Prospects for 2011

[Minh]

With the huge losses of our 3 tough forwards enforcers in Smith, Costigan and Saffy as well as the loss of Luke Priddis and to a lesser extent Thorby and Henry what do you think our prospects are for 2011 and how we'd perform considering we haven't recruited much thus far.

I personally think we'd give it a good shake as the likes of Merrin and Prior would mature and benefit from our premiership win. Scott will have a full offseason preparing for the backrow and Dan Hunt coming back from injury, our forwards depth will be tested in the case of any injuries to key players and I sure hope that we get Weyman back to full fitness in 2011 without the troublesome groin. Oh and let's not forget Kyle Stanley and Nick Emmett I think they'll play a key role in 2011 also. Any thoughts?

 

[Spartan - Dragon]

I'm confident with the pack we'll have for next year. Also that young Penrith forward we bought I think his name is Daniel Penese only a young bloke who knows what Bennett could do to him

 

[Tanner Ave]

It will be interesting to see where Tagive will be used? He is big enough to handle the back row and would be faster than half of them. Not sure on his defence though.

I can’t see him really cracking a wing spot, don’t know if he is a centre. Full back is covered.

If moved to the back row makes the rotation look better and would add some of that aggression we lost with Smith and Nevile, if he was on the bench and we got an injury in the backs then we would be able to cover it, between him and Scott.

Also what about young Cameron King can he get some game time and allow Young to play the whole game in the back row, rather than Young Fein replacement? As mentioned our depth will be tested this year, I can’t see the Fein young rotation staying in place. Fein needs to be on the park more.

Just some thoughts.

What I love is the fact that Wayne is able to make this team win the bloody rugby world cup if he wanted. He could probably even beat those horrible Lakers. The man is a legend. So although there are many uncertainties one thing is certain IN WAYNE WE TRUST!

 

[Dragon Dave]

I can't wait to see our team playing without the weight of the world on their shoulders. Guys like Cooper, Hornby, Young etc have always played in a side with pressure to break the drought, and now with the choking tag etc lost I expect to see a more relaxed side that can enjoy themselves a bit more.

As defending premiers there is always going to be pressure to perform, but IMO it is a different type of pressure to what we have been under for the last 5-10 years.

I think we can look at a top 4 finish but I'm expecting a bit of a premiership hangover and a slow start.

 

[Godz Illa]

Still one game left in our 2010 grand slam. We should towel Wigan

 

[Minh]

These comments are real good with a lot of thought, I reckon it's so true that now that we've got that monkey off our backs that we can play more freely without being under the pump from the media for under performing. It'll be interesting to see whether Bennett will use Tagive in the second row, I think Emmett will be used on the bench as a utility but mainly in a forwards role.

Add to this the fact that Gasnier will have a full off season he should be even better next year. Cant wait for next year we will be the defending premiers and a good chance to make it back to back which is pretty rare these days. Last but not least Wayne will once again be the mastermind.

 

[Dragon in enemy territory]

Still one game left in our 2010 grand slam. We should towel Wigan

I believe what you are referring to is called total rugby league world domination - back to back minor premiers, reigning nrl premiers, and come 27th February 2011, the world club challenge winners = in wrestling terms (the world heavyweight championship, wwe (nrl) championship, US (minor premiership) championship. The best there was, is, and ever will be.

 

[Cagey Mac]

We need to take a step back when we’re assessing our “losses” and consider a few poignant points (sorry I love alliteration)

• Dan Hunt is back and will be raring to go. He was our best forward until becoming injured and as a prop is the match of Costigan
• Fien (fingers crossed) should be with us for the season
• Merrin is a season older and in still growing into his body
• Greenfield will have an injury free off season and has unrealised potential
• Weyman played half-busted for the back end of the season and will be fully fit
• Kyle Stanley will get more game time and will be sensational
• Marketto has enormous potential if they can pile on a little weight
• Jon Green will be his (almost) ever-reliable self
• Smith, though the best one-on-one defender in the game was AWOL for much of the season and will me only really missed come finals time
• Gaz will be bigger and fitter and already in 2010 had a great defensive combo going with Scott and Nighty
• Tagive… well who knows but he’s there and he’s big and he’s fast
• Boyd will only get better remember he’s still.. what..22?
• Cameron King can be anything

2011 is year three in Bennett’s three year plan……………….enjoy it!!

 

[Minh]

All was good until that last line haha, why does everyone think he's leaving us?

Can't forget big Jon Green's catch in the slips, I mean on the try line against the Tiger's in the Prelim, he really saved our bacon. I heard Weyman is getting his groin sorted so if fully fit I reckon is the best Prop in the world, throw in Matty Prior as well and we'd be sweet.

 

[hardbaby]

I posted just before the GF querying where our money was going next year. With the players lost + the increase in salary cap I just couldn't work it out. The Dragons won the comp so obviously we have a pretty good playing roster but even still, our lack of signings concerns me.

I decided to just enjoy the great win but enough time has passed now to express my opinion and see how other supporters feel.

Lots of teams have bought well for next year but we have been very, very quiet. Our depth is massively reduced and we are crossing our fingers on a fair few players. Oh well. Thank God we have Bennett.

Using Cagey Mac as a guide:

• Dan Hunt is back and will be raring to go. He was our best forward until becoming injured and as a prop is the match of Costigan

Yes he is (a better prop actually) but Costigan only played there to cover injury. Where is our cover now?

• Fien (fingers crossed) should be with us for the season

Yep he is gold but he was there when it counted. Priddis had a great season and I like King's prospects but with Young moving to the backrow we are weaker in this position.

• Merrin is a season older and in still growing into his body

He looks good doesn't he? I expect him to improve.

• Greenfield will have an injury free off season and has unrealised potential

Unrealised...

• Weyman played half-busted for the back end of the season and will be fully fit

Thank God.

• Kyle Stanley will get more game time and will be sensational

His game time will be totally dependent upon injuries and rep duties. We have less depth so he should have a better crack but only because we have less depth. That's a bad thing. We have lost two wingers. He is not a winger.

• Marketto has enormous potential if they can pile on a little weight

I agree and Bennett should bring out his best. But he ain't no Jeremy Smith at this stage of his career.

• Jon Green will be his (almost) ever-reliable self

Solid player, not as good as Saffy or Costigan.

• Smith, though the best one-on-one defender in the game was AWOL for much of the season and will be only really missed come finals time

Yep and that's when it counts. The most important player in the team and he is gone with no replacement.

• Gaz will be bigger and fitter and already in 2010 had a great defensive combo going with Scott and Nighty

Yeah he was awesome but we had him for the last two months . He isn't an addition to the side. He was there. He has a medal to prove it.

• Tagive… well who knows but he’s there and he’s big and he’s fast

Yeah exactly. After 3 years out who does know?

• Boyd will only get better remember he’s still.. what..22?

Yep I think you are right. He improved as a fullback this year and isn't far behind Slater.

• Cameron King can be anything

Or maybe he won't...I hope you are right.

Losses from the starting 17: Smith, Costigan, Saffy (all hard heads, aggressive, experienced).

Replacements: none

Losses from the extended squad:
Priddis (300 first grade games), Henry (the heir apparent), Fai Fai Lo ( looked incredible), Lett (Mr Reliable), Thorby (bit player).

Replacement: Gower and Penese (didn't crack first grade last year).

Have no doubt about it we are a hell of a lot weaker next year. I had $1000 on the Dragons to win the comp last year at $7.50. I think I'll keep my money safe this year. My heart and soul are with the boys, but my money isn't.

 

[RWB]

What do you guys think of Gower? Have him down as one of the buys of the season tbh.

 

[Dragon Dave]

What do you guys think of Gower? Have him down as one of the buys of the season tbh.

Don't know much about him as I didn't follow the NSW Cup too closely this season. From all reports he is a great purchase, especially with Bennett's ability to get the most out of his props.

Can't wait to see him get a run.

 

[muzby]

dragons for the spoon!

 

[Godz Illa]

I still am not letting go of 2010. The boys go back to training November 29. At that point I might start thinking about contemplating some thoughts about possible discussions regarding the hypothetical future.

 

[_snafu_]

What do you guys think of Gower? Have him down as one of the buys of the season tbh.

I haven't seen him play.

He will be the one I'll be watching in the trials. Interesting to see how he goes.

 

[Firey_Dragon]

What do you guys think of Gower? Have him down as one of the buys of the season tbh.

I think he'll turn out to be one of the great buys, he's not a big guy by any stretch, but boy can he run it hard. I was stunned he wasn't used by Sheens this year, quite happy to have him on our roster, he would have come over for pocket change as well.

 

[muzby]

I was stunned he wasn't used by Sheens this year,.

sheens also had clive churchill medal winner darius boyd, and dally m winner todd carney at his disposal for 4 games this year and chose to use them for only one..


so... me thinks sheens may not be the best judge of talent..

 

[big pat]

methinks sheens is overated.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Apart from Ashton Sims and Lagi Setu, I can't think of too many dud buys from Saint Benny.

Gower is young and runs like a faking maniac. Penese is bigger than Ben Creagh and only 21 years old, but is probably regarded as a bit lazy.

Bennett will improve both of them.

 

[big pat]

in wayne we trust.