New recruits for 2023

[Old Timer]

Great read. I’d have to have Harry Bath in the mix. His success with Balmain 2 Grand Finals; set a nice platform for Gibson at Newtown in ‘73 and his 2 premierships with us and how he developed those young players in the 70’s. Coaching Australia to success and also a huge influence on our 11 years in a row by bringing the English insights and style into our club early in the run. I actually would give Harry No 1 vote!

Indeed Harry should have been included as no doubt he was hugely influential in all things St George by bringing back all the silky skills and new found "professionalism" from England.

I probably forgot how good he was although the Newtown years were not so good.

 

[Dragonsteve2]

Just on the game from back then and even before that here is a little clip on Clive Churchill.

The crowd at the test matches shows how good the product was and the bit of play around 3:30 just shows how mercurial some players were.


To produce such spectacles and to have such crowds I dare say there must have been some very good coaches and some even better players.

Thanks very much for sharing, OT. I don't remember seeing any of that footage before. I tend to think though that it shows a very different game in a very different era. The kicking duel for example, the chip shown in that brilliant backline movement. It gives the impression of more movement of the ball when tackles were not restricted. The days when centres could combine rather than being distant cousins.

Amazing crowds, especially in the rain. But I don't think the crowds can be used as a measure of the quality of the footy. Without the incredible TV exposure of the modern era, people wanting to watch the footy had no choice but to go to the ground. The same for all major sports. I have already told the story of joining 10,000 others in squeezing into Hurstville Oval in 1960 to watch the Rugby match between South Harbour and Fiji. A very different world!

 

[Gareth67]

Certainly miss the kicking duels of those years , a wonderful aspect of the game that is no more - damn shame .

 

[Old Timer]

Thanks very much for sharing, OT. I don't remember seeing any of that footage before. I tend to think though that it shows a very different game in a very different era. The kicking duel for example, the chip shown in that brilliant backline movement. It gives the impression of more movement of the ball when tackles were not restricted. The days when centres could combine rather than being distant cousins.

Amazing crowds, especially in the rain. But I don't think the crowds can be used as a measure of the quality of the footy. Without the incredible TV exposure of the modern era, people wanting to watch the footy had no choice but to go to the ground. The same for all major sports. I have already told the story of joining 10,000 others in squeezing into Hurstville Oval in 1960 to watch the Rugby match between South Harbour and Fiji. A very different world!

Indeed you make good sense as always

My posts are somewhat push back against the theory that modern coaches are superior to and have it tougher than those of past eras.

The crowds to me are a true measure of the quality of the product on offer and no doubt just like TV ratings are used as a measure the gate takings pre TV saturation indicated tge cried was getting its monies worth.

So big crowds = big takings = good product = good contest = crowd satisfaction = good skills = good coaching.

I make that point on the basis that people in here for years have been saying boycott the games for the very reason they are not getting their $ worth so therefore IMO the opposite applies and needs to be pointed out.

Indeed they were very different times and it was a very different game but it was equally as important to them as it is to those in todays era.

I suppose I do bristle up when I think that those of yesteryear are being “undersold” or even “maligned” and I just hope that some of the younger ones go back and do some research on just how good players and coaches actually were in a time when the game meant as much to them as it does those in todays world.

 

[St.Brisbane]

New recruits - this should a short thread

 

[blacksafake]

New recruits - this should a short thread

It’s already done.
Close the thread.

 

[Dragon David]

It’s already done.
Close the thread.

We have one more signing to complete the 30 so the thread continues. Haha!

 

[blacksafake]

We have one more signing to complete the 30 so the thread continues. Haha!

I’m so excited, I can’t wait

 

[Slippery Morris]

Saints have 1 more spot so waiting on the Tigers, Warriors or Titans to toss a reject their way.

Saints have Suli, Mbye, BMM, Liddle, Musgrove and Woods all Tigers outcasts. That is nearly half the Tigers team. Unbelievable. These guys were let go due to ill-disciple, performance or injury. Woods left when he was a rep but joined Saints when he was let go by the Dogs and then Sharks before hand for poor performances.

That alone surely is evidence how poor the recruitment team is performing which should have set alarm bells in Senior Management level of the Dragons. How is that Haran guy still there? Flanno left on his own accord not due to failing in the management of the list which he clearly has done poorly.

 

[justadragon]

Saints have 1 more spot so waiting on the Tigers, Warriors or Titans to toss a reject their way.

Saints have Suli, Mbye, BMM, Liddle, Musgrove and Woods all Tigers outcasts. That is nearly half the Tigers team. Unbelievable. These guys were let go due to ill-disciple, performance or injury. Woods left when he was a rep but joined Saints when he was let go by the Dogs and then Sharks before hand for poor performances.

That alone surely is evidence how poor the recruitment team is performing which should have set alarm bells in Senior Management level of the Dragons. How is that Haran guy still there? Flanno left on his own accord not due to failing in the management of the list which he clearly has done poorly.

Agree, but Suli came from Manly

 

[Dragon David]

Agree, but Suli came from Manly

Sorry justa, Suli originally from the Tigers in 2017, then to Manly.

 

[justadragon]

Sorry justa, Suli originally from the Tigers in 2017, then to Manly.

Apologies Slippery and thanks DD for pointing that out, I forgot he was originally from the Tigs

 

[True_Believer]

Saints have 1 more spot so waiting on the Tigers, Warriors or Titans to toss a reject their way.

Saints have Suli, Mbye, BMM, Liddle, Musgrove and Woods all Tigers outcasts. That is nearly half the Tigers team. Unbelievable. These guys were let go due to ill-disciple, performance or injury. Woods left when he was a rep but joined Saints when he was let go by the Dogs and then Sharks before hand for poor performances.

That alone surely is evidence how poor the recruitment team is performing which should have set alarm bells in Senior Management level of the Dragons. How is that Haran guy still there? Flanno left on his own accord not due to failing in the management of the list which he clearly has done poorly.

So you class Suli as a poor buy? And we haven't even seen Liddle, BMM and Musgrove in first grade yet.

 

[Saints Forever]

Many worse buys than those blokes:

Woods
Mbye
Faama
Burgess
Moga

 

[True_Believer]

Many worse buys than those blokes:

Woods
Mbye
Faama
Burgess
Moga

Agreed. From the little we've seen of Liddle he looks like he "should" be a massive upgrade on Macca. Not in the top 5 hookers but I'm willing to give him a go.

And the time BMM spent on the field in the trials I thought was pretty positive. Haven't seen enough of Musgrove to judge yet.

And Suli has been a great buy - I think we need to swap him and Lomax back though.

 

[possm]

Until we have a coach that entertains attacking football, we will not attract any descent players.
We are gone for this year and next year if we keep Griffin on.

We need a head coach and a football manager who both no how to do their job and a board that keeps in their lane.

If we had a successful and professional football manager with Hasler as coach and Brown as a recruitment manager, the likes of Doust and Young would have no influence on football matters.

I'd like to see a budget given to the football manager who is given full responsibility for the success of things football at the club. The football manager should be held accountable for the success of the NRL team.

 

[Slippery Morris]

My point was more about which teams we are targeting when it comes to recruitment and as you can see a lot are from Wests or Ex-Wests players lately whilst the Tigers have snagged the best 9 from the 20220 Premiers and a quality backrower from the runners up.

Tigers fans rate Liddle highly but he has been very injury prone since he debuted. Hopefully he can stay injury free this season.

 

[muzby]

 

[Exsilium]

BMM is all effort and has a big motor. Once he gets more game time. he will come good.

Liddle is a very crafty player. Obviously injuries have hampered his career but if he can stay fit, he can make a big difference.

Suli has all the physical attributes but needs consistency. He can be very damaging and attracts defenders. If you could somehow get more decoy plays which go out the back to give him space, he will be difficult to contain.

 

[Gareth67]

BMM is all effort and has a big motor. Once he gets more game time. he will come good.

Liddle is a very crafty player. Obviously injuries have hampered his career but if he can stay fit, he can make a big difference.

Suli has all the physical attributes but needs consistency. He can be very damaging and attracts defenders. If you could somehow get more decoy plays which go out the back to give him space, he will be difficult to contain.

I am looking forward to watching BMM in the Big Red V , I agree with your opinion that he gives his all on the field.

Certainly the type of forward that the Dragons have been crying out for some length of time . Wish both big Ben and Liddel the best this season - and next .