First Note Pad

[DaSuperHero2]

In my first note pad notes for the year , after tonight's match , I learnt somethings and confirmed somethings heres a rap up to whom didn't attend.

1.We will struggle to win a premiership with our current halfback , the team was not organized , flat , forwards were not in cohesion and backlines were not set , this was the worst part for me , errors came via this

2.Nathan Fien is a good option now , he brings another dimension to our pack , his impact must really also come through much better organization of the team , although can't do so if the captain' don't.

3.Beau Henry is a must , give the boy a go , please.

4.Soward will have his best year yet , touch wood.

5.Matt Prior looks solid an set for a good season along With Saffy whom I have never rated , he looked strong tonight.

6.Stanley is the future.

7.Darius is still not supporting hole runners , when he chimed in with the outside backline it was confusion and players ran wrong angles.

8.Its time for Dean Young to shine , if he doesnt this season , then im ready to wipe the hands , prove us wrong Dean.

9.Nightingale , will come good with time , but the kid needs some vision , his effort though proves he will come good.

10.Weyman , killed em

 

[watatank]

I kind of agree with most of those points...but to put things in perspective we're much further ahead in our progress than we were this time last year. Particularly with the halves, cohesion (or lack of), etc. We have a much more settled team and everyone's firing doing their best to make the top team.

Not sure how Henry will go as a first grader, his defence will hold him back IMO.

Stanley is a special player and was definitely the standout of all the younger players, hopefully we won't make the same mistakes with him as we did with his brother...

 

[coast_dragons]

Henry and Stanley not ready physicaly or mentaly for the rigours of week in week out first grade football Bennett knows this and won't force the issue.

If anything give Henry a run with Shellharbour to see how he handles playing guys older than him then bring him off the bench but to throw him in will cause more harm than good.

If the season is shot to bits then throw him in but thats a big if let him gain some confidence first if he has a brain Henry that is and I am sure he does he will be willing to walk before he runs so to speak.

 

[The Major]

You make a call on us not winning the comp based on a trial match??? A half is only as good as those around him hitting lines and angles and bashing up the opposition defence to create opportunities for him to weave his magic. When the team is being shuffled around ad-nauseum you don't get that cohesion to be able to create effective consistent football. Trials are purely to blow out the cobwebs and get some vital minutes into the legs and lungs so the boys peak at the right time when the season proper starts. Ie of course youre an up and comer trying to get noticed seeing this maybe your first and only chance at mixing it in the top level. Wait til a few rounds into the comp proper before making so called educated guesses on how well we will or won't fare in 2010.

 

[_snafu_]

Can I add that Priddis is useless.

 

[DaSuperHero2]

I never rode off the season , but if Hornby stays at half i probably will.....

 

[grandorient]

I never rode off the season , but if Hornby stays at half i probably will.....

Tend to agree, except I won't right the season off, whether he plays half or not.

As many seem to agree, our Horny isn't a half and never will be what I would call a premiership winning ½.

Having said that, I do agree that Benny is a premiership winning coach and he must have some ideas to persevere with him.

GO

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

It's just a trial people.

 

[DaSuperHero2]

lol

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

SuperHero you make good points. But it's hard to read into a trial. I guess the best part to read into is the young kids as you know they will be trying their hearts out to secure first grade spots, meanwhile the regular first graders have nothing to prove

 

[DaSuperHero2]

lol if you like to think so mate

 

[Sas2200]

aye indeed it was a trial, but we are still playing the same play book as last season....send the ball out wide, if that doesnt work, send it back the other way after a hit up down the centre. All no good, cross field kick on the last.

We do rely too much on Jamie, so lets just hope he has another stellar season! Nighty had a good game, Greenfield was good in the last 20 after a few silly knock ons. Prior was good as a forward, but poor in the centres, Idris really showed him up out wide.....though idris would show up most out wide....

All in all, a shame for Peni, but good that footy is back!

 

[HardcoreDragonsFan]

We dont have to be strong during the trials and aswell as the charity shield otherwise our energy will be repeat of last year!

 

[dragondad]

Would love a game-breaker in the centres. Gasnier was and Tagive could have been. It would also be good to have a Creagh-like runner on the opposite side of the field and a ball player. I thought Marketo looked dangerous last year in the 20's.

 

[smacky]

Think a big problem with our attack last yr came from dummy half. I think with Fien having a good off season under his belt he will be a much better attacking dummy half than what young offered last year. Quicker more direct play the balls, quick running from dummy half and a good kicking option will make us more dangerous.

 

[St. Linnane]

It would also be good to have a Creagh-like runner on the opposite side of the field and a ball player.

Jeremy Smith....

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

I agree, our dummy half play last year was atrocious. Look at the other top teams dummy half play like the dogs and Storm. Innis and Smith had teams guessing. No Dummy half play makes a team predictable, which mean the main attack comes from the half back and five eighth. I'm no coach but that's the way I see it

 

[jpaciocco91]

We dont have to be strong during the trials and aswell as the charity shield otherwise our energy will be repeat of last year!

That's right. Last night's win was fantastic and I hope it is an indication that our younger guys will do well in FG if given chances. However, we don't want to use all our energy early on and then suffer the same fate again.

 

[nrlnrl]

It's just a trial people.

exactly, plus the Dragons play the Bulldogs in round 2, do you think they wanted to give away too much ?

 

[Gaba]

That's right. Last night's win was fantastic and I hope it is an indication that our younger guys will do well in FG if given chances. However, we don't want to use all our energy early on and then suffer the same fate again.

I dont think the trials had anything to do with what happen in the later stages of the year. Niggling injurys and the opposition teams lifted every time they played the dragons.From the storm game til round 26 the dragons had tough games . Those games what took most of the grunt out of the dragons.