Next year

[ALSGI]

I have no recollection of Aitken ever scoring a long range try and when you watch his highlights video on Youtube, there are no examples of him ever scoring any tries from more than 20m out, but if you can provide me with some examples, that would be great.

Last year v Cronulla, scored from about 60m out, beat about 4.

 

[epDragon62]

I have got Lomax miles ahead of Aitken right now.

I wouldn't even consider them in the same ballpark just at the moment and if Lomax improves as quickly as he did the last three matches, well, Aitken who?

 

[nontime111]

the only place id ever consider him is where Mann was all year, reserve for forwards, this could work, beef him up and let him run riot

Dufty
Mann
Lomax
Lafai
Nene
Widdop
Hunt

looks ok to me for 2019 if we dont sign a super winger

 

[Forster Dragon]

I wouldn't even consider them in the same ballpark just at the moment and if Lomax improves as quickly as he did the last three matches, well, Aitken who?

Plus Lomax has a lot of upside to his development

 

[BLM01]

I have got Lomax miles ahead of Aitken right now.

I did say if Aitken improves in 2 key areas he will then be up to challenge Lomax. I agree with your current estimation but remember Lomax has played how many games in 1st grade...not that many and has not proven anything just yet..but the potential..yeh WOW.

 

[Redhoopz]

I also have Lomax ahead of Aitken at this stage.

While I have no issues with Aitken as a ball runner, I do have issues with his defense and inability to pass. Even throughout the period we were on top of the comp, Aitken's defense was still poor. Constantly racing up out of the line and leaving his winger along with poor reads cost us a lot of tries. I do recall seeing gypsy having a few blow ups at Aitken. He has been making the same defensive mistakes for a couple of years now.

 

[Saints Forever]

Next year I am hoping to see a back line like this:

Dufty
McDonald
Lomax
Lafai
Mann
Widdop
Hunt

Aitken, Herbert, Field Pereira to press for selection

Forwards

Sims
McInnes
Graham
Sims
Frizell
JDB

Lawrie
Host
Leilua
Robson

18th man Latimore

 

[redVinme]

Next year I am hoping to see a back line like this:

Dufty
McDonald
Lomax
Lafai
Mann
Widdop
Hunt

Aitken, Herbert, Field Pereira to press for selection

Forwards

Sims
McInnes
Graham
Sims
Frizell
JDB

Lawrie
Host
Leilua
Robson

18th man Latimore

You missed Vaughn? So K.Sims back to bench and Host 18th man would be mine

 

[Saints Forever]

You missed Vaughn? So K.Sims back to bench and Host 18th man would be mine

Yeah definitely

Vaughan in, one of Leilua and Host to be 18th man

Latimore 19th man

 

[nontime111]

Plus Lomax has a lot of upside to his development

heaps! his ceiling is years away, like many of the greats never! not just a natural and real player with an old school superstars footballer with an IQ ! and man hes a student of the game, so damn excited for the first time in long time about a local junior probably since Flo! Go Lomax! let everybody know brother clearly for all time next season theres another NRL superstar junior other than Cleary! on your way to 2019 GF win So COOL bring on 2019 ohhh yeeahh!!

 

[possm]

heaps! his ceiling is years away, like many of the greats never! not just a natural and real player with an old school superstars footballer with an IQ ! and man hes a student of the game, so damn excited for the first time in long time about a local junior probably since Flo! Go Lomax! let everybody know brother clearly for all time next season theres another NRL superstar junior other than Cleary! on your way to 2019 GF win So COOL bring on 2019 ohhh yeeahh!!

Millward needs to sign Lomax up long term before one of the other clubs do.

 

[Warabrook saint]

Millward needs to sign Lomax up long term before one of the other clubs do.

Filter is sniffing around.....danger

 

[Warabrook saint]

Fitler

 

[BLM01]

Millward needs to sign Lomax up long term before one of the other clubs do.

I have said this before, but officially Lomax cant be approached until Nov 1, 2019 by any other club so the Dragons have got 13 months to get their house in order

 

[Frank Facer]

For next year I want Bennett to coach us and for him to bring Pangai Junior and Oates with him and then see if we can manage to get Joey Leilua. Next year I would like a team of

1 Dufty
2 Oates
3 Lomax
4 Leilua
5 McDonald
6 Widdop
7 Hunt
13 DeBelin
12 T Sims
11 Frizell
10 Vaughan
9 McInnis
8 Pangai

14 Graham
15 Lucky
16 K Sims
17 Lawrie

18 Host
19 Latimore
20 Lafai
21 Field
22 Robson
23 Marsters
24 Aitken
25 Ford
26 Wishart
27 Sailor
28 Ravalawa

If we have to let Aitken and or Lafai go to accommodate the likes of Pangai, Oates and Joey Leilua, so be it or should I say Amen. Amen means so be it.

I think this is possible. I also believe that we would be a very good chance of winning a comp with the addition of Pangai, Oates, Joey Leilua and Bennett coaching us. I think I could coach us to win a comp with the above mentioned squad.

BTW Joey Leilua has previously played under Bennett at Newcastle, so he may be interested in coming to play with his brother and under Bennett. He would probably be very interested as he would also be a great chance of winning a comp and even playing reps too. Joey won the Dally M centre of the year, so he must have been going alright. I thought he was the best centre in the comp in 2016. I think the above 3 signings would be very possible if we manage to get Bennett. We could give Canberra either Aitken or Lafai. lol

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

For next year I want Bennett to coach us and for him to bring Pangai Junior and Oates with him and then see if we can manage to get Joey Leilua. Next year I would like a team of

1 Dufty
2 Oates
3 Lomax
4 Leilua
5 McDonald
6 Widdop
7 Hunt
13 DeBelin
12 T Sims
11 Frizell
10 Vaughan
9 McInnis
8 Pangai

14 Graham
15 Lucky
16 K Sims
17 Lawrie

18 Host
19 Latimore
20 Lafai
21 Field
22 Robson
23 Marsters
24 Aitken
25 Ford
26 Wishart
27 Sailor
28 Ravalawa

If we have to let Aitken and or Lafai go to accommodate the likes of Pangai, Oates and Joey Leilua, so be it or should I say Amen. Amen means so be it.

I think this is possible. I also believe that we would be a very good chance of winning a comp with the addition of Pangai, Oates, Joey Leilua and Bennett coaching us. I think I could coach us to win a comp with the above mentioned squad.

BTW Joey Leilua has previously played under Bennett at Newcastle, so he may be interested in coming to play with his brother and under Bennett. He would probably be very interested as he would also be a great chance of winning a comp and even playing reps too. Joey won the Dally M centre of the year, so he must have been going alright. I thought he was the best centre in the comp in 2016. I think the above 3 signings would be very possible if we manage to get Bennett. We could give Canberra either Aitken or Lafai. lol

I’d also like to drop 20kgs, regrow hair and get lucky tonight, but I’m reality, none of those things are going to occur.

Dreams usually aren’t realistic.

 

[possm]

I have said this before, but officially Lomax cant be approached until Nov 1, 2019 by any other club so the Dragons have got 13 months to get their house in order

Player managers and NRL club officials speak every day about lots of scenarios without actually approaching players. Delaying a long term extension provides no advantage to the Dragons but an opportunity for other clubs to make room in their salary cap to make a big offer - with TPAs - to Lomax.

I say make the long term extension now and bed it in our salary cap for the next 5 or so years. A lot of players are coming off contract at the end of 2019 and so I'd like to see Lomax as one of our first grade players already locked in.

 

[BLM01]

Player managers and NRL club officials speak every day about lots of scenarios without actually approaching players. Delaying a long term extension provides no advantage to the Dragons but an opportunity for other clubs to make room in their salary cap to make a big offer - with TPAs - to Lomax.

I say make the long term extension now and bed it in our salary cap for the next 5 or so years. A lot of players are coming off contract at the end of 2019 and so I'd like to see Lomax as one of our first grade players already locked in.

I agree, but Lomax comes off contract end of 2020. So yeh sooner then later, but maybe wait until he starts next year, as he might be told anyway to wait by his manager. He wants the best and he has not proven week after week in 1sts yet. he has had 2 weeks and shows huge promise. Probably making the Priministers XIII will add $$$ to him now. I reckon Dragons sees how he goes towards mid next year, that may be time to value his worth from 2021.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Just out of curiosity, what value would you guys place on Lomax right now?

 

[BLM01]

Difficult one, you need to build the salary up assuming realises potential like they did with Cleary, but right now after 2 x full 1st grade games to lock him in with what he could show.or become. 250-300K incl TPA'a that Dragons have an abundance of. But in 3 years time if he looks the good and starts to realise that potential then that will double +. Lot of money for an 18 year old but when the minimum salary for a journeyman is now (or was 80K) or now abt 110K