Picking a New #7

[Dragsters]

Field is as much a genuine first grade half as Nona or Mann are...

With his talent as a 6, why would we go down the track of trying to manufacture him into a 7 anyway?

Particularly when we have a true young 7 in the ranks with Jack Payne and knowing how well they combine in their preferred positions.

They will benefit from some time in the Cutters together and could be a real halves combo for the Dragons in '18, particularly if we again fail to attract an experienced quality halfback.

This year Mary needs to try Mann and/or Nona in the halves and allow them some time to display the creativity that the pack and the backline yearned for last year but did not get with mccrone.

 

[BennyV]

With his talent as a 6, why would we go down the track of trying to manufacture him into a 7 anyway?

Particularly when we have a true young 7 in the ranks with Jack Payne and knowing how well they combine in their preferred positions.

They will benefit from some time in the Cutters together and could be a real halves combo for the Dragons in '18, particularly if we again fail to attract an experienced quality halfback.

This year Mary needs to try Mann and/or Nona in the halves and allow them some time to display the creativity that the pack and the backline yearned for last year but did not get with mccrone.

I fully agree, throwing Field in as a 7 would be madness.

Not sold on Payne, he seems dependable but lacks a bit of creativity and I'm not convonced he can make the step up to first grade. If we are looking at Dufty and Field as our 1 and 6 in 2018, we will definitely need an experienced head in the #7 jumper.

 

[Dragsters]

Agreed, that's why Payne needs quality time in the Cutters to prove he can make the step up.

For me it's about forward planning with him and Field, particularly as we are far from guaranteed to attract and experienced 7 for next year.

 

[my_cat_exploded]

Field is still too young and needs more meat on his bones before having the likes of Klemmer and Kasiano running at him.

I think we should go with Nona. Showed enough last year to earn a spot. .

 

[giboz71]

Doesn't really matter who we try there. Mann, Field, Nona, shouldn't stop us from searching for an established 7 for 2018.

Unless one of these 3 absolutely kills it which I can't really see happening. Nona is the most likely if he can have a Cody Walker like season.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

An interesting thing I watched recently was some words that Jacob Host said about Jai Field on a recent video posted to the Dragons website.
He was saying that Jai was actually leading the way out on the training paddock, he complimented his speed footwork, and fitness.
I think the club really rate Jai, we might see him in first grader sooner rather than later.

 

[jak]

An interesting thing I watched recently was some words that Jacob Host said about Jai Field on a recent video posted to the Dragons website.
He was saying that Jai was actually leading the way out on the training paddock, he complimented his speed footwork, and fitness.
I think the club really rate Jai, we might see him in first grader sooner rather than later.

I was reading the same thing into it he seemed to be saying he will be getting a crack at first grade without saying it.

 

[giboz71]

Get a proper 7 (Hunt, Elgey, Taylor??), let Mann and Field fight out for 6. Milne, Aitken, Herbert or Thompson in the centres, Nene and Garrick as your wingers. Dufty at FB.

There's our backline for the next few years. Damn sight better than some of the nuffies we've had recently (Farrell, Peter M, Lafai, Nielsen, Nabuli etc) and at least we have some speed and strike out there.

 

[Slippery Morris]

If there were odds on who will be No.7 based on Mary's choices in the past, it would surely be as follows:-

McCrone - $1.01
De Bellin - $50
Mann, Field or Nona - $150

Mary will pick De Bellin before he picks a rookie as we have seen in the past.

No odds for No.6 it will definitely be the captain.

As if Mary will give Mann or a rookie a chance early on? Safety first until it goes to $hite. The only hope they have is if McCrone gets injured and De Bellin does not recover fully from his injury.

 

[Ex goon]

Get a proper 7 (Hunt, Elgey, Taylor??), let Mann and Field fight out for 6. Milne, Aitken, Herbert or Thompson in the centres, Nene and Garrick as your wingers. Dufty at FB.

There's our backline for the next few years. Damn sight better than some of the nuffies we've had recently (Farrell, Peter M, Lafai, Nielsen, Nabuli etc) and at least we have some speed and strike out there.

Jai Field is by far the fittest trainer the club has seen for some time. He is overcoming a recent bout of tonsillitis, but no doubt he will thrive on the boot camp training this week. Expect him to be picked in the nines, that will gauge his season opener position.

 

[giboz71]

Jai Field is by far the fittest trainer the club has seen for some time. He is overcoming a recent bout of tonsillitis, but no doubt he will thrive on the boot camp training this week. Expect him to be picked in the nines, that will gauge his season opener position.

I don't doubt his talent.

But a full season in the Cutters playing against men with perhaps a debut late in the season should be the plan. We should be grooming him to be our long term 6 when he is ready physically (in 2018).

 

[inside_pass]

If there were odds on who will be No.7 based on Mary's choices in the past, it would surely be as follows:-

McCrone - $1.01
De Bellin - $50
Mann, Field or Nona - $150

Mary will pick De Bellin before he picks a rookie as we have seen in the past.

No odds for No.6 it will definitely be the captain.

As if Mary will give Mann or a rookie a chance early on? Safety first until it goes to $hite. The only hope they have is if McCrone gets injured and De Bellin does not recover fully from his injury.

Agree mate.
McGregor won't take any risks in selections until he becomes desperate.
McCrone will be our 7 and Widdop our 6.

 

[red rocket]

Agree mate.
McGregor won't take any risks in selections until he becomes desperate.
McCrone will be our 7 and Widdop our 6.

If Mary starts with mcrone he will be writing his own death wish sooner than even I thought hard for the players to soar like eagles when being coached by a goose

 

[Gareth67]

I realise that i'am repeating my earlier post ( No. 29 ) , however Mary must go for someone other than McCrone from the start , not later , when the season is already lost .

He needs to experiment with both Nona and Mann together ,and each with Widdop in the pre-season matches . He says that he has learnt from his mistakes of last year ( ? ) , that being the case he must also realise that the halves combination must perform from
the opening round of the competition proper , and i just cannot see McCrone sparking our attack .
I would love to see Nona in the halves , as he does possess that x - factor that all teams need .

I go along with others that Jai Field will need a season in the Cutters , rather than take the risk of throwing him to the wolves too early . To do otherwise , could snuff-out what would appear to be a very promising future .

Should Mary be able to put this jig-saw together and have his team play an attacking brand of football , then the Dragons will have a far better 2017 than last seasons .
If not , then i hope that at the very least he will blood as many of our juniors that he can .

 

[dragonssamy61]

With his talent as a 6, why would we go down the track of trying to manufacture him into a 7 anyway?

Particularly when we have a true young 7 in the ranks with Jack Payne and knowing how well they combine in their preferred positions.

They will benefit from some time in the Cutters together and could be a real halves combo for the Dragons in '18, particularly if we again fail to attract an experienced quality halfback.

This year Mary needs to try Mann and/or Nona in the halves and allow them some time to display the creativity that the pack and the backline yearned for last year but did not get with mccrone.

Gareth
Agree re field
He has play 6 most of his league career.
He played a lot of touch football and was a star at it.
He is still learning all the time.
So time in cutters would benefit him and hopefully the dragons in the long run.
He has played well with payne.
We only have payne signed for this year need to tye him up.
I hope both nona and mann are given
Equal time in the trails and we can go from there.
Nona will resume full training after christmas break.
Hopefully be fit for trails.
If they have the guts to go for nona at 6and Widdop at 7 I think that is our best combination to start the season. Feild is one of the best trainer's in the club and is very quick and impressive imo.
Just don't want Mary to stuff his development

 

[Carlton]

Gareth
Agree re field
He has play 6 most of his league career.
He played a lot of touch football and was a star at it.
He is still learning all the time.
So time in cutters would benefit him and hopefully the dragons in the long run.
He has played well with payne.
We only have payne signed for this year need to tye him up.
I hope both nona and mann are given
Equal time in the trails and we can go from there.
Nona will resume full training after christmas break.
Hopefully be fit for trails.
If they have the guts to go for nona at 6and Widdop at 7 I think that is our best combination to start the season. Feild is one of the best trainer's in the club and is very quick and impressive imo.
Just don't want Mary to stuff his development

I would love to see Widdop relegated to cutters, I haven't seen anything to suggest he is the number 7 we are after. Widdop has had a number of seasons to show us what he has in the halves and, it left a lot to be desired.

Bite the bullet try Mann and Nona, later in the year if Field is handling the cutters try him, try Payne. This is the year to see what we have and then based on what we uncover (or don't), we can make proper recruitment plans.

We needed to move on from Benji but we also need to move on from Widdop and McCrone.

 

[dragonssamy61]

I would love to see Widdop relegated to cutters, I haven't seen anything to suggest he is the number 7 we are after. Widdop has had a number of seasons to show us what he has in the halves and, it left a lot to be desired.

Bite the bullet try Mann and Nona, later in the year if Field is handling the cutters try him, try Payne. This is the year to see what we have and then based on what we uncover (or don't), we can make proper recruitment plans.

We needed to move on from Benji but we also need to move on from Widdop and McCrone.

Carlton
I understand what your saying.
I think that Mary will go with widdop and mccrone.
But would rather see what I have suggested or what you have said as we need to find out it the young guys are any good.
But Mary needs to grow a couple first otherwise this year will be wasted

 

[Lethal25]

I think this thread is around the wrong way. A number 7 should pick themself, it shouldn't a be a discussion about which one of the four untried or previously unsuccessful options available.

I blame Mrs McGregor for supporting her husband sufficiently for him to accept the role in the first place

 

[emu62]

I bumped into Kurt Mann man a few days ago... (no i dont know him, im not his mate, and this isnt 100% secret info).
We had a little chat, lovely guy, approachable, and doesnt mind a chat.
I got the impression from him that McCrone has the jump for the #7.
He said something along the lines that he reckons he and Nona will carve teams up as a halves combo.
I certainly dont see them 2 being the 1st grade starting halves with widdop still there so maybe he believes he and Nona will be Cutters halves?
when i said "mate what do u think ur chances are for the #7" his reply wasnt very inspiring.
He didnt bag the coach, or McCrone, but i sensed he isnt overly happy about the way mary sees McCrone.
Saying "it will be hard to overtake Josh at this stage, but u never know what happens mate" didnt fill me with alot of confidence.
Keeping in mind we have young Field in the cutters, either Mann or Nona miss out in the halves.
I just hope they dont play Mann on the wing in Cutters. That would be the ultimate act of stupidity IMO.
The most logical solution in my eyes is, widdop and Mann/Nona in first grade.
Field and Nona/Mann for cutters halves.
McCrone on bench as back up half/hooker for cutters.
Surely Mary cant f#@k this up... surely...
But then again... it is mary we are talking about!!!

Really disappointing to hear Doc.Love to see Mann given a go. McCrone at half,such a backward move
Just hope things change between now & season begining

 

[Dragsters]

I realise that i'am repeating myself from an earlier post , however Mary must go for someone other than McCrone from the start , not later , when the season is already lost .

He needs to experiment with both Nona and Mann together ,and each with Widdop in the pre-season matches . He says that he has learnt from his mistakes of last year ( ? ) , that being the case he must also realise that the halves combination must perform from
the opening round of the competition proper , and i just cannot see McCrone sparking our attack .
I would love to see Nona in the halves , as he does possess that x - factor that all teams need .

I go along with others that Jai Field will need a season in the Cutters , rather than take the risk of throwing him to the wolves too early . To do otherwise , could snuff-out what would appear to be a very promising future .

Should Mary be able to put this jig-saw together and have his team play an attacking brand of football , then the Dragons will have a far better 2017 than last seasons .
If not , then i hope that at the very least he will blood as many of our juniors that he can .

100%

We know it makes sense, hopefully Mary has woken up up to his senses...