James Graham.

[blacksafake]

Dugan hasn't been playing well the last couple of games, looks like he is frustrated and trying too hard. Over the years though he has easily been our best player in many many games he has carried the team even though players around him have seemed disinterested.

Instead of pounding Dugan and his perceived shortcomings (he wont be with us next year) why not talk about the two real problems the team has had for years now. The first is the coach and the second is the on field leader.

Dennis Papaioannou points out how the statistics show we should be in the top four and raises the issue of coaching. My firm belief is, the reason we have great statistics and do not turn them into wins is we do not have a game manager as the on field leader. This is why we can win big when the game is going our way but as soon as it gets tight we don't know what to do.

Well said.
Which imo is where Graham will come in handy even if he is not captain he'll certainly be the "leader" we have been lacking.The guy is a winner who plays for the full 80 min & his pressure on the kicker is so good.Some of our younger forwards should be big improvers with him at the club if they are prepared to follow his work ethics.

 

[Spudd]

Our forwards are great but none of them play with the bloodthirsty intensity Graham does.
I'm more excited about his mere presence than anything else.

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

Our forwards are great but none of them play with the bloodthirsty intensity Graham does.
I'm more excited about his mere presence than anything else.

I'm just excited that we're after a highly regarded player instead of a deadshit discard from another team...the kind of player that we're used to signing.

 

[FlameThrower]

Plus don't forget all those players we had crippled by the flu! Truly a tremendous season, one of the finest in our history. Tremendous

What are you saying? That the Club is to blame for allowing the Flu to go thru the Squad?? Not the 1st time this has happened with a Flu or gastro virus hitting a team..

 

[PuffGasnier]

I'm just excited that we're after a highly regarded player instead of a deadshit discard from another team...the kind of player that we're used to signing.

Our signing of Ben Hunt for next year isn't a 'deadshit discard', he is a great player and although he's had a few hiccups along the way, he is a massive upgrade on what we have had in the past few years.

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

Our signing of Ben Hunt for next year isn't a 'deadshit discard', he is a great player and although he's had a few hiccups along the way, he is a massive upgrade on what we have had in the past few years.

Yeah...signings like Hunt haven't happened very often in the past. Surprised he came to us to be honest.

 

[2010]

Are we jumping the gun here with Graham. Conflicting reports say that he has signed and others say that we have just tabled an offer.
I hope we do get him.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Yeah...signings like Hunt haven't happened very often in the past. Surprised he came to us to be honest.

In most cases money speaks all languages Im afraid

 

[dragonssamy61]

Are we jumping the gun here with Graham. Conflicting reports say that he has signed and others say that we have just tabled an offer.
I hope we do get him.

Its an offer

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

My advise is go out and buy a slab of Carlton Mid
The old slogan song was "stay a little bit longer"

Fair comment Eatons Hill Dragon.
I need something to keep me in the game.
My wife takes the dish washing gloves off and I get excited!
Now, where was l..........................

 

[dragonssamy61]

Watching 9 news.
Lafai was on there.
They asked about Graham.
He said he was looking forward of playing with him again.
As they are mates.

 

[SEAT 1A]

Watching 9 news.
Lafai was on there.
They asked about Graham.
He said he was looking forward of playing with him again.
As they are mates.

Thanks Sammy, looks as though it's a green light.It's good to see Lafia enjoying his footy again, clever signing and giving back in spades.

 

[Crush]

Plus don't forget all those players we had crippled by the flu! Truly a tremendous season, one of the finest in our history. Tremendous

Cmon Grouch, I never said this year was a tremendous season. I said it was a frustrating season but a step in the right direction.
Clearly you are frustrated too. Cheer up mate.

 

[Eatons Hill Dragon]

Fair comment Eatons Hill Dragon.
I need something to keep me in the game.
My wife takes the dish washing gloves off and I get excited!
Now, where was l..........................

Mate, you do have an issue if that's the case.
Most blokes are excited putting the glove on.
It's "cigarette" time taking the glove off.

 

[Crush]

The season has been not much better than previous coached sides of Mary's , the difference being this year he has a better roster . If we loose on the weekend the season has been really a disaster especially after leading the comp . So for me the coach has been a let down , a better coach with our roster IMO should have been well cemented in the 8 ....

Hazz, on the ladder I understand that post but not in the style of play and outlook for the future. This year has been a dramatic improvement in attack and general standard of footy.
And I don't think that we have a great roster compared to other teams. We have slow backs, a non-existent halfback and a great forward pack.
Next year will be much better with Hunt IMO.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

Watching 9 news.
Lafai was on there.
They asked about Graham.
He said he was looking forward of playing with him again.
As they are mates.

Did he actually say those exact words, in that context?
I find it hard to believe he would just openly let the cat out of the bag like that.

 

[hazzbeen]

Hazz, on the ladder I understand that post but not in the style of play and outlook for the future. This year has been a dramatic improvement in attack and general standard of footy.
And I don't think that we have a great roster compared to other teams. We have slow backs, a non-existent halfback and a great forward pack.
Next year will be much better with Hunt IMO.

I hope your right about next year because I dont think I can take much more of this . Yea we have improved a bit from last years attacking , but mate we were that bad last year in attack that any bit of extra attack is a bonus .... Anyway I hope we win the comp next year but cant see it under Mary or even the following year .....

 

[Crush]

I hope your right about next year because I dont think I can take much more of this . Yea we have improved a bit from last years attacking , but mate we were that bad last year in attack that any bit of extra attack is a bonus .... Anyway I hope we win the comp next year but cant see it under Mary or even the following year .....

NRL Hazz, anything can happen next year! Before the start of this season I had my top 4 as Panthers, Raiders, Warriors and Storm. Boy was I wrong.
Eels and Manly are in the Top 8!
Anything can happen, even a premiership to the Dragons!

 

[Mr Red]

Yeah...signings like Hunt haven't happened very often in the past. Surprised he came to us to be honest.

I can think of 6million reasons.....

 

[Frank Facer]

I can think of 6million reasons.....

In 3 years time we may have the number 1 halfback in the comp. 1 mil a season for the best halfback in the comp will be a bargain in 3 years time.