Hook's Heroes

[since77]

Well here we are 2/3 and looking like a team that has benefitted from a change in coaching, philosophy and some judicious bench & roster management.

Hard to pin point who exactly are Hooks Heroes but fair to say everyone is owning up to what the coach is requiring from them and no doubt we have lots of heroes to this point in time.

If anyone thought that AM, JB, BH, JK, MR, BL were going to be leading the charge for us over 3 games and that CN and TS would also start to light up the paddock in Rd 3 I would say that most would have thought it unimaginable so well done Hook & Co we are very lucky to have you and your team leading the way for our club.

A big f**k you to Gus Gould & Co who will no doubt try find a way to join our bandwagon as more good results keep coming in.

In Hook we trust and good luck to him and his team a big well done from me.

Just goes to show how unforgivable it was to not sack McGregor years ago.

 

[Dragon David]

Just goes to show how unforgivable it was to not sack McGregor years ago.

Yes, we should have gotten rid of McGregor at least 5 years ago. Our image would not have been tarnished so much and we could have attracted a better bunch of new players well and truly by now and having a coach say of Hook's calibre way back then to steer them. Who knows, if Hook was our coach in 2018, we might have had a couple of better players and we might have made the grand final instead of Mary's getting us only to the semis.

 

[Bayside Dragon]

Griffin 'not asking for time' as he rejects need to rebuild Dragons
Adam Pengilly
October 29, 2020 — 8.47pm
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New St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin wants to sign two experienced forwards before Christmas but has boldly claimed that the Dragons don't need a rebuild and will climb the NRL ladder on the back of home-grown talent.

Griffin, who will take charge of Dragons pre-season training next month, has urged Ben Hunt to be one of the "leading playmakers in the competition" when he returns from his State of Origin stint with Queensland.

NSW Blues coach has spoken on the NRL's decision to scrap, then reinstate the national anthem for the State of Origin series.

Speaking at the launch of the St George District Rugby League Football Club's centenary celebrations on Thursday, Griffin flagged the prospect of more signings during the NRL's silly season.

The Dragons have been linked with Brisbane pair Jack Bird and Joe Ofahengaue but have failed to reach an agreement yet with the Broncos over a release for the former Origin players.

Griffin landed his first major signing when Roosters forward Poasa Faamausili signed a two-year deal earlier this month, partially replacing the void left by Newcastle-bound Tyson Frizell and James Graham.

"It's that trading time of the year at the moment," Griffin said. "A lot of clubs are in that mode. We've got a little bit of cap space at the moment and we'll be looking to add a couple more before Christmas.

Former Prime Minister John Howard at the St George District Rugby League Football Club's centenary launch.Credit:John Veage

"There will be a big focus on building from within, but in the short term it would be great to get a couple of experienced forwards into the pack."

Griffin was even more bullish about his intention for the Dragons to be a finals challenger in 2021 after bombing out of the play-offs well before the end of the regular season in the last two years.

A large part of that will be determined by unlocking the key to Hunt, who he previously coached at the Broncos, after the 30-year-old spent time at hooker during the 2020 campaign.

"[Cooper] Cronk's gone, [Jonathan] Thurston's gone, [James] Maloney's gone ... there's a lot of good playmakers gone out of the game," Griffin said. "It's time for guys like Ben and [Daly] Cherry-Evans to be the leading playmakers in the competition. I think Ben's got the potential to do that as well.

'We're not here to rebuild, or to ask for time, we're here to perform from day one.'

Anthony Griffin
"The identity of this club can be built from within. There's enough there to be able to produce our own team in years to come.

"But we want to make play-offs, we want to play finals football, and every club looks to do that at the start of the year and I think we've got a list capable of doing that.

"We're not here to rebuild, or to ask for time, we're here to perform from day one. That will be my responsibility and the players from the time we get together."

Griffin joined luminaries such as former Prime Minister John Howard, NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham, St George District Rugby League Football Club chairman Craig Young and a host of former players including John Riley, Steve Edge, Ricky Walford, Brad Mackay, Mark Gasnier, Ben Hornby, Ben Creagh, Dean Young and Jason Nightingale at the launch.

Ricky Walford, Craig Young, Matt Dufty and Mark Gasnier at the St George District Rugby League Football Club's centenary launch.Credit:John Veage

The club will announce a series of events to commemorate next year's centenary in coming months, which will include the selection of a Team of the Century. It's anticipated the celebrations will be scheduled around the NRL draw.

"This club has a very rich history and a very strong local level of support," Howard said. "It's emphatically embraced by the local community.


"It has to be a mixture of nostalgia and looking to the future. You're entitled, when you've been such an extraordinary successful club as St George, to think of the past glories, but the people who run the club now know you can't live on past glories. I'm looking forward to the next season."

Said former Dragons forward Mackay: "I couldn't have wanted to play for any other team. It's mind boggling to think the club is 100 years old, and the game is in really good hands."


https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/gr...-need-to-rebuild-dragons-20201029-p569um.html

Hook seems a man of his word.

 

[Dragonslayer]

I think most of us just wanted to see 'improvement' especially after the trials and CS. I think we've got that and after 3 games we look a completely different team than previous years.

May it continue.

Favourites for the wooden spoon? Maybe deservedly so after the trials, but now I shouldn't think so.

Besides Hook, a lot of credit has to be given to our assistants. Gentle with defense, a work in progress, but we are definitly more resiliant and ferocious. Elliott is an excellent tactician and our attack looks slicker, faster and variable, not like the previous 4 hit ups, block play then kick.

Yes, we will lose a few games, but the improvement we all sought is right there.

Basically, we've transitioned from Mary's muppets to Hook's heroes in a very short space of time.

 

[Bayside Dragon]

I think most of us just wanted to see 'improvement' especially after the trials and CS. I think we've got that and after 3 games we look a completely different team than previous years.

May it continue.

Favourites for the wooden spoon? Maybe deservedly so after the trials, but now I shouldn't think so.

Besides Hook, a lot of credit has to be given to our assistants. Gentle with defense, a work in progress, but we are definitly more resiliant and ferocious. Elliott is an excellent tactician and our attack looks slicker, faster and variable, not like the previous 4 hit ups, block play then kick.

Yes, we will lose a few games, but the improvement we all sought is right there.

Basically, we've transitioned from Mary's muppets to Hook's heroes in a very short space of time.

Can anybody tell me what the breakdown of roles between the 3 coaches is??? In particular, where does Ken Gentle fit in. Who is responsible taking players aside and showing them where and how to improve their game?Whoever it is, I must say he seems to be doing a good job.

 

[Bayside Dragon]

Can anybody tell me what the breakdown of roles between the 3 coaches is??? In particular, where does Ken Gentle fit in. Who is responsible taking players aside and showing them where and how to improve their game?Whoever it is, I must say he seems to be doing a good job.

Looks like Dragonslayer has partly answered my post. Thanks, mate.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Can anybody tell me what the breakdown of roles between the 3 coaches is??? In particular, where does Ken Gentle fit in. Who is responsible taking players aside and showing them where and how to improve their game?Whoever it is, I must say he seems to be doing a good job.

I think you meen Peter Gentle, he's responsibility is defence. Matt Elliott is attack.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/09/28/dragons-finalise-2021-football-department/

 

[The Badger]

I think you meen Peter Gentle, he's responsibility is defence. Matt Elliott is attack.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/09/28/dragons-finalise-2021-football-department/

An interesting question on coaching /tactics is the 2 short line dropouts taken in the 2nd half .I was hoping for Norman to drive well downfield and defend from around 35 metres out instead of 20 metres.Was that a message to the opposition of the newfound confidence in our defence and attack.If so thats a big turnaround and confidence builder for the team.

 

[Dragonslayer]

An interesting question on coaching /tactics is the 2 short line dropouts taken in the 2nd half .I was hoping for Norman to drive well downfield and defend from around 35 metres out instead of 20 metres.Was that a message to the opposition of the newfound confidence in our defence and attack.If so thats a big turnaround and confidence builder for the team.

Confidence in defence and maybe just a bit of 'practice' under game conditions, you'll never get a better chance being in front on the scoreboard. Also maybe just confidence in our ability to win the aerial contest.

 

[6AGAIN]

I liked the way Hook continued on with his poker face as the game finished.
No rolling back in his chair doing hi fives or reaching for his paint brush or feeling comfortable with himself, nah...... just getting on with it, not unlike Bennett would.

 

[Dragon David]

An interesting question on coaching /tactics is the 2 short line dropouts taken in the 2nd half .I was hoping for Norman to drive well downfield and defend from around 35 metres out instead of 20 metres.Was that a message to the opposition of the newfound confidence in our defence and attack.If so thats a big turnaround and confidence builder for the team.

I think that Norman did those short drop outs for Lomax to regather and if it paid off, then well and good, but if not, they had confidence in defending their line. It still was heart attack material though as the stress levels shot up for me when he did those short high kicks.

 

[TruSaint]

An interesting question on coaching /tactics is the 2 short line dropouts taken in the 2nd half .I was hoping for Norman to drive well downfield and defend from around 35 metres out instead of 20 metres.Was that a message to the opposition of the newfound confidence in our defence and attack.If so thats a big turnaround and confidence builder for the team.

Absolutely loved it.

Bored of the same ol. Executed well, it's a 50/50 chance of keeping possession. Also, as you say , sends a message.

 

[boardlumps62]

We have come a long way since the previous coach had this team. If you are watching the Broncos v Bulldogs that reminded me of how played with no direction and no idea. Watching them there is no way we get the spoon unless they improve drastically and we go backwards. Anything is possible I suppose.

 

[blacksafake]

We have come a long way since the previous coach had this team. If you are watching the Broncos v Bulldogs that reminded me of how played with no direction and no idea. Watching them there is no way we get the spoon unless they improve drastically and we go backwards. Anything is possible I suppose.

It’s a bludger of a game, at the moment.

 

[Number of the Beath]

Well here we are 2/3 and looking like a team that has benefitted from a change in coaching, philosophy and some judicious bench & roster management.

Hard to pin point who exactly are Hooks Heroes but fair to say everyone is owning up to what the coach is requiring from them and no doubt we have lots of heroes to this point in time.

If anyone thought that AM, JB, BH, JK, MR, BL were going to be leading the charge for us over 3 games and that CN and TS would also start to light up the paddock in Rd 3 I would say that most would have thought it unimaginable so well done Hook & Co we are very lucky to have you and your team leading the way for our club.

A big f**k you to Gus Gould & Co who will no doubt try find a way to join our bandwagon as more good results keep coming in.

In Hook we trust and good luck to him and his team a big well done from me.

Post of the year (so far)

 

[Gareth67]

How the hell did that Howard get his ugly mug on this forum ? The bloke will support anyone as long he is a winner .

I remember back in the 1985 grand final against the Bulldogs he was all St.George , but after they were narrowly beaten the sod goes up to the dias with a flaming Bulldog scarf wrapped around his scrawny little neck - urrgh !

 

[Old Timer]

Well today Hook had plenty of heroes including his coaching staff who executed a very well thought out game plan and an excellent bench rotation.

When Mc Fookknuckle was at the helm we were the very epitome of him in that we were a bumbling, confused, soft cock, excuse making, not my fault, good time Charlie, show pony type of an outfit.

Now we are the type of team that quietly goes about doing its work, takes responsibility for the bad before crowing about anything good, makes sure it earns its pay every week and is being rewarded for its hard work & effort and in the end that all rewards its fans which is what Hook is all about.

Such a large transition in such a short space of time is really quite incredible.

Not a bad player today and real teamwork on display well done and everyone deserves a Heroes badge.

 

[muzby]

Why are you bumping your own thread?

 

[Old Timer]

Why are you bumping your own thread?

Not exactly sure what you mean by that but is there a law against putting a comment in the correct thread?

Maybe you want me to start a different thread on the same vein so you can tell me that there is already a thread on the subject and that I should post there?

Maybe you think that there are no Hooks heroes and that nobody is worth talking about?

 

[muzby]

Not exactly sure what you mean by that but is there a law against putting a comment in the correct thread?

Maybe you want me to start a different thread on the same vein so you can tell me that there is already a thread on the subject and that I should post there?

Maybe you think that there are no Hooks heroes and that nobody is worth talking about?

Always so angry and aggressive..

Just a simple question.. No need for that kinds of response.. Do you scream obscenities at the kid at McDonalds when they ask if you want fries with your burger?

I find it intriguing that you are always bumping this thread after the discussion dies away..

Is it like a blog for you?