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Crush

Coach
Messages
10,412
Sharks beat most other teams tonight other than Storm and Panthers. They’re a peg below those guys but it’s early days, new coach, new combinations. Fitzgibbon has hit the ground running that’s for sure, they lost tonight by 16 points which is significant but were in it up until 60 minute mark, Storm were excellent, geez they complete well, their ruck speed is ridiculous. Scary.
 

Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
7,380
Sharks beat most other teams tonight other than Storm and Panthers. They’re a peg below those guys but it’s early days, new coach, new combinations. Fitzgibbon has hit the ground running that’s for sure, they lost tonight by 16 points which is significant but were in it up until 60 minute mark, Storm were excellent, geez they complete well, their ruck speed is ridiculous. Scary.
Ruck speed and speed in general make all the difference. We lack this big time and the reason for this is that we have plodders. Hook has to hire a speed coach to "get us up to speed".

I don't see any players in our team that have the true gift of speed which is very much needed in the halves and fullback. The hooker needs to get to the play the ball position quickly and get the ball moving out smartly - don't have that luxury in McCullough though. If Hook just realises this and puts a faster hooker in, it will make a huge difference in our overall performance. That's what I think anyway!
 

TruSaint

Referee
Messages
20,095
Ruck speed and speed in general make all the difference. We lack this big time and the reason for this is that we have plodders. Hook has to hire a speed coach to "get us up to speed".

I don't see any players in our team that have the true gift of speed which is very much needed in the halves and fullback. The hooker needs to get to the play the ball position quickly and get the ball moving out smartly - don't have that luxury in McCullough though. If Hook just realises this and puts a faster hooker in, it will make a huge difference in our overall performance. That's what I think anyway!

Yep, a crafty 9 can take some pressure off Hunt. With our guy, the defence has very little to worry about. Each play the ball is so predictable thus our options are always the same. Bash and barge was okay years back. Now it's smart, fast hookers who can dart from d/half, kick in general play and provide quick service.
 

Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
7,380
Bring in Sullivan to 9.
Like Hunt, Hook won't bring in Sullivan as the replacement for McCullough. Hook will keep picking McCullough because he is a specialist hooker but we all know that he is slow and tedious but that doesn't seem to worry old Hook the big sook. He has a reason to stand by McCullough because he was the one who brought him to the Dragons and knows that he has an ally if all the others turn against him.

If no McCullough, then it has to be another specialist, fast, crafty hooker - but there is no-one of note available now which is a crying shame. Some might say Mbye in at 9 would be OK but I keep saying that he is best suited for us as the bench player.
 

BBTB

Juniors
Messages
915
Like Hunt, Hook won't bring in Sullivan as the replacement for McCullough. Hook will keep picking McCullough because he is a specialist hooker but we all know that he is slow and tedious but that doesn't seem to worry old Hook the big sook. He has a reason to stand by McCullough because he was the one who brought him to the Dragons and knows that he has an ally if all the others turn against him.

If no McCullough, then it has to be another specialist, fast, crafty hooker - but there is no-one of note available now which is a crying shame. Some might say Mbye in at 9 would be OK but I keep saying that he is best suited for us as the bench player.
Well, if that's the case...
Hooks pig headedness will be the end of him.
Knowing McCullough nolonger makes the grade.
 

Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
7,380
I wonder if Hook ever heard the old saying: "What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result"?
Maybe he is suffering with that forgetful disease and doesn't know that he is doing the same thing again and again and is scratching his head wondering why there is no sing song after the game!!
 

thebigredv

First Grade
Messages
5,209
Sharks beat most other teams tonight other than Storm and Panthers. They’re a peg below those guys but it’s early days, new coach, new combinations. Fitzgibbon has hit the ground running that’s for sure, they lost tonight by 16 points which is significant but were in it up until 60 minute mark, Storm were excellent, geez they complete well, their ruck speed is ridiculous. Scary.

Missing both Bromwich brothers (as they will be next year) the next men up just stood up and they upped their intensity to match the Sharks who came out firing. Can you imagine the excuses we would have made if we lost a chunk of our forward pack? Who are those next in line forwards who want to clinch a fg spot and, heaven forbid, put a match winning performance for the Dragons?

It's just not instilled in our players yet, but you have to stand and applaud the way Storm do things. If there's one thing I've learnt in the last few years, it's to respect what the likes of these dominant clubs have done on and off the field. Yes, it pains me, but it's just the state of affairs for now.
 

Dragonslayer

First Grade
Messages
7,679
Missing both Bromwich brothers (as they will be next year) the next men up just stood up and they upped their intensity to match the Sharks who came out firing. Can you imagine the excuses we would have made if we lost a chunk of our forward pack? Who are those next in line forwards who want to clinch a fg spot and, heaven forbid, put a match winning performance for the Dragons?

It's just not instilled in our players yet, but you have to stand and applaud the way Storm do things. If there's one thing I've learnt in the last few years, it's to respect what the likes of these dominant clubs have done on and off the field. Yes, it pains me, but it's just the state of affairs for now.

First little crack in Fitzy's Sharks. Really without Talakai they get done by a long way last night.
 

Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
7,380
First little crack in Fitzy's Sharks. Really without Talakai they get done by a long way last night.
Right on Dragonslayer.

The Storm as usual have back ups and keep having good back ups in all of the important positions - which is all of them. They really know how to get their players inspired to put in 100% every game. I am envious of them. It is a serious business for all that are part of the Storm from Admin, Coaches and Players all aspiring to succeed.

To follow them must be something else if you are a fan of the Storm. I don't mind watching them one bit. They are just a bloody good club.
 

BBTB

Juniors
Messages
915
Right on Dragonslayer.

The Storm as usual have back ups and keep having good back ups in all of the important positions - which is all of them. They really know how to get their players inspired to put in 100% every game. I am envious of them. It is a serious business for all that are part of the Storm from Admin, Coaches and Players all aspiring to succeed.

To follow them must be something else if you are a fan of the Storm. I don't mind watching them one bit. They are just a bloody good club.
Yes they are a good footy side. Aspiring to succeed. They have that in spades.
Admin,Coaches,Players.
STGI....don't have any of those qualities, in any dept.
 

Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
7,380
I know he played in a well beaten side last night but Aaron Schoupp, who was an Illawarra Steelers player, played a terrific game for the Bulldogs against the Broncos. He showed strength in his running game and ability to defend well against Katoni Staggs. I think he will be in first grade from now on. What can you say about a Trent Barrett coached side - they most probably will be wooden spooners again this year and he will be out in the cold.
 

BBTB

Juniors
Messages
915
Like Hunt, Hook won't bring in Sullivan as the replacement for McCullough. Hook will keep picking McCullough because he is a specialist hooker but we all know that he is slow and tedious but that doesn't seem to worry old Hook the big sook. He has a reason to stand by McCullough because he was the one who brought him to the Dragons and knows that he has an ally if all the others turn against him.

If no McCullough, then it has to be another specialist, fast, crafty hooker - but there is no-one of note available now which is a crying shame. Some might say Mbye in at 9 would be OK but I keep saying that he is best suited for us as the bench player.
I didn't mind the young hooker that played in the trials. C.Mulheisen.
 

Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
7,380
I didn't mind the young hooker that played in the trials. C.Mulheisen.
Muhleisen has great potential and will be pressing for a first grade promotion. The thing is that if Macca gets injured, it is more likely that Hook will put Mbye in subject to whether or not Sloan or Ramsey are fit to fill in at fullback.
 

Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
7,380
I posted somewhere on the forum that Scott Drinkwater would be a good pick up if he was available to play full back for us. He is playing top footy in the past and these past few games for the Cowboys.
 

Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
7,380
Well another tight field goal win by the Tigers who we play next week and it will be tough with a capital T.
 

Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
7,380
The Tigers are looking good now. Maguire has sorted out the problems and they will have Adam Doueihi coming back soon so they will be strengthened. They looked for a while to be wooden spoon contenders but they could end up closer to the top 8. Hook needs to do the same for us otherwise we will be closer to the wooden spoon than being closer to the top 8.

We have got to try and get some wins in a row to be further away from the bottom where I'd like to see the Bulldogs remain.
 
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