Hunt agrees to monster 6 year deal.

[st.phil]

I think this will be more of the same for Dragons. Paying overs to sign a half with no kicking game. Probably pair him with a half that he doesnt gel with at all.

Things were supposed to change with Widdop. But outside of the Storm system and without a great hooker and half feeding him his flaws were exposed.

Hunt might excel at the Dragons. But I really see him going the same way that Widdop did. Only time will tell. If they get a decent 5/8th and coach it could turn them into a top 4 side. But add Hunt into the current roster... they're fringe top 8 at best.

Hunt is a very different player to widdop...and he performed just as well if not better pre Milford in 13/14. Top kicking metres half in the game (see stats above) another area where he is verrrry different to our Gareth.

 

[possm]

Widdop was fine until his confidence was coached out of him, get a decent coach and watch him go!

Your right but I think it is too late. With Bird in the Dragon's cross-hairs and with young guns like Field and Mann signed for 2018, I think it will be Widdop who will be leaving at the end of the year.

 

[mxlegend99]

Hunt is a very different player to widdop...and he performed just as well if not better pre Milford in 13/14. Top kicking metres half in the game (see stats above) another area where he is verrrry different to our Gareth.

His kicking game has no purpose. Anyone can boot a ball to the opposition. If his team gets even a minor lead he just boots it towards the sideline. No thought goes into his most of his kicks.

Get a half with that skillset and you're sweet. Good luck utilising it with your current coach though. Its one thing to possess a skill. Its another for the team to be able to utilise it.

 

[Dragon for life]

Why do we have to pay so much to get half decent players to our club?

Start with a coach that players want to be coached by and also are willing to play for and you can pay a lot less because the players are willing to take a drop in money due to the team being competive and playing for premierships regularly i.e Bennett, Hasler and Toovey to some degree. This also helps with player retention.

Personally I would have preferred to spend money on a decent coach and to bring these younger guys through that are showing so much potential but will be lost to other clubs due to coaching staff and poor management. Also spending so much on one player obviously leaves less money for others and the younger guys will be looking elswhere to get a bigger slice of the pie.

Don't get me wrong I hope it works for the club but I think it will end poorly.

 

[BennyV]

Why do we have to pay so much to get half decent players to our club?

Start with a coach that players want to be coached by and also are willing to play for and you can pay a lot less because the players are willing to take a drop in money due to the team being competive and playing for premierships regularly i.e Bennett, Hasler and Toovey to some degree. This also helps with player retention.

Personally I would have preferred to spend money on a decent coach and to bring these younger guys through that are showing so much potential but will be lost to other clubs due to coaching staff and poor management. Also spending so much on one player obviously leaves less money for others and the younger guys will be looking elswhere to get a bigger slice of the pie.

Don't get me wrong I hope it works for the club but I think it will end poorly.

In what world does Toovey get his name mentioned with Bennett and Hasler, let alone as a coach who 'players are willing to take a drop in money to play for'?

 

[Dragsters]

Why do we have to pay so much to get half decent players to our club?

Start with a coach that players want to be coached by and also are willing to play for and you can pay a lot less because the players are willing to take a drop in money due to the team being competive and playing for premierships regularly i.e Bennett, Hasler and Toovey to some degree. This also helps with player retention.

Personally I would have preferred to spend money on a decent coach and to bring these younger guys through that are showing so much potential but will be lost to other clubs due to coaching staff and poor management. Also spending so much on one player obviously leaves less money for others and the younger guys will be looking elswhere to get a bigger slice of the pie.

Don't get me wrong I hope it works for the club but I think it will end poorly.

Hey DFL, you do realise that the salary cap is for players only and coaches salaries are separate yeah?

 

[Dragon for life]

In what world does Toovey get his name mentioned with Bennett and Hasler, let alone as a coach who 'players are willing to take a drop in money to play for'?

I did say to some degree. Not in their class but had a good record with Manly. Anything is better than the muppet controlling things at the moment.

 

[Dragon for life]

Hey DFL, you do realise that the salary cap is for players only and coaches salaries are separate yeah?

Still should have spent money on a good coach instead. We'll see how hunt goes playing in a team that has one backline move (hunt to widdop and then second man). I hope for the club that it turns out well because I don't think I've been more fristrated and embarrassed watching my team perform as they did last year. Don't see it getting any better with current coach. That's just my opinion.

 

[BennyV]

I did say to some degree. Not in their class but had a good record with Manly. Anything is better than the muppet controlling things at the moment.

My amputated left leg is better than the guy currently in charge. But lets be real with Toovey, he took over a team fresh off a premiership, held steady for a couple of years then saw the start of their decline which eventuated in him being sacked and missing the finals, the first time in 10 years for Manly. He is not worth the hype.

 

[Dragsters]

My amputated left leg is better than the guy currently in charge. But lets be real with Toovey, he took over a team fresh off a premiership, held steady for a couple of years then saw the start of their decline which eventuated in him being sacked and missing the finals, the first time in 10 years for Manly. He is not worth the hype.

Agree, hence he is now coaching in the ESL...

 

[Dragsters]

Still should have spent money on a good coach instead. We'll see how hunt goes playing in a team that has one backline move (hunt to widdop and then second man). I hope for the club that it turns out well because I don't think I've been more fristrated and embarrassed watching my team perform as they did last year. Don't see it getting any better with current coach. That's just my opinion.

I don't think you will find too many on here that will disagree with the fact that the need a new coach, but signing Hunt on whatever salary has zero impact $ wise on our ability to sign a quality coach

In fact, with Hunt on board and if a new coach is not already locked in for 18 (which I suspect may indeed be the case) it only improves our chance of attracting an even better quality coach.

 

[Pro Dragons]

I find it odd the club wasn't the one to announce what would have to be the biggest signing in regards to length and value? this may come today but a bit suss.
in saying that if true, yes good player, good future, best young half on the market.
what worries me this year is how widdop will react? I think he will be the one to go, most likely have told club he is heading back to uk next year. (otherwise where would this money come from?) I think with Field and Dufty coming through this year that will be it for Widdop and Duges next year. that frees up a lot of coin..

I hope they hang onto Duges. On the Kangaroo tour he showed what he can do with some timely ball and a correct team structure. He is a much better player away from McGregor's coaching. He is a tough bugger that would instill a lot of confidence in the up and coming stars coming into first grade from our junior ranks.

 

[Slippery Morris]

In what world does Toovey get his name mentioned with Bennett and Hasler, let alone as a coach who 'players are willing to take a drop in money to play for'?

I will never understand this love for Toovey. For him to pi$$ off his players and the club which he played for and is highly regarded as a legend to boot him out, he must not have done that good a job. The players at Manly looked more like they would take a drop in money to leave the club whilst he was there not stay.

 

[kit66]

Great that we've finally signed a legit halfback, a proper real one even, how long has it been? Not my first choice but pretty good none the less. It's funny but I actually think Hunt and Widdop could have been good together, don't think we'll ever see it though. You can be sure that whoever does become his partner, he'll be looking at Hunt's paycheck and hoping for something similar ( let's hope he's worth it ).
With Hunt on board we might now have some leverage when chasing other players of note, might look a little more attractive.
I'm wondering if the coach for 2018 was discussed with Hunt to influence him signing with us ?

I'm happy with this and looking forward to 2018. This year could be a tough one but with so many writing us off and some handing us the Spoon before kick - off even, the only way is up. I think we could throw up a few surprises before September. At least we're building.

Go Saints !

 

[Alec's-saints]

Great that we've finally signed a legit halfback, a proper real one even, how long has it been? Not my first choice but pretty good none the less. It's funny but I actually think Hunt and Widdop could have been good together, don't think we'll ever see it though. You can be sure that whoever does become his partner, he'll be looking at Hunt's paycheck and hoping for something similar ( let's hope he's worth it ).
With Hunt on board we might now have some leverage when chasing other players of note, might look a little more attractive.
I'm wondering if the coach for 2018 was discussed with Hunt to influence him signing with us ?

I'm happy with this and looking forward to 2018. This year could be a tough one but with so many writing us off and some handing us the Spoon before kick - off even, the only way is up. I think we could throw up a few surprises before September. At least we're building.

Go Saints !

you're right! hunt wouldn't leave bennett for McGregor. something is brewing.. i wonder who the coach will be.. hasler is my pick.

 

[GC Dragon]

Very happy with the Hunt 6 year Hunt deal . Even though it seems overs now in 5 or 6 years the likes of Taylor and co will be demanding close to twice that . He is exactly what we need a genuine halfback that isn't a part time one , nine or six but a specialist half back . I think after Cronk he is number two of the halves that best suits our needs .

I have no doubt the plan is to play Hunt with Field in the halves with Dufty at fullback . Of coarse only time will tell if Dufty and Field make it in first grade but if they do a spine of Dufty , Field , Hunt and Robson make for a exciting and creative spine .

With Widdop I wouldn't be surprised if there has already been talk internally about him wanting to return to the UK . I can't see him staying beyond this year .

 

[grouch]

With Widdop I wouldn't be surprised if there has already been talk internally about him wanting to return to the UK .

I would be surprised. He's lived in Australia since age 16 when his parents moved here.

 

[st.phil]

Your right but I think it is too late. With Bird in the Dragon's cross-hairs and with young guns like Field and Mann signed for 2018, I think it will be Widdop who will be leaving at the end of the year.

Mann's on a 2 year, off this year

 

[2010]

My amputated left leg is better than the guy currently in charge. But lets be real with Toovey, he took over a team fresh off a premiership, held steady for a couple of years then saw the start of their decline which eventuated in him being sacked and missing the finals, the first time in 10 years for Manly. He is not worth the hype.

Toovey is going to the super league, I forgot which one

 

[getsmarty]

Mann's on a 2 year, off this year

Correct and I am sure some other club will snap him up. Another missed opportunity thanks to Mary.