Next Year

[Slippery Morris]

Dragons were at their peak this season and blew a good opportunity to win a premiership. Next season teams like the Roosters, Bulldogs, Panthers etc will be stronger.

In order for the Dragons to go one step better I am sure they may need a few changes to occur. Any suggestions?

Only change I would make is have Ennis at Hooker and Young at 2nd Row for full 80 mins with Creagh in the 2nd row and have Timmo and Thommo rotate the lock position and have the 3 big boppers on the bench Sims, Poore and Hendo.

Ennis is capable of playing a solid 80mins and we all know Young plays a full 80. Give the 2 older fellas Timmo & Thommo more bench time to give an impact off the bench. Timmo can also be good cover for when Gaz gets his standard injury for the season.

They could even start Sims in the 2nd row and have Creagh at lock and have both old fellas on the bench.

I would even be tempted to put Best on Coops wing as Coops is a better defender and have Wes with Gaz. Coops can read the game well in defence and may help Best improve his game as he was caught out a few times last season.

 

[Ribs]

I dont think too many changes are needed. I think we peaked really well late in the season but a run of events were costly. We took our foot off the accelerator against the Eels, then a week off, then a game against the wooden spooners, where we again took our foot off when we got a handy lead, then a wet weather game against the useless jokes from the shire and another week off.

We just didnt get back the momentum and the fluency in attack went missing. Its been the thorn in our side following weeks off for 5 years.

The team is still, and I may be wrong, the youngest team based on average age and that puits us in a great position for next year. I think the team has the self belief that they can win it now and getting so close and feeling that disappointment will be enough to drive them a little harder next year.

Positionally Id leave things pretty much as they are with the exception of maybe giving Young a go at lock and Ennis more game time, with Timmo seeing more of the bench.

I think its Gasnier that needs to help out Best too, Id lay the blame on him for that defensive weakness, he just takes off everytime and leaves Best in no mans land.....

 

[The Preacher]

I like the way you think Slippery, your choices make sense. As far as Colin Best swapping with Wes, I really think all Best has to do is either stay on his winger, or, if he is going inside to defend, MAKE SURE THE TACKLE COUNTS.

 

[brokendigit]

Slippery - I don't disagree with anything you've said. However, my question is: what makes you think we've reached our peak?

In 2006, we'll have NRL quality back-ups in the back-line & the pack, & a vastly experienced & talented bench.

I think that our halves (Head & Barrett) are about to play the best 2-3 years of their career, & our utility players (Michael Ennis, Dean Young, Ben Creagh) are yet to reach their potential, but should do so shortly.

If we have an ounce of luck come finals time (if we make it!) we should be the best equipped team in the race. And that's why we're the bookies clear favourites for next year already...

 

[Deleted member 10972]

Drop Timmins & Thompson the golden oldies altogether

1. Hornby
2. Best
3. Gasnier
4. Cooper
5. Naiqama
6. Barrett
7. Head
8. Bailey
9. Young
10. Ryles
11. Creagh
12. Sims
13. (Someone other than Timmins or Thompson)

14. Henderson
15. Ennis
16. Payne
17. Poore

Young can start at hooker to graft through the early, until Ennis is injected into the game. This gives the option of Young moving back into hooker if Ennis's defence or playmaking options aren't up to scratch, as a 'stop-gap' dummy-half. Once Ennis comes on, Sims can move back onto the bench, with Young into the back row, with Sims, Henderson, Poore, & Payne rotating with Creagh, Bailey, Ryles & someone better than Timmins or Thompson. Barrett to lock, Hornby to five-eighth, Greenshields to fullback? Maybe? Greenshields is a stop-gap utility back, so he'll get plenty of game time next year if ever someone is injured.

 

[Rammo]

If we have an ounce of luck come finals time (if we make it!) we should be the best equipped team in the race. And that's why we're the bookies clear favourites for next year already...

You've been saying that for the last 5 years.

 

[Ribs]

What a surprise, a bulldogs supporter with nothing to add.

 

[Slippery Morris]

One thing I hope for is a more favourable draw in terms of the byes. Hope the Dragons get the bye when City v Country game is on because they could potentially have 9-10 guys backing up that week. As well as a getting a bye during the Origin period.

Can't believe the Storm who had 1 or 2 guys backing up got the City v Country bye.

Dragons got 1 of the byes at the wrong end of the season and I think it killed us abit. Rd 25 when all guns were blazing broke our momentum.

When is the draw released for 2006?

 

[pantherz9103]

No excuses for the Dragons, the Tigers were just too good for them on the night and are a better 'team', even though the Dragons have a better team on paper. I'm sure the Dragons will be up there again next year but can they actually produce under pressure? who knows. Only Matt Head was missing and Hornby is better anyway, so its not like injuries are to blame.

 

[brokendigit]

You were doing OK, until...

Only Matt Head was missing and Hornby is better anyway

 

[Ribs]

Bandwagon riders.......pffft.

The delivering under pressure bit is rubbish, and spewed out by everyone and anyone who reads the Telegraph.

 

[gregstar]

fairweather trolls

 

[Follow Me Up To Carlton]

Dragons were at their peak this season and blew a good opportunity to win a premiership. Next season teams like the Roosters, Bulldogs, Panthers etc will be stronger.

In order for the Dragons to go one step better I am sure they may need a few changes to occur. Any suggestions?

Playing the way we did this year we should still be able to beat these teams. They're rebuilding, we're not.

If we dont win the comp next year I reckon major changes will be in store for the JV.

 

[Willow]

pantherz9103, I thought you said you weren't going to troll here anymore? Looks like you can't help yourself.
And what's worse, you're a panthers supporter switching camps for the Tigers, just because they won the grand final. Talk about your fair weather troll.

No excuses for the Dragons, the Tigers were just too good for them on the night and are a better 'team', even though the Dragons have a better team on paper.

OK, I give up... what has that got to do with this thread? And who is making excuses?

I'm sure the Dragons will be up there again next year but can they actually produce under pressure? who knows. Only Matt Head was missing and Hornby is better anyway, so its not like injuries are to blame.

Sez the astute football brain.

I don't even want to get into what excuses the panthers use for having a crap season. Looks like their supporters just go for another team when the going gets tough. Suffice to say, we don't want to see a repeat of you hi-jackng any threads.

 

[Collateral]

What I would do for next season would be something along these lines:

Release: Timmins and PL players that are going nowhere for us like Wheatley and Gorrell and Powell etc. Promote Flegg players to PL.

Re-sign players like the Morris brothers, Leaeno, Dunning, Wicks, Hewitt, Haberacht etc to longer deal contracts.

Team line-up would be something like this:

1. Ben HORNBY
2. Wes NIAQAMA
3. Matt COOPER
4. Mark GASNIER
5. Colin BEST
6. Trent BARRETT (c)
7. Matt HEAD
8. Luke BAILEY
9. Mick ENNIS
10. Jason RYLES
11. Ben CREAGH
12. Lance THOMPSON
13. Dean YOUNG

14. Mick HENDERSON
15. Corey PAYNE
16. Justin POORE
17. Ashton SIMS
18. Clint GREENSHIELDS

If we stick to a lineup like this for the entire season and blood some younger players like Keith around Origin, I think we will be laying the platform for the finals of 06' and beyond.