A lot has been spoken about Steve Price how he went in 2012 and how hell go in 2013. A lot is on the line, including his coaching future and we have a lot of so called and often self proclaimed experts that have an opinion on everything on this forum and I thought it would be an interesting exercise to see what people on this forum would look to do in Season 2013 if they were Steve Price and coaching our beloved St.George Illawarra Dragons. Ill go first:
Firstly I am going to comment on Steve Price: He obviously has an ability to coach coming into our system in 2002 as Jersey Flegg assistant coach and has been promoted up ever since to be First Grade coach. He has played a huge role in developing our juniors for both St.George and other clubs. A quick look at his roles and players coming through those teams shows that:
2002 Jersey Flegg Assistant Coach to Nathan Brown (Minor Premiers and Runners Up)
2003 Premier League Assistant Coach to Michael Potter (Finished 4th and Preliminary Final)
2004 Jersey Flegg Coach (Result Unknown)
2005 Jersey Flegg Coach (Minor Premiers and Premiers)
2006 Premier League Coach (Finished 3rd and Preliminary Final)
2007 Premier League Coach (Finished 8th and Qualifying Final)
2008 Toyota Cup Coach (Finished 6th and Preliminary Final)
2009 Toyota Cup Coach (Finished 2nd and Preliminary Final)
2010 First Grade Assistant to Wayne Bennett (Minor Premiers and Premiers)
2011 First Grade Assistant to Wayne Bennett (World Club Champions, Finished 5th and Semi-Finals)
2012 First Grade Coach (Finished 9th)
Not a bad coaching apprenticeship, with good results and when you consider some of the Premiership players he helped bring through the junior ranks outside of his role as an assistant and coach in First Grade: Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Dean Young, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Trent Merrin, Matt Prior. Also the development of current players: Michael Henderson, Dan Hunt, Cameron King, Kyle Stanley, Chase Stanley. Throw in half a dozen players that have gone on to other clubs including Internationals like Brett White, Dean Whare and Josh Morris. He coached well in 2011 Charity Shield and 2011 World Club Challenge. Bennett (greatest coach ever) thought he was a good coach and put his name forward for the Dragons so I believe he has a good footy brain and he can coach.
So if he can coach what went wrong in 2012? Firstly he was on a hiding to nothing taking over from Bennett and trying to replicate his success. He had a style of play that had been highly successful over three years and was again on a hiding to nothing as you dont change something that is successful (would get criticised if he did so), yet he inherited an ageing squad (namely Cooper, Hornby, Young and Fien) with key losses (Boyd, Gasnier, Costigan, Smith, Saffy and McKinnon etc) that wasnt capable of being as successful with the same game plan and to add insult to injury the key to this was a ball playing fullback and Tim Moltzen reneging on his deal was a further set back (despite what people may think of Moltzen it meant our whole proposed style was null and void from the outset).
He implemented some good changes such as our halves running more and going to the line (which Hornby did much better than Soward) and looked really good in the opening rounds but it took its toll on Hornbys body and as a result he really struggled in the middle half of the season. Weyman was a massive loss (was in top form before his injury) and 2 golden point losses also hurt us mid season. Consistency was the issue along with away record (2/12) that inevitably led to the side finishing 9th, one win outside the top 8.
The team chanced their arms in certain games with lots of second phase play and looked pretty good (pointing the way forward for the team) and the defence of old was still present for most of the season. Great home record (9/12) and blooding of some younger players with the vast improvement of others leads me to a positive outlook for 2013 if Price has learnt from 2012 and will be his own man in 2013. This is what Id be looking to do:
If as suggested we sign Bronson Harrison Id likely have Matthews dropping out of the squad with Bronson and or Frizzel starting and the other player on the bench.
Thats the top 17 I would go for and the style of play would be very direct up the middle and utilising second phase play to continue to play up the middle or move the ball to the edges. The middle players of Weyman, Hunt and Merrin would be the best in the League and should generate good go forward (De Belin and Prior arent bad replacements as well). Would look for good go forward out of own end with our backrowers playing tight and add in strong dummy-half runners from back 3 I have no doubt we can make good and easy metres most sets with a strong kicking game at the end from Soward.
Would also look when getting to towards the opponents half of the field for some second phase play from our middle players with our back 3 lurking as support players in the middle of the ruck. As we move further upfield I would look to keep playing direct with some support up the middle but looking for second phase play to hit our edge players (second rowers or centres with our halves running at the line). From set plays in good ball territory I would look for a variety of attacking plays including left and right hand side sweeps (involving fullback), hitting second rowers short with support and giving centres early and clean ball with which to attack. Though at the end of the day playing very direct.
Defence I wouldnt really change too much from recent seasons.
Were blessed to have a mix of handy back up players and some exciting back up players Id be looking for these players to do a similar job to those players that are replacing.
Nathan Fien: I like Fien as a player and think he has something to offer but it is his last season and we must invest in our youth. I think you might need some short term pain for long term gain and one of those is having Fien as a back up player. Hed be my first choice replacement in the halves and at hooker and I think will be better suited to not playing regularly as really struggles due to his age playing week in and week out.
Josh Drinkwater: Never seen him play and honestly I would be mainly looking for him to play a full season for the Cutters and see how he goes. If going well and opportunity presents itself to potentially blood him in First Grade but overall just a full season playing with men would greatly aid his development and then re-evaluate for 2014.
Daniel Vidot: Impressed with him in 2012 but he is behind the best 2 wingers in the game and would be my first choice replacement should something happen to Nightingale or Morris. His handling is a problem and needs to be improved but I think his future lies in the backrow and would experiment with him in the NSW Cup and in NRL if an opportunity arose.
Jack Stockwell: Just behind the middle 5 players and would be the first choice replacement for any of those players. Will get better and better with development and I would see him come in and out of First Grade and would rest some of the other middle players to manage workload over the season.
Leeson Ah Mau: Would be the first choice backup for our second rowers and will be able to do the job. Looked good in patches throughout the season but needs to improve his handling particularly under pressure where I want my second rowers to run in traffic at pace with good lines.
Michael Henderson: If he stays injury free his service will be invaluable as will no doubt be required throughout the season to play as part of the middle rotation.
Bronx Goodwin: A player who doesnt let you down and can fill in at fullback, wing or centre.
Nathan Green: At this stage will likely be first choice should either of the centres go down. A solid player but lacks some pace but if he can further develop his off-load would become more dangerous. Think might be better suited to the backrow as he continues to develop.
Evander Cummins: The big question is how to further develop Evander and Id be looking for Evander to play the majority of the season in NSW Cup, developing against bigger and stronger opponents but if losing form, confidence or to simply give his body a rest to rotate him back into the Toyota Cup until he recovers and then back to NSW Cup. If an opportunity presents itself would look to blood Evander at some stage, likely off the bench in a utility role.
Charly Runciman: Without recruitment Charly is in a battle with Nathan Green to be the centre to replace Matt Cooper when he retires. Likely behind Green and Goodwin should an injury occur in 2013 but would look for Runciman to mainly play Toyota Cup but every few weeks to play in NSW Cup to see how he goes. If an opportunity presents itself and he is in form chance to blood him towards the end of the season.
Kem Seru: Another player Id like to further develop with more of a view to 2015 but great chance to progress his future in 2013. Id play Seru in Toyota Cup and make him play 80 minutes to improve his fitness. Id also rotate him in and out of NSW Cup as an impact player to see how he goes against the bigger and better players.
Some big decisions need to be made for 2014 and recruitment will be high on the agenda but a lot will depend on how Price performs early and how specific players perform early. The key positions Id identify to target are a top class halfback (potentially at the expense of Soward whose asking price might be too high for what he brings to the team), a genuine attacking centre to replace Cooper and an explosive backrower.
That is my suggestions on what I would do if I was Steve Price over to everyone else to offer some constructive feedback and or to outline their plans.
Firstly I am going to comment on Steve Price: He obviously has an ability to coach coming into our system in 2002 as Jersey Flegg assistant coach and has been promoted up ever since to be First Grade coach. He has played a huge role in developing our juniors for both St.George and other clubs. A quick look at his roles and players coming through those teams shows that:
2002 Jersey Flegg Assistant Coach to Nathan Brown (Minor Premiers and Runners Up)
2003 Premier League Assistant Coach to Michael Potter (Finished 4th and Preliminary Final)
2004 Jersey Flegg Coach (Result Unknown)
2005 Jersey Flegg Coach (Minor Premiers and Premiers)
2006 Premier League Coach (Finished 3rd and Preliminary Final)
2007 Premier League Coach (Finished 8th and Qualifying Final)
2008 Toyota Cup Coach (Finished 6th and Preliminary Final)
2009 Toyota Cup Coach (Finished 2nd and Preliminary Final)
2010 First Grade Assistant to Wayne Bennett (Minor Premiers and Premiers)
2011 First Grade Assistant to Wayne Bennett (World Club Champions, Finished 5th and Semi-Finals)
2012 First Grade Coach (Finished 9th)
Not a bad coaching apprenticeship, with good results and when you consider some of the Premiership players he helped bring through the junior ranks outside of his role as an assistant and coach in First Grade: Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Dean Young, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Trent Merrin, Matt Prior. Also the development of current players: Michael Henderson, Dan Hunt, Cameron King, Kyle Stanley, Chase Stanley. Throw in half a dozen players that have gone on to other clubs including Internationals like Brett White, Dean Whare and Josh Morris. He coached well in 2011 Charity Shield and 2011 World Club Challenge. Bennett (greatest coach ever) thought he was a good coach and put his name forward for the Dragons so I believe he has a good footy brain and he can coach.
So if he can coach what went wrong in 2012? Firstly he was on a hiding to nothing taking over from Bennett and trying to replicate his success. He had a style of play that had been highly successful over three years and was again on a hiding to nothing as you dont change something that is successful (would get criticised if he did so), yet he inherited an ageing squad (namely Cooper, Hornby, Young and Fien) with key losses (Boyd, Gasnier, Costigan, Smith, Saffy and McKinnon etc) that wasnt capable of being as successful with the same game plan and to add insult to injury the key to this was a ball playing fullback and Tim Moltzen reneging on his deal was a further set back (despite what people may think of Moltzen it meant our whole proposed style was null and void from the outset).
He implemented some good changes such as our halves running more and going to the line (which Hornby did much better than Soward) and looked really good in the opening rounds but it took its toll on Hornbys body and as a result he really struggled in the middle half of the season. Weyman was a massive loss (was in top form before his injury) and 2 golden point losses also hurt us mid season. Consistency was the issue along with away record (2/12) that inevitably led to the side finishing 9th, one win outside the top 8.
The team chanced their arms in certain games with lots of second phase play and looked pretty good (pointing the way forward for the team) and the defence of old was still present for most of the season. Great home record (9/12) and blooding of some younger players with the vast improvement of others leads me to a positive outlook for 2013 if Price has learnt from 2012 and will be his own man in 2013. This is what Id be looking to do:
- Gerrard Beale: He is my man to wear the No.1 shirt. Will give us the ability to have a ball playing option we lacked at fullback in 2012 (as good as Morris and Nightingale are they arent ball players). I think a mix between a ball player, ball runner and support player up the middle would be the role Id give Beale and look to develop an understanding with Morris and Nightingale as part of the back 3 (chancing their arm from the back with attacks from kick returns).
- Brett Morris: The best left winger in the world and wing is his best position. He will be strong from kick returns (forming a potent partnership with Nightingale and Beale), from dummy-half or finishing off left side attacks. The thing Id like to see him add is coming in field from time to time and supporting players up the middle of the ruck and or running off the halves as he did as a fullback and looked good in doing so.
- Chase Stanley: I wouldnt be looking at Chase Stanley as our long term right centre I think he is our long term option at left centre but will have to bide his time at right centre for one more season until Matt Cooper retires. When Cooper is out and despite upsetting combinations I would look to get Stanley to left centre when opportunities present themselves (where well really see the kid shine). Needs to get more ball (will discuss with Soward) and when he does will really add to our attack. Whether attitude or technique (as he can defend) really needs to improve defensively and would work on overtime in the off-season.
- Matt Cooper: Like Stanley would look to get him more ball and early ball but Cooper will continue to do what he does best defend well and attack well with Morris. Last season before retirement and or off to the pension fund in England.
- Jason Nightingale: The best right winger in the world. Same as Morris but from other side of the field.
- Kyle Stanley: This kid is the future of our club and I have no doubt he will overcome his injuries (like Benji Marshall did early in his career) and stay relatively injury free over the next few years. Weve lacked a genuine ball player for as long as I can remember and a player who has the ability to go to the line and play what is in front of him (which will be vitally important particularly if we use a lot of second phase play that I propose). Basically if I was coach Id tell him the spot is his for the year, to back himself and play his natural game and while mistakes may come in the first half of the season, watch him shine in the second half of the season.
- Jamie Soward: The time has come for Soward to lead the team around the park and I think he will do a good job and enjoy the responsibility. The two things Id like to see Soward do more are going more to the line when ball playing and this will lead to him running more (where he is at his most dangerous). The other area is his ball playing and actually passing to the centre on the right hand side of the field as basically he picks the second rower up back on the inside or throws a cut out to the winger C. Stanely needs more ball.
- Dan Hunt: Just do what he does best up the middle of the ruck and add more second phase play and also some tip on plays in the middle of the ruck.
- Mitch Rein: Perfect player to play the tough opening minutes and finish off a game. Strong defender and good runner but would like to see him further develop his passing game (significantly improved over past seasons but still needs work).
- Michael Weyman: See Dan Hunt
- Tyson Frizzel: Want someone who can play tight and be a worker coming out of trouble but drift wider to hit the edges hard (with support looking for an off-load) in attacking areas. Id give Frizzel first crack and be patient with him and work hard with him over off-season to fit into defensive structure.
- Ben Creagh: Same as Frizzel, doing the hard work out of own end and moving to the edge and hitting line hard and looking to break line or give an off-load in attacking areas.
- Trent Merrin: Playing effectively as a third front rower up the middle of the ruck. Would look to play long minutes and utilise good foot work, off-load and ball playing ability in the middle of the ruck.
- Matt Prior: I have a lot of time for Matt Prior as a football and has to be in the 17. I think he struggles playing on the edge and always plays his best in the middle of the ruck with strong carries and good defence. Id have him as part of a 5 man rotation playing up the middle of the ruck (covering props and lock).
- Jack De Belin: The other player as part of the 5 man rotation would be Jack De Belin. His defence is unbelievable (Id actually have him teach others how to tackle) when set but a bit of work on his lateral movement will further improve his defence when faced with players with footwork. Continue to work on his attacking game and runs in the middle of the ruck which will get better over time.
- Will Matthews: Hard choice for the back up edge forward but I was highly impressed with Matthews and think he is the best player to be able to do the job Frizzel and or Creagh can do by playing tight out of own end and being an edge runner with the ability to off-load at the other end of the field.
- Cameron King: Like Kyle Stanely I think he is the future of the club. He is the creative attacking hooker I cant remember us having and vital to success in my mind. He has all the skills and like Stanley Id tell him to back himself, play his own game and the spot is his for the season to prove himself. It will take a while for the others to learn how he plays and may struggle early but he will get better and better and the benefits will be there for all to see late in the season.
If as suggested we sign Bronson Harrison Id likely have Matthews dropping out of the squad with Bronson and or Frizzel starting and the other player on the bench.
Thats the top 17 I would go for and the style of play would be very direct up the middle and utilising second phase play to continue to play up the middle or move the ball to the edges. The middle players of Weyman, Hunt and Merrin would be the best in the League and should generate good go forward (De Belin and Prior arent bad replacements as well). Would look for good go forward out of own end with our backrowers playing tight and add in strong dummy-half runners from back 3 I have no doubt we can make good and easy metres most sets with a strong kicking game at the end from Soward.
Would also look when getting to towards the opponents half of the field for some second phase play from our middle players with our back 3 lurking as support players in the middle of the ruck. As we move further upfield I would look to keep playing direct with some support up the middle but looking for second phase play to hit our edge players (second rowers or centres with our halves running at the line). From set plays in good ball territory I would look for a variety of attacking plays including left and right hand side sweeps (involving fullback), hitting second rowers short with support and giving centres early and clean ball with which to attack. Though at the end of the day playing very direct.
Defence I wouldnt really change too much from recent seasons.
Were blessed to have a mix of handy back up players and some exciting back up players Id be looking for these players to do a similar job to those players that are replacing.
Nathan Fien: I like Fien as a player and think he has something to offer but it is his last season and we must invest in our youth. I think you might need some short term pain for long term gain and one of those is having Fien as a back up player. Hed be my first choice replacement in the halves and at hooker and I think will be better suited to not playing regularly as really struggles due to his age playing week in and week out.
Josh Drinkwater: Never seen him play and honestly I would be mainly looking for him to play a full season for the Cutters and see how he goes. If going well and opportunity presents itself to potentially blood him in First Grade but overall just a full season playing with men would greatly aid his development and then re-evaluate for 2014.
Daniel Vidot: Impressed with him in 2012 but he is behind the best 2 wingers in the game and would be my first choice replacement should something happen to Nightingale or Morris. His handling is a problem and needs to be improved but I think his future lies in the backrow and would experiment with him in the NSW Cup and in NRL if an opportunity arose.
Jack Stockwell: Just behind the middle 5 players and would be the first choice replacement for any of those players. Will get better and better with development and I would see him come in and out of First Grade and would rest some of the other middle players to manage workload over the season.
Leeson Ah Mau: Would be the first choice backup for our second rowers and will be able to do the job. Looked good in patches throughout the season but needs to improve his handling particularly under pressure where I want my second rowers to run in traffic at pace with good lines.
Michael Henderson: If he stays injury free his service will be invaluable as will no doubt be required throughout the season to play as part of the middle rotation.
Bronx Goodwin: A player who doesnt let you down and can fill in at fullback, wing or centre.
Nathan Green: At this stage will likely be first choice should either of the centres go down. A solid player but lacks some pace but if he can further develop his off-load would become more dangerous. Think might be better suited to the backrow as he continues to develop.
Evander Cummins: The big question is how to further develop Evander and Id be looking for Evander to play the majority of the season in NSW Cup, developing against bigger and stronger opponents but if losing form, confidence or to simply give his body a rest to rotate him back into the Toyota Cup until he recovers and then back to NSW Cup. If an opportunity presents itself would look to blood Evander at some stage, likely off the bench in a utility role.
Charly Runciman: Without recruitment Charly is in a battle with Nathan Green to be the centre to replace Matt Cooper when he retires. Likely behind Green and Goodwin should an injury occur in 2013 but would look for Runciman to mainly play Toyota Cup but every few weeks to play in NSW Cup to see how he goes. If an opportunity presents itself and he is in form chance to blood him towards the end of the season.
Kem Seru: Another player Id like to further develop with more of a view to 2015 but great chance to progress his future in 2013. Id play Seru in Toyota Cup and make him play 80 minutes to improve his fitness. Id also rotate him in and out of NSW Cup as an impact player to see how he goes against the bigger and better players.
Some big decisions need to be made for 2014 and recruitment will be high on the agenda but a lot will depend on how Price performs early and how specific players perform early. The key positions Id identify to target are a top class halfback (potentially at the expense of Soward whose asking price might be too high for what he brings to the team), a genuine attacking centre to replace Cooper and an explosive backrower.
That is my suggestions on what I would do if I was Steve Price over to everyone else to offer some constructive feedback and or to outline their plans.
