Let's not get too ahead of ourselves.

[TomRedVRiver]

Before people get on my back about being cynical hear me out. Today was a phenomenal win, there is absolutely no doubt about that. The boys showed a desire than I haven't seen since 2010, we played an attractive style of football and there were too many standouts to even name. You can tell a lot of work has gone into this new style of play and that's really f**king exciting.

We all have every right to be pumped about this victory. I'm pumped, everyone is pumped. But I think there will come a time very soon where we'll need to ease up and come back down to Earth. It will be fantastic to see the boys play like this every week, but i'm already seeing people saying we should re-sign McGregor, that Lafai is already back to his best and deserved his selection, that McCrone is a quality halfback, basically that anyone who has ever said anything negative about the club should apologise and that the egg is on their face... because of one big win. We were great today but Penrith were absolutely terrible as well. They handed us that victory and we took it with both hands and then some. The real test will come against more disciplined teams who will start to clue onto our new style. Consistency is key, backing up with performances like this week in week out.
I just don't want to see our fans do what they are so good at doing, and that is completely changing their tone about something after one game, whether good or bad. Because god forbid, if we have a really bad loss next week (which I sincerely hope we don't) there will be a massive crash and all the optimism we gained from this game will be shut down. All of a sudden Widdop will be shit again, McGregor will be a shocking coach, Vaughan will be a reserve grader and Lafai will still be shit.

The optimism is awesome, I genuinely am excited for this season now, but let's remember a few harsh realities as well. It's going to take a lot more than one win for certain members of this club to redeem themselves.

 

[BlackDuckSaint]

true, this is the first step in the right direction. The next step is to do this consistently

 

[dragonssamy61]

They have to back it up against the Eels next week

 

[giboz71]

We need at least 5 or 6 performances like that in a row to even consider we are the real deal, and to erase the last 18 months or so.

 

[umina panther]

Remember that Umina Panther f**kwit who ran his mouth in this fourm talking up his plod team? What a clown

 

[BlackDuckSaint]

Remember that Umina Panther f**kwit who ran his mouth in this fourm talking up his plod team? What a clown

Hahahahaha yeah, where is that guy

 

[Old Timer]

Penrith were real marshmallows today and the Dragons dutifully toasted them.
I doubt Pennies could have been worse, but on the other hand no doubt we played and executed extremely well.
Real killer instinct about todays effort and that is something that has been sadly lacking for the last 2 years.
Certainly uplifting for the boys and great to see them all so happy as a unit with the result they achieved today.
Especially pleased for Widdop because he said that this year we have a real leadership group and he looked like he was really part of it today. Maybe the lack of a leadership group was part of the issue dogging the team and the captain.
1 game doesn't make the winter, however very encouraging and well done to all concerned let's hope we see a lot more of it.

 

[Minh]

You could tell that Penrith were off their game when Thommo ran in two tries past arm tackles early. The way we put them away was however very promising and cant wait to see more of the same during the season.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Much better showing today, test will come if we can be consistent week after week against more discipline teams......fortunately Panthers showed up today like we have been in the past few years.......still at least one thing the boys will take a lot out of that win....and other teams will show us some respect especially if we can repeat the dose

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Two points pleased me today:

1. After scoring early in the second half, the best part was the Dragons' defence held resolutely for the rest of the game.

2. It was a reminder of how well Widdop can play with a genuine halfback at his side. There were definite signs showing glimpses of good he really is. As wonderful Marshall is as a player, he never should've been first choice for the halfback position. His contrasting style with Widdop was always a recipe for disaster.

 

[possm]

What changed this week, that is the question?
It is not the first time Widdop and McCrone have partnered in the halves.
There were no major changes to player selections this week xmpt Vaughan, McInnes and Macdonald, although these three new players did make a big impression.
The coach and some players are playing for contract extensions however, one of the standout players - JDB - received his extension prior to the start of the game and others e.g. Thompson and Aitken had their extensions announced weeks earlier.

For some reason the boys came to the game well prepared, excited and as determined as I have ever seen a Dragons first grade team.

I don't have the answers however, I am so happy with the result and the way the boys played. Maybe one of our members can give us some answers.

 

[Walpole]

Remember that Umina Panther f**kwit who ran his mouth in this fourm talking up his plod team? What a clown

Quality post.

 

[Belta]

great win, soak it up, enjoy then move on. The intensity and effort needs to be carried over to next week, and then to following week and so on and so on for 26 weeks.

There is some real encouraging signs, the new recruits look like being real astute buys, they all contributed today.

I still think we've got some real depth this year also, a stack of quality not named or did not contribute in today's game, ie Milne, Mann, sele, field, Dufty and others I'm sure, some of which will hopefully get their chance through out the year.

 

[RedVDave]

Remember that Umina Panther f**kwit who ran his mouth in this fourm talking up his plod team? What a clown

At least he has a pretty good taste in music though!

 

[RedVDave]

No doubt that win was unbelievable! But Mary's biggest problem as a coach since day 1 has been consistency so whilst I will enjoy that win all week unless we play like that week to week I wont be getting to far ahead of myself.

 

[Coffs dragon]

One game doesn't make a season, but it was a good start to give the team some much needed confidence. The team looked fit, healthy & happy as a united unit which was lacking last season. I do agree that the Panthers were woeful and gifted the Dragons plenty with mistakes & missed tackles.
The service from McInnes & McCrone in the vital spine positions was excellent and contributed to a very pleasing team performance. Consistency will be the big issue!

 

[dragonssamy61]

We need at least 5 or 6 performances like that in a row to even consider we are the real deal, and to erase the last 18 months or so.

Giboz
Exactly we need to build the momentum starting with the Eels in the gong they want give up

 

[giboz71]

I was a bit unsure about McInnes to be honest but wasn't he good? Service out of dummy half was spot on. Decision making was excellent too.

But most hookers in reality would have shone given how our forwards dominated. Was awesome to see Packer, then Vaughan, then JDB, then Friz, then Sims just smash the line. Reminded me of some of the Bulldogs packs in the past.

Seems Mary is going for an all out power game and it's likely why finesse guys like Mann and Luciano can't get a start. Although I'm sure they will get their chance at some stage.

 

[dragonssamy61]

What changed this week, that is the question?
It is not the first time Widdop and McCrone have partnered in the halves.
There were no major changes to player selections this week xmpt Vaughan, McInnes and Macdonald, although these three new players did make a big impression.
The coach and some players are playing for contract extensions however, one of the standout players - JDB - received his extension prior to the start of the game and others e.g. Thompson and Aitken had their extensions announced weeks earlier.

For some reason the boys came to the game well prepared, excited and as determined as I have ever seen a Dragons first grade team.

I don't have the answers however, I am so happy with the result and the way the boys played. Maybe one of members can give us some answers.

Possm
The big difference was that they layed the platform in the forwards.
Thy were fierce and effictive.
Secondly widdop was freed up because he had mccrone who was doings his job and taking the pressure of.
And last and most importantly they play what was infront of them.
An example was when duges chiped and regain for himself that lead to a great try.
When was the last time duges did that.
And they defened strongly and aggressively
Example 2nd half when penrith were coming back.
They tackled there arses of.
Plenty of room to improve as well.
So now we need to play continually well week in week out.
All good

 

[Ljack77777]

25 games too go if we play like that we will beat alot of teams but our new attacking structures wont take long to figure out so i hope mcgregor has a few things up his sleave..mcrone and widdop played like theyve been together for years..compared to the last few years that win felt the best too me we proved to everyone that we can match it with the best now lets do it again next week GO THE DRAGONS