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Dugan/Widdop/Marshall/Farrah Spine??

B

BennyV

Referee
Messages
24,085
Its all elementary I guess, will just have to see who runs out next year and how they fare.

Regarding our inbalanced spine, I honestly thought the bloke to solve that in the mid-long term was Shannon Crook. He's as pure a halfback as weve had come through the grades and with a bit of mentoring and development, could be an absolute weapon. But doesnt look like he'll get re-signed at this point. Shame.
 
G

Get2dachopper!

Juniors
Messages
1,691
You'll see Mann and Dugan swap during certain stages of the game. If we are in the attacking zone putting on a sweeping play, Mann will play the ball distributor role out back. It's a non-negotiable aspect of the modern day fullback; You need to be able to pass a clean ball!

On kick returns, Dugan can slot back at full back. The Roosters did a similar thing when they were transitioning RTS into first grade, having him swap with Mini.

Again, I'd like to think if you've been involved with the game for 20 plus years, living and breathing it every single day, whether you're a player or coach, it shouldn't be too hard to work out.
 
Lethal25

Lethal25

Juniors
Messages
1,502
For me it doesn't make a significant difference if Dugan is fullback or centre, he will play well in both positions.

The real indicator of performance is Rein, if he plays well then we are in games. If not then halves and subsequent attack are stifled
 
V

Vasilevsky

Guest
Mann will get a chance at fullback and centre during the trails. Unless he improves significantly on this year I can't see him holding down either position.

Rein is a good player but after all this time, it should be obvious he passing out of dummy half is always going to be poor and this is always going to stifle the attack. Time for the club to do what it takes to get Robbie Farah on board. He will be good for at least 3 more years so the club has plenty of time to groom a replacement.

After that all the clubs needs is one really good centre. Hopefully big and fast. Konrad Hurrell would have been perfect (even if he isn't the rocket-scientist it seems some Dragons supporters expect new signings to be unless they are from Melbourne) but doesn't look like that will happen.

Not the end of the world. Aitken and Matautai are hardly 'weaknesses'. But that will still the weakness of a winger. YKG or the other young guy from the U20s this year (whose name I obviously don't recall) had better be ready. To be honest, given the form of Nightingale last season, there is a possibility both had better be ready.
 
B

BennyV

Referee
Messages
24,085
Vasilevsky said:
Mann will get a chance at fullback and centre during the trails. Unless he improves significantly on this year I can't see him holding down either position.

Rein is a good player but after all this time, it should be obvious he passing out of dummy half is always going to be poor and this is always going to stifle the attack. Time for the club to do what it takes to get Robbie Farah on board. He will be good for at least 3 more years so the club has plenty of time to groom a replacement.

After that all the clubs needs is one really good centre. Hopefully big and fast. Konrad Hurrell would have been perfect (even if he isn't the rocket-scientist it seems some Dragons supporters expect new signings to be unless they are from Melbourne) but doesn't look like that will happen.

Not the end of the world. Aitken and Matautai are hardly 'weaknesses'. But that will still the weakness of a winger. YKG or the other young guy from the U20s this year (whose name I obviously don't recall) had better be ready. To be honest, given the form of Nightingale last season, there is a possibility both had better be ready.
Click to expand...

In the case that we can't sign another centre or winger, it's highly likely that Mann will play centre with Mata'utia on the wing. I'd say this is more to do with Mata'utia being a victim of his own versatility than losing his spot to Mann. Don't necessarily agree with it, but it seems like that will be the course of action.

If not, FaiFaiLoa would be better on the wing outside PM.
 
Dragon66

Dragon66

Juniors
Messages
640
I would suggest that Mann signed with us because the chances of him playing fullback or five eight at Melbourne was highly unlikely. I'm not expecting to see him playing too much centre for us.
Mulholland was adamant that his best position was not as a centre.
Signing with us is as much about him playing in his preferred positions that any other attraction as far as I'm concerned.
 
TruSaint

TruSaint

Referee
Messages
20,860
Dragon66 said:
I would suggest that Mann signed with us because the chances of him playing fullback or five eight at Melbourne was highly unlikely. I'm not expecting to see him playing too much centre for us.
Mulholland was adamant that his best position was not as a centre.
Signing with us is as much about him playing in his preferred positions that any other attraction as far as I'm concerned.
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He may have to wait a couple of years as I cant see Dugan / Widdop moving on.

A lot of players have moved onto other clubs for assurance of a 1st grade spot, but surely they cant dictate where?.
Like all of them, he will need to earn his spot.
 
Dragon66

Dragon66

Juniors
Messages
640
TruSaint said:
He may have to wait a couple of years as I cant see Dugan / Widdop moving on.

A lot of players have moved onto other clubs for assurance of a 1st grade spot, but surely they cant dictate where?.
Like all of them, he will need to earn his spot.
Click to expand...

Goes without saying that form will dictate which position he will finally end up in, but I'm thinking that he will at least be given a good opportunity to earn the right to play in one of those two positions, because we know that Duges and Widdop would be equally as good at centre and fullback. They are both proven performers in those roles.
 
P

Phil9496

Juniors
Messages
99
BennyV said:
Its all elementary I guess, will just have to see who runs out next year and how they fare.

Regarding our inbalanced spine, I honestly thought the bloke to solve that in the mid-long term was Shannon Crook. He's as pure a halfback as weve had come through the grades and with a bit of mentoring and development, could be an absolute weapon. But doesnt look like he'll get re-signed at this point. Shame.
Click to expand...

Totally agree with you BennyV. Pity Mary was the only one who didn't see it. Have heard a few at the front office were not happy with Crook being let go. He definitely has not been signed anywhere for next year.
 
S

Saints Forever

Bench
Messages
3,926
Crook is a pure half back, can do it all. Link man, can run the footy, has a good dummy, great short and long kicking game.

Failure to sign him is a mistake.
 
R

rainman44

Bench
Messages
3,189
Objective View said:
Speaking of which, I keep hearing Mark Coyne mentioned as a possible replacement for Dave Smith.

Seriously, wtf is our board doing?! It hasn't occurred to them to replace Doust real talent?

Straight Shooter
Click to expand...

Dousts job would be going backwards for Mark and i would love him to be the new CEO, we need all the help we can.
 
ChargingPatJarvis

ChargingPatJarvis

Juniors
Messages
134
Agree.
Just look what influence can do for your team, Pritchard, Kasiano and Eastwood seemed to benefit???
Greenberg as CEO would be disastrous.
 
Lethal25

Lethal25

Juniors
Messages
1,502
Since the NRL end up copying a lot of what the AFL do they may as well sign Demetriou

Would be helpful to have his knowledge on how the AFL operate since it's the main competitor
 
T

The Nick

Bench
Messages
2,660
Objective View said:
Speaking of which, I keep hearing Mark Coyne mentioned as a possible replacement for Dave Smith.

Seriously, wtf is our board doing?! It hasn't occurred to them to replace Doust real talent?

Straight Shooter
Click to expand...

LMAO and wouldn't that constitute the ol' "jobs for the boys" conspiracy you've been so vocal about?

Haha stick to the script, player.

Straight Shooter
 
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