Flanno's New Signings

[hewi]

I’m still concerned about Sele and his heart. Hoping like hell that he is 110% fit.

 

[The Word]

We need Hame Sele playing or like for like + another prop of at least similar quality.

For all the good backs we have secured it might be undone by the lack of ability to get those forwards. Our only chance now is that the young big boys rise. There's a chance of that fortunately!

Good point re. Sele, if we can get a full and productive season out of him, and with the young guns like Halangahu, Tonga, Egan, Stewart coming through, and with the Couchman boys being a year older and more experienced, that will mean an improved forwards roster.

I think if we don't get a top middle to the club, Flanagan may look for a decent, reasonable quality middle with experience, but only on a short term deal.

 

[twinkletoes]

Together with the Eels, I think we have the weakest forward pack in the comp and that is the concern moving forward into this season. Hopefully at least one of the Couchman boys can have a break out year...the young guns coming through are probably 2 years away from having any major impact....

 

[hardbaby]

For the pack to fire - sign Lodge as our alpha (new player), hope Sele stays fit (missed so much footy last year he’s effectively a new player), pump at least 80 minutes combined into the Couchman brothers (prototype ), play Cook at lock for 40 + minutes (will happen) and debut Loko Pasifiki Tonga by mid-season for 20-25 minute crunch sessions. All of these things are absolutely possible and with the right game plan, we could be more than match our opponents.

What we can’t afford to do is play Lawrie and Eisenhuth unless we have major injuries. Both players are way to slow for the modern game and given the lack of size in our team, and the fact we have three very dynamic runners out of dummy half (Cook, Liddle and Gutho), it has to be an uptempo game plan.

The Dogs showed how it’s done. So it’s not doom and gloom by any means. But the key is that big, aggressive dog. That’s Lodge and he is available. Just sign him for 2 years and be done with it. As it stands now, we are one injury away from Eisenhuth. Two injuries away from Lawrie. RFM is an option but he is far more effective on the edge. And that just can’t happen.

 

[possm]

Sign Lodge now and let players compete on merit for a place in the top 17

 

[Jubilee]

The Dogs showed how it’s done.

Burton's boot.

 

[possm]

If we sign Lodge we will have a competitive team in 2025. With some juniors with great potential coming through, the Dragons finally have a bright future to look forward to.

However, we must extend and retain Flannagan as head coach, he is the reason for the turn around.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Be careful what you wish for Possm. Lodge has been to how many clubs and not stayed past 1 season the last few. He can't be that good. If he was the clubs would have held onto him. Huge red flag for me. I would rather a junior than a guy to destabilise the club like they have had the last few seasons with guys looking to leave or slam the club because they sacked an underperforming coach or not playing their preferred position.

 

[Jubilee]

...or not playing their preferred position.

When you look back on it, it is hard to believe that we have been putting up with that for years. What a joke. Thank god that's over now and the club coach is back in charge.

 

[slippery5]

Together with the Eels, I think we have the weakest forward pack in the comp and that is the concern moving forward into this season. Hopefully at least one of the Couchman boys can have a break out year...the young guns coming through are probably 2 years away from having any major impact....

People said the Storm pack was weak with the departure of Bromwich's Smith & kafusi & they had a weak young forward pack. How did that pan out last year??????

 

[twinkletoes]

People said the Storm pack was weak with the departure of Bromwich's Smith & kafusi & they had a weak young forward pack. How did that pan out last year??????

Point taken

 

[st.phil]

Re the forwards and missing a big bopper… yes another pig would be great but clearly flanno is confident enough that it’s still gotta be the right player at the right price on the right terms otherwise we roll with the current crop. 12 months on, I don’t see a signing like RFM happening for eg, getting pickier

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

For me when I watch Penrith their forward pack is just bloody quick off the line it is miles ahead of us

they are absolutely elite in their line speed and shutting down time with the ball

If we could see one major improvement it would be line speed for 80mins every week for me

 

[Jubilee]

For me when I watch Penrith their forward pack is just bloody quick off the line it is miles ahead of us

they are absolutely elite in their line speed and shutting down time with the ball

If we could see one major improvement it would be line speed for 80mins every week for me

Line speed. Play the ball speed. Kicking. Probably adds up to more than half of success.

 

[Desperate Dragon]

For me when I watch Penrith their forward pack is just bloody quick off the line it is miles ahead of us

they are absolutely elite in their line speed and shutting down time with the ball

If we could see one major improvement it would be line speed for 80mins every week for me

On average, leaking 38 points in each loss in 2024, we need to be doing plenty of work on everything defence related in the off season.
Defence is the key if we want to make the top 8 in 2025.

 

[possm]

Lodge for the 2025 season with an option for 2026 in favor of the club. We have been unsuccessful with recruiting an alpha prop and our young juniors are untested at first-grade. level

Lodge could prove valuable but if not he won't be there in 2026.

 

[Dragsters]

On average, leaking 38 points in each loss in 2024, we need to be doing plenty of work on everything defence related in the off season.
Defence is the key if we want to make the top 8 in 2025.

100% this.

Coupled with a more balanced attack now that the hog is gone...

 

[Drewbrees]

For me when I watch Penrith their forward pack is just bloody quick off the line it is miles ahead of us

they are absolutely elite in their line speed and shutting down time with the ball

If we could see one major improvement it would be line speed for 80mins every week for me

My mate's young fella has played with Penrith SG Ball and Jersey Flegg the last 3 years and has just moved to the Roosters. He said the pre season training at the Roosters is extremely tough but nowhere near as hard as at Penrith. In his words "at Penrith you just get flogged". I know defence is as much about attitude as fitness but after 2 pre seasons with our current training staff maybe things start to improve.

 

[Wolfgang90]

My mate's young fella has played with Penrith SG Ball and Jersey Flegg the last 3 years and has just moved to the Roosters. He said the pre season training at the Roosters is extremely tough but nowhere near as hard as at Penrith. In his words "at Penrith you just get flogged". I know defence is as much about attitude as fitness but after 2 pre seasons with our current training staff maybe things start to improve.

The amount of juniors going through their system means competition for spots through the grades is elite too. A great recipe for sustained success, I hope we can build something similar with our catchment areas.

 

[mattw5]

I can't see Lodge signing anywhere but us at the moment unless he is Super League bound.