new look 2014 team

[Lethal25]

I'd like to see Garvey get a run at the higher level this year to see how he goes. As it stands I would say Rein is easily our best option and I would play Fien at hooker before King. Injuries aside I don't recall a moment in a game that made me think King was a long term first grade hooker. Happy to be proven wrong though

 

[Cherrybrookdragon84]

I'm a big fan or Rein. I think especially last year he was great for u s without heaps of support at times. Cam King is a funny one because originally Wayne Bennett promoted him, and until he got hurt in the world club challenge he looked a great prospect. Bennett also tried pretty hard to get him to Newcastle before we re signed him last year. So if Bennett sees so much in him should we as we'll?? The other problem we have is we now have a few guys like king and style who show promise but seem to be perennially injured and at what point do you have to let go? In both cases they are still both young with time on the dragons side. Don't really want us to lose Rein, would offload king first on the risk that he might thrive elsewhere

 

[BennyV]

The Rein vs King argument will go on forever, but the fact is that Rein is off contract this year, King isnt. If Rein is asking a silly amount of money, then good luck to him at another team because we have a LOT of talent waiting to get their shot. However, if the price is reasonable, a Rein/King rotation is huge. One of them will DEFINITELY be gone in the next few years though, to make way for Garvey.

On to props - what are the thoughts? For mine, Mautolino (spelling?) would be top priority, he's easily one of the most underrated in the comp. I dont really want to go too close to Kasiano, he'd bo too expensive for what he offers (10-15minutes at a time with a couple of offloads before coming off). I'd love to look at one of the dogs youngsters who will likely gets squeezed out with all their re-signings; either Tapou or Finucane would be good additions. As long as we re-sign Weyman!

 

[Louiethefly]

If we sign Matulino we would have one of the strongest packs in the comp next year.

 

[bottle]

On hookers, I can only comment on what I've seen, and I've only seen Rein for any period of time in a match fit state. He's tough and tenacious, and I like that a lot.

On props, yes Kasiano is a limited minutes man but he has an x factor and can break a game open. He is a bit of a freak. Given that, I'd be happy with Mautalino though if it came to it. We just need a biggun to add some bulk and match it with the bigger packs.

 

[mickeylane]

1. Josh Dugan
2. Brett Morris
3. Dylan Farrell
4. Matt Cooper
5. Jason Nightingale

6. Gareth Widdop
7. Sam Wiliiams ??

8. Dan Hunt
9. Cam King
10. Trent Merrin
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Joel Thompson
13. Ben Creagh

Interchange:
14. Debellin
15. Stockwell
16. Mike Cooper
17. Rein
18. Beale
19. Kyle Stanley

 

[Country Dragon]

Cooper & King, I hope not!

 

[possm]

1. Dugan
2. Morris
3. Farrell
4. Beale
5. Nightingale

6. Widdop
7. Chase

8. Hunt
9. Rein
10. Stockwell
11. Creagh
12. Thompson
13. Merrin

Interchange:
14. Weyman/Cooper
15. De Bellin/Cooper
16. Frizell/Harrison
17. King

 

[hardbaby]

Matulino or Kasiano. Either one would be great. Really hope we sign a nasty prop.

 

[64 Dragon]

CD & Possm you forgot Matt Prior. Odds on to be there somewhere.

 

[mysaints54]

CD & Possm you forgot Matt Prior. Odds on to be there somewhere.

ball boy

 

[Louiethefly]

Someone on the Knights forum said they were looking at Rein but he was asking for $500k, surely that must be a Gee up...

 

[saints4ever]

I've heard that amount b4. If so mitch is dreaming. 250 max

 

[dragonv]

not sure if already posted elsewhere but...

Dragons are genuine title contenders - for 2014
Date
May 6, 2013 - 1:07PM
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Brad Walter
Chief Rugby League Writer
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Zoom in on this story. Explore all there is to know.
Sydney Roosters Feleti Mateo Steve Price Sonny Bill Williams

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Money well spent: Gareth Widdop will join the Dragons next year having established himself as one of the best five-eighths in the NRL at Melbourne. Photo: Getty Images
Just a few weeks ago, St George Illawarra were considered little more than a rabble. But they have now emerged as premiership contenders - next season.

Taking a leaf out of Sydney Roosters' recruitment manual, the Dragons are building strongly for next season and have done so largely without the involvement of coach Steve Price.

Just as the Roosters signed star five-eighth James Maloney and negotiated a handshake deal with Sonny Bill Williams when Brian Smith was still coach, St George Illawarra finalised deals with Melbourne five-eighth Gareth Widdop and Canberra forward Joel Thompson while still deciding whether or not to re-sign Price for next season.


On the way? Josh Dugan is considered a certainty to sign up, and has the potential to bolster the Dragons' attack - as long as he adheres to a reported social media ban. Photo: Getty Images
It's an unusual situation, but Dragons chief executive Peter Doust and recruitment manager Craig Young have also managed to snare South Sydney centre Dylan Farrell and English forward Mike Cooper, who was recommended by his Warrington coach, Tony Smith - a former Illawarra and St George five-eighth.

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Sacked Raiders star Josh Dugan is considered a virtual certainty to join the club, with St George Illawarra sources saying they are not sure why the deal hasn't been completed, and Fairfax Media has been told there are more signings to come.

Issues over how much the signing of Rangi Chase would cost towards the Dragons' salary cap are believed to have again put his return from Castleford on hold, with Fairfax Media told the NRL want to include a transfer fee - despite Souths not having to do so when they secured the release of Sam and Luke Burgess from Super League clubs. However, St George Illawarra are believed to be looking to sign another halfback who could join the club immediately, while Warriors back-rower Feleti Mateo is understood to be firmly on their radar for next season.


Wolf at the door: Warrington forward Mike Cooper will become the NRL's latest English import when he joins the Dragons for 2014. Photo: Getty Images
Should the biggest recruitment drive in the joint venture's history net Mateo, it will complete a transformation of the Dragons roster that could be compared to the one the Roosters underwent this season with the addition of Williams, Maloney and star centre Michael Jennings.

Mateo may not be in the same class as Williams, but he is one of the best ball-playing back-rowers in the NRL, while Widdop is now a top-class five-eighth and Dugan has the potential to do as Jennings has at the Roosters and add strike power to the St George Illawarra attack.

Throw in Thompson and Farrell, and criticism of the Dragons' recruitment just a few weeks ago seems misplaced - although the club did little to communicate its plans to fans and the media while it deliberated on Price's future as coach.

Questions could also be asked as to whether it is through good or bad management that St George Illawarra did not spend the new $5.85 million salary cap for this season and now have money to buy in players to cover for the loss of Kyle Stanley and Gerard Beale due to injury.

But clearly they have been working behind the scenes to use the $1.6 million increase on last year's salary cap of $4.7m for 2014 (when the cap rises to $6.3m) to rebuild the Dragons into a premiership force next season.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...s--for-2014-20130506-2j2l4.html#ixzz2SWAYqokh

 

[Twenty10]

The team for 2014 is always evolving... Really hard to fit many players in given the signings. I am hearing we are very close to getting Mateo.. If that happens already there's got to be some players shed.. Who will they be??
1. Dugan
2. Morris
3. Beale/Stanley
4. Farrel/Stanley
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. ??? Stanley/chase/king
8. Hunt
9. Rein
10. Stockwell
11. Frizzel
12. Creagh
13. Merrin

Bench: Thompson, Mateo, harrison, king.

Left out: de belin, prior, weyman, mike cooper, Matthews,

This is the sort of depth needed to win a comp.

 

[Country Dragon]

The team for 2014 is always evolving... Really hard to fit many players in given the signings. I am hearing we are very close to getting Mateo.. If that happens already there's got to be some players shed.. Who will they be??
1. Dugan
2. Morris
3. Beale/Stanley
4. Farrel/Stanley
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. ??? Stanley/chase/king
8. Hunt
9. Rein
10. Stockwell
11. Frizzel
12. Creagh
13. Merrin

Bench: Thompson, Mateo, harrison, king.

Left out: de belin, prior, weyman, mike cooper, Matthews,

This is the sort of depth needed to win a comp.

Harrison would not keep De Belin or Prior out of the squad, IMO. I also get the feeling Weyman will be gone!

 

[BennyV]

The team for 2014 is always evolving... Really hard to fit many players in given the signings. I am hearing we are very close to getting Mateo.. If that happens already there's got to be some players shed.. Who will they be??
1. Dugan
2. Morris
3. Beale/Stanley
4. Farrel/Stanley
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. ??? Stanley/chase/king
8. Hunt
9. Rein
10. Stockwell
11. Frizzel
12. Creagh
13. Merrin

Bench: Thompson, Mateo, harrison, king.

Left out: de belin, prior, weyman, mike cooper, Matthews,

This is the sort of depth needed to win a comp.

No props on the bench?

I'd much prefer Weyman (God I hope we keep him, no offense to Prior but I would gladly give him up if it meant keeping Horse) and Stockwell OR Merrin as starting props, Creagh as lock, Thompson starting second row.

8. Merrin
9. Rein
10. Weyman
11. Frizzel
12. Thompson
13. Creagh

14. Stockwell
15. Hunt
16. Mateo
17. King

 

[mmap dragons]

Can't see Mateo coming. He has indicated in the last few days he's leaning on resigning with the Warriors. As for Thompson, He'll have to start. I doubt Doust and Albert would have pitched "you'll start off the bench" when they signed him.

 

[Owen Da Saints]

Can't see Mateo coming. He has indicated in the last few days he's leaning on resigning with the Warriors. As for Thompson, He'll have to start. I doubt Doust and Albert would have pitched "you'll start off the bench" when they signed him.

Also, don't think Mike Cooper would be coming all the way from England to play in the Cutters ! At least a bench spot.
Not sure why we bought him, unless he was earmarked as a Weyman replacement ?
Anyway, we have many better options than last year/this year, so i'm happy about that !

 

[willzy91]

1. Josh Dugan
2. Brett Morris
3. Dylan Farrell
4. Gerard Beale
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Gareth Widdop
???????????? (Kyle Stanley, Sam Williams, Trent Hodkinson)
???????????? (Sam Kasiano or Ben Matulino)
9. Mitch Rein
10. Jack Stockwell
11. Ben Creagh
12. Tyson Frizell
13. Trent Merrin
Interchange:
14. Dan Hunt (Bronson Harrison or Feliti Mateo)
15. Joel Thompson
16. Mike Cooper
17. Cameron King


Reserves:
Bronson Harrison
Kyle Stanley
Chase Stanley
Evander Cummins
Adam Quinlin
Jack de Belin
Charly Runciman
Daniel Vidot
Michael Henderson
Will Mathews
Leeson Ah Mau
Nathan Green
Damian Cook

Players leaving or retiring:
Michael Weyman
Matt Cooper
Nathan Fien
Matt Prior