NRL Nines Expectations

[Slippery Morris]

What are you guys expecting from the Dragons in the Nines and what would you see as a successful campaign?

To win it of course would be ideal but I would be happy if they can make it past the group stages. If they can score a heap of tries that would be a big improvement to last year. They were very disappointing to say the least.

Worst scenario would be to lose Benji, Nighty or Duges to a serious injury. That would be a deadset disaster for the Dragons.

I hope Aitken gets a proper go at it. He looks the goods and if he can shine in this tournament could set him up for an earlier NRL debut than expected.

 

[since77]

No injuries to key players participating in a pointless tournament would be good.

 

[BennyV]

I'll set a low bar and say perform better than last year!!!

SeroSeriously though, I want to see us go past group stage. We need the boost in confidence. I also want to see Benji come close to his untouchable best, I want to see Aitken and Crook show their stuff.

 

[getsmarty]

I'll set a low bar and say perform better than last year!!!

SeroSeriously though, I want to see us go past group stage. We need the boost in confidence. I also want to see Benji come close to his untouchable best, I want to see Aitken and Crook show their stuff.

Same. Not filled with confidence after hearing Benji say we spent 20 mins practicing for 9's.

 

[st.phil]

does anyone know what time EST the dragons play across Sat and Sun?

 

[Coffs dragon]

Low expectations in a Mickey Mouse competition, just as long as there are no injuries and the young fellas get to shine. In reality they should just combine the nines, the world champions challenge and the allstars/indigenous into one weekend of nines matches with Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, NZ, plus the Allstars two teams and throw in some rep squads from City/Country from NSW & QLD...no NRL teams !! That would shorten the season and allow the NRL premiership to be the main focus.

 

[Dezziedc]

No injuries to key players participating in a pointless tournament would be good.

This.

Far too much importance is placed on the trials. They are exactly what they say - trials. It should be an opportunity to trial some combinations and give the coaching staff an opportunity to work out a good team for the season proper - winning or losing is unimportant. This includes the Charity Shield.

The key is to get through this period without injuries.

 

[Saint52]

Just give youngsters and fringe players a go

 

[dragon-83]

does anyone know what time EST the dragons play across Sat and Sun?

Dragons v knights 10.55am Saturday
Dragons v manly 2.50pm Saturday
Dragons v eels 9.10am Sunday

 

[TonyT6]

Dragons v knights 10.55am Saturday
Dragons v manly 2.50pm Saturday
Dragons v eels 9.10am Sunday

cheers

Hopes - No injuries
Expectations - None

 

[possm]

I'd like to see how the younger players go - Aitken, Nabuli and Crook.

 

[dragon4]

Last season the Dragons didn't have Nabuli......."Give the pill to Nabuli" and we'll make it past the group stages. Also want to see the young guys get a go!

 

[st.phil]

Dragons v knights 10.55am Saturday
Dragons v manly 2.50pm Saturday
Dragons v eels 9.10am Sunday

Thanks mate!

 

[giboz71]

This.

Far too much importance is placed on the trials. They are exactly what they say - trials. It should be an opportunity to trial some combinations and give the coaching staff an opportunity to work out a good team for the season proper - winning or losing is unimportant. This includes the Charity Shield.

The key is to get through this period without injuries.

Ideally yes....we say this every year, and I agree trials are just trials.

Problem is, how we have performed in the trials the last 3 years has been the pre cursor to how we have performed in the comp. Crap.

Would be nice to see some good performances to start the year for a change. Nothing gels a team more than winning.

The most important things to see are....that players are fit, some evidence of combinations forming, and some evidence of team spirit ...which were all lacking last year.

 

[TruSaint]

This.

Far too much importance is placed on the trials. They are exactly what they say - trials. It should be an opportunity to trial some combinations and give the coaching staff an opportunity to work out a good team for the season proper - winning or losing is unimportant. This includes the Charity Shield.

The key is to get through this period without injuries.

Would normally agree. This year with so many spots up for grabs does make it somewhat more of a "trial".

Injury free is no. 1 in my eyes as well.

 

[dino2170]

are those times as per foxtell schedule

 

[bottle]

I just hope we see some exciting footy.
I don't angst too much about injuries.
They can happen in the first trial, at training, warming up, getting out of the car.

 

[2010Dragons]

I have spoken with the Footy Gods....
They have told me that the Dragons will win the nines comp...
You heard it here first !!!

 

[7Seven7]

We will win.

 

[TonyT6]

We will win.

Against Mackay?