Paul Vaughan Signed?

[Miller was a legend]

May need to order a bigger jumper with 7 on it for Paul

 

[Dragsters]

I loved what leeson did last season, his effort runs were huge and injury aside, perhaps that was a breakout season that was just too much much to replicate?

Similar body types to him like Sam moa and perhaps to a lesser extent, Ben mataulino have had similar "big" seasons and found it difficult to maintain that form year on year.

Perhaps it's more difficult for the smaller sized middle forwards to sustain year on year these days?

Just a theory, but maybe the bigger boys can handle the rigour for longer.

Anyhow we will have more size in the pack next season.

 

[Dragon Revival]

If Vaughan signs we will probably release 1 or 2 forwards when the Havili and Lafai Court Case goes back to Court. I have a feeling that we will release Lafai and Lui and keep Havili if he is found not guilty as he and Mc Innes will vie for the hooker position
perhaps along with Mc Crone. What do others think?

 

[Gareth67]

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 .

 

[TomRedVRiver]

Vaughan will be an excellent signing for us and Dragon Revival is right, we'll probably let go of a couple of players to accomodate him ie - Lui, Lafai, Creagh, Cooper, Farrell etc.

If it's true he's being signed on 600k + a season then it's a massive error in judgement by the Board.
There are probably a lot of clubs chasing him and we'd be at the bottom of the list for club appeal (coaching, club culture, facilities), so we're having to do the whole make him an offer he can't refuse thing.
Hopefully it pays off for us, the could play Origin at his best.

 

[Mickthedragon]

Can't get a half so we buy another fwd by offering overs. Dragons recruitment 101!
Typical knee jerk reaction by Mary and co. as usual.
We really should of just given Mez what he wanted back then but who knows the underlying circumstances.

 

[st.phil]

Totally diff player to Mez unsure why that keeps popping up...he is a straight up prop

 

[Mickthedragon]

Totally diff player to Mez unsure why that keeps popping up...he is a straight up prop

I hear what you are saying but just think for that sort of money they are both marquee fwds and Mez is the better player.
He would still be a great addition to our pack either way but geez,we have alot depending on Hutch. I really hope he makes it next year.

 

[Eatons Hill Dragon]

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 .

You forgot our forward leader, Marketo

 

[Gm5]

600k for a reserve grade player FMD

 

[TomRedVRiver]

600k for a reserve grade player FMD

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.

 

[2010]

It's a step forward at the very least, small step but a step

 

[nrlnrl]

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.

Fair enough, but I can't agree he's their best forward when 100%. I'd definitely have Paulo, Papalii, Whitehead & Soliola in front of him. In my humble opinion, they're all more consistent than him & have more to offer. (before others think I'm totally clueless, didn't include Hodgson as this doesn't include number 9's). Tapine is developing quickly & will be in that group by this time next season. I'm not a fan of Shannon Boyd, still think he's a bit of a plodder. He does have periods in games when he's very effective, but for mine he's not consistent enough either. (OT - I would've had Prior in the Aussie squad - clearly ahead of him)

Obviously I'd love to see big runs like the one when he scored the match winner against the Storm a few years ago. I just haven't seen enough of that yet to rate him above the others. He played in 20 games this year with solid numbers, hopefully the change of clubs sees him reach the levels of rugby league others believe he is capable of.

 

[Dragonscales]

1.75 divided by 3 (years) = 583k per year.

Merrin is on 750k at Penrith plus thrid-party money on top of that.

Packer, Ah Mau, and Vaughan are all underrated.

Vaughan was border-lining on an origin debut. People forget that.

Eh, I rate Vaughan over that soft piece of lard Shannon Boyd.

 

[Gareth67]

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 .

 

[Ben_Kusto_magic]

we pay overs because its the only chance we have at attracting players to the club. Sadly they don't come for the coaching

 

[borat]

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.

I have already posted I am happy with signing Vaughan, but true to form there is always one poster who puts on the rose coloured glasses and takes their reality to a whole new level.

So not sure if you have watched Rugby League before sir, or the Raiders for that matter, but Vaughan is far from the Raiders best forward. There is a reason he has played for the Mounties the 2nd half of the year. Vaughan falls behind Paulo, Boyd & Tapine in the pecking order and Clay Priest pushed him out of the team entirely. That doesn't tell the full story though, as sticky wants more mobile/adaptable bench props over what Vaughan brings.

You need to read more closely if you think Raiders supporters are slitting their wrists at the prospect of losing Vaughan. Most would like to keep him but not for big money as he will battle to crack their team.

 

[TheOnlyTeam]

This money would be better spent on ousting the coach and letting the committee go. Hire a coach who can get the best out of his players, show the world we mean business.
Vaughan hasn't signed yet, going to be interesting if he goes to the knights or eels, how will they spin to us that they can't afford to payout the coach?

 

[Old Timer]

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.

 

[BrissyRedV]

The Lurker is reporting the figure is up to 330k a season. Sounds much more reasonable to me, although the lurker is hardly a credible source. Neither is Barry Toovey and the DT I suppose.