Jack Bird to Dragons 2018 Rumour Won't Go Away

[giboz71]

Why Elgey? Weve already got Hunt, and Bird is a better fit at 5/8, no need for amother big dollar half...

I think Elgey would make a pretty handy 5/8 if given the opportunity.

 

[watatank]

Elgey is a lot better than that. We missed out last time he was off contract what do you think is going to happen when he is off contract again?

 

[BennyV]

I think Elgey would make a pretty handy 5/8 if given the opportunity.

Yeah, but you'd be paying big dollars to rip him away from Titans AND outbid those teams looking for a dominant, controlling halfback (including Broncos) which is his best position, with the aim to convert him to a supporting 5/8. May as well just recruit a supporting 5/8!

I'll actually be very interested to see how Elgey and Taylor blend this year. They are similar style players who experienced breakout years separately, now one will be taking a back seat to the other. They've also got to blend with Hayne. Gotta make sure every man knows their role and sticks to it. I mean, its a good headache for Neil Henry to have, but its a headache none the less!

 

[Dragsters]

Keepin mind, of we are following the Sharks blueprint (or basically any premiership team since 2011 except Roosters 2013) of a new halves pairing, we need to look closely at the balance of halves. All teams had a halfback that controlled the team and a running 5/8 that could chime in and create when necessary. They also had 1 established, 'dominant' half and 1 half who was lower profile (Townsend barely cracked Warriors first grade, Morgan was a decent fullback, Keary was a rookie in 2014, Widdop wasnt fully established in 2012, DCE was a rookie in 2011), otherwise it gets difficult to balance the rest of the team, salary cap wise (ensuring you have dominating forwards, strike centres, decents hooker and FB, etc).

Weve got 1 big piece in Hunt - a high profile, dominant 7 who can lead the team around the park and create. His partner doesnt need to be a star or even a properly established player, just someone who can chime in as a foil, create opportunities where possible and fill the gaps. We know Widdop can do that, but we may not be able to afford him next year. 2017 should be used to see if someone like Mann or Nona have it in them to fill those gaps, otherwise we look elsewhere at creative, running 5/8s who wont cost the world.

Of course, premiership teams are also controlled by a coach with actual brain cells, but that's another matter entirely.

Correct.

You know it makes sense.

We know it makes sense.

The 6 million dollar question is how to get Mary to see the light?

 

[possm]

Correct.

You know it makes sense.

We know it makes sense.

The 6 million dollar question is how to get Mary to see the light?

If the Club announces Hasler for head coach in 2018, Mary will finally get it.

 

[Qdf]

Keepin mind, of we are following the Sharks blueprint (or basically any premiership team since 2011 except Roosters 2013) of a new halves pairing, we need to look closely at the balance of halves. All teams had a halfback that controlled the team and a running 5/8 that could chime in and create when necessary. They also had 1 established, 'dominant' half and 1 half who was lower profile (Townsend barely cracked Warriors first grade, Morgan was a decent fullback, Keary was a rookie in 2014, Widdop wasnt fully established in 2012, DCE was a rookie in 2011), otherwise it gets difficult to balance the rest of the team, salary cap wise (ensuring you have dominating forwards, strike centres, decents hooker and FB, etc).

Weve got 1 big piece in Hunt - a high profile, dominant 7 who can lead the team around the park and create. His partner doesnt need to be a star or even a properly established player, just someone who can chime in as a foil, create opportunities where possible and fill the gaps. We know Widdop can do that, but we may not be able to afford him next year. 2017 should be used to see if someone like Mann or Nona have it in them to fill those gaps, otherwise we look elsewhere at creative, running 5/8s who wont cost the world.

Of course, premiership teams are also controlled by a coach with actual brain cells, but that's another matter entirely.

I can't agree more,
Widdop is there for this season.If he continues with his lacklustre form,give Nona a go,then you've got Mann if he doesn't work out.If Bird is as keen as they say,grab him with both hands.
I'd take Jack over those 3 everyday of the week.

 

[2010]

Your analogy is correct but the question is
Would you let Dugan go to get Bird?

No. The bird has flown the coup, I would definitely keep Duges, he gives 110% each game. His defence is beyond question on our goal line

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Similar types. We've already got one of em, plus Hunt coming and Field signed long term.

No need to bring Bird back IMO. We are good for centres.

 

[Ray McKigney]

I don't know why having a different opinion these days is considered trolling. I think it's because of your insecurities that I'm intellectually more evolved then you guys.

 

[2010]

After signing Hunt can we afford another Marquee player, there wouldn't be much left to keep our up and commers

 

[monsterkev]

After signing Hunt can we afford another Marquee player, there wouldn't be much left to keep our up and commers

Apparently we have some spare cash
Also there are a lot of players coming off contract, many will not be re-signed

 

[emu62]

I don't know why having a different opinion these days is considered trolling. I think it's because of your insecurities that I'm intellectually more evolved then you guys.

I don't know why having a different opinion these days is considered trolling. I think it's because of your insecurities that I'm intellectually more evolved then you guys.

Ray, you being a close relative of Caesar does give you a huge advantage over all of us when it comes to evolution

 

[mickeylane]

I

After signing Hunt can we afford another Marquee player, there wouldn't be much left to keep our up and commers

if WIDDOP goes and Duges takes a little unders we would have at least $750k a season to spend on some one.. I think we are one class player short of a top 4 team even w Hunt in..

 

[Alec's-saints]

I

if WIDDOP goes and Duges takes a little unders we would have at least $750k a season to spend on some one.. I think we are one class player short of a top 4 team even w Hunt in..

which superstar is off contract tho? i think we're a big name foward short away from a top 4 and challenging for a title.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Keepin mind, of we are following the Sharks blueprint (or basically any premiership team since 2011 except Roosters 2013) of a new halves pairing, we need to look closely at the balance of halves. All teams had a halfback that controlled the team and a running 5/8 that could chime in and create when necessary. They also had 1 established, 'dominant' half and 1 half who was lower profile (Townsend barely cracked Warriors first grade, Morgan was a decent fullback, Keary was a rookie in 2014, Widdop wasnt fully established in 2012, DCE was a rookie in 2011), otherwise it gets difficult to balance the rest of the team, salary cap wise (ensuring you have dominating forwards, strike centres, decents hooker and FB, etc).

Weve got 1 big piece in Hunt - a high profile, dominant 7 who can lead the team around the park and create. His partner doesnt need to be a star or even a properly established player, just someone who can chime in as a foil, create opportunities where possible and fill the gaps. We know Widdop can do that, but we may not be able to afford him next year. 2017 should be used to see if someone like Mann or Nona have it in them to fill those gaps, otherwise we look elsewhere at creative, running 5/8s who wont cost the world.

Of course, premiership teams are also controlled by a coach with actual brain cells, but that's another matter entirely.

Putting aside the bit about the coach, Sharks had Maloney, Townsend AND Bird who could substitute for either half or 5/8, and did so in the finals when Townsend was having a shocker. We need the same, one dominant (and expensive) half or 5/8, one steady half or 5/8, and a centre/second 5/8 who can substitute if necessary.

As far as I can tell we really only have one piece of the puzzle solved with Hunt.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

Our backs are sorted for years to come. Our forward pack could do with one more powerful world class prop but apart from that, the pack is sorted. Mcinnes is yet to prove himself so I will remain sceptical, however with young Robson coming through, he's proving to be one of the shining lights in our young ranks.

Our problem has only ever been the halves. It always has been the halves. The signing of Hunt was huge for this club, if we manage to pick up someone like Jack Bird to partner him then we will have a serious chance at threatening the top 4 providing we can pick up a new coach.
2018 could look like this.

1. Dufty
2. Macdonald
3. Dugan
4. Aitken/Milne
5. Garrick
6. Bird
7. Hunt
8. Matulino
9. Mcinnes
10. Packer
11. Leilua
12. Thompson/Host
13. Frizell

14. Vaughan
15. Sims
16. Masoe
17. Host/Kerr/Sele/Robson

 

[Dragsters]

I don't know why having a different opinion these days is considered trolling. I think it's because of your insecurities that I'm intellectually more evolved then you guys.

Phew, whats that stench?

Smells like high-opinion-of-ones-self syndrome...

 

[Alec's-saints]

Our backs are sorted for years to come. Our forward pack could do with one more powerful world class prop but apart from that, the pack is sorted. Mcinnes is yet to prove himself so I will remain sceptical, however with young Robson coming through, he's proving to be one of the shining lights in our young ranks.

Our problem has only ever been the halves. It always has been the halves. The signing of Hunt was huge for this club, if we manage to pick up someone like Jack Bird to partner him then we will have a serious chance at threatening the top 4 providing we can pick up a new coach.
2018 could look like this.

1. Dufty
2. Macdonald
3. Dugan
4. Aitken/Milne
5. Garrick
6. Bird
7. Hunt
8. Matulino
9. Mcinnes
10. Packer
11. Leilua
12. Thompson/Host
13. Frizell

14. Vaughan
15. Sims
16. Masoe
17. Host/Kerr/Sele/Robson

wishful thinking. what makes you think matalino? i would be chasing woods.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

wishful thinking. what makes you think matalino? i would be chasing woods.

If we're talking wishful thinking, Woods is probably as wishful thinking as it gets. Good luck ripping the Tigers captain away from them, he'll be one of the highest paid props in the competition come 2018.
Matulino needs a new club and would be on around half the money Woods would be demanding.
We need to save as much money as we can so we can afford to get into a bidding war for Jack Bird. A quality halves combination trumps anything else.

 

[Dragsters]

If we're talking wishful thinking, Woods is probably as wishful thinking as it gets. Good luck ripping the Tigers captain away from them, he'll be one of the highest paid props in the competition come 2018.
Matulino needs a new club and would be on around half the money Woods would be demanding.
We need to save as much money as we can so we can afford to get into a bidding war for Jack Bird. A quality halves combination trumps anything else.

While I agree with the above, I would be taking a good long look at how Mataulino bounces back this season before chasing him.