Picking a New #7

[MattoDragon]

Still have a feeling we're lining up a new coach for 2018. Otherwise, why would JD walk to be Bennett's assistant? Mary was odds on to be the first coach sacked in 2017, so you'd think he would have bided his time here. Unless he had mail that we were already lining up a new coach for 2018 and it wouldn't be him. The rumours about Hasler seemingly won't go away.

New coach for 2018 that can finally land an established 7. Plenty of cap money to spend after a roster overhaul, plenty of juniors coming through, 2018 might just be the year we turn it all around.

giboz71, let's hope its not just media talk, and that whoever it may be, they are given the reigns just like Bennett. A Hasler or Cleary should be able to do the hiring and firing and run their own race. If we have to keep Doust and the current Board, they must keep their noses out of footy matters. And get rid of that waste of space, Millward.
That said, if either of those guys mentioned, gets the job, we are just about guaranteed to get a classy 7.
Fingers well and truly crossed.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Can someone please explain the automatic assumption that Saints will sign a quality half simply because there's alleged salary cap room for 2018?

We've already witnessed a plethora of good players reject the club because of McGregor and/or Doust.

As demonstrated by Ivan Cleary's decision to remain in coaching 'limbo', this paradigm is set to continue.

This.
Of the "quality" halves available for 2018 there is only Hunt who is currently unsigned (And I have already expressed my thoughts on him).
So let's be real for a minute:
If we have a crap year, finish towards the back end of the table do people really think Hunt will come to us? Plus, if Widdop has a shocker and gets re-signed (still very possible) or he had to partner a rookie in Jai Field, would that be his ambition?
Now lets say Parra has a reasonable year, has a very goid half in Norman, who is a bit like his current partner at the Broncos.

I know where I'd be looking to go.

 

[GC Dragon]

This.
Of the "quality" halves available for 2018 there is only Hunt who is currently unsigned (And I have already expressed my thoughts on him).
So let's be real for a minute:
If we have a crap year, finish towards the back end of the table do people really think Hunt will come to us? Plus, if Widdop has a shocker and gets re-signed (still very possible) or he had to partner a rookie in Jai Field, would that be his ambition?
Now lets say Parra has a reasonable year, has a very goid half in Norman, who is a bit like his current partner at the Broncos.

I know where I'd be looking to go.

I agree on Hunt . He has publicly said that he wants a 3 year deal and he wants it done by the end of Feb before the start of the season . Also said he wants to do the best he can by his family with this contract . If the media are right up here the Dragons and Parra are after him . I think if we pay overs we could possibly get him . I personally would be happy to pay overs for a genuine number 7 ...We haven't had one since Noah built his ark

 

[Crush]

FFS!
Widdop to fullback.
Halves - Mann and Dufty
Centres - Milne, Dugan
Wings - Aitken, McDonald
Sorry to Flo he's a legend but too slow.
This will give us speed, strength and flair.
Forwards are sorted, fight it out on form.
DeBelin needs to perform or play cutters, same with the rest of the fowards.
McInnes back up if he flounders or get's injured?

That all sounds fun and exciting but do we know if mann and dufty have the kicking game to play halves? You don't just get a run at 6 or 7 because you are a good runner of the ball. And why widdop at fullback? The best fullbacks have speed to burn like teddy, barba, I would have thought dufty is a ready made number 1.

 

[denis preston]

Still have a feeling we're lining up a new coach for 2018. Otherwise, why would JD walk to be Bennett's assistant? Mary was odds on to be the first coach sacked in 2017, so you'd think he would have bided his time here. Unless he had mail that we were already lining up a new coach for 2018 and it wouldn't be him. The rumours about Hasler seemingly won't go away.

New coach for 2018 that can finally land an established 7. Plenty of cap money to spend after a roster overhaul, plenty of juniors coming through, 2018 might just be the year we turn it all around.

The rumors are that Hasler to Dragons ( on lesser wage than currently at Bulldogs ) and Cleary to replace him at the Bulldogs. These rumors started over 6 months ago but I took them seriously when JD took the Broncos role. Some here keep trotting out the Bulldogs syyle under Hasler but forget what style he coached at Manly.

 

[BennyV]

The rumors are that Hasler to Dragons ( on lesser wage than currently at Bulldogs ) and Cleary to replace him at the Bulldogs. These rumors started over 6 months ago but I took them seriously when JD took the Broncos role. Some here keep trotting out the Bulldogs syyle under Hasler but forget what style he coached at Manly.

Up until last year, the style he coached at the Bulldogs was fine.

 

[Weipa Dragon]

I'd go Hasler over a lot of coaches. manly had a very hard edge and scored a lot of points with des at the helm. Is the rumour that he comes this year or next?

 

[TheOnlyTeam]

Is JD going to be our 2018 coach after a season under Benny?

 

[GC Dragon]

Is JD going to be our 2018 coach after a season under Benny?

Fair question that . He has a 3 year deal with a out clause if offered a head coaching job . I would prefer JD to Hasler .

 

[Dragsters]

Is JD going to be our 2018 coach after a season under Benny?

Now that would be a genius move to let him go for a season of tutelage under the mastercoach then bring him back.

Too smart a move for Doust and Co. I fear though.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Now that would be a genius move to let him go for a season of tutelage under the mastercoach then bring him back.

Too smart a move for Doust and Co. I fear though.

On the flip side, Price had three years of tutelage. It didnt help.

 

[Dragsters]

On the flip side, Price had three years of tutelage. It didnt help.

Lol.

True but we all know Price is not a coaches a**hole

 

[twinkletoes]

If I was a high level coach I would be chomping at the bit to come to the Dragons...the challenge of making this Iconic club into something great again would be exciting. We have some of the most exciting junior talent anywhere available in the next few years, we already have some talented first grade players who with the right coaching would blossom. An experienced coach who knew what he was doing should relish the challenge knowing that with the right approach and skills he could be starting the next Dragons dynasty....

 

[St Georgio]

Hasler by merkiny mile for me, 2 time premiership winning coach for Manly, 2 time runners with the puppies, 4 time premiership winning coach for the Dragons!

 

[giboz71]

If I was a high level coach I would be chomping at the bit to come to the Dragons...the challenge of making this Iconic club into something great again would be exciting. We have some of the most exciting junior talent anywhere available in the next few years, we already have some talented first grade players who with the right coaching would blossom. An experienced coach who knew what he was doing should relish the challenge knowing that with the right approach and skills he could be starting the next Dragons dynasty....

I agree. That's the vision Doust and co should be selling.

Not very well it seems if Mary is still our coach.

 

[Dea]

Can someone please explain the automatic assumption that Saints will sign a quality half simply because there's alleged salary cap room for 2018?

We've already witnessed a plethora of good players reject the club because of McGregor and/or Doust.

As demonstrated by Ivan Cleary's decision to remain in coaching 'limbo', this paradigm is set to continue.

Totally agree! We have gone after players these last few years and failed to sign everyone of them. So much so that our recruitment guru had to do a video of excuses to justify their non signing. (He failed to mention they didn't want to join a club that has no attacking strategy, uninspiring coach and problems with board management.)

What makes 2018 any different? Especially if we still have the same coach. Why would a quality play maker choose to come to the Dragons and play in a structure like ours? They haven't so far. Not sure they will for 2018

 

[inside_pass]

On the flip side, Price had three years of tutelage. It didnt help.

Some people are born to be a 'Waterboy'!

 

[TheOnlyTeam]

Fair question that . He has a 3 year deal with a out clause if offered a head coaching job . I would prefer JD to Hasler .

Especially with the youngsters already signed.

 

[Qdf]

Totally agree! We have gone after players these last few years and failed to sign everyone of them. So much so that our recruitment guru had to do a video of excuses to justify their non signing. (He failed to mention they didn't want to join a club that has no attacking strategy, uninspiring coach and problems with board management.)

What makes 2018 any different? Especially if we still have the same coach. Why would a quality play maker choose to come to the Dragons and play in a structure like ours? They haven't so far. Not sure they will for 2018

I don't think we'll attract any of the top marquee players or coaches while we have these mob of incompetents running our club..

 

[watatank]

This.
Of the "quality" halves available for 2018 there is only Hunt who is currently unsigned (And I have already expressed my thoughts on him).
So let's be real for a minute:
If we have a crap year, finish towards the back end of the table do people really think Hunt will come to us? Plus, if Widdop has a shocker and gets re-signed (still very possible) or he had to partner a rookie in Jai Field, would that be his ambition?
Now lets say Parra has a reasonable year, has a very goid half in Norman, who is a bit like his current partner at the Broncos.

I know where I'd be looking to go.

The $$ involved won't be the same and his decision won't just be about football. This being the case we would have to like our chances.

It has just been reported that we will make a huge offer to Hunt. I don't think Parra will be able to match the $$ that we will offer, not with Norman already there. He's heading into what will probably be the biggest contract of his career and he has said that he wants to do the best for his family.