Is Corey oates coming??????

[Carlton]

Fair points Carlton although I would hardly think that Dufty was the main reason for our end of year collapse...again we were playing guys like JDB/Sims/Vaughan etc who were all carrying injuries...When your forwards don't go forward it puts pressure on the rest of the team. Again I.M.H.O this comes down to coaching and the fact the these guys were not given a rest after the origin series. Pickworth if I remember correctly even hinted at this....so again it falls on the coaching staff.

Aitken has had plenty of time to fix his deficiencies...the coaching staff rate him so go figure so lets agree on that one. Again I.M.H.O Dufty needs more time...we don't have a ready made replacement unless we bring someone else in from outside the club. Turbo who plays origin had worse mistakes than dufty this year..go look at a highlight reel...its a difficult position...anyway I'll leave it at that...as I don't want this to be misconstrued as "Having a go " at your good self...appreciate your opinions and lets agree to disagree on this one.

I'm not saying Dufty was the reason for the year end collapse, I'm saying the coaching staff are the problem. What I am suggesting is to bring someone in from outside for Dufty, Don't ask me who though because I really don't know who we could get.

PS: I'm not a fan of Turbo, I like the fullbacks like TVS and Holmes. I appreciate the debate without the put downs, this is what the forum should be about.

 

[jak]

I think this could be dufty's make or break off season

 

[getsmarty]

I'm not saying Dufty was the reason for the year end collapse, I'm saying the coaching staff are the problem. What I am suggesting is to bring someone in from outside for Dufty, Don't ask me who though because I really don't know who we could get.

PS: I'm not a fan of Turbo, I like the fullbacks like TVS and Holmes. I appreciate the debate without the put downs, this is what the forum should be about.[/QUOTE


Agree Carlton...coaching staff lacks smarts...Don't agree re Holmes..not a fullback ..again lets agree to disagree.

 

[41yearsaint]

Unless we are specifically shopping for a fullback, I think Dufty will be our custodian for at least the 2019 season.

Masters reminds me of Dugan, but without the defense atm. Interestingly he is playing wing for the Junior Kiwis today, so speed?

I think Masters is being groomed for fullback but we need to see what Dufty brings in 2019. If I was coach, I would send both of them to a few training sessions with the Swans or GWS just tk get some ideas on catching the ball especially under pressure.

Send them to St Kilda, they have a new addition to the coaching staff i heard.

 

[Carlton]

I think this could be dufty's make or break off season

I hope so JAK, if he kills it great I will admit I was wrong and then bask in his achievements but if he is not aiming up I hope the coaching staff grow some balls and make the hard call and end the experiment. I do not believe fullback is a position you try to develop a player in first grade, its too important, this should be your most complete footballer, athletic, physical, competitive and able to read the game.

 

[possm]

I hope so JAK, if he kills it great I will admit I was wrong and then bask in his achievements but if he is not aiming up I hope the coaching staff grow some balls and make the hard call and end the experiment. I do not believe fullback is a position you try to develop a player in first grade, its too important, this should be your most complete footballer, athletic, physical, competitive and able to read the game.

Field would be just as bad as Dufty; maybe even worse. So if you don't want Lomax as fullback, sign Holms and get rid of Aitken. Sign BJ Leilua and get rid of Lafai.

 

[The calm one]

Field would be just as bad as Dufty; maybe even worse. So if you don't want Lomax as fullback, sign Holms and get rid of Aitken. Sign BJ Leilua and get rid of Lafai.

You can’t sign or get rid of anyone because no one is coming here

 

[SaintPauli]

You can’t sign or get rid of anyone because no one is coming here

Hey calm one ! I just tried saying your sentence calmy and failed. LOL

One thing I can add add is that I would love Rapana at the Dragons over Aitkin.
IMO he'd better better at centre than wing.
You never know! Just semi-calmy saying !

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

I'm not saying Dufty was the reason for the year end collapse, I'm saying the coaching staff are the problem. What I am suggesting is to bring someone in from outside for Dufty, Don't ask me who though because I really don't know who we could get.

PS: I'm not a fan of Turbo, I like the fullbacks like TVS and Holmes. I appreciate the debate without the put downs, this is what the forum should be about.

If you wanted to hire a mentor for Dufty I can't think of anyone better than Michael Gordon.
Professional, technically faultless with a wealth of experience playing fullback.
Dufty would improve out of sight.

 

[Frank Facer]

If you wanted to hire a mentor for Dufty I can't think of anyone better than Michael Gordon.
Professional, technically faultless with a wealth of experience playing fullback.
Dufty would improve out of sight.

Before I read your post, I was already thinking that Slater would be the obvious one to get to mentor Dufty. He was probably the best fullback I have seen. When he said in his shoulder charge hearing that he watched video of all the tries that each of Cronulla's wingers had scored that season, leading up to the match, as part of his preparation, that made me think that Slater has a lot more to offer than his natural ability.

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

Before I read your post, I was already thinking that Slater would be the obvious one to get to mentor Dufty. He was probably the best fullback I have seen. When he said in his shoulder charge hearing that he watched video of all the tries that each of Cronulla's wingers had scored that season, leading up to the match, as part of his preparation, that made me think that Slater has a lot more to offer than his natural ability.

Of course Slater would also be a great mentor but I regard Gordon as one of the most underrated fullbacks over the years.
Technically very good which Dufty is not.

 

[cusnjed]

Field would be just as bad as Dufty; maybe even worse. So if you don't want Lomax as fullback, sign Holms and get rid of Aitken. Sign BJ Leilua and get rid of Lafai.

Field is a better defender than Duffy.
If you watch a replay of the last time Field was used in FG, he made 4 tackles I one set. All 4 were first contact and 3 I believe were on his own defending in the middle.’

 

[dragon thomo]

If Field is a better defender than Dufty I would let them both go now.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

I think this could be dufty's make or break off season

As previously stated, I don’t believe Dufty will be in first grade by the end of 2019.

I really don’t.

 

[watatank]

Kinda has to be a make or break for dufty. It's a contract year after all for the contract at age 24-26.

Anyway he's here, if he plays well he will get paid. If he doesnt it wont mean his career is over it just makes it harder as he competes with more emerging fullbacks. See how he goes.

On that note It'll be interesting to see how Corey Allan who played Jr kangaroos and pms xiii goes at souths and also Nick meaney (former knights and u20s nsw fullback) at bulldogs . Young fullbacks who have switched clubs for an opportunity and also signed 3 year deals.

 

[possm]

Field is a better defender than Duffy.
If you watch a replay of the last time Field was used in FG, he made 4 tackles I one set. All 4 were first contact and 3 I believe were on his own defending in the middle.’

Not at fullback. It's a big difference because on many occasions you are a lone defender. Those tackles were made with other bodies around Field cutting off options for the attacking player. I suppose Field would seem to be the easier option and to his credit he stood up to the test. However, he was moved from fullback in ISP even though his attack was fine.

 

[possm]

As previously stated, I don’t believe Dufty will be in first grade by the end of 2019.

I really don’t.

The trouble is that each season the Dragons seem to write off their chances of doing very well by taking unnecessary risks by sticking with players/coaches that don't measure up; even when other options are available. This problem is equally shared between coaching staff and pathways/recruitment staff.

Maybe with Johnston at CEO, their might be more oversight on the football side of things - here's hoping.

 

[muzby]

Before I read your post, I was already thinking that Slater would be the obvious one to get to mentor Dufty. He was probably the best fullback I have seen. When he said in his shoulder charge hearing that he watched video of all the tries that each of Cronulla's wingers had scored that season, leading up to the match, as part of his preparation, that made me think that Slater has a lot more to offer than his natural ability.

I already said that in 2017..

 

[jak]

As previously stated, I don’t believe Dufty will be in first grade by the end of 2019.

I really don’t.

as i said the off season will be so important to him.

 

[getsmarty]