New recruits for 2023

[Dragon David]

Don't take this as an endorsement for Hook, it's certainly not. These younger players have had player managers in their ear for a few years and seems like some have believed what they've heard. Your worth more money, you should be playing more first grade, the club isn't treating you well. Have heard this all third hand so feel free to toss it to the kerb but the story goes that there is a distinct fracture in this club based on two things.

Firstly the younger guys have brought disharmony on the back of listening to player managers. Second is the old Gong v Kogarah argument where it's actually the outside of football stuff being promotions etc that players who live in either region are tiring of having to commute from one to the other. They're ok with the football travel but it's the additional stuff they're having issue with. Could all be BS but came from the mouth a players good mate

Could be a lot of truth in what you say Lethal. There appears to be a distinct cultural difference with the younger players and the older ones. I know of guys who have spoken to a couple of young ones. They say that they don't mix with the older ones as they don't like to get on the drink and do that sort of stuff. Not that that is bad, but its the them and us culture and there needs better blending of the players and to get them to accept that the club is St George and Illawarra and need to be proud to belong.

 

[Dragon David]

On a side issue, we did recruit a guy with the name Josh Mcguire. Thanks goodness we don't have him now because of -

Former State of Origin prop Josh McGuire banned for seven games in UK Super League

‘Unacceptable’: Ex-NRL star Josh McGuire slapped with huge Super League ban after derogatory slur

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Phantom V]

Don't take this as an endorsement for Hook, it's certainly not. These younger players have had player managers in their ear for a few years and seems like some have believed what they've heard. Your worth more money, you should be playing more first grade, the club isn't treating you well. Have heard this all third hand so feel free to toss it to the kerb but the story goes that there is a distinct fracture in this club based on two things.

Firstly the younger guys have brought disharmony on the back of listening to player managers. Second is the old Gong v Kogarah argument where it's actually the outside of football stuff being promotions etc that players who live in either region are tiring of having to commute from one to the other. They're ok with the football travel but it's the additional stuff they're having issue with. Could all be BS but came from the mouth a players good mate

That’s interesting. If there’s truth in what you say and I’m sure there is then it falls on Hook to give them a go this year and for them to reciprocate and show their potential. As Dragon Dave pointed out, he may not have much choice as our depth will be tested at some point. You can’t control what goes on between a player and his manager unfortunately but you’d like to think some of our more seasoned players are offering sound advice as well. As for the travelling to and fro to promotional events, they have to expect that’s par for the course provided it’s within reason, not too far or frequent.

 

[Dragons4me]

That’s interesting. If there’s truth in what you say and I’m sure there is then it falls on Hook to give them a go this year and for them to reciprocate and show their potential. As Dragon Dave pointed out, he may not have much choice as our depth will be tested at some point. You can’t control what goes on between a player and his manager unfortunately but you’d like to think some of our more seasoned players are offering sound advice as well. As for the travelling to and fro to promotional events, they have to expect that’s par for the course provided it’s within reason, not too far or frequent.

Correct. It's our depth over the season that will be the ultimate factor whether we have a decent season or not. Therefore that in itself should be the reason for a player to stick with the Dragons and prove himself worthy of a contract upgrade whether it's with us or not.

 

[SnowDragon]

Could be a lot of truth in what you say Lethal. There appears to be a distinct cultural difference with the younger players and the older ones. I know of guys who have spoken to a couple of young ones. They say that they don't mix with the older ones as they don't like to get on the drink and do that sort of stuff. Not that that is bad, but its the them and us culture and there needs better blending of the players and to get them to accept that the club is St George and Illawarra and need to be proud to belong.

I have a solution - organise a club bbq!

 

[Dragon David]

I have a solution - organise a club bbq!

Why not? Ha!

 

[True_Believer]

That’s interesting. If there’s truth in what you say and I’m sure there is then it falls on Hook to give them a go this year and for them to reciprocate and show their potential. As Dragon Dave pointed out, he may not have much choice as our depth will be tested at some point. You can’t control what goes on between a player and his manager unfortunately but you’d like to think some of our more seasoned players are offering sound advice as well. As for the travelling to and fro to promotional events, they have to expect that’s par for the course provided it’s within reason, not too far or frequent.

So what you are saying is that if a player manager is coaxing a player to look elsewhere in order for the manager to benefit from a higher priced contract, to counter that Hook has to play them in first grade? I'm pretty sure that the potential and commitment to the team is already on display even without "giving them a go".

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Don't take this as an endorsement for Hook, it's certainly not. These younger players have had player managers in their ear for a few years and seems like some have believed what they've heard. Your worth more money, you should be playing more first grade, the club isn't treating you well. Have heard this all third hand so feel free to toss it to the kerb but the story goes that there is a distinct fracture in this club based on two things.

Firstly the younger guys have brought disharmony on the back of listening to player managers. Second is the old Gong v Kogarah argument where it's actually the outside of football stuff being promotions etc that players who live in either region are tiring of having to commute from one to the other. They're ok with the football travel but it's the additional stuff they're having issue with. Could all be BS but came from the mouth a players good mate

It took me just under 1hour to Drive from Sth Hurstville McDonalds to Win Stadium on Saturday afternoon left Macca's at 1230pm was at WIN just before 1.30pm its no big deal to drive from Kogarah area to Wollongong and how hard would it be to maybe have the guys who live in "Sydney" do most of the promotions in "Sydney" and the guys who live in the Gong do that area and every so often if need be the Gong boys can make a trip down to "Sydney"..

 

[Phantom V]

So what you are saying is that if a player manager is coaxing a player to look elsewhere in order for the manager to benefit from a higher priced contract, to counter that Hook has to play them in first grade? I'm pretty sure that the potential and commitment to the team is already on display even without "giving them a go".

No, my point is that if he’s not giving a player game time and it’s unjustified, which we’ve seen examples of time and again, then of course it’s going to create disharmony and resentment in some players. As a fan, I don’t agree with it, but from a player’s perspective I can understand it.

 

[justadragon]

Don't take this as an endorsement for Hook, it's certainly not. These younger players have had player managers in their ear for a few years and seems like some have believed what they've heard. Your worth more money, you should be playing more first grade, the club isn't treating you well. Have heard this all third hand so feel free to toss it to the kerb but the story goes that there is a distinct fracture in this club based on two things.

Firstly the younger guys have brought disharmony on the back of listening to player managers. Second is the old Gong v Kogarah argument where it's actually the outside of football stuff being promotions etc that players who live in either region are tiring of having to commute from one to the other. They're ok with the football travel but it's the additional stuff they're having issue with. Could all be BS but came from the mouth a players good mate

im sick and tired of hearing this commute crap, you get paid to play a game you love supposedly for a club you love. either suck it up or piss off and give someone else a go who wants to be there regardless. i take my hat off to the warriors who spent 2 years here because of covid so the game could go on, no real home ground families all over the place and they still played with a bit of heart. if i was getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to play league, the last thing id be doing is bitching about travel, or havent they noticed whats going on in the real world atm.

 

[Trifili13]

I can see the lights at Jubilee from my backyard and travel 1 hour each way to work at North Sydney and get paid nowhere near what these guys get. I am sure most of us are the same as well as many other people. Boohoo, the players can't be arsed to travel to the 'Gong to collect their pay cheques which can run into the hundreds of thousands. Maybe they should train on their own at their local park so they don't have to travel too far and just meet up on weekends for the games. On second thought it looks like they do that already watching them the last few years.

 

[qld redvee]

I can see the lights at Jubilee from my backyard and travel 1 hour each way to work at North Sydney and get paid nowhere near what these guys get. I am sure most of us are the same as well as many other people. Boohoo, the players can't be arsed to travel to the 'Gong to collect their pay cheques which can run into the hundreds of thousands. Maybe they should train on their own at their local park so they don't have to travel too far and just meet up on weekends for the games. On second thought it looks like they do that already watching them the last few years.

Trifili,
I used to drive 45 minutes each way for work and then put in a minimum 10 hour day
main thing with players is they are doing a job they love and they train during the week for an 80 minute game on the weekend .. The players are "demanding " a bigger slice of the pie from nrl i believe but dont want to put in for 'extra promotions" cant have it both ways guys - do promotions and you may just get picked up to do things like promote just sheds like smith and lewis have done

 

[Old Timer]

No, my point is that if he’s not giving a player game time and it’s unjustified, which we’ve seen examples of time and again, then of course it’s going to create disharmony and resentment in some players. As a fan, I don’t agree with it, but from a player’s perspective I can understand it.

Examples of time and time again is an interesting take on it.

Taking into account Sloan's own recent admissions and the fact that Bud suffered injuries at critical times who are the players who were unjustly not selected?

 

[Dragonslayer]

So, the fact is, if this revelation is indeed factual, it wouldn't matter who the coach was, the problem would still exist and our prospects of playing finals footy and dreaming of a premiership are just that...dreams.
Who would want to be coach of the Dragons, really under these circumstances and may explain somewhat the qualify of applicants we received after Mc85 was pushed/sacked/let go.

 

[Slippery Morris]

I think the obvious issues with Hook apart from his selections and favoritism towards his Qld buddies is the style of play. It is definitely not the type that wins comps. At best make 8. Bronco's and Panthers identified this and got rid of him. Bennett does not have a flashy style of play but he somehow gets the players to play to their potential not upset them and at the end of the season have them request releases.

Hook comes to Saints and says he has learnt a lot from his past but he clearly has not as he seems to be making the same calls that got him sacked at his previous clubs. If Saints keep him it will be on the back of the juniors finally been given a proper crack and then playing out of their skins this season with off the cuff eyes up footy and not dull 5 hit ups and then bomb to the winger which will be his instructions. This all because he is forced not by choice with hardly any new comers coming in for him therefore having to rely on his juniors. The assistants have a huge task ahead of them that is for sure.

 

[twinkletoes]

Poor Possum… Nannai resigned with Cowboys…. So no Dean Young??

 

[st.phil]

One of the only times we through the HooksHighCompletion mantra out the window was when we had 11 men in Tragic round a couple years back... never seen ball movement like that since (it worked for 20-30 mins or so)

I can't see Hook changing - he's all about the grit

 

[Dragon David]

One of the only times we through the HooksHighCompletion mantra out the window was when we had 11 men in Tragic round a couple years back... never seen ball movement like that since (it worked for 20-30 mins or so)

I can't see Hook changing - he's all about the grit

I'm hoping that the new assistants hired for this year are strong enough to tell Hook off if needed. If they see deficiencies in anything that they know should be fixed and that there is a need to change things about which they see as necessary to get our players getting on top in a game, then their suggestions should not be cast aside. Hook likes the power to control things himself but I hope he is prepared to listen to the younger coaches and do some things that they want done.

 

[jak]

I'm hoping that the new assistants hired for this year are strong enough to tell Hook off if needed. If they see deficiencies in anything that they know should be fixed and that there is a need to change things about which they see as necessary to get our players getting on top in a game, then their suggestions should not be cast aside. Hook likes the power to control things himself but I hope he is prepared to listen to the younger coaches and do some things that they want done.

not if it was hook that hired them

 

[Dragon David]

not if it was hook that hired them

That's why I said that Hook likes to control things, but, the young Woolf and Carr guys need to show strength by making sure that they have a say in proceedings. At the end of the day, the outcomes whether they are wins, losses or draws, will be a reflection on Hook and not his assistants. Hook needs to let out some rein and unwind a bit and allow the assistants some latitude which could result in us winning the tight games or any games in fact.