he puts in, but he is ineffective. Good player to have around the squad/team on the bench, but not a forward pack's leader. With the passing thing, he stated on a podcast during pre season he wants to pass more and has been encouraged to do so.

In terms of Muhleisen, I agree he'd be a better option than Mbye for that first 20 minute period. Seems to be solid enough defensively, and at the very least clearly a better defender than Mbye is. Better service too. Essentially, better dummy half. With the signing of the two manly props, our top 30 is full though, even with the departure of Woods, so we'd have to let someone else go or wait until after round 10, By then, the season might be gone.

Agree

 

[BLM01]

I'll admit, I'm just scratching my head still at what transpired yesterday.
The two previous games they looked energetic, looked like they were playing for one another, looked semi confident. Yesterday they just didn't show up. At home. In a derby.
Its just so disappointing, having Sharks fans come into our forum giving advice to "little brother" dragons fans.
Makes my blood boil.
There is not enough pride in the team, they dont get it. Yesterday should have been their best game this year, not the Titans or Broncos, yesterday vs the Sharks FFS.
Embarrassed, humiliated, will take a while to cool off from that loss, hopefully they take some sort of lessons out of it however I doubt it.

The lesson is for management
The players had the opportunity to speak loud for the coach last night
They just went into their shell
No need to look any further
In saying that I will go and watch the Dolphins game at home
We have been here before soul searching then suddenly they pull a good game out of their behinds

 

[Crush]

The lesson is for management
The players had the opportunity to speak loud for the coach last night
They just went into their shell
No need to look any further
In saying that I will go and watch the Dolphins game at home
We have been here before soul searching then suddenly they pull a good game out of their behinds

I couldn't give a toss about beating an under-strength Dolphins. So what.
Where was the performance against our local rivals at full strength, they went into their shells alright, didn't want to roll their sleeves up at Kogarah did they.
But its OK, they'll be all high fives and patting each other on the backs against a weaker team this weekend, personally beating Dolphins means nothing to me after yesterday.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Sharks worst half of footy with just over 60% completion to Dragons strongest half with over 90% completion and Sharks were up 12-8. All be it from an extremely bad call that everyone bar the ref and bunker saw. How Sloan was not taken out is beyond me but hey, they will admit it was an error and move on. Anwway regardless of that Saints were terrible and every time Sharks had the ball you felt they would go wide and score. The defence was shocking.

All we can expect to hear is how the players are struggling to deal with the decision the board made about making Griffin re-apply. I saw no difference in this performance than what we saw last year against top 8 sides.

Saints play Dolphins minus Kaufusi and O'Sullivan and then possibly a Titans side with no Foran or Brimson. Losing those 2 which is a huge possibility based on last 2 weeks it will be a disaster Therefore I feel Saints need to act quick as they can possibly turn it around with a new coach or even the Assiatnt Ryan Carr taking over as Care Taker. Players will take some accountability and perform as last week they said they were playing for the coach and we saw how that panned out.

I honestly feel the best scenario is get Hasler for the rest of this year and a further 2 years (2024/25) together with Ryles as assistant (Defence Coach) to take over from Hasler in 2026 as a sweetner. Ryles then gets to work under Bellamy, Robbo and Hasler before he takes his first NRL gig. You cannot ask for a better apprenticeship than that. Then the board won't have any coaching decisions to make for a while and really plan for the future with the new facilities being built to assist pathways.

 

[BWNB]

I watched him at the Broncos game, he really does try but appeared to me to be unfit enough to execute his job on a consistent basis, he is not an overly strong tackler and it appeared to me past his best days unless he has quality players around him to help him do his job, which we don't have at the moment

No good, in his prime he was a on another level, I hope he can find that level again

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

These unfit dumb imposters have once again proven me right again. This they only played 21 minutes then back to the dumbest NRL TEAM.
unforced errors, dropped balls, trying to trip a player (how f**king dumb is that!!) kicking the ball out on the full from a dropout. Not playing the ball correctly in the ruck. Shirt grabbing, no leg tackles, none of these fake Dragons players need to worry about concussion, all they do is grab shirts.
the whole team looks so slow and unfit, who the f**k are the trainers?
As I predicted the sharks put on another cricket score.

I agree on all of the above ........nothing is done with any gusto or urgency except for a couple of barreling runs from Blocker and Rava every now and then......we are unfit, clunky and sluggish right across the park compared with most teams in the NRL and its been the norm for years......all this bullshit about weve had a great pre season fitness camp the team looks focussed ,united and positive and they've got a great attitude going into the season.....seriously whose kidding who.

 

[SGMax]

So disappointed with the result I wasn't going to comment but....
What's up with Hunt?
I have noticed the last couple of games he is constantly scowling and mouthing expletives right from the outset.
He doesn't appear to be saying anything to his team mates.
He only seems to be effective from broken play and his kicks are not creating any problems for the receivers.

Agree with most of the comments above although I can't completely blame the coach.
These are adults playing professional sport.
If they can't be motivated for the fans, the team / club, or the coach, they should still be playing for themselves and their careers.
We have seen that they can perform for periods of the game, so they can do better.

I suspect we are missing a top class forward leader or two to keep these guys accountable...like Webke, Kennedy, etc.
A no nonsense player who makes sure the players don't get into lazy bad habits.
The Storm have always had a couple of dominant forwards and the halves running the team during the game ensuring that they don't let each other down.

Hope we persist with Sloan and Sullivan. Not sure about Lomax, he can't kick goals and is missing tackles.
The young inexperienced players may have an excuse, but the older guys should not be falling apart.

If we can't win the next 2 weeks, we are in big danger of fighting it out for the spoon.

 

[jodragon40]

So disappointed with the result I wasn't going to comment but....
What's up with Hunt?
I have noticed the last couple of games he is constantly scowling and mouthing expletives right from the outset.
He doesn't appear to be saying anything to his team mates.
He only seems to be effective from broken play and his kicks are not creating any problems for the receivers.

Agree with most of the comments above although I can't completely blame the coach.
These are adults playing professional sport.
If they can't be motivated for the fans, the team / club, or the coach, they should still be playing for themselves and their careers.
We have seen that they can perform for periods of the game, so they can do better.

I suspect we are missing a top class forward leader or two to keep these guys accountable...like Webke, Kennedy, etc.
A no nonsense player who makes sure the players don't get into lazy bad habits.
The Storm have always had a couple of dominant forwards and the halves running the team during the game ensuring that they don't let each other down.

Hope we persist with Sloan and Sullivan. Not sure about Lomax, he can't kick goals and is missing tackles.
The young inexperienced players may have an excuse, but the older guys should not be falling apart.

If we can't win the next 2 weeks, we are in big danger of fighting it out for the spoon.

That my friend is a great example of a playing group divided and the cpt not having the respect of a number of players within the team. Has anyone noticed the gathering behind the posts in the last 2 games? There are plenty of examples, just watch the response he gets from one group to the other. It's not hard to spot

 

[jodragon40]

So disappointed with the result I wasn't going to comment but....
What's up with Hunt?
I have noticed the last couple of games he is constantly scowling and mouthing expletives right from the outset.
He doesn't appear to be saying anything to his team mates.
He only seems to be effective from broken play and his kicks are not creating any problems for the receivers.

Agree with most of the comments above although I can't completely blame the coach.
These are adults playing professional sport.
If they can't be motivated for the fans, the team / club, or the coach, they should still be playing for themselves and their careers.
We have seen that they can perform for periods of the game, so they can do better.

I suspect we are missing a top class forward leader or two to keep these guys accountable...like Webke, Kennedy, etc.
A no nonsense player who makes sure the players don't get into lazy bad habits.
The Storm have always had a couple of dominant forwards and the halves running the team during the game ensuring that they don't let each other down.

Hope we persist with Sloan and Sullivan. Not sure about Lomax, he can't kick goals and is missing tackles.
The young inexperienced players may have an excuse, but the older guys should not be falling apart.

If we can't win the next 2 weeks, we are in big danger of fighting it out for the spoon.

We are missing 2 forwards with class and ability. You have to have that hard man in the engine room akin to Beau Scott, Neville Costigan. They never took a backwards step and especially Scott had plenty to say whilst standing behind the posts waiting on the conversion. We haven't had that calibre of forwards for many many years I'm afraid

 

[rasaint]

Hi All, one last post from me on thread.

Any player that makes NRL needs to be congratulated. It is a terrific achievement.

Over the past 5 into 6 years I have been disappointed in Zac Lomax. IMO he has always been an unremarkable and comparatively slow centre who gives his all, very occasionally produces a good play and is usually a good goal kicker. Nothing more or less.The high expectations and media commentary ( the gifted one) on him probably added much pressure. I could not believe when we signed Zac for 6 years on big $$$. Madness in my view. I don’t believe we can be a top tier team with Zac at centre. It’s not coaching, lack of ’clean ball’ nor the weather in Wollongong.

I mention this Zac situation as an example of our broader problem of recruitment of late. We recently resigned blocker Lawrie for another 3 years ( I hope on low $$$). Blocker is as courageous as they come but basically lacks impact. We have renewed Kerr twice on a wing and a prayer. A towering and mobile player and occasionally good; yet just can not consistently prove himself. Tyrell Sloan is quick and intuitive at times, Bud Sullivan and Junior Amone look solid but will any of these 3 reach a high quality status? Yes time will tell, but I hope they aren’t being paid overs ‘ on potential’. Boy, the sharks are recruiting well and good on them. Speed galore, just like our 2010 premiership team.

We are missing our fast fullback Ramsey this season. He is a proven try scorer ( almost Dufty strike rate) with a bit of X factor. I hope he recovers for his health and on going footy career.

 

[jodragon40]

Hi All, one last post from me on thread.

Any player that makes NRL needs to be congratulated. It is a terrific achievement.

Over the past 5 into 6 years I have been disappointed in Zac Lomax. IMO he has always been an unremarkable and comparatively slow centre who gives his all, very occasionally produces a good play and is usually a good goal kicker. Nothing more or less.The high expectations and media commentary ( the gifted one) on him probably added much pressure. I could not believe when we signed Zac for 6 years on big $$$. Madness in my view. I don’t believe we can be a top tier team with Zac at centre. It’s not coaching, lack of ’clean ball’ nor the weather in Wollongong.

I mention this Zac situation as an example of our broader problem of recruitment of late. We recently resigned blocker Lawrie for another 3 years ( I hope on low $$$). Blocker is as courageous as they come but basically lacks impact. We have renewed Kerr twice on a wing and a prayer. A towering and mobile player and occasionally good; yet just can not consistently prove himself. Tyrell Sloan is quick and intuitive at times, Bud Sullivan and Junior Amone look solid but will any of these 3 reach a high quality status? Yes time will tell, but I hope they aren’t being paid overs ‘ on potential’. Boy, the sharks are recruiting well and good on them. Speed galore, just like our 2010 premiership team.

We are missing our fast fullback Ramsey this season. He is a proven try scorer ( almost Dufty strike rate) with a bit of X factor. I hope he recovers for his health and on going footy career.

Agree less than 1% of registered juniors will ever play 1sts, unfortunately for us we have failed to attract the quality forwards any club needs to be competitive in the top 8

 

[since77]

Blake Lawrie topped our metres run count among the forwards, and topped our tackle count for the whole team. Sure, he never ever passes the ball... but he's obviously under instruction to never pass it. He's a long way from a problem on this team.

Lawrie is actually emblematic of one of our most pressing problems. He’s dead set average in a dead set average pack of forwards. And maybe the description “average” is being too kind. They’re close to the softest, most ineffectual pack in the NRL.

 

[SEAT 1A]

The players, coach and management have clearly given up.

What's unbelievable to see is that it happened in front of 15,000 mostly Dragon fans and at one of our home grounds.

 

[jodragon40]

The players, coach and management have clearly given up.

What's unbelievable to see is that it happened in front of 15,000 mostly Dragon fans and at one of our home grounds.

Agree that just to me showed a lack of effort, passion and really hurt. To be given a football lesson at our spiritual home by our so called little brother is demoralising

 

[Lovemedragons]

Hi All, one last post from me on thread.

Any player that makes NRL needs to be congratulated. It is a terrific achievement.

Over the past 5 into 6 years I have been disappointed in Zac Lomax. IMO he has always been an unremarkable and comparatively slow centre who gives his all, very occasionally produces a good play and is usually a good goal kicker. Nothing more or less.The high expectations and media commentary ( the gifted one) on him probably added much pressure. I could not believe when we signed Zac for 6 years on big $$$. Madness in my view. I don’t believe we can be a top tier team with Zac at centre. It’s not coaching, lack of ’clean ball’ nor the weather in Wollongong.

I mention this Zac situation as an example of our broader problem of recruitment of late. We recently resigned blocker Lawrie for another 3 years ( I hope on low $$$). Blocker is as courageous as they come but basically lacks impact. We have renewed Kerr twice on a wing and a prayer. A towering and mobile player and occasionally good; yet just can not consistently prove himself. Tyrell Sloan is quick and intuitive at times, Bud Sullivan and Junior Amone look solid but will any of these 3 reach a high quality status? Yes time will tell, but I hope they aren’t being paid overs ‘ on potential’. Boy, the sharks are recruiting well and good on them. Speed galore, just like our 2010 premiership team.

We are missing our fast fullback Ramsey this season. He is a proven try scorer ( almost Dufty strike rate) with a bit of X factor. I hope he recovers for his health and on going footy career.

Zac’s lack of progress could be down to poor mentoring and decisions like switching him from one side to another, thus degrading the performances of both centres. Master stroke that one…yet he sticks with it. Whoever is mentoring his goal kicking should be removed immediately.
Lawrie is no Payne Haas but this type of player is often found in successful clubs as a steady rock who gives it all. He is one of the few in this team who is earning their keep.
I blame the coach, name one inspiring thing he has done or brought to our club. He is a miserable dinosaur who many thought might be like WB but has turned into another flop like Price and McGregor. Yet we let Fitzgibbon walk.

 

[jodragon40]

Zac’s lack of progress could be down to poor mentoring and decisions like switching him from one side to another, thus degrading the performances of both centres. Master stroke that one…yet he sticks with it. Whoever is mentoring his goal kicking should be removed immediately.
Lawrie is no Payne Haas but this type of player is often found in successful clubs as a steady rock who gives it all. He is one of the few in this team who is earning their keep.
I blame the coach, name one inspiring thing he has done or brought to our club. He is a miserable dinosaur who many thought might be like WB but has turned into another flop like Price and McGregor. Yet we let Fitzgibbon walk.

Agree I believe that the coach moved him. To me because it is rumoured that he is not in the keep Hook camp that this was an old fashioned square up by the coach. He has been a shadow of the player he has been in previous seasons

 

[Gomarchin]

So disappointed with the result I wasn't going to comment but....
What's up with Hunt?
I have noticed the last couple of games he is constantly scowling and mouthing expletives right from the outset.
He doesn't appear to be saying anything to his team mates.
He only seems to be effective from broken play and his kicks are not creating any problems for the receivers.

Hunt does not look happy and appears to be playing with a lot of frustration.

Maybe he knows the new coach (Deano) will be shifting him to hooker??

 

[jodragon40]

Hunt does not look happy and appears to be playing with a lot of frustration.

Maybe he knows the new coach (Deano) will be shifting him to hooker??

Please no, not any ex players that's the last thing we need

 

[Crush]

Please no, not any ex players that's the last thing we need

That rules out Ryles, Flannigan, Young, Hornby, Potter.
All played for Dragons.

 

[SEAT 1A]

The club in a nutshell.

Bird all over the Sharks bloke and then pushing him over and giving a penalty in front. I laughed my arse off in disbelief.