It is tough being a dragons supporter

[Inisai Toga]

Even in the glory days great players and club men were cast aside Ryan & Wilson and young guns let go James, Greaves so it is actually not a new phenomenon.
Len Kelly once told me that in the 60's they called Puff in for a chat and told him that if he didnt quickly regain form and start scoring some tries he would be looking for a new club.
So even the best of the best have had hard love dished out even when you are well and truly on top.

Geez, ...you don’t know what year that was Old Timer, do you?

 

[Dragon David]

Even in the glory days great players and club men were cast aside Ryan & Wilson and young guns let go James, Greaves so it is actually not a new phenomenon.
Len Kelly once told me that in the 60's they called Puff in for a chat and told him that if he didnt quickly regain form and start scoring some tries he would be looking for a new club.
So even the best of the best have had hard love dished out even when you are well and truly on top.

All players generally are on notice at all clubs. It's a performance, attitude and value for money thing.

A lot of players who have signed on big money are not concerned overall if their performance is below par. They are on a good thing and generally under perform - DCE, Milford, Hunt, Norman, Morgan to name a few.

 

[Old Timer]

Geez, ...you don’t know what year that was Old Timer, do you?

I think it was 65

 

[Old Timer]

I meant to add that if people think it’s hard being a Dragons supporter imagine what it was like supporting any other club for 11 years.

 

[2010Dragons]

I meant to add that if people think it’s hard being a Dragons supporter imagine what it was like supporting any other club for 11 years.

That’s why so many of the older generation hated my beloved St George Dragons.
We were hated and envy of all other clubs. A bit like the purple Mexicans in Victoria now. We all hate the storm but envy their winning culture.
A long long time ago our club was an amazing majestic winning juggernaut ... and now run by idiots.
Where did it all go wrong?

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

I meant to add that if people think it’s hard being a Dragons supporter imagine what it was like supporting any other club for 11 years.

You stole my line OT......lol

 

[Old Timer]

That’s why so many of the older generation hated my beloved St George Dragons.
We were hated and envy of all other clubs. A bit like the purple Mexicans in Victoria now. We all hate the storm but envy their winning culture.
A long long time ago our club was an amazing majestic winning juggernaut ... and now run by idiots.
Where did it all go wrong?

Did it actually go wrong or was it Darwinism at its best?

Other clubs evolved and the young lions deposed the old one's which is the natural way of things.

We did remain competitive on and off and despite the evolution of other clubs many who had star studded line ups and they never emulated that unbelievable one off golden era.

Certainly since the JV we have also had our moments some of which we failed to capitalise on despite having good quality coaches and we could have had 3 or possibly 4 premierships which would have been right up there but fair to say it has become depressing since Bennett and the fact we continued on for so long with Mc Gregor makes us think it is actually worse than what it really is.

Just rem,ember as Scarlett O'Hara often said even in the most adverse situations
"After all, tomorrow is another day"

 

[possm]

Sometimes I do feel sad when I see how far the Club has fallen. You know the fans are usually always right; they are on the ball and can see we management or a coach takes a wrong turn.

But I feel privileged to be born into a family of fanatic St George supporters and have no regrets as I was there when we won 11 grand finals in a row.

St George has been ill treated by the ruling body for a long time now:
The four tackle and then 6 tackle rule was invented to cease our dominance.
The carving up of our traditional territory by introducing new clubs Cronulla and Illawarra to first grade.
And after being loyal to the national body and NOT joining Supere League, we are forced into a joint venture will Illawarra, a failed Club with parochial and irresponsible management.

I am of the belief that we are now on the way up. The future of our Club will be fine once we rid ourselves of WIN Corp/Gordons as part owners and have them return as generous sponsors.

Yes, the completion of our cleanout is still ahead of us but it is in progress and one day in the near future it will be complete. Our roster will naturally improve, the ineffective managers will be weeded out and replaced and although we will keep the name and represent both the St George District and Illawarra Region, it will be the St George Club and another corporate partner who will hold the NRL licence.

 

[Dragons4me]

I can't help being a Dragons supporter. It's in my DNA. Tough times maybe but it's the ride I take. It's why I had tears in my eyes sitting in the grandstand at the 2010 GF. One of the greatest days of my 63 years on this planet. We'll be there again I know it.

 

[Kiwi Dragon supporter]

Even in the glory days great players and club men were cast aside Ryan & Wilson and young guns let go James, Greaves so it is actually not a new phenomenon.
Len Kelly once told me that in the 60's they called Puff in for a chat and told him that if he didnt quickly regain form and start scoring some tries he would be looking for a new club.
So even the best of the best have had hard love dished out even when you are well and truly on top.

I'm showing my age, but back in 1961 (i think) i saw the Kangaroos play the Kiwis. One player stood out, Reg Gasnier. Although young then I thought, what a magnificent player as did my mates. I found out what club he played for and have followed the Dragons ever since.

 

[denis preston]

l hear your pain 2010D, however, as far as de-joint venturing, we’re probably best staying as we are.

If we were to go it alone again, the Narks or someone else may try to swallow us up. I wouldn’t put anything pass the NRL.

Safety in numbers.

We demerge and the NRL will send us to Perth and Sharks will get Illawarra.

 

[goldiesaintz]

That’s why so many of the older generation hated my beloved St George Dragons.
We were hated and envy of all other clubs. A bit like the purple Mexicans in Victoria now. We all hate the storm but envy their winning culture.
A long long time ago our club was an amazing majestic winning juggernaut ... and now run by idiots.
Where did it all go wrong?

Frank Facer retired.

 

[possm]

We demerge and the NRL will send us to Perth and Sharks will get Illawarra.

St George Rugby League football club is no long merged with any Illawarra club. The owners of the licence are St George and WIN Corp/Gordons.

We have decided to retain the Illawarra name as does Cronulla Sutherland and Canterbury Bankstown. More a description of the districts we represent rather than any club we are merged with We are not merged with any NRL Club. Souths and many other clubs have financial partners that are not NRL Clubs but are not described as a merge or joint venture club.

 

[RedVee]

One of my schoolmates Dad was a lower grade player with Wests during part of the 11 year reign.
Hated Saints, absolutely hated Saints.

 

[muzby]

St George Rugby League football club is no long merged with any Illawarra club. The owners of the licence are St George and WIN Corp/Gordons.

We have decided to retain the Illawarra name as does Cronulla Sutherland and Canterbury Bankstown. More a description of the districts we represent rather than any club we are merged with We are not merged with any NRL Club. Souths and many other clubs have financial partners that are not NRL Clubs but are not described as a merge or joint venture club.

Kids, don’t do drugs.

 

[LINESPEED]

Even in the glory days great players and club men were cast aside Ryan & Wilson and young guns let go James, Greaves so it is actually not a new phenomenon.
Len Kelly once told me that in the 60's they called Puff in for a chat and told him that if he didnt quickly regain form and start scoring some tries he would be looking for a new club.
So even the best of the best have had hard love dished out even when you are well and truly on top.

Reg was never the same after he did his cruciate ligament as he tried a left foot step against Parra at Cumberland Oval in 1966 I think.
He told me in 2010 that his great regret was that he wished he’d’ve had access to the modern knee surgeries back then, so that he could’ve gotten his knee right & extended his career past 28yrs

I think he only played 10 games in 1965 - & one only maybe in 1966, but he still captain coached Australia in ‘67.

Yes OT, culture under Facer was shape up or ship out.
Tough men.

Ah those lazy hazy crazy days

....of summer with the background noise of Arlott & leather on willow

....& winters with Frank Hyde’s Rum Negrita & 33 grand finals

...& Puff’s 6 of 11 Dragons’ titles.

And I can tell you that at the moment Reg’s frangipani is flowering beautifully in Yowie Bay

RIP mate
We’re all waiting for another one like you

BTW our current Board would’ve been shipped one way to Siberia in those heady days

Mc Fail wouldn’t’ve made waterboy,

...pieseller maybe

Yeah, tough love at the Dragons

 

[LINESPEED]

Sometimes I do feel sad when I see how far the Club has fallen. You know the fans are usually always right; they are on the ball and can see we management or a coach takes a wrong turn.

But I feel privileged to be born into a family of fanatic St George supporters and have no regrets as I was there when we won 11 grand finals in a row.

St George has been ill treated by the ruling body for a long time now:
The four tackle and then 6 tackle rule was invented to cease our dominance.
The carving up of our traditional territory by introducing new clubs Cronulla and Illawarra to first grade.
And after being loyal to the national body and NOT joining Supere League, we are forced into a joint venture will Illawarra, a failed Club with parochial and irresponsible management.

I am of the belief that we are now on the way up. The future of our Club will be fine once we rid ourselves of WIN Corp/Gordons as part owners and have them return as generous sponsors.

Yes, the completion of our cleanout is still ahead of us but it is in progress and one day in the near future it will be complete. Our roster will naturally improve, the ineffective managers will be weeded out and replaced and although we will keep the name and represent both the St George District and Illawarra Region, it will be the St George Club and another corporate partner who will hold the NRL licence.

While we differ a bit on our views on Duff, I think your idea re Birdy Is spot on Possm:

“Bird has great potential to be our next Captain. Hunt so meek and mild just is not foreman material.”

I rate his passion & preparedness to bleed & suffer in the 2016 grand final as the key to that victory.

He led that team & could lead ours.

He has drive, self-belief and a take-no-prisoners narkiness that we need to be respected, feared & driven to success.
At 25 he’s matured & knows the ropes

- and will keep the refs honest

....so if his fitness holds, you could be on the money Possm

And for me there’s been a poetic justice too in Birdy’s replacement of Turnstile at No3,
because The Waterboy’d annointed Aitken over him

(and then systematically destroyed every other threat to Aitken from 2015-19)
Presiding over Brett’s departure, & any chance of Josh’s return

- releasing Jack despite his very public desire to remain a Dragon
in Sept 2014.

So a Prodigal’s return as eventual Capt would exact another upyours to McGoner and his Chosen One

....And if & when the Great Undoing of McGregor’s legacy continues

... & the Hunt/Norman/Williame dalliance ends in tears for Hook, he may well then gift us a new Capt & reborn Club

(And I’ve thought about Capt Zac, but then I’m reminded that Reg had later conceded that he’d been too young when appointed Australian Capt at 23).

Hook’s Hunt/Norman/Williame thingo may well undo ‘he of the short black socks’

...especially if he persists with sentimentalism in this cutthroat NRL

 

[Gareth67]

Did it actually go wrong or was it Darwinism at its best?

Other clubs evolved and the young lions deposed the old one's which is the natural way of things.

We did remain competitive on and off and despite the evolution of other clubs many who had star studded line ups and they never emulated that unbelievable one off golden era.

Certainly since the JV we have also had our moments some of which we failed to capitalise on despite having good quality coaches and we could have had 3 or possibly 4 premierships which would have been right up there but fair to say it has become depressing since Bennett and the fact we continued on for so long with Mc Gregor makes us think it is actually worse than what it really is.

Just rem,ember as Scarlett O'Hara often said even in the most adverse situations
"After all, tomorrow is another day"

Most unfortunately , I believe that we have a boardroom full of Rhett Butlers saying in unison - “ Well frankly my dear , I don’t give a damn “

 

[betcats]

I meant to add that if people think it’s hard being a Dragons supporter imagine what it was like supporting any other club for 11 years.

I know you are referring to the 60s or whenever that run was, but even just 10 years ago I remember looking at the Dragons thinking how I would love to support a strong club like that compared to the lowly panthers who had fluked one top 8 finish in about 8 years. Things have changed obviously but a few more years will probably see things change again.

 

[Dragon David]

I know you are referring to the 60s or whenever that run was, but even just 10 years ago I remember looking at the Dragons thinking how I would love to support a strong club like that compared to the lowly panthers who had fluked one top 8 finish in about 8 years. Things have changed obviously but a few more years will probably see things change again.

Yes, swings and roundabouts and all that. Being cellar dwellers for too long is not good for a club so major changes are implemented to hopefully get that club in the top 8 and the Panthers did it and now the Bulldogs are trying and so are we. What I have noticed is generally 2 top 8 clubs drop out and 2 bottom 8 clubs move up each year although for this year I think there will be just the one drop and 1 move up - Warriors to replace the Sharks.

We have basically been in the wilderness for 9 years so I'm thinking 2022 we will be up in the top 8.