observation

[Ulysseus]

Before you guys think i am trolling, I'm not, i just wanted to make a point. It seems to me you guys are missing a guy who can turn it on at the flick of a switch. A gamebreaker.

Now before you get me wrong, yes i am an eels fan, but a league supporter the dragons have given us all great entertainment all year, and were deserved minor premiers equal with the bulldogs. The one thing i have noticed is that the boys are a well oiled machine, which goes about it's business week by week, putting teams to the sword with their grind em down, wear them out attitude. And it works and worked pretty well all year. For the majority of the season their completion rates, have been fantastic, which makes it hard for any team to compete against.

But on the flipside, when this style doesn't work, i think you guys are missing the Inglis, Marshall or thurston, or at the momment the way he is playing Hayne. A guy that can break the game open by doing something sporadic and spontaneous.

Now to a degree you may think this post is stupid, because lets face it any team is better of with any one of those players in it, But i feel that if the dragons had that 'x-factor' The season is over, and you might as well give them the trophy now. There were countless occasions last sunday where i was on the hill thinking to myself, you guys were gonna run all over us, but as the game went on i thought hang on, who is gonna do it for them? Who is gonna break the game open? Unfortunately for you guys noone did.

Anyways Your thoughts?

Ohhh and with regard to the redneck supporters thread, i sat on the hill both weeks the 37-0 drubbing and our victory, got bagged, abused, but i gave as good as i got, i love a bit of niggle, and niggle is what i got, i had a great time, and you guys are passionate league supporters. Shame the minority ruin it for all.

We sacrificed the "game breakers" in exchange for some semblance of of consistency.
Gasnier, for example, f**king good gamebreaker, but f**k he was quiet on occasion as well.
I don't think the team needs to return to its 2005 / 2006 ways mate, it was brilliant at times, and frustrating at others.

The well oiled machine needs to perform at 80% or above because its a very simple machine, anything less and the machine wont produce the goods.

 

[TheRev]

We sacrificed the "game breakers" in exchange for some semblance of of consistency.
Gasnier, for example, f**king good gamebreaker, but f**k he was quiet on occasion as well.
I don't think the team needs to return to its 2005 / 2006 ways mate, it was brilliant at times, and frustrating at others.

The well oiled machine needs to perform at 80% or above because its a very simple machine, anything less and the machine wont produce the goods.

I know I deserve to be flamed for this, despite the great season, to me our 2009 side is one of the least naturally gifted sides in the past 15 years. But your right, we play as a team, in years gone by, I looked at our side and thought 'wow'.. so much talent, origin players.. this is a side that can beat anyone.

yet despite this, in 2009, we have been more successful during the regular season than I can ever remember, we defend well and were gutsy, Sowie has directed and kicked like a pro.. and thats awsome and it might still win us the GF.

But looking ahead, good defence, doesnt mean you cant also scare oppositions in attack, the Broncos have done it for decades. It's just about getting players at the right age & price, and having a coach like Wayne who can really motivate players to be more

bullsh*t, Gaz was brilliant on his day, but he went missing probably more than the guys you just listed. He wasn't a gamebreaker every game like you'd suggest.

Yah I agree he was not a game-breaker 'every' game, even immortals cant claim that. But he gave us options on the right of the field, fast foward to 2010, and we just need 1 or 2 more attacking options (such as Nightingale & 1 other) to cover us.

Im talking players with speed/strength/athleticism, who can attack the try line and really worry defenders... make them make a bad decision and generate a hole for other players.. or get a freaky flick pass to the winger. Right now, Sailor, Scott, Boyd, Fien & Young & co, are not causing much fear for opposition defenders

Even if Nightingale or Gasnier (or whoever), pulls off 1 great try every 3 games, thats enough to push these close games in our favour, it increases our odds of success, but obviously it cant be at the expense of suck defence.

 

[big_dell]

the reason we dont have a gamebreaker is because of our 'salary cap socialism'

the 4 players you mentioned all demand 400grand +. thats my view. but on sunday we didnt need a gamebreaker. having 20 mins on your line and not scoring is crap. but also 3 of your 4 tries were against the run of paly.

 

[LazyDreamer]

I'd take Cam Smith in a blink. A great hooker both in defence and attack would be a real fillip

There are some things more important than winning, and I'd find it just about impossible to support a Dragons side that had Smith.