Magic Rd Tigers

[Gardenia]

That looked like a completely different team compared to what we saw earlier in the season. The drop in cohesion, energy, and execution was hard to ignore.


It had shades of the Mary era—passive, disorganised, and mentally rattled.


What makes it so concerning is that this felt uncharacteristic of what we've seen so far under Flanno. While we haven’t always been disciplined, there were clear signs of strike power and an ability to post points. That simply wasn’t there last night.


The basics were poor—far too many silly errors, and our set completion rate was way off the mark. You’re never going to build pressure or control the tempo of a game playing like that. We gave the opposition too many cheap possessions and let them dictate the terms.


Is it psychological? Fatigue? Have teams figured us out tactically? The attack looked directionless, and defensively we were reactive rather than proactive.


Looking for proper assessments here—not just the usual “we’re crap” takes. What are people seeing in terms of structure, mindset, or game plan that might explain the drop-off?

 

[since77]

That looked like a completely different team compared to what we saw earlier in the season. The drop in cohesion, energy, and execution was hard to ignore.


It had shades of the Mary era—passive, disorganised, and mentally rattled.


What makes it so concerning is that this felt uncharacteristic of what we've seen so far under Flanno. While we haven’t always been disciplined, there were clear signs of strike power and an ability to post points. That simply wasn’t there last night.


The basics were poor—far too many silly errors, and our set completion rate was way off the mark. You’re never going to build pressure or control the tempo of a game playing like that. We gave the opposition too many cheap possessions and let them dictate the terms.


Is it psychological? Fatigue? Have teams figured us out tactically? The attack looked directionless, and defensively we were reactive rather than proactive.


Looking for proper assessments here—not just the usual “we’re crap” takes. What are people seeing in terms of structure, mindset, or game plan that might explain the drop-off?

To be fair the strike power is there. We scored 28 points last night and bombed several opportunities. 28 should be enough to win most games of football and scoring mid 20’s hasn’t been enough 3 times this year.

Front row.
Field position.
Unbelievably dumb errors. Repeatedly.
Poor defence.

Fix even just the last two things on that list and we’re in the top 4.

Easy to bag Flanno but he must just tear his hair out watching the amount of stupid this team is capable of. To be honest if I was him I’d be getting my manager on the hunt for a new team to coach. We’re just the dumbest team in the comp. I can’t believe how hard it is to flush over a decade’s worth of mediocrity and losing culture out of our system.
This team plays like all the players have had lobotomies.

 

[Crush]

I fully respect posters in here who post both positive and negative, who post after losses to vent and after wins to celebrate.
Why anyone would want to just pile on after losses and go missing after wins is just pathetic, it’s sad actually.

Anyway, so disappointed with that loss yesterday, FMD dropping the ball has become the norm. It’s a confidence thing, they’ve completely lost the plot I reckon.
Their attack was superior, their defence was superior, but they just dropped the fricken ball all day!!!
So frustrating, and worrying, big time.

 

[InFlannoWeTrust]

I don't know of anyone on here who is calling for Young to replace Flanagan, have I missed someone saying they'd love for Young to take over?

Your logic is extremely flawed by the premise that Young must take over from Flanagan (as if there are no other options). Also your claim that no one else could do a better job than Flanagan, I beg to differ, there are a lot of better coaches out there than him, he could be delivering much better results.

You claim that we all look past that our losses have been by narrow margins in all but one game, well how about you seemingly looking past that our winning margins have also been narrow in all but one game?

Unfortunately for Flanagan, wins are your currency as a coach and he has a negative win/loss record as head coach of the dragons.
If his record doesn't improve to a positive win/loss record than questions will soon be asked about whether he is the right coach for the team and as you know, I have stated from the beginning that he isn't.

May I ask who you would like to take over if not Flanno ??

 

[KingFlanno7]

Not all the players are buying what Flanno is selling anymore. Team looks busted and forced to play injured because we have no other options. Nepotism that not all players would be happy with. Poorly trained defensively. There's probably some disharmony among the team and maybe even the coaching staff who knows but to be so disconnected in D is definately a worrying sign. Thought we would take a few steps forward this year and with Egan, Stewart, LKT and hopefully LPT next week we can all look forward to next year but I was an avid Flanno supporter and even as a fan I have lost hope, Anzac day said it all to me really. Could go on and on but it's not looking good and I think we need a younger coach like Hannay or J Morris because the old school approach just isn't working anymore.

 

[jeffdragon]

The people calling for Flanagan sacking would LOVE for young to take over!!! Sometimes the grass isn’t greener on the other side, no one else would be able to get us out of the rut!! We have improved! Each loss (besides roosters ) has been under 10 points but people don’t see past that

Sorry it's all about results.
Wins not admirable losses.
When will they learn?

 

[GoldieDragon]

Not all the players are buying what Flanno is selling anymore. Team looks busted and forced to play injured because we have no other options. Nepotism that not all players would be happy with. Poorly trained defensively. There's probably some disharmony among the team and maybe even the coaching staff who knows but to be so disconnected in D is definately a worrying sign. Thought we would take a few steps forward this year and with Egan, Stewart, LKT and hopefully LPT next week we can all look forward to next year but I was an avid Flanno supporter and even as a fan I have lost hope, Anzac day said it all to me really. Could go on and on but it's not looking good and I think we need a younger coach like Hannay or J Morris because the old school approach just isn't working anymore.

I agree with pretty much all you have stated. What I really struggle with is, what on earth any coach has to do with stupid mistakes, drop balls and dumb ass penalties (all of which we excel at)! I really believe our coaching staff would be pulling their hair out watching a team of well paid professionals go out week after week making the same ridiculous errors. I am not professional football player, nor do I consider myself a coach, however, I played as a young kid and even then the coaches gave the same basic concepts to play by and it seems to me that we fail to meet the expectations that my under 10's coach expected. In this game, especially on conditions like last night, possession is king and yet we turn the ball over so easily, its just ludicrous. Our coaches may not be the best coaches in the comp but our on field talent is a long way from that also. However, I do not believe it is too much to expect to have respect for the football, if we just finished our sets of six we would have won more games than we have done. Happy to blame Flanno when it is his problems, but it is not him out on the field dropping the football or turning over possession.
It was noted even in commentary last night that after our first two tries, we turned over possession and then tackled like pea hearts to let in two soft tries, you can't win football games playing like that. Up until last night, I really thought we could make the eight, we have had two appalling loses, games that we should have won, the bunnies and the eels. The Roosters was a disgrace, but I think we may have ended our 2025 campaign last night. I am getting too old to say oh well theres always next year!!! I don't like losing, but if we turn up and put in a good effort, I can live with losing, however, the last two weeks have just been pathetic.
I really hope we get our sh1t together and win some games, but I am losing heart. Go the Dragons, show some pride in that wonderful red vee.

 

[RedVDave]

With Scumterbury and their win over the Titans we are officially the only club to have never won at magic round how sad. Even a team that had 3 consecutive spoon years was able to win and their (2 of which were against us) this club finds new ways to sink lower and lower.

 

[I'm Hornby]

I fully respect posters in here who post both positive and negative, who post after losses to vent and after wins to celebrate.
Why anyone would want to just pile on after losses and go missing after wins is just pathetic, it’s sad actually.

Anyway, so disappointed with that loss yesterday, FMD dropping the ball has become the norm. It’s a confidence thing, they’ve completely lost the plot I reckon.
Their attack was superior, their defence was superior, but they just dropped the fricken ball all day!!!
So frustrating, and worrying, big time.

Only a week or two ago you were posting about how promising of a year you thought we'd have, how we should sneak in to the 8.
On Tuesday you were chastising other members of the forum who questioned the team selections, this in addition to all the other rubbish you post on the regular.

Pathetic is being a constant apologist for the coach and mediocre management of the club in general, then thinking you're still entitled to criticise a team performance after never admitting to any of the above.
I have great respect for posters in recent weeks who have admitted to being wrong about their initial opinions of Flanagan's coaching.

You can't have your cake and eat it champ, either you genuinely believe the club is on the up and up with Flanno as coach and in that case have no claim to any criticism OR you admit you were wrong and then start to criticise.

Your call buddy

 

[InFlannoWeTrust]

Not all the players are buying what Flanno is selling anymore. Team looks busted and forced to play injured because we have no other options. Nepotism that not all players would be happy with. Poorly trained defensively. There's probably some disharmony among the team and maybe even the coaching staff who knows but to be so disconnected in D is definately a worrying sign. Thought we would take a few steps forward this year and with Egan, Stewart, LKT and hopefully LPT next week we can all look forward to next year but I was an avid Flanno supporter and even as a fan I have lost hope, Anzac day said it all to me really. Could go on and on but it's not looking good and I think we need a younger coach like Hannay or J Morris because the old school approach just isn't working anymore.

Because the new school approach is working at parramatta?

 

[KingFlanno7]

I agree with pretty much all you have stated. What I really struggle with is, what on earth any coach has to do with stupid mistakes, drop balls and dumb ass penalties (all of which we excel at)! I really believe our coaching staff would be pulling their hair out watching a team of well paid professionals go out week after week making the same ridiculous errors. I am not professional football player, nor do I consider myself a coach, however, I played as a young kid and even then the coaches gave the same basic concepts to play by and it seems to me that we fail to meet the expectations that my under 10's coach expected. In this game, especially on conditions like last night, possession is king and yet we turn the ball over so easily, its just ludicrous. Our coaches may not be the best coaches in the comp but our on field talent is a long way from that also. However, I do not believe it is too much to expect to have respect for the football, if we just finished our sets of six we would have won more games than we have done. Happy to blame Flanno when it is his problems, but it is not him out on the field dropping the football or turning over possession.
It was noted even in commentary last night that after our first two tries, we turned over possession and then tackled like pea hearts to let in two soft tries, you can't win football games playing like that. Up until last night, I really thought we could make the eight, we have had two appalling loses, games that we should have won, the bunnies and the eels. The Roosters was a disgrace, but I think we may have ended our 2025 campaign last night. I am getting too old to say oh well theres always next year!!! I don't like losing, but if we turn up and put in a good effort, I can live with losing, however, the last two weeks have just been pathetic.
I really hope we get our sh1t together and win some games, but I am losing heart. Go the Dragons, show some pride in that wonderful red vee.

Unfortunately errors are just part of the game and we don't have the mental strength or want to defend them. The good teams hold the ball and appreciate it we just look rushed and flustered at times. Not having a dominant voice in the halves definately doesn't help

 

[InFlannoWeTrust]

I agree with pretty much all you have stated. What I really struggle with is, what on earth any coach has to do with stupid mistakes, drop balls and dumb ass penalties (all of which we excel at)! I really believe our coaching staff would be pulling their hair out watching a team of well paid professionals go out week after week making the same ridiculous errors. I am not professional football player, nor do I consider myself a coach, however, I played as a young kid and even then the coaches gave the same basic concepts to play by and it seems to me that we fail to meet the expectations that my under 10's coach expected. In this game, especially on conditions like last night, possession is king and yet we turn the ball over so easily, its just ludicrous. Our coaches may not be the best coaches in the comp but our on field talent is a long way from that also. However, I do not believe it is too much to expect to have respect for the football, if we just finished our sets of six we would have won more games than we have done. Happy to blame Flanno when it is his problems, but it is not him out on the field dropping the football or turning over possession.
It was noted even in commentary last night that after our first two tries, we turned over possession and then tackled like pea hearts to let in two soft tries, you can't win football games playing like that. Up until last night, I really thought we could make the eight, we have had two appalling loses, games that we should have won, the bunnies and the eels. The Roosters was a disgrace, but I think we may have ended our 2025 campaign last night. I am getting too old to say oh well theres always next year!!! I don't like losing, but if we turn up and put in a good effort, I can live with losing, however, the last two weeks have just been pathetic.
I really hope we get our sh1t together and win some games, but I am losing heart. Go the Dragons, show some pride in that wonderful red vee.

THIS!!! Spot on!!

 

[KingFlanno7]

Because the new school approach is working at parramatta?

They beat us. Ryles has done well with what he has had, our team on paper should be alot better then we are playing. And they flogged the tigers.. take off your rose coloured glasses

 

[baggygreen man]

We were in the contest up to our neck in the last 30 mns. Match points could've gone either way. The JS spill on the line, six points gone and they capitalise with six of their own. Take away those and we have a draw.

 

[baggygreen man]

Fair debut by King-Togia, obviously nervous. But one play when he held up a ball to put Egan over, shows us his promise.

Holmes was awesome. Our best back by a country mile. While Toby Couchman was again the pick of our pack, topped the tackle count, ran 100m+ and creates vital second phase play. If only we had a few more with his zest for work. Young Hamish Stewart who is improving with every game, a close second.

 

[Crush]

Fair debut by King-Togia, obviously nervous. But one play when he held up a ball to put Egan over, shows us his promise.

Holmes was awesome. Our best back by a country mile. While Toby Couchman was again the pick of our pack. Topped the tackle count, ran 100m+ and creates vital second phase play. If only we had a few more with his zest for work. Young Hamish Stewart a close second.

Holmes made 4 errors! Not good enough, he’s an origin player, he doesn’t make 4 errors at that level, he needs to be better, he’s paid to be better.

 

[baggygreen man]

Is the giant LPT set for his debut next week as he was 18th man and never fronted for Reggies today.

 

[Number of the Beath]

Fair debut by King-Togia, obviously nervous. But one play when he held up a ball to put Egan over, shows us his promise.

Holmes was awesome. Our best back by a country mile. While Toby Couchman was again the pick of our pack, topping the tackle count, running 100m+ and creates vital second phase play. If only we had a few more with his zest for work. Young Hamish Stewart who is improving with every game, a close second.

He lost the ball on the first tackle in an attacking position at least twice. And he was our best back? Come to think of it, the rest were such shite that he probably was.

 

[possm]

Just watched it after work and can put any delusions of finals this season straight to bed. It just sucks that there's always at least 4 players at any given time in this side that don't deserve to be in 1st grade. I'm treating the rest of the season as pretty much a mini rebuild and will try to at least get some joy out of watching the kids have a crack.

Which 4 players do you believe should get the chop?

 

[thebigredv]

If I am the coach I am absolutely fuming after watching the players yesterday.

The lack of ball security and the feeble defence was putrid and exactly why we are not a serious team to contend with in the comp on a yearly basis.

If we don't get outplayed we beat ourselves.
My estimation of the Tigers hopes has diminished after yesterday. They were deplorable...and we lost.