Excited for 2017

[BrissyRedV]

Supporting the players aside is anyone really excited about 2017 like honestly??

The majority are off contract and if they have any sense, they will follow the quality staff we have let go out the door to other clubs. We better start signing up the Cutters and NYC squads, because they will be our team in 2018 regardless of coach.

 

[twinkletoes]

The most exciting thing about 2017 is it will be the end of Mary's contract....thank f**k

Are you really that sure???..that's what we all thought after 2016...

 

[coastiedragon]

I like reading everyones post about the dragons but come its the same shit every off season we are a club in a hole we will be the down bottom again next year no doubt about it as much as i dont want to say it HEADS NEED TO ROLL

 

[kyussiscoming73]

We have to accept it...there are so many ways to entice the best staff and players to a club that is outside the cap and we can't offer that.
Unless we come together and get 50k members or a wealthy benefactor.....this is it.
This is our situation for the foreseeable future....we have to bring the fans together and change the mindset.
The club needs to rebuild from the grassroots.....and grassroots is what we have thankfully, lots of fickle fans (because of our mindset) and good juniors.

 

[OzDragon]

During the offseason, I'll hide under some coats, and hope that somehow everything will work itself out.

 

[Dragon Revival]

I think that the side will be successful next year despite the current coaching staff. I consider that we have good depth and just need the right selections as follows:-
Dugan
MacDonald
Aitken
Mann
Nightingale
Widdop
Hutchinson
Sims
Frizell
Thompson
Packer
McInnes
Vaughan
Bench
De Belin
Au Mau
Host
Masoe
I believe that Leilua may leave and could be next in line but like Milne needs to develop further in the Cutters. Ah Mau and Thompson need to pick up their games and be more effective and should be let go if they do not pick up their games. With the signing of the four Cutters players we now have 37 players on contract and I assume we will let a couple of players go such as Lafai and Lui and maybe Havili if he is found guilty. As we consistently have 2-8 injured or suspended players across the top two grades promising in form players should be afforded suitable opportunities. Hopefully we will have a capable Cutters coach who will further develop those players. Some of the Illawarra Coal League coaches may come into contention such as Kimmorley and Henderson if not Head.

 

[kyussiscoming73]

I think that the side will be successful next year despite the current coaching staff. I consider that we have good depth and just need the right selections as follows:-
Dugan
MacDonald
Aitken
Mann
Nightingale
Widdop
Hutchinson
Sims
Frizell
Thompson
Packer
McInnes
Vaughan
Bench
De Belin
Au Mau
Host
Masoe
I believe that Leilua may leave and could be next in line but like Milne needs to develop further in the Cutters. Ah Mau and Thompson need to pick up their games and be more effective and should be let go if they do not pick up their games. With the signing of the four Cutters players we now have 37 players on contract and I assume we will let a couple of players go such as Lafai and Lui and maybe Havili if he is found guilty. As we consistently have 2-8 injured or suspended players across the top two grades promising in form players should be afforded suitable opportunities. Hopefully we will have a capable Cutters coach who will further develop those players. Some of the Illawarra Coal League coaches may come into contention such as Kimmorley and Henderson if not Head.

I like your thinking Revival. You're like a chef who is making the most of his ingredients.
There's one minor point I have to disagree on which is Milne. The kid could be anything with a good off season.
I hope the same is true with Leilua.
If the coaching staff decide early enough that Mann will play centre....they need to add 5kgs of muscle to him. These two would make a very good centre combination.

 

[kyussiscoming73]

It's facing up to the reality that we haven't got the flashiest squad that's going to help us move forward in a positive way.
We should start with a dogged approach and instill a tough and uncompromising mentality into our team and play simple....as we don't have the game breakers.
Widdop has to switch to the right side, as Hutchinson is a left footer....and their kicking games and game management has to be the focus for pre season.
The forwards have to run hard and straight all game....relentlessly. Forget the sweep plays and de Belin's catch and pass rubbish.....meet the ball at the advantage line with a full head of steam.

 

[Dragon Revival]

I like Milne as a player too but he has made a few handling errors. Mann may play wing and MacDonald or Milne centre. This year the coaches can not blame the player roster as it is the best I have seen for years barring injuries. Demetriou may unsettle it with overtures from Bennett. We need a good Cutters Coach and a Coaching Director while Mary is still around.

 

[coast_dragons]

I think you will see more under 20's players filter into the Cutters as the under 20's is gone at the end of next year it will be a good time to blood more to allow for development into whatever comp the NRL bring in to replace it.

 

[kyussiscoming73]

Look forward to seeing the little halves given a chance in the Cutters....they're pretty slick.
As well as Dufty of course.
Hope all three are prepared well enough to be included in first grade in 2018.
We might just have ourselves a Brooks Moses and Tedesco like combination....if they're nurtured well.

 

[Dragonslayer]

I think that the side will be successful next year despite the current coaching staff. I consider that we have good depth and just need the right selections as follows:-
Dugan
MacDonald
Aitken
Mann
Nightingale
Widdop
Hutchinson
Sims
Frizell
Thompson
Packer
McInnes
Vaughan
Bench
De Belin
Au Mau
Host
Masoe
I believe that Leilua may leave and could be next in line but like Milne needs to develop further in the Cutters. Ah Mau and Thompson need to pick up their games and be more effective and should be let go if they do not pick up their games. With the signing of the four Cutters players we now have 37 players on contract and I assume we will let a couple of players go such as Lafai and Lui and maybe Havili if he is found guilty. As we consistently have 2-8 injured or suspended players across the top two grades promising in form players should be afforded suitable opportunities. Hopefully we will have a capable Cutters coach who will further develop those players. Some of the Illawarra Coal League coaches may come into contention such as Kimmorley and Henderson if not Head.

I think Garrick is included on that list but he still qualifies for U20's next season, please someone correct me if I'm wrong.
If Leilua signs that will take us to 37 (excluding Garrick), that's 2 squads of contracted players.

I'm curious now, who is our top 25 contracted players and how do the remaining 12 (or 13) fit under the 2nd Tier cap?

Our squad (contracted 2017 players so far) is made up of:

Backs: Aitken, Dodd, Dufty, Dugan, KFFL, (Garrick), YKG, Herbert, Lafai, MCDonald, Mann, Milne, Nightingale and Izaac Thompson. Total: 14

Halves: Hutchinson, McCrone, Nona and Widdop. Total: 4

Forwards (inc Hookers): Ah Mau, JDB, Frizell, Havilli, Hind, Host, Kerr, Lewis, Lui, Marketo, Masoe, Matthews, McCarthy, McInnes, Packer, Sele, Sims, Thompson and Vaughan (Leilua?). Total: 19 (20)

So, what is the "grand plan" here?
Obviously 1st grade will have 17 players (we can all argue on who should play where).
The Cutters will have 17 and you would assume that those not playing NRL will drop to the Cutters
So that's 34 from these contracted players.

Reality is, that some players (lets say those not included in the top 34) will miss out all together, plus some of the current Cutters squad, will be forced into the Coal league or have to sign with someone else.
And what about players such as Field (and Garrick) who (I'm sure) still qualify for U20's next year. If you want to test their ability, surely they would need a run or two (or 3 or 4) in the senior ranks. But where?

I just hope the recruitment boys have got all the answers and not signing and re-signing players just to keep the masses happy.

 

[Old Timer]

DR
With the departure of JD Milne will never develop further in the Cutters so he must be in 1st grade to have any chance.
Simms is not a lock nor an 80 minute player so impact is his best option.
Mann has developed into a 1st class winger and should stay there and maybe deputise at the back for Dugan while he is on rep duties and then Dufty to the wing.
Mc Donald has to prove himself first and will fight for either Aitken's or Nightingales position.
As sensibly pointed out in post 148 Widdop has to now switch to the RHS.
The big question is how do we cover for McInnes during the game if he is injured, tired or just poor?

 

[kyussiscoming73]

Old Timer....the obvious choice would be McCrone as he could cover for the backs.

 

[coast_dragons]

Garrick will play in the under 20's still very young and not even sure he they have decided on him being a winger or centre.

Herbert imo would move ahead of him in terms of being promoted forward at this stage and Thompson is ahead of both in terms of being progressed to a higher level of football but Thompson has to improve in terms of attitude and also rather injury prone.

Field is still eligable for under 20's and that is where I see him also next year at this stage.

I am surprised they didn't cut their loses with Glymin the guy can play but spends way to much time on the sidelines and honestly if Ayoub couldn't fix him i doubt anyone can.

KKFL, Lui, McCarthy, Lafai and Havili may still be moved on with Lafai and Havili still to face court I am lead to believe.

With so many players under contract the Cutters may limit how many they have signed with Wakeman already looking like he won't be back and several others leaving or dropping back to the Illawarra comp.

 

[Sheridan Stand]

Look forward to seeing the little halves given a chance in the Cutters....they're pretty slick.
As well as Dufty of course.
Hope all three are prepared well enough to be included in first grade in 2018.
We might just have ourselves a Brooks Moses and Tedesco like combination....if they're nurtured well.

Who is going to nurture them? Ronald McDonald?

 

[Dragon Revival]

Gatrick is 19 this year so he can play Under 20's next year. If Leilua signs we will have 38 players contracted to the NRL. We should remember that usually from the early rounds
we have at least a couple of injured players.
Garrick, Glymin, Masoe and Packer will be returning from operations and Thompson looked questionable last year and well bandaged along with Aitken and heaven knows where Dugan will be at as he is injury prone. Further depending on the outcome of the court case who knows if Havili, Lafai and Lui will be around. All things said we may not have an over abundance of NRL contracted players given the circumstances and may have learnt from being caught out last year where we were restricted with player promotions. Hope reigns eternal!

 

[Old Timer]

D R
Forget Glymin should be pensioned off right now.

Obviously Lafai has nobody else interested in him and is now another albatross around our neck.
So back row in the Cutters for him while we develop other better options from the U/20's in the outside backs.

To be quite honest Leilua is being a prima donna and I would now give somebody else a go in his place. As good as he promises to be we have the tail wagging the dog so time to move on.

You and others keep beetling on about Dugan, don't worry about him, he will be fine as he is a true warrior and much tougher than you give him credit for.

 

[Old Timer]

Old Timer....the obvious choice would be McCrone as he could cover for the backs.

Mc Crone is no longer an option as IMO he will not be renewed after this year.
If we had of performed well last year and were on the rise Mc Crone could have been handy but that is no longer the case.
If we continue to use Mc Crone and deny a younger up and comer the chance we will have neither next year.
We now have to move on and look to the long term future and balance the squad properly with the correct forwards on the bench and proper rotation of it.

 

[hazzbeen]

Mc Crone is no longer an option as IMO he will not be renewed after this year.
If we had of performed well last year and were on the rise Mc Crone could have been handy but that is no longer the case.
If we continue to use Mc Crone and deny a younger up and comer the chance we will have neither next year.
We now have to move on and look to the long term future and balance the squad properly with the correct forwards on the bench and proper rotation of it.

Old timer exactly this ..... I dont like what I am seeing with the way the club is heading , JD leaving Mary given the coaching again . The problem I see is we do not have time on our side we have wasted 6 years with no building or improvement . What ever happens with Doust , Mary needs to happen now , improvement needs to be quick or this club will fold ( my opinion )