Flanno's New Signings

[justadragon]

Extremely well put @ justadragon

Every so often the old chestnut of “the true supporter” accusation rears its ugly head as does the other one “if you want to be critical go follow another team”

I have been subject to both those calls and like True (and despite my advanced years) I am willing to have it out with any merkin that goes down that track.

We all have differing positions on various issues concerning our club be it BOD, coach, players, captain, tactics, signings, retention, ground, merger, strip etc etc and rightfully so otherwise it’s just another vacuum like so many other clubs forums.

Trotting out the old man, senile, dementia terminologies etc are also inflammatory and people should be mindful that such comments make light of a serious issue confronting many people not potentially just the elder statesmen in this place.

Merkin’s ok though.

100% agree OT, debate no matter how heated is fine relating to the subject, it's actually what makes this forum that others want to be part of. Getting personal is not ok and never will be in my eyes.

 

[Sage63]

Extremely well put @ justadragon

Every so often the old chestnut of “the true supporter” accusation rears its ugly head as does the other one “if you want to be critical go follow another team”

I have been subject to both those calls and like True (and despite my advanced years) I am willing to have it out with any merkin that goes down that track.

We all have differing positions on various issues concerning our club be it BOD, coach, players, captain, tactics, signings, retention, ground, merger, strip etc etc and rightfully so otherwise it’s just another vacuum like so many other clubs forums.

Trotting out the old man, senile, dementia terminologies etc are also inflammatory and people should be mindful that such comments make light of a serious issue confronting many people not potentially just the elder statesmen in this place.

Merkin’s ok though.

Despite your "advanced years" I find you to be extremely insightful and articulate, although I may not agree with all of your comments.

 

[maestro1]

I'm thinking that any real success in 2025 and beyond would depend on our assistant coaches. We have heard Flanno on podcasts, SEN, in Website News and Sports Programmes etc and we can feel confident that he will get more out of the players next year.

The question that I ask is will Flanno be able to get the best out of Dean Young and Ryan Carr? Have Young and Carr looked at how they can improve our defence and attack? We know that our for and against last season was poor so even though there was that improvement up the ladder from 2023 our for and against was not good by a long way in 2024.

Flanno's longevity at the Dragons in my very humble opinion relies on the ability of both Young and Carr to have the players defend and attack like crazy. I question Young's ability and as far as I am concerned, I wish that he had served a few years in the Super League. Also, our attack under Carr hasn't been brilliant to say the least, so a big improvement in attack is needed and if he cannot get us scoring more tries then maybe Flanno might need to exchange him for someone better?

I would like to see how we are travelling at least just after halfway next year before discussing Flanno's future at the Dragons. Likewise with his assistants.

Having real leaders and talkers on the field will automatically and vastly improve our defence and attack. Our recruitment, especially if Nathan Lawson succeeds in his transition, means we go from the slowest backline to one of the quickest ones. Lawson, Sloan, Sione Finau, Val Holmes, Gutho. We have the quickest two dummy halves. Speed is everything in the modern game. Our footy IQ has nearly tripled. "Thinking Benny" wasn't a smart half, he was a reactive half. Ilias and KFlan will be smarter and in Gutho/Cook our Captain will be stratospheres ahead of "Thinking Benny". The best defensive strategies are useless if you are dumb. Things like kicking the ball dead on the last play puts your defense under immediate and prolonged pressure. A smart finish to a set keeps the momentum in your favour and takes the pressure off your defense. In the games we were poor with our defense in 2024, it was all on the back of poor choices and crucial errors when we HAD momentum. Hunt was the most mistake riddled in the NRL in 2024 and Lomax was second. Both are effort type players, not smart, thinking types. In Gutho, Cook, Ilias and Val we have recruited Footy IQ, effort, leaders, athletes and will to win.

 

[maestro1]

I'm thinking that any real success in 2025 and beyond would depend on our assistant coaches. We have heard Flanno on podcasts, SEN, in Website News and Sports Programmes etc and we can feel confident that he will get more out of the players next year.

The question that I ask is will Flanno be able to get the best out of Dean Young and Ryan Carr? Have Young and Carr looked at how they can improve our defence and attack? We know that our for and against last season was poor so even though there was that improvement up the ladder from 2023 our for and against was not good by a long way in 2024.

Flanno's longevity at the Dragons in my very humble opinion relies on the ability of both Young and Carr to have the players defend and attack like crazy. I question Young's ability and as far as I am concerned, I wish that he had served a few years in the Super League. Also, our attack under Carr hasn't been brilliant to say the least, so a big improvement in attack is needed and if he cannot get us scoring more tries then maybe Flanno might need to exchange him for someone better?

I would like to see how we are travelling at least just after halfway next year before discussing Flanno's future at the Dragons. Likewise with his assistants.

In both games Hunt was out, our attack was exceptional and Kyle and Marske unlocked our running backrowers and centres. Hunt is a dummy half and stifles our three quarters by running sideways. He only dug into the line when he was doing a solo burst from 10 metres out. I have a feeling Ilias and Kyle will provide good early service to our ferraris and they will do the rest. Luciano, Sua, Val and Suli will have awesome seasons.

 

[blacksafake]

I'm thinking that any real success in 2025 and beyond would depend on our assistant coaches. We have heard Flanno on podcasts, SEN, in Website News and Sports Programmes etc and we can feel confident that he will get more out of the players next year.

The question that I ask is will Flanno be able to get the best out of Dean Young and Ryan Carr? Have Young and Carr looked at how they can improve our defence and attack? We know that our for and against last season was poor so even though there was that improvement up the ladder from 2023 our for and against was not good by a long way in 2024.

Flanno's longevity at the Dragons in my very humble opinion relies on the ability of both Young and Carr to have the players defend and attack like crazy. I question Young's ability and as far as I am concerned, I wish that he had served a few years in the Super League. Also, our attack under Carr hasn't been brilliant to say the least, so a big improvement in attack is needed and if he cannot get us scoring more tries then maybe Flanno might need to exchange him for someone better?

I would like to see how we are travelling at least just after halfway next year before discussing Flanno's future at the Dragons. Likewise with his assistants.

Flanno did say David,on SEN that he’ll be more hands on in the coaching next season.
What that means I don’t know.

 

[Como Connection]

Despite your "advanced years" I find you to be extremely insightful and articulate, although I may not agree with all of your comments.

Plus a top guy.
CC

 

[Gareth67]

Error .

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

It gets serious when one guy falls and hits his head on the concrete. That is when someone wishes to god that he had a time machine to go back and not get out of bed that day.

Great call mate.

Let’s have it in the park next to the Coles.
Worst that can happen there would be falling in a syringe.

 

[Dragon David]

Thanks guys for putting a more positive spin on my post above. Good to see them and also good to see that many appreciate the way that our "young" OT is very insightful and articulate mixed with some colourful acronyms to let people know that he can also be very frustrated.

The games cannot come around soon enough for me.

 

[Old Timer]

Great call mate.

Let’s have it in the park next to the Coles.
Worst that can happen there would be falling in a syringe.

Maybe a ring full of red and white jelly and we all bring a spoon

 

[Veteran Dragon]

Has Flanno showed any interest in Mathew Lodge? He is a wrecking ball on his better days but his past indiscretions put a question over whether he is a good fit for our team.

 

[St Tangles]

I mainly only see the "true supporter" quote on Facebook

Here we don't always agree but Facebook is another world

 

[Slippery Morris]

Flanno has mentioned that this off season is going to be much different to last season as last year he started from scratch and worked on guys body shapes and fitness. Did not get as much hands on and left it to the high performance guys. This year, he is ready much earlier to start on defence/attack structures etc. He says that he will be more heavily involved so that can only be a good thing.

This talk of Flanno being poached, if that ever happens (which I doubt). If it does I hope it is the Roosters. Then Saints can bring Robbo to the Saints in return. If I was to swap coaches, Robbo would be the one I want in return. 1 premiership winner for another. One that has won comps back to back, something Bellamy has failed to do. Not a bad move at all.

 

[Hound of Dracula]

Has Flanno showed any interest in Mathew Lodge? He is a wrecking ball on his better days but his past indiscretions put a question over whether he is a good fit for our team.

I saw the YVONNE SAMPSON NRL360 interview with Matt Lodge.

Matt Lodge exclusive: Extract from tell-all interview

Lodge speaks: Extract from tell-all interview

www.foxsports.com.au

I could only find an extract not the full interview. Lodge did not back away from his culpability despite being tired, on prescription drugs, sleeping pills and excessive alcohol.

He paid a very heavy price & deservedly so
The extract suggest he escaped payment to the victims but that's not the case. He and his father negotiated a settlement and Lodge literally played one season where his contract money went to them

He has stayed out of any trouble since.
Although he will be branded for life, I don't think he would negatively affect any Dragons culture

 

[TruSaint]

Deleted.

 

[getsmarty]

Ilias at ease filling Hunt's boots after Souths exit

Lachlan Ilias has already felt the spotlight of replacing Adam Reynolds at South Sydney, but feels well placed to fill Ben Hunt's boots at St George Illawarra.

au.sports.yahoo.com

 

[getsmarty]

Gutherson opens up on Eels exit

Clint Gutherson hasn’t thought about whether he’ll captain the Dragons next year, but he appears to be the best man for the job.

au.sports.yahoo.com

 

[getsmarty]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/11/29/i-wanted-to-play-halfback-ilias-unfazed-about-stepping-into-hunts-shoes-at-dragons/

 

[getsmarty]

‘Bit annoyed’: Less than an hour after Hunt’s release Cook began ‘pestering’ Dragons to sign Ilias

‘Bit annoyed’: Less than an hour after Hunt’s release Cook began ‘pestering’ Dragons to sign Ilias

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[justadragon]

Ilias at ease filling Hunt's boots after Souths exit

Lachlan Ilias has already felt the spotlight of replacing Adam Reynolds at South Sydney, but feels well placed to fill Ben Hunt's boots at St George Illawarra.

au.sports.yahoo.com

I really dont get all this garbage about stepping into Hunt's shoes, did we finish top eight numerous times, were we a top 4 club, did he manage our sides into winning games, what the hell did Hunt really do for us. I would certainly call filling Reynolds shoes way harder than Hunt. Lets face it, Mr Hunts Half Back play didnt set the bar too high did it. If Ilias just manages to win a game for us with his play, it will be already a 100% on what Hunt did. For starters I reckon he wants to be there, he appreciates the chance and I'd imagine he wont be working himself up into a lather watching South's matches.