Off season checklist

[Slippery Morris]

I feel this is going to be one of the biggest and most imprtant offseason in the merged clubs history. It will either show that the club has intentions of being a force again or happy to play second fiddle to the big clubs in the NRL. Below is a checklist of what we hope to achieve this offseason. Hopefully we can tick them off as the offseason goes. Please add more:-

- New Coach
- Change coaching structure
- New look halves for 2017
- Sign a decent hooker - McInnes is not the answer. Get Baptiste from Raiders. He really looks sharp and is playing behind the best hooker in the comp by a mile. Or look for a hooker in England. I am sure there is another Josh Hodgson there.
- Get ownership sorted out and get some more dollars to the club.
- Boardroom changes. I keep hearing that Doust was against Mary's appointment seeing he sacked him a few years ago so blaming Daoust is a bit harsh. The blame should lie more with the people who wanted Mary.
- Get the fans back on board with something to look forward to for 2017. We have not witnessed a spoon so why do this to us now?
- Maybe look at venues for 2017.
- Get rid of deadwood or poor performers like Widdop. Rein is a good start and for many Benji as well although if I had to choose I would rather keep him than Widdop. I think he overtood Widdop in try assists at the end of the season after the Knights match and he was out half the season. I would class Matthews as deadwood. He is at best a Cutters player. Was totally rubbish against the Knights giving away 2 poor penalties and dropping alot of ball. 1 ripper game against the Bronco's should not warrant an extansion.
- Promote some juniors and even Cutters players. 1 Thing I noticed in the Cutters win was Shannon Wakeman? Any reason why this guy has never had a run in FG? He looks like a wrecking ball and runs hard.

etc

If we can tick a majority of these off we will be ok for 2017.

 

[Lethal25]

Slippery, I'm not going to disagree with anything you've said. All fair points.

The way I see things is far more simplistic however. We need one quality signing in the halves, just one. Now before you choke on your lunch, hear me out.

All the other clubs who didn't make the 8 are reviewing 2016 performance the same as the Dragons. Manly have already announced that half of their contracted squad will not be required for next year, Newcastle have flagged significant personnel changes etc etc. In short everyone is looking at change in order to improve, there will be a lot of changes at most clubs. To that end we would not be ahead of the chasing pack necessarily unless IMO the change is made with a quality player in the key position.

Our forwards would derive great benefit with a half who could direct traffic. The backs would also find more room to move if we had a half who threatened the line with both a running game and a good passing game, halves this year put players under pressure with shit passing and running sideways.

I do see enough quality in the pack, especially our back row for us to be competitive. Look at the Sharks for example. Maloney makes all the difference to them, Townsend compliments him as Widdop would to a good half.

My answer would be Elgey from the Titans, we could build a side around him. He has enough quality to make a difference and possibly lift us above the chasing pack

 

[muzby]

my offseason checklist:

- relax
- maybe lose a bit of weight
- spend more time outdoors
- smile more

 

[blacksafake]

I feel this is going to be one of the biggest and most imprtant offseason in the merged clubs history. It will either show that the club has intentions of being a force again or happy to play second fiddle to the big clubs in the NRL. Below is a checklist of what we hope to achieve this offseason. Hopefully we can tick them off as the offseason goes. Please add more:-

- New Coach
- Change coaching structure
- New look halves for 2017
- Sign a decent hooker - McInnes is not the answer. Get Baptiste from Raiders. He really looks sharp and is playing behind the best hooker in the comp by a mile. Or look for a hooker in England. I am sure there is another Josh Hodgson there.
- Get ownership sorted out and get some more dollars to the club.
- Boardroom changes. I keep hearing that Doust was against Mary's appointment seeing he sacked him a few years ago so blaming Daoust is a bit harsh. The blame should lie more with the people who wanted Mary.
- Get the fans back on board with something to look forward to for 2017. We have not witnessed a spoon so why do this to us now?
- Maybe look at venues for 2017.
- Get rid of deadwood or poor performers like Widdop. Rein is a good start and for many Benji as well although if I had to choose I would rather keep him than Widdop. I think he overtood Widdop in try assists at the end of the season after the Knights match and he was out half the season. I would class Matthews as deadwood. He is at best a Cutters player. Was totally rubbish against the Knights giving away 2 poor penalties and dropping alot of ball. 1 ripper game against the Bronco's should not warrant an extansion.
- Promote some juniors and even Cutters players. 1 Thing I noticed in the Cutters win was Shannon Wakeman? Any reason why this guy has never had a run in FG? He looks like a wrecking ball and runs hard.

etc

If we can tick a majority of these off we will be ok for 2017.

Hard to disagree with this Slippery. As for Wakeman it's been asked before about him & the answer i think is he is contracted to the Cutters only, has a fulltime job & is more than happy for it to remain this way.I'm sure Coastie would be able to confirm this.

 

[dragonssamy61]

I feel this is going to be one of the biggest and most imprtant offseason in the merged clubs history. It will either show that the club has intentions of being a force again or happy to play second fiddle to the big clubs in the NRL. Below is a checklist of what we hope to achieve this offseason. Hopefully we can tick them off as the offseason goes. Please add more:-

- New Coach
- Change coaching structure
- New look halves for 2017
- Sign a decent hooker - McInnes is not the answer. Get Baptiste from Raiders. He really looks sharp and is playing behind the best hooker in the comp by a mile. Or look for a hooker in England. I am sure there is another Josh Hodgson there.
- Get ownership sorted out and get some more dollars to the club.
- Boardroom changes. I keep hearing that Doust was against Mary's appointment seeing he sacked him a few years ago so blaming Daoust is a bit harsh. The blame should lie more with the people who wanted Mary.
- Get the fans back on board with something to look forward to for 2017. We have not witnessed a spoon so why do this to us now?
- Maybe look at venues for 2017.
- Get rid of deadwood or poor performers like Widdop. Rein is a good start and for many Benji as well although if I had to choose I would rather keep him than Widdop. I think he overtood Widdop in try assists at the end of the season after the Knights match and he was out half the season. I would class Matthews as deadwood. He is at best a Cutters player. Was totally rubbish against the Knights giving away 2 poor penalties and dropping alot of ball. 1 ripper game against the Bronco's should not warrant an extansion.
- Promote some juniors and even Cutters players. 1 Thing I noticed in the Cutters win was Shannon Wakeman? Any reason why this guy has never had a run in FG? He looks like a wrecking ball and runs hard.

etc

If we can tick a majority of these off we will be ok for 2017.

He has a fulltime job and is only contracted to the cutters.
He will not play for the dragons he hates mary and prefers to work fulltime and only play with cutters

 

[Eatons Hill Dragon]

my offseason checklist:

- relax
- maybe lose a bit of weight
- spend more time outdoors
- smile more

I have already made my off season intentions clear with the wife.

Replace Saturday and Sunday afternoon footy with some "afternoon delights"

 

[BestHookerRein]

Personally feel Mitch isn't as bad as people make out.

 

[Old Timer]

I have already made my off season intentions clear with the wife.

Replace Saturday and Sunday afternoon footy with some "afternoon delights"

Sky rockets in flight mmmm not a bad idea.

 

[coast_dragons]

Personally feel Mitch isn't as bad as people make out.

Thanks Troll.

 

[dragonssamy61]

Personally feel Mitch isn't as bad as people make out.

Mitch I thought you be enjoying mad monday

 

[coast_dragons]

Wakeman isn't interested in a contract with the Dragons actually he's not the only Cutters player who feels the same way.

Doust needs to walk its as simple as that and some of his cronies need to follow suit. They have made the Dragons an utter laughing stock.

The medical team will need to be addressed as it looks like every single one of them are going.

Mary should walk but won't so he should be pushed but don't be surprised if JD doesn't get the gig.

Young and Hornby see you later you are doing sfa regardless of the reputation you have at the club your just clingons now.

The under 20's will have a clean out as per usual but the young guys coming through will again make them very competitive.

The Cutters hopefully won't lose to many players probably levi dodd as he doesn't look like getting a gig with the Dragons and probably Nona will go also.

 

[Morotti]

I agree with Lethal25, quality over quantity. If we can get 1 really good organising half that can make all the difference. If you consistently get the 2nd best players then you will always have a sub standard team. And that is what we have at the moment.

Was surprised that we signed Marketo up for another year. But I guess he is fringe at best. Would expect if we can keep Leilua then he should be bench forward for 2017 at the very least.

But there are not many off contract players to shed.

Will Matthews by the way is already contracted for next year. but I never see him add anything go forward so would be happy for him to move on.

The players I would be happy to move on would be:
- Tim Lafai
- Dunamis Lui
- Jake Marketo
- Benji Marshall
- Will Matthews
- Tyrone McCarthy (why did we sign him if he is only good enough to play 1 first grade game in a hopeless team)
- Josh McCrone (still not sure why we signed him)
- Adam Quinlan
- Mitch Rein

What's the story with Tom Carr? Any decent of an outside back? he is not signed for next year. But personally if he was showing any sort of promise I would prefer him over Fai Fai Loa. Best to focus on the youth as we really need to inject something into the team dynamic.

But all of the above bar Rein and Benji are signed for next year. So almost nothing coming into the squad to make it any better at all at this stage.

 

[Sigurd]

Personally feel Mitch isn't as bad as people make out.

He is a good or very good player overall but lacks in what is probably most important for a dummy half. The ability to pass consistently well out of dummy half.

 

[Old Timer]

Offseason check list
Benji doll on ebay - check
McGregor memorobillia on ebay - check

 

[Too old too slow]

I feel this is going to be one of the biggest and most imprtant offseason in the merged clubs history. It will either show that the club has intentions of being a force again or happy to play second fiddle to the big clubs in the NRL. Below is a checklist of what we hope to achieve this offseason. Hopefully we can tick them off as the offseason goes. Please add more:-

- New Coach
- Change coaching structure
- New look halves for 2017
- Sign a decent hooker - McInnes is not the answer. Get Baptiste from Raiders. He really looks sharp and is playing behind the best hooker in the comp by a mile. Or look for a hooker in England. I am sure there is another Josh Hodgson there.
- Get ownership sorted out and get some more dollars to the club.
- Boardroom changes. I keep hearing that Doust was against Mary's appointment seeing he sacked him a few years ago so blaming Daoust is a bit harsh. The blame should lie more with the people who wanted Mary.
- Get the fans back on board with something to look forward to for 2017. We have not witnessed a spoon so why do this to us now?
- Maybe look at venues for 2017.
- Get rid of deadwood or poor performers like Widdop. Rein is a good start and for many Benji as well although if I had to choose I would rather keep him than Widdop. I think he overtood Widdop in try assists at the end of the season after the Knights match and he was out half the season. I would class Matthews as deadwood. He is at best a Cutters player. Was totally rubbish against the Knights giving away 2 poor penalties and dropping alot of ball. 1 ripper game against the Bronco's should not warrant an extansion.
- Promote some juniors and even Cutters players. 1 Thing I noticed in the Cutters win was Shannon Wakeman? Any reason why this guy has never had a run in FG? He looks like a wrecking ball and runs hard.

etc

If we can tick a majority of these off we will be ok for 2017.

When looking for team leaders, you want those who are relentless competitors.

Now, who is the odd one out.

-Thurston

-C Smith

- Parker

- Graham

- Gallen

- Widdop

If we are to build a genuine premiership team... You must start with your leaders.

It's a given McGregor has to go... But Widdop's suitability and ability to meet the key criteria for captaincy sorely lacks.

Your best leaders make the clutch plays, wins the efforts in every play, dive for loose balls, challenge their teammates to step up, and make your opponents bring their absolute best rather than giving an inch.

I don't see that in Widdop.. And I certainly didn't hear it at the game on Saturday.

Their competitive will sets the tone for the rest of the team and ups the intensity at training and certainly in games. They expect and demand a high standard from their coaches and teammates.

I think as part of the change ahead this year, Widdop must be relieved of the captaincy. It will also make it easier to usher him out the door in 2018.

In saying that ... who is our RELENTLESS COMPETITOR...

The one who 'gets' what it means to Captain one of the leagues 'Blue Chip' teams... the honor that goes with it and the people it represents. We give away this privilege too easy.. Earn it.

 

[BennyV]

Pulling the captaincy from Widdop is a given. It obviously doesn't sit well with him.

Dugan is a possibility, but I don't quite know if he's grown enough for it, and there's a real chance that we may not re-sign him next year! Likewise, NIghtingale.

Guys like Friz are too quiet. It's a real shame we don't still have Merrin, he'd be a good candidate.

The only other bloke who stands out as a leader is Joel Thompson. COmpetitive AF, leads by example, seems like the kind of guy who'd be in the refs face all game if given the chance. The problem is his judiciary record and consistency. That and the fact that he has Host and Leilua nipping at his heels at the moment...

 

[Too old too slow]

Pulling the captaincy from Widdop is a given. It obviously doesn't sit well with him.

Dugan is a possibility, but I don't quite know if he's grown enough for it, and there's a real chance that we may not re-sign him next year! Likewise, NIghtingale.

Guys like Friz are too quiet. It's a real shame we don't still have Merrin, he'd be a good candidate.

The only other bloke who stands out as a leader is Joel Thompson. COmpetitive AF, leads by example, seems like the kind of guy who'd be in the refs face all game if given the chance. The problem is his judiciary record and consistency. That and the fact that he has Host and Leilua nipping at his heels at the moment...

BennyV .. That is the way I see it as well.. And surely it is a given with a new regime.

The problem then is who.. I did think Thompson ., and it might just add another dimension to his game.. The extra responsibility may just sit well with him.

He does have the passion, although fades in and out if games.. He is however the one you hear talking and encouraging team mates on the field.

I may be wrong but I think Packer may have captained the Cutters at some stage.. If so, not sure how he went.. But seems to be a leader to me..

And Dugan has evolved enough .. He has the desire and passion to lead the team .. I remember after a game this year him being visably distressed after a big loss .. He tries his guts out every week ... We would have lost a lot more games without him. But... Will he take the necessary 'haircut' to stay next contract negotiations. Perhaps the captaincy might mean more than the $$$.

The captaincy at this stage would be a burden for Frizell...

What it does highlight is we are thin on the ground for standouts .. But I would lean towards One of these three.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Dugan and Frizzell should be co-captains. Friz is not on the field all game which is why you have both. Plus one looks after the forwards the other the backs.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Packer for me. Everyone forgets he was dux of his school. Plays with passion and natural leader. Would need more minutes on the field though.
I would support Dugan as a captain except for him "getting injured" after almost evert tackle....not a good look as a captain.
Friz....too quiet ATM
Thompson...don't know if he will be suspended or injured.
Nighty...would be a great captain but only for 1 year.
Widdop...been there done that.
No one rlse really stands out but I do think Aitken has the potential to be a captain but thats several years away.

Of course the only other option is a co-captaincy arrangement.
Widdop-Packer
Packer-Dugan
Packer - Friz
?????

 

[Dragons 09]

Have our top 25 sit a club history quiz and whoever wins gets the C beside his name. I don't care if it turns out to be Hutch, LAM or whoever, just want someone who cares about where we come from and what it means to be a Dragon.