New recruits for 2023

[justadragon]

Still not convinced by Sloan. On Anzac Day everyone says how good he was. To me the game-changer was Liddle coming on. He had speed out of dummy half, the opposition didn't know whether he was going to pass or run and the defence hung back. That gave Sloan the room to move, but that room wasn't created by Sloane. In the last two games though, what has he done? Nothing. His defence may be better than Dufty's, but that's not saying much. Saying he doesn't drop bombs isn't saying much either if he doesn't go for them, but let's them bounce instead.

Gees I feel miserable. I think I'd better take a break from the forum.

Hang in there mate, there will be an end to this madness one day, besides it may be miserable but think of it as a comedy.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Hang in there mate, there will be an end to this madness one day, besides it may be miserable but think of it as a comedy.

Thanks, just listening to the Red Vee Podcast now and getting cheered up. There's not really any good news in the podcast, it's just good listening to people who are just as frustrated as I am!

 

[Lethal25]

Thanks, just listening to the Red Vee Podcast now and getting cheered up. There's not really any good news in the podcast, it's just good listening to people who are just as frustrated as I am!

And we used to say at least I'm not a Tigers supporter. Now I feel that's being taken away from us, need to find someone worse off so we can feel better about things

 

[justadragon]

And we used to say at least I'm not a Tigers supporter. Now I feel that's being taken away from us, need to find someone worse off so we can feel better about things

There's not too many that are worse, after this next game there may not be any !!!

 

[thebigredv]

There's not too many that are worse, after this next game there may not be any !!!
Its not all about win-loss and position on the ladder that has dragons fans upset. It’s lack of vision for the future and reacting to the present crisis. We are the worst in the comp hands down. Every other club has some plan out of the doldrums or are doubling down on remaining competitive. Our board would be not discussing a new coach if we were floating around 10th now because near enough is good enough for them.

 

[baggygreen man]

Lawrie, Lomax and Bird.

Sorry I'd not put either of those two in the same breath as Bird.

Hunt, Amone,

Ditto with Amone. comparing a 300 game veteran still with yawning flaws in his game to a 20/21 yr old with what 30 games and only one full season under his belt. I can see Amone a better player than Hunt after 100 top games.

 

[baggygreen man]

To me the game-changer was Liddle coming on.

Agree, he provided us with the field position and the impetus for Sloan to work that magic and Amone to take on the line far more than previous games.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Teams

2021 St. George-Illawarra Dragons NRL Telstra Premiership squad, Dragons players and Canterbury Cup NSW squad.

www.dragons.com.au

hmmm Sione i thought was only going into the top30 in 2024???

Do you think a mistake and it is supposed to be Paul Turner?

Or have the upgraded Sione to the Top30 due to Ramsay not counting in the cap now for 2023

Maybe they have a another player they are very keen on who has to join us via a development player for 2023 but we will tack on a few years?

Does anyone know that if you are a development player in 2023 at a club and you are given a release to join another club.......whether you have to move as a development player only that same season ie 2023?

I know you can move from development player to in the top30 from within a club but i wasnt sure if you are given a release to join another?

 

[Carlton]

Sorry I'd not put either of those two in the same breath as Bird.

Ditto with Amone. comparing a 300 game veteran still with yawning flaws in his game to a 20/21 yr old with what 30 games and only one full season under his belt. I can see Amone a better player than Hunt after 100 top games.

I'm not comparing these players to each other, what I was trying to say is, in my opinion, we dont get value from them equal to what they are costing.

I'm pretty sure I saw somewhere that Amone has played about 45 first games now. Generally, as you get closer to that 50 game mark, the player has shown you what they are going to be and Amone hasn't changed much since he first came into the team. He may end up being better than Hunt and if this pans out my hat off to you for seeing it.

 

[baggygreen man]

I'm not comparing these players to each other, what I was trying to say is, in my opinion, we dont get value from them equal to what they are costing.

I see. No way was Hunt worth close to the insane 1.2m a season FO offered him back in '18, has proven that over and over. I dont know what Junior Amone is on, do you. Be no more than a half of what Hunt is getting.
Learning on the job at 20/21 on the big stage must be rather traumatic as you are always under scrutiny. Some people even wanting you to fail. I think Junior has handled himself well as a 5/8 has an important role to play. To make the landing softer has his senior partner and 300 game veteran even bothered to take him under his wing. I think not, has the coach. More like the opposite by curtailing his running game to turn him into the ball player that his skipper is not. I think the kid must be confused by all this, but I see all round improvement, specially his biggest flaw in his first year, defense. Pulled off some terrific diving tackles in recent weeks, missing fewer too. His ball play is also on the improve. Junior will be some footy player when his game fully matures imho.

 

[Walpole]

I see. No way was Hunt worth close to the insane 1.2m a season FO offered him back in '18, has proven that over and over. I dont know what Junior Amone is on, do you. Learning on the job at 20/21 on the big stage must be rather traumatic as you are always under scrutiny. Some people even wanting you to fail. I think Junior has handled himself well as a 5/8 has an important role to play. To make the landing softer has his senior partner and 300 game veteran even bothered to take him under his wing. I think not, has the coach. More like the opposite by curtailing his running game to turn him into the ball player that his skipper is not. I think the kid must be confused by all this, but I see all round improvement, specially his biggest flaw in his first year, defense. Pulled off some terrific diving tackles in recent weeks, missing fewer too. His ball play is also on the improve. Junior will be some footy player when his game fully matures imho.

The one bloke Amone should be looking at, in more ways than one, is Dylan Brown. They're similar body shapes (Amone is a little bigger) but Brown's involvement on both sides of the ball is light years ahead - 145 running metres to 65 per game, twice as many tackles a game at 93% to 76%, 10 try assists to 2 for the season. Junior could learn a lot from watching Brown 'cause he sure as hell doesn't seem to be getting much from Hunt or the coaches.

 

[baggygreen man]

Dylan Brown.

A good player. Eels have extended him too.
Agree look to emulate someone like him who is a few years older but does have the runs on the board. Helps your game and mindset too when you are in a settled side such as the Eels, while the Dragons are far from that. I have no doubt if we buy or promote a good organising half we will see Amone blossom.

 

[rasaint]

Dylan Brown has high end speed and acceleration. Talatau Amone does not process genuine speed which holds him back somewhat. Reminds me of another player in our team.

 

[twinkletoes]

A good player. Eels have extended him too.
Agree look to emulate someone like him who is a few years older but does have the runs on the board. Helps your game and mindset too when you are in a settled side such as the Eels, while the Dragons are far from that. I have no doubt if we buy or promote a good organising half we will see Amone blossom.

Brown only 1 year older than Amone but has been in first grade for at least 3 years...maybe this year is 4

 

[Gourley's Socks]

Brown only 1 year older than Amone but has been in first grade for at least 3 years...maybe this year is 4

So Brad Arthur picked him and stood by him through fluctuations in form and is now reaping the benefits.

What a curious strategy.

 

[SnowDragon]

Amone not playing near what he was at the end of last season. Doesn’t mean I’d drop him, more that he needs to do more, caught with the ball way too often as there seems no direction. He will come good given a chance

 

[KogarahWarrior]

Can't agree,
He needs to show us he's got some ticker. So when confronted by couple of attacking players, he needs to hammer at least one of them. Show us he can tackle head on. A prerequisite for a fullback.

Funny you mention that, I know a bloke in the team who's pretty good at trying to hammer people...

 

[Slippery Morris]

Having criminal charges over your head won't help the kid that is for sure. Definitely not the same as last year.

When is that going to be finalised? Amone's court case that is? Hopefully before Nov 1 so they can plan for next season.

 

[baggygreen man]

Talatau Amone does not process genuine speed

Not seen him run for any decent length to determine that. But if you say so. Amone, tho, does possess an elusive step with sufficient pace to crack a defense, plus carries ample bulk to burst thru tackles.

 

[TheRev]

Not seen him run for any decent length to determine that. But if you say so. Amone, tho, does have an elusive step with sufficient pace to crack a defense, plus carries ample bulk to burst thru tackles.

Physically I look at him, and he should be a weapon.. which is why I dunno maybe its the way he's being used or the structure around him.. I mean he's been a letdown (as every player has).. and he should never have been picked all through 2022 over Sullivan.. but.. I havent written him off either, I just need hook out the door and some time to look at how our puzzle pieces should fit together.