possm
Coach
- Messages
- 15,803
I really don't know who is doing the recruiting at the Dragons but whoever it is should be sacked; they really don't have a clue.
The old rule of buying the best players to implement your 17 and then backfilling with juniors and some recruits with potential seems to have gone out the window. Replacing players with 'like for like or better', seems to be a thing of the past at the Dragons. The prime example is the replacement of Sims. An 800k p/a SOO standard player with?
I say, our current first priority is to replace Sims with a top left edge forward. Then consider seriously running Hunt in the hooker rotation with a junior who the Dragons consider having the potential to be our hooker after Hunt's current contract ends.
For the past few years, maybe even longer, the Dragons have gone into the new season with next to no chance of wining the premiership. Coaching staff, recruitment and pathways development have played a big part in this. A prime example was letting Robson go in order to show loyalty to captain McInnes when all that was needed was to put Robson in the hooker rotation with Mcinnes. Dumb decisions like this, plus the lack of vision by our recruitment people, have led to the Dragons squad being less able to compete with the top 8 clubs.
We do have some very talented juniors coming through however, we need a professional to set expectations, identify skill levels, and work with them to sort out skill deficiencies. Let the know that once they upgrade their skills in the identified areas, they are the first cab off the rank to grab a vacant first-grade spot. Also, give them confidence in the knowledge that the club has made arrangements to have them coached to the level that is needed to make the first grade.
Power brokers such as Craig Young and Peter Doust should have dedicated their efforts to arrange for mentors and personal coaches to be made available to support the juniors identified to progress to first grade.
Development costs, including personal coaches, training equipment, and mentor fees, do not come under the salary cap. WIN Corp/Gordons and St George Leagues Club have the coin however, there is no one at the club championing the idea of spending money in this area.
In addition, no outside entity has picked up the responsibility of arranging TPA for the recruitment or retention of players targeted by the Dragons. With the St George brand name, this should be an easy thing to do.
I say to the new Board members, if you want to really make a difference, take note of the above and make it a priority. Let others worry about your pay rise and how many Crownies are available at the next Board meeting.
The old rule of buying the best players to implement your 17 and then backfilling with juniors and some recruits with potential seems to have gone out the window. Replacing players with 'like for like or better', seems to be a thing of the past at the Dragons. The prime example is the replacement of Sims. An 800k p/a SOO standard player with?
I say, our current first priority is to replace Sims with a top left edge forward. Then consider seriously running Hunt in the hooker rotation with a junior who the Dragons consider having the potential to be our hooker after Hunt's current contract ends.
For the past few years, maybe even longer, the Dragons have gone into the new season with next to no chance of wining the premiership. Coaching staff, recruitment and pathways development have played a big part in this. A prime example was letting Robson go in order to show loyalty to captain McInnes when all that was needed was to put Robson in the hooker rotation with Mcinnes. Dumb decisions like this, plus the lack of vision by our recruitment people, have led to the Dragons squad being less able to compete with the top 8 clubs.
We do have some very talented juniors coming through however, we need a professional to set expectations, identify skill levels, and work with them to sort out skill deficiencies. Let the know that once they upgrade their skills in the identified areas, they are the first cab off the rank to grab a vacant first-grade spot. Also, give them confidence in the knowledge that the club has made arrangements to have them coached to the level that is needed to make the first grade.
Power brokers such as Craig Young and Peter Doust should have dedicated their efforts to arrange for mentors and personal coaches to be made available to support the juniors identified to progress to first grade.
Development costs, including personal coaches, training equipment, and mentor fees, do not come under the salary cap. WIN Corp/Gordons and St George Leagues Club have the coin however, there is no one at the club championing the idea of spending money in this area.
In addition, no outside entity has picked up the responsibility of arranging TPA for the recruitment or retention of players targeted by the Dragons. With the St George brand name, this should be an easy thing to do.
I say to the new Board members, if you want to really make a difference, take note of the above and make it a priority. Let others worry about your pay rise and how many Crownies are available at the next Board meeting.
). So we wait and see.
