Flanno's New Signings

[WepnutV]

Not sure what you're disagreeing with. I'm not arguing with the fact that he didn't play well enough for us and obviously didn't want to be there for the last couple of years and played up like an idiot.
My point is that it's impossibly to even log in to this forum without having to read someone's regurgitated boring whine about this bloke every 10 minutes.
We can't even celebrate and enjoy these new signings without someone bringing him up again as a source of comparison. I mean the fact that you felt the need explain to me how much you despise him and why, as if I haven't had these thoughts myself and had to read them 1000 times already.
Sorry if I'm sounding fed up, and I'm not having a crack at you. I'm just over him and the never-ending conversation about him.

I personally enjoy listening to fans express there feelings thoughts and opinions on Ben merkin

 

[Jubilee]

As you would expect surely?

We all know the negativity around Ben Hunt wanting to leave over the last couple of years has been a drama we could've done without. And we all feel more optimistic about things now he's left.

But the idea that when he first joined he never spoke about the Dragons as "we" is just ludicrous.

This constant pile-on and attempts to find new ways to demonise him has become so boring. It's childish and we need to move on.

It will die down. There hasn't been a comment on the Lomax thread for three days.

Ofc, when we have to play them...

 

[Dragsters]

He gets a caning here but IMO it's been his excess weight that has hampered him for years. Good to see him looking more like a RL player at last.

At least if he looks like that at the start of pre-season then that has to a good sign that he's only gonna be fitter by the end of it...

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons coach opens up on new signings and the fallout with his former skipper

It hasn't taken Clint Gutherson long to win over his teammates

www.illawarramercury.com.au

P.S sorry behind paywall

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

In today`s Herald:

It took Clint Gutherson 22 minutes and 58 seconds to win over the Dragons

The St George Illawarra recruit is renowned for his work ethic, and he showed his new teammates what he’s made of on day one of pre-season.

www.smh.com.au

Clint Gutherson needed just 23 minutes to impress his new St George Illawarra teammates. Or 22 minutes and 58 seconds, to be precise.
That is the impressive time Gutherson clocked on a five-kilometre run up Mt Keira outside Wollongong on day one of pre-season training.

The Dragons’ new recruit finished well in front of the chasing pack, with only staffer Kelly Penfold, who works in the club’s strength and conditioning department, getting the better of the man widely regarded as one of the fittest in rugby league.
“He’s a really good athlete, and he’s not here just to get his money – he’s come here to lead us, on and off the field,” Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said.

“He was captain of Parramatta for a long period of time, we see what he does in games on the weekend, but after speaking to a lot of people who know him – [assistant coach] Ryan Carr is on my staff and worked with Gutho for a long time – he’s a leader Monday to Friday we well. That’s why we signed him.
“He’s come in on day one and done that up a steep incline with no flat spots and no rest.

King of the mountain: Dragons recruit Clint Gutherson won the race up Mt Keira on day one of pre-season training.Credit:St George Illawarra Dragons
“When you talk about leadership, people can be great talkers, others do it game day but not much during the week, but Gutho and ‘Cooky’ [Damien Cook] will be leaders during the week and on game day as well.
“I arrived for training ast 6.15am and Gutho was already there. He’s not tiptoeing in – he’s jumped straight in.”


Gutherson, Zac Lomax, who departed the Dragons and joined the Eels – and would regularly win the 1.2km time trials – Penrith’s Dylan Edwards and North Queensland’s Tom Dearden have long been regarded the fittest players every pre-season.
The 30-year-old Gutherson, who is the frontrunner to be handed the Dragons captaincy following Ben Hunt’s departure, signed a three-year deal to wear the Red V last week. He will start the new season at fullback, with current No.1 Tyrell Sloan shifting to the wing.

Clint Gutherson with assistant coach Ryan Carr and Tyrell Sloan on FridayCredit:St George Illawarra Dragons
Fellow new recruits Cook and Valentine Holmes will return to training next Friday.
The Dragons still have a healthy war chest following the exit of Lomax and Hunt, who was cut loose with a year remaining on his deal.

Hunt initially wanted to return home to Brisbane, but since been linked to the Sydney Roosters, who view him as a halfback and Sam Walker his five-eighth.
“Without a doubt it’s disappointing he won’t be there, but I’ve moved on, that’s footy, players get injured, players move on to other clubs,” Flanagan said. “I wish him well. I don’t care where he ends up to be honest, and it’s out of my control.”
Flanagan hopes to sign a replacement playmaker in the next fortnight, with South Sydney’s Lachie Ilias and Wests Tigers’ Adam Doueihi two players on the club’s radar.
The Dragons have zero interest in Brodie Croft, who has been linked to the club. Daniel Atkinson and Tyran Wishart are two ideal candidates, but neither will be released by Cronulla and Melbourne respectively.

“We’re doing our research, and we’re not in a rush – if it’s another week or two, so be it,” Flanagan said. “We need to get the right person for our club.”