Magic Rd Tigers

[Wolfgang90]

I like our starting pack, it has a good mixture of size (klemmer & sua) but more importantly mobility with Egan, Couchman & Stewart. I remember JDB having a few good games off the bench last year. Luch & Liddle have had some very good moments as fresher bodies off the bench. Guler is a dud though, replace him asap with Loko. I think the bench could be a point of difference in this game & a positive one for us. Hopefully they can either wrestle back momentum or add onto our momentum but we need the starters to hold their own.

If we can get our offloading game going & give Sloan a bit more freedom to support play that could create a bit of havoc around the ruck. Basically have Sloan getting the ball instead of Gutho in the support plays. Those are the half chances he can turn into tries with his speed & instincts. There is some hope if we play to our strengths!

 

[SEAT 1A]

I like our starting pack, it has a good mixture of size (klemmer & sua) but more importantly mobility with Egan, Couchman & Stewart. I remember JDB having a few good games off the bench last year. Luch & Liddle have had some very good moments as fresher bodies off the bench. Guler is a dud though, replace him asap with Loko. I think the bench could be a point of difference in this game & a positive one for us. Hopefully they can either wrestle back momentum or add onto our momentum but we need the starters to hold their own.

If we can get our offloading game going & give Sloan a bit more freedom to support play that could create a bit of havoc around the ruck. Basically have Sloan getting the ball instead of Gutho in the support plays. Those are the half chances he can turn into tries with his speed & instincts. There is some hope if we play to our strenghts!

Who knows, the Tigers were good against the Sharks.

Agree with young blokes, I'd give Guler a few more weeks due to his suspension.

I worry about Chouchman's knee, needs to be managed so he doesn't full in a heap. Hopefully Sele will come good.

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons teen half’s little-known link to NRL hit man as Flanno explains Ilias axing

Dragons teen half’s little-known link to NRL hit man as Flanno explains Ilias axing

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[SnowDragon]

Was depressed after our Anzac Day effort. Changes were needed.

Finau was more rocks than diamonds. Great player in there, but had a bad week. Could have been given another chance, I think I would have, especially since Allen seems very slow for a winger. I thought we would see him in centres but not wing.

Illias maybe deserves to be dropped, but this year we need to decide if he is a 7 for us. Trashing his confidence won’t help I think. More so, we need a 7 who can kick, and Glover seems the only option, even if LKT is more 1st grade ready. I’m just not sure. Kyle has been better, but I think it’s combos, and i’d have gone LKT and Illias, or Kyle and glover.

Lawrie could have stayed, but Guler of him needed to be dropped. The pack needs to have more impact. I know our kicking game really hasn’t helped, but it’s only going to be worse this week I feel. Hope there is a plan.

somebody mentioned line speed. I agree.

line speed, effort and an improved kicking game needed. not Sure the changes address this, but I’m sticking with the coach.

 

[possm]

I like our starting pack, it has a good mixture of size (klemmer & sua) but more importantly mobility with Egan, Couchman & Stewart. I remember JDB having a few good games off the bench last year. Luch & Liddle have had some very good moments as fresher bodies off the bench. Guler is a dud though, replace him asap with Loko. I think the bench could be a point of difference in this game & a positive one for us. Hopefully they can either wrestle back momentum or add onto our momentum but we need the starters to hold their own.

If we can get our offloading game going & give Sloan a bit more freedom to support play that could create a bit of havoc around the ruck. Basically have Sloan getting the ball instead of Gutho in the support plays. Those are the half chances he can turn into tries with his speed & instincts. There is some hope if we play to our strengths!

The problem with this is that Gutho and Homes have that special pass that creat opportunities in attack.

If you want Sloan's magic closer to the ruck, then put him at five-eighth.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

St George Illawarra Dragons – Magic Round History​

Year	Opponent	Result	Score
2019	New Zealand Warriors	Loss	Warriors 26 – Dragons 18
2020	Event cancelled due to COVID-19	—	—
2021	Melbourne Storm	Loss	Storm 44 – Dragons 18
2022	Gold Coast Titans	Loss	Titans 20 – Dragons 16
2023	Wests Tigers	Loss	Tigers 18 – Dragons 16
2024	Did not participate	—	—
2025	Wests Tigers (upcoming)	Scheduled	May 3, 2025, 7:45 PM AEST

As of the 2024 season, the Dragons had yet to secure a victory in a Magic Round fixture, holding a 0–4 record with a total of 68 points scored and 108 points conceded. Rugby League Zone
In 2024, the Dragons did not participate in Magic Round.
In the 2025 Magic Round, the Dragons are set to face the Wests Tigers on Saturday, May 3, at 7:45 PM AEST at Suncorp Stadium.

 

[Wolfgang90]

The problem with this is that Gutho and Homes have that special pass that creat opportunities in attack.

If you want Sloan's magic closer to the ruck, then put him at five-eighth.

You can literally just tell sloan to follow up on the fwds when the ball is on his side of the field. He doesn't need to pass it. I don't want him to pass it, I want him to run with the ball in a bit of open space.

 

[twinkletoes]

When Flanaghan became coach he said 2024 would be a year of consolidation but 2025 would see real improvements. At the beginning of this season he stated that this year would be a very different side to last year. I'm hearing a lot of big talk but I'm not seeing much action in terms of performance. Every week we wonder what Dragons team will show up...one that just scrapes across the line or one that gets beaten by 30 points. I was at least expecting a more consistent team which put in an effort every week...this has not happened. When will Flanaghan's "magic dust" start to show some results??

 

[Mojo]

When Flanaghan became coach he said 2024 would be a year of consolidation but 2025 would see real improvements. At the beginning of this season he stated that this year would be a very different side to last year. I'm hearing a lot of big talk but I'm not seeing much action in terms of performance. Every week we wonder what Dragons team will show up...one that just scrapes across the line or one that gets beaten by 30 points. I was at least expecting a more consistent team which put in an effort every week...this has not happened. When will Flanaghan's "magic dust" start to show some results??

This week.

 

[getsmarty]

NRL Match Preview: Magic Round v Wests Tigers

The Dragons are back at Magic Round on Saturday night and will face the Wests Tigers at a packed out Suncorp Stadium.

www.dragons.com.au

 

[Texmex]

St George Illawarra Dragons – Magic Round History​

Year	Opponent	Result	Score
2019	New Zealand Warriors	Loss	Warriors 26 – Dragons 18
2020	Event cancelled due to COVID-19	—	—
2021	Melbourne Storm	Loss	Storm 44 – Dragons 18
2022	Gold Coast Titans	Loss	Titans 20 – Dragons 16
2023	Wests Tigers	Loss	Tigers 18 – Dragons 16
2024	Did not participate	—	—
2025	Wests Tigers (upcoming)	Scheduled	May 3, 2025, 7:45 PM AEST

As of the 2024 season, the Dragons had yet to secure a victory in a Magic Round fixture, holding a 0–4 record with a total of 68 points scored and 108 points conceded. Rugby League Zone
In 2024, the Dragons did not participate in Magic Round.
In the 2025 Magic Round, the Dragons are set to face the Wests Tigers on Saturday, May 3, at 7:45 PM AEST at Suncorp Stadium.

maybe covid will make a return and we’ll be saved from more embarrassment!!

 

[maestro1]

When Flanaghan became coach he said 2024 would be a year of consolidation but 2025 would see real improvements. At the beginning of this season he stated that this year would be a very different side to last year. I'm hearing a lot of big talk but I'm not seeing much action in terms of performance. Every week we wonder what Dragons team will show up...one that just scrapes across the line or one that gets beaten by 30 points. I was at least expecting a more consistent team which put in an effort every week...this has not happened. When will Flanaghan's "magic dust" start to show some results??

We've only lost one game by a big score. Your narrative is flawed. Our losses have been 8 points, 1 point, 1 point and then the blow out against the Roosters

 

[twinkletoes]

They’re still mentally fragile…. losing by 1 point to eels and souths after leading by 12….. they never turn up in front of big home crowds when you would think there is plenty to play for. They have no mental toughness as has been the case for 15 years and this is what I thought FLanaghan would instill in them…but hasnt

 

[dragon thomo]

You are right Twinkletoes they are mentally weak. The good sides can handle setbacks while the other teams drop their heads and let in 2-3 tries in quick time. The first thing we need is purchase a front row leader to galvanise our pack and then a strike weapon in the backs such as Cobbo or similar player.
We do not have a real match winner in our backline.

 

[2010Dragons]

They’re still mentally fragile…. losing by 1 point to eels and souths after leading by 12….. they never turn up in front of big home crowds when you would think there is plenty to play for. They have no mental toughness as has been the case for 15 years and this is what I thought FLanaghan would instill in them…but hasnt

No mental toughness, no pride, no intensity, no mongrel lunatic in the forwards, no X-factor in the backs. Same incompetent team for the past 15 years.

 

[blacksafake]

Starford Toa big out for the tigers.
Naden to centre & Staines to wing.
Weakens them on our left side so you’d hope Val, Gutho, Luc & LKT would be able to capitalise on this.
Would like to see Sloan on the left as well.

 

[maestro1]

They’re still mentally fragile…. losing by 1 point to eels and souths after leading by 12….. they never turn up in front of big home crowds when you would think there is plenty to play for. They have no mental toughness as has been the case for 15 years and this is what I thought FLanaghan would instill in them…but hasnt

You made it sound that they are being beaten by big scores. That is just not true. The mental toughness is another subject that doesn't make your comment true. The facts are that they have lost 3 games by very small margins and one game by a lot. But the facts don't suit your narrative, so you made some "facts" up

 

[CozDragon]

When Flanaghan became coach he said 2024 would be a year of consolidation but 2025 would see real improvements. At the beginning of this season he stated that this year would be a very different side to last year. I'm hearing a lot of big talk but I'm not seeing much action in terms of performance. Every week we wonder what Dragons team will show up...one that just scrapes across the line or one that gets beaten by 30 points. I was at least expecting a more consistent team which put in an effort every week...this has not happened. When will Flanaghan's "magic dust" start to show some results??

This year feels the most inconsistent season I have seen in a long time, from every team. Before last weekend the only team that seemed to be playing consistently was the dogs, but they had also only been playing sides that you would not consider to be strong or were playing inconsistently themselves.

There isn't a single team this year that is playing consistently yet.

 

[2010Dragons]

Corey Allen would definitely be the slowest winger in NRL history.
I've watched him play lower grades, even the fat cake could catch him.

Just wait for the tigers to score 20 points on his wing.
We are better off putting the fat cake on the winger.
YIKES !!!

 

[Redvdragons21]

This year feels the most inconsistent season I have seen in a long time, from every team. Before last weekend the only team that seemed to be playing consistently was the dogs, but they had also only been playing sides that you would not consider to be strong or were playing inconsistently themselves.

There isn't a single team this year that is playing consistently yet.

Raiders ?