Problems?

[vanilla gorilla]

Hi fellow Dragon supporters. I'm new to this forum but as a loyal Saints supporter of 45 plus years I wanted to put a few things out there. Whilst I would never desert my beloved red & whites I believe that if they don't make the hard decisions now we will be in for some more pain in 2013. The use of "Flo" at fullback. Whilst he gives 100% week in week out he does not have the speed to threaten and break up defensive lines. Thats why we should pursue Josh Dugan, although a problem child, is still a footballer of immense talent. FIEN at HB is clearly not working, again does not possess the pace or the passing game to question opposition defence lines, more suited to off the bench. Perhaps the use of DRINKWATER a younger player with plenty of pace, and a good solid kicking game, and forsight to read a game pretty well. A bit a short term pain for long term gain as they say. And my big beef, apart from Michael WEYMAN where are all our big intimidating forwards. Without this muscle up front we are getting no "go forward" to allow the backs to show their wares. We have big forwards in the lower grades and NSW Cup why aren't we using them. If we do not address these issue's now I fear we are in for some real hidings from the big sides like Souths, Manly, Bulldogs and Roosters of this competition and be consigned to oblivion again this year. Thoughts?

 

[jenninga]

Hi fellow Dragon supporters. I'm new to this forum but as a loyal Saints supporter of 45 plus years I wanted to put a few things out there. Whilst I would never desert my beloved red & whites I believe that if they don't make the hard decisions now we will be in for some more pain in 2013. The use of "Flo" at fullback. Whilst he gives 100% week in week out he does not have the speed to threaten and break up defensive lines. Thats why we should pursue Josh Dugan, although a problem child, is still a footballer of immense talent. FIEN at HB is clearly not working, again does not possess the pace or the passing game to question opposition defence lines, more suited to off the bench. Perhaps the use of DRINKWATER a younger player with plenty of pace, and a good solid kicking game, and forsight to read a game pretty well. A bit a short term pain for long term gain as they say. And my big beef, apart from Michael WEYMAN where are all our big intimidating forwards. Without this muscle up front we are getting no "go forward" to allow the backs to show their wares. We have big forwards in the lower grades and NSW Cup why aren't we using them. If we do not address these issue's now I fear we are in for some real hidings from the big sides like Souths, Manly, Bulldogs and Roosters of this competition and be consigned to oblivion again this year. Thoughts?

We all share the same thoughts.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Hi fellow Dragon supporters. I'm new to this forum but as a loyal Saints supporter of 45 plus years I wanted to put a few things out there. Whilst I would never desert my beloved red & whites I believe that if they don't make the hard decisions now we will be in for some more pain in 2013. The use of "Flo" at fullback. Whilst he gives 100% week in week out he does not have the speed to threaten and break up defensive lines. Thats why we should pursue Josh Dugan, although a problem child, is still a footballer of immense talent. FIEN at HB is clearly not working, again does not possess the pace or the passing game to question opposition defence lines, more suited to off the bench. Perhaps the use of DRINKWATER a younger player with plenty of pace, and a good solid kicking game, and forsight to read a game pretty well. A bit a short term pain for long term gain as they say. And my big beef, apart from Michael WEYMAN where are all our big intimidating forwards. Without this muscle up front we are getting no "go forward" to allow the backs to show their wares. We have big forwards in the lower grades and NSW Cup why aren't we using them. If we do not address these issue's now I fear we are in for some real hidings from the big sides like Souths, Manly, Bulldogs and Roosters of this competition and be consigned to oblivion again this year. Thoughts?

I agree plus some.......our biggest problem and WE all know it (and have for many years) is we don't have a quality genuine half back and also a player that will continuously dart from dummy half ala Buderus (in his prime) etc that can turn the oppositions forwards around week in week out.

 

[steggz]

Where are our big intimidating forwards? I would have thought Hunt, Merrin and Weyman would have been enough... They all can get good go-forward and Merrin's move to lock hasn't dropped his carries.

 

[LOYAL DRAGON]

we've been through this for months.

 

[Rob Dragon]

I was pretty proud of our guy’s efforts on Anzac Day. We were up against a formidable opposition. As an aside it is interesting that the Chooks are under salary cap isn’t it? I mean a team that signs Williams, Maloney, Jennings and O’Donnell; all orchestrated by that recruitment genius O’Connell; he as one of the Melbourne salary cap rorting tribe!
Anyway for me the most disturbing thing coming out of Anzac Day was the pressure our appalling attack had on our defence. There was a period of about 15 minutes in the first half when we camped on the Chooks goal line and our attack was about as potent as an Under 8 Division 3 side. We were screaming out for a half back who would go to the line and threaten and this is absolutely what Rangi Chase does. If we score during that 15 minute period it starts to create game momentum. As it was there was an air of inevitability about things once the Chooks knew our attacking was impotent.
There are a few things that came out of the game for me as a result of the comments I note above:
1. We all realise that we will not be premiers this year. That is OK if we are moving forward into next year with some momentum and our recruitment is looking very positive.
2. Nathan Fein is stating that he wants another year at the Dragons. This sort of talk needs to silenced immediately. For goodness sake Price give Drinkwater a go now! Poor old Nathan offers us very little.
3. Nightingale must go back to the wing and as soon as Evander Cummins is match fit he has to start. Give the kid a go. Who knows may be we do not then need to spend money on Dugan.
4. We appear to need one more big bruising forward.

 

[stg666]

is leeson ahmau injured. he has a bit of starch about him.

 

[vanilla gorilla]

Where are our big intimidating forwards? I would have thought Hunt, Merrin and Weyman would have been enough... They all can get good go-forward and Merrin's move to lock hasn't dropped his carries.

Weyman & Merrin aside when you stack Hunt, Stockwell up against some of the bigger packs in the comp we are minnows who get man handled everytime. With no go forward our non threatening attack is very poor to say the least.

 

[redbreed]

Florence has all the attributes to make a top fullback, but it would take too long and if we only had that position to fix it might be worth pursuing, but sadly we don't. I can't workout why we are so soft around the ruck in defence I know we don't have the biggest pack but boy they can hit when their got a team on the back foot. Gets very frustrating when they give so many metres through the middle.

 

[Minh]

Good post, agree with most of your points there.

 

[Minh]

Florence has all the attributes to make a top fullback, but it would take too long and if we only had that position to fix it might be worth pursuing, but sadly we don't. I can't workout why we are so soft around the ruck in defence I know we don't have the biggest pack but boy they can hit when their got a team on the back foot. Gets very frustrating when they give so many metres through the middle.

Flo lacks the genuine speed to threaten at fullback.

 

[Minh]

Actually we only have two players in the team with genuine speed, Morris and Soward.

 

[Country Dragon]

Cooper is pretty quick for a pensioner!

 

[redbreed]

Flo lacks the genuine speed to threaten at fullback.

He's not the fastest but fast enough. What he has over a lot of players is that he has no self preservation which is the most important asset for a fullback. He also is quite unorthodox which makes him a handful.