Paul Vaughan Signed?

[hazzbeen]

Hazzbeen, you seriously think a new prop is going to improve our attack? Mate, we can't score tries!

No mate I dont we really need to start with a coach and a genuine half ....

 

[Miller was a legend]

No mate I dont we really need to start with a coach and a genuine half ....

This

 

[BrissyRedV]

really need to start with a coach

And this is the biggest issue. We all know he is the biggest issue with our struggling attack and yet he is still in charge. The other issue is instead of a new coach being named early so they can have input into recruitment and players positions etc., we are wasting more time and likely another season.

 

[MattoDragon]

Very pleased that he will be in the Dragons colours , somewhat overpriced , however we do need that extra ' grunt ' in the forward pack .

Vaughan , along with Simms , Packer and big Mose of the interchange , will make a tremendous front row combination . With these blokes charging onto the ball , and they won't need to be taught that by our current rocket scientist , they will scatter the opposition packs . Coupled by the hardworking Fizzell , Thompson and company , at last St.George Illawarra will field a decent pack that won't take a backward step .

I keep hearing you guys saying we will have a decent pack. That's great, but as I said in a previous post, we had no problems getting off our line and getting into the opposition's 20. What we couldn't do is score tries.
We could recruit the Australian pack, but if we don't have a plan of attack, how do we take advantage of the pack.
Seriously, we buy another forward, well over the odds. We buy a hooker in McInnes, who was dropped from Souths first grade side because he lacks a fast play the ball, gives poor service to his supports and has no attacking prowess. And we sign Nene MacDonald for $330k per season(way over the odds). He's a winger, the position we probably have too many of at the club, already. Not to mention resigning Marketo???
Can anyone explain to me how these signings are going to improve our attack next season?
You can't, because they won't.
Hello wooden spoon!

 

[MattoDragon]

I'm not sure if you've watched Rugby League before.
Vaughan is an outstanding first grader and when he's fit he's the best forward in that Canberra side. Have a look through their forum, the vast majority of their supports are devastated they're losing him and most think he's the best they've got when he's at 100%.
He's had an off year this year due to injury etc but in 2015 he was being tipped for Origin and even Australian selection.

You're right, 600k is steep. But Vaughan is not a reserve grader by any means.

Have you watched Rugby League before?
Unless he can score 20 tries a season, he isn't going to improve our real problem, and that's scoring tries.

 

[MattoDragon]

The good point with Vaughan is that his game is very similar to Simms , they both run straight and hard . Russell Packer and Tyson Fizzell always do the same , most of the other Dragon forwards have done so infrequently this season .
With Big Mose returning next year , he will be a valuable addition to the team , not only because of his size , but because his running style is akin to Simms and Vaughan .

The Club is investing heavily in Vaughan , however the Dragons pack has missed that ' spark ' that will ignite the rest of the forwards .
Next year that will come in the shape of Simms , Packer , big Mose and Vaughan .

Still won't help us score tries

 

[MattoDragon]

OK let's see how this purchase would work.
On the premise we have 6 forwards on the paddock and 4 on the bench 1 of which may or may not be a hooker replacement so 10 in total is required.

Maybe a starting pack something like this
Packer
Mc Innes
Lam
Thompson
Frizzell
De Belin

Bench maybe
Simms
Host
Masoe
Havilli

In the wings
Kerr (new signing big body)
Leilua (if retained)
Sele
Wakeman (hopefully would consider an NRL contact as he is worthy)
Mc Crone
Sironen
Lewis

So if Vaughan is purchased he will be a starting player
so someone has to go back to the Cutters from 1st grade.

Logic would say that the form of Packer, resigning of Thompson, signing of Mc Innes & Simms, blooding of Host, retention of Masoe, requirement for Haviili as a hooker / back row rotation makes them all pretty safe.
Comes down to maybe LAM or De Belin.
If either of them goes back then the forward progress of Kerr, Leilua, Sele is again hampered and drops them back in the pecking order.

So why are we holding onto an established 1st grader who is now being dropped to the Cutters? To me it makes no sense.

If people say drop Host back then that flies into the face of all the lets support our juniors posts.

The whole thing is highly illogical to me and should be shelved for a tilt at a half which is more necessary than anything else.

You got it so right, especially your last comment. Word is Ray Thompson won't be leaving the Cows and we have now gone cold on bringing back Jackson Hastings. That worries me, because it's obvious MacGregor doesn't rate Hutchison, which leaves us with McCrone. Same old, same old

 

[hazzbeen]

Still won't help us score tries

Matto I hear you , So plan of attack that comes back to Mary , Im with you things have to change , we need some new blood players that can attack but in saying that if Mary is coaching again what will change ? So mate what is the solution ? Im all yours....

 

[MattoDragon]

Matto I hear you , So plan of attack that comes back to Mary , Im with you things have to change , we need some new blood players that can attack but in saying that if Mary is coaching again what will change ? So mate what is the solution ? Im all yours....

You have the solution.....CHANGE
Good guy that he apparently is, Mary has to go. But that won't happen until this committee goes. But that won't happen until Doust and the Board goes. But that won't happen unless the Bruce Gordon (WIN) takeover gets approved. And I'm afraid that won't happen because Doust and the Board have the final say (please correct me if I'm wrong re. the takeover)
So Hazzbeen, you have the solution, the problem, we as fans have, is having the solution carried out.
IMO we should not be renewing our membership, we should not be going to games, we should not buy merchandise and we should not use or purchase from St George Illawarra sponsors. The way for your solution to happen is to starve the Club of money. If we don't give them our money, the Club will be forced to make changes. Imagine if there was no Red & White Army at Kogarah or Win stadiums. If the only supporters were opposition supporters. It would not take long for the sponsors to be asking Doust wtf?
We don't stop supporting our team in heart and soul, we just don't support Doust and his cronies with our hard earned.
I have heard many on this blog and others, say they will not be renewing their membership and I have advised the Club I will not be supporting them with my money until I see a proven First Grade Coach in place and a CEO and Board with integrity and the love of our team as their reason for being there.
It's now up to the rest of our loyal fans to only support with your heart and soul and keep your cash in your pocket until we get CHANGE

 

[SBD82]

There was rumours and what one might call circumstantial evidence to support it.

The rumours were he did something bad in the lead up to the sharks game a few weeks ago after he was told he wasnt playing. The circumstantial evidence was that he was nowhere to be seen at the game. He didnt warm up as 17th man as he was named (Jeff Lima did)

Now, this could just be hogwash because he did play against the Panthers and Storm but that was the word on the street.

What do you think of his form Pete?

The other night I was talking to a bloke who is a rabid canberra fan. Has high regard for Vaughan but says that lateral movement can be a problem for him.

He seems like a very straight up and down prop to me, but curious on your thoughts about how he is best used.

 

[Pete Cash]

What do you think of his form Pete?

The other night I was talking to a bloke who is a rabid canberra fan. Has high regard for Vaughan but says that lateral movement can be a problem for him.

He seems like a very straight up and down prop to me, but curious on your thoughts about how he is best used.

I think his step is underrated he scores a few tries for a prop.

I think Vaughan is a good prop. Arguably our best. He is a metre eater and solid in defense.

He has been criticised for his lateral movement in defense but all props have that issue. He has also been criticised for not being great in the ruck.

I think Stuart likes huge props that he can run at the opposition halfbacks and smaller guys who will grub it up in the ruck and slow things down. Vaughan is a very classic prop. Racks up huge metres but I think Stuart looks at that and thinks hmm I can just get 100m from rapana, bj and wighton instead.

I'd prefer we keep him for the record.

So yeah very good prop Imo, has good footwork at the line, makes good metres.

The cons would be his perceived weakness in the ptb and his price tag. Like all props he has a lazy miss in him.

 

[Russell Crowe's Band]

you guys will have a good pack next year with him, fritzl, Thompson, JDB etc

who's gonna be the halves?

 

[Gareth67]

Still won't help us score tries

If any of our backs have an ounce of sense , they will be trailing the big forwards around the park like bees around a honey pot , waiting for an off-load , which will produce more tries .

Players such as Masoe , Simms are constantly breaking oppositions defences , they will need to slip the ball to the supports .
However , as we are all aware , the biggest hurdle that the team faces is the halves stepping up to the mark , giving quick service to the backline .
They , whomever they are , must form that working combination early in the season for the team to get forward momentum going .

And of course the major problem is still there - we all know what , whom I am referring to.
Until that is gone for good our team will always be behind the eight-ball .

But I will still be supporting my Dragons regardless , as I can see the good , besides the bad in our team , perhaps you should try this .

 

[Dragons 09]

you guys will have a good pack next year with him, fritzl, Thompson, JDB etc

who's gonna be the halves?

Well we still have Mary so i imagine it will be JDB and Widdop. If Widdop get's injured i expect Marketo to 5/8.

 

[The Doc]

This is a "good AND bad" signing.
The guy is a good forward, would be a welcome addition to any team i think.
But... heres the issue with him joining us, which player misses out?
Lets be real, LAM had a below average year, but he will be our starting prop, So will packer.
Back rowers are frizz and thompson.
Lock will be JDB or Simms (the other on the bench)
Thats our starting forwards and one bench spot, leaves 3 spots on the bench.
Mosoe will be on the bench, Host needs to be on the bench, Leilua will need to be gaurenteed a bench spot to re sign.
Thats the bench covered.
We also have havilli who should be on the bench as he can cover hooker and also back row.
Sele and Kerr sound like youngsters ready to be given a go when injuries strike.
Lui is also capable, so is mathews, marketo is marys love child so he will be in the mix also.
Dont believe the "Wakeman hates Mary" line. Shannon has no issue with Mary, gis issue is the money needs to be right for him to leave a secure job he has that he can do after footy life ends.
At most half of the $$ reportedly offered to vaughan would secure Wakeman. And he wouldnt let anyone down.
So theres another option.
Do we lose a youngster to over pay another player in a position we are covered for?
Signing Vaughan will cost us alot of youngsters in years to come.
It will show them they have no pathway to first grade with us.
That sort of $$$ should be spent on a half. JD was quoted as saying Nona is the best untapped talent he has seen. We let him go.
Bad move. Mcrone should have been sent packing.
Nona should have been in the mix with Hutch and Mann for the halfback spot.
Mary is a panic coach, 2017 is his last contracted year, he will try the safety first approach all year, and that will f@ck us up in years to come! We lose so many juniors because of marys panic coaching to try save his career 2017...
Similar to price sticking with Fein and soward for so long hoping the combination would click.
I for one am not looking forward to 2017... i will still support the boys as i always do, but deep down i sence 2017 is the year that will have major negative effects on our future.
Keeping Mary on was the beggining of the end.

 

[Old Timer]

By all means sign Vaughan but who do we let go as it is getting very crowded in the engine room?
I for one am sick and tired of our future prospects being short changed for "depth journeymen" being held onto or purchased.
So who is the player who is earning a good part of the cap that you want to see let go as an offset?
The answer by the way isn't Marketo either as he takes up SFA of the cap.

 

[hazzbeen]

You have the solution.....CHANGE
Good guy that he apparently is, Mary has to go. But that won't happen until this committee goes. But that won't happen until Doust and the Board goes. But that won't happen unless the Bruce Gordon (WIN) takeover gets approved. And I'm afraid that won't happen because Doust and the Board have the final say (please correct me if I'm wrong re. the takeover)
So Hazzbeen, you have the solution, the problem, we as fans have, is having the solution carried out.
IMO we should not be renewing our membership, we should not be going to games, we should not buy merchandise and we should not use or purchase from St George Illawarra sponsors. The way for your solution to happen is to starve the Club of money. If we don't give them our money, the Club will be forced to make changes. Imagine if there was no Red & White Army at Kogarah or Win stadiums. If the only supporters were opposition supporters. It would not take long for the sponsors to be asking Doust wtf?
We don't stop supporting our team in heart and soul, we just don't support Doust and his cronies with our hard earned.
I have heard many on this blog and others, say they will not be renewing their membership and I have advised the Club I will not be supporting them with my money until I see a proven First Grade Coach in place and a CEO and Board with integrity and the love of our team as their reason for being there.
It's now up to the rest of our loyal fans to only support with your heart and soul and keep your cash in your pocket until we get CHANGE

This is what needs to happen , agree but the board and Doust dont seem to be going anywhere and that is the problem , it might be to late . Change needs to happen now . Can not wait any longer .

 

[TomRedVRiver]

Vaughan is a necessary signing.
We have lacked punch up front for at least a few years now and our forwards tend to get dominated in the ruck due to lack of size. Sele and Kerr are still young, Mose hasn't proven himself back in first grade yet, so we need to look to proven first graders. We could have one of the best benches in the comp if we sign Vaughan.
All of these uninformed passersby saying things like "Sign an halfback, we need a 7 not a prop, what about a new coach, stop wasting money on other positions, we can't score tries" etc etc, you need to wake up and take a look at the market.
Our 7 next year will be Hutch or Carney, that's just the way it is, stop looking for an invisible messiah to reveal themselves on the market. In the meantime the club is directing its attention towards a player that will serve us well in a different position that we need help in.
Also, if you think signing good quality forwards doesn't help you score tries then you're obviously watching a different game. You have to get up the other end of the field somehow.
There's also things like offloads, quick play the balls, line breaks, tiring the opposition forwards and halves out in the middle of the field, frustrating the opposition by dominating the ruck... You know... All those unimportant things forwards do.

 

[Old Timer]

TRVR
We get into position many times in every game and we don't score easily.
We get an incredible amount of extra sets from drop outs and we don't score easily.
We don't score runaway tries even when we make a break.
An extra prop will not fix any of this plain and simple.
As I said if we buy Vaughan we have to shed a forward or 2 to fit him in.
I would happily swap JDB for him as I think that would be an upgrade but Vaughan is not the cure to our struggling attack, however he may complement out attack if we ever get it fixed and that for mine is the salient
point.

 

[Dragon Revival]

I like your forward pack Auntie.Gerald. I noticed that as soon as Packer and Frizzell
were replaced we had no go forward. Sims improved this situation and so will Masoe and Vaughan if recruited will make a vast improvement. That is why I like Host and Leilua as they have plenty of go forward in times when we had little go forward in the team? We also had both Rein and Marshall making stupid passes when the team could make little headway which resulted in lost possession and opposition tries. I marvelled at the wonderful yardage and go forward of the Cutters pack. By the way whatever happened to Fortae our tower of strength on this discussion forum?

Lj