R 23 v Sharks Sat 09/08/25 @3pm

[chewbacca]

I know it's not fashionable to say.....but Lawrie was good yesterday.

 

[Bayside Dragon]

That is Flanagan’s next challenge - make sure this momentum he has helped forge over the last several weeks carries into next season and continues gathering pace. I love the look of all the juniors we have blooded.

Has anyone else noticed that the Dragons have consistently shut down opposition key players? So much so that when we beat our more fancied opponents everyone is saying that team or other were "off their game, or so-and-so needed to get more involved.".....

I call that good coaching on our part to have strategies in place to nullify the opposition danger men and leaders staying level-headed enough to keep the team focused on the game plan.

Are we a team of spoilers who stop other teams playing to their potential? I don't think our team and coaches get enough recognition about this.

 

[InFlannoWeTrust]

Few points to raise,

- Luch once again taken off with 20 minutes to go (think he was quite involved once again) maybe bench impact next year with Egan to start.

- Guler struggling to make meters (will be lucky to keep his spot in 26 if we recruit well)

- Loving these f**king juniors coming through. At only 18/19/20 years of age, our stocks look great.

 

[InFlannoWeTrust]

Hamish Stewart was everywhere also yesterday. The debuts of these young guys this year has been one of my highlights. Along with Klemmer really leading by example.

First 80 minute game on an edge! Could be his first 80 minutes in first grade ever actually.

Has anyone else noticed that the Dragons have consistently shut down opposition key players? So much so that when we beat our more fancied opponents everyone is saying that team or other were "off their game, or so-and-so needed to get more involved.".....

I call that good coaching on our part to have strategies in place to nullify the opposition danger men and leaders staying level-headed enough to keep the team focused on the game plan.

Are we a team of spoilers who stop other teams playing to their potential? I don't think our team and coaches get enough recognition about this.

I literally just came on here again to say something very similar .

all f**king morning reading articles saying “error ridden sharks “ last week it was “error ridden raiders”

when the f**k are they ever going to say great defensive dragons, great 89% completion dragons who gave their opposition nothing..

 

[thebigredv]

Negative! Kyle plays with heart!! Some great last ditch defensive efforts

Galvin played and Dogs won so dragons won't get a mention.

 

[Illusion]

I’ve been critical of Suli in recent months but yesterday was his best game for the Red V.

Great team effort.

Yes I have also been critical of him when I look at other teams centres the way they can step with speed ....... Suli is powerful and only runs in a straight line ....... But as you say yesterday and the week before have been his best ........ maybe the team are playing to his strengths as a centre .........

 

[since77]

I know it's not fashionable to say.....but Lawrie was good yesterday.

I think the words you’re looking for are……Lawrie was okay. He sufficed yesterday. Still our worst forward by far. He tries hard - I’ll give him that - but he’s so far off the pace of modern rugby league. Would have been at home in the days Steve Roach was the prototype front rower. No way he’s a part of any side good enough to be in the top 8 in the 2020’s.

 

[redv13]

I’ve been critical of Suli in recent months but yesterday was his best game for the Red V.

Great team effort.

Suli has always been a beast. Love watching the bloke rip into defensive lines and drag players along.

 

[Illusion]

I think the words you’re looking for are……Lawrie was okay. He sufficed yesterday. Still our worst forward by far. He tries hard - I’ll give him that - but he’s so far off the pace of modern rugby league. Would have been at home in the days Steve Roach was the prototype front rower. No way he’s a part of any side good enough to be in the top 8 in the 2020’s.

This .......

 

[JamesRustle]

Very happy with the win yesterday, the grit and spirit and giving the sharts top 4 hopes a big dent. Still had some lapses (intercept in last few mins) on closing out (not putting on more points with all our possession and completion, and no thought of a FG when up by 6 in another tight game) but the scramble defence and pressure got us there.

Oh and KF was brilliant.

It was during the game i got clarity on why I've gone off Sloane... for a fast guy, Sloan is always half a step away from a break, an intercept, a support play or closing down an oppositionattacking play... Can't coach speed but he can't learn footy smarts (under a number of coaches in lower grades and nrl).

I won't be unhappy if we let him go.. and if another coach can improve him, well good luck to them.

 

[jeffdragon]

Has anyone else noticed that the Dragons have consistently shut down opposition key players? So much so that when we beat our more fancied opponents everyone is saying that team or other were "off their game, or so-and-so needed to get more involved.".....

I call that good coaching on our part to have strategies in place to nullify the opposition danger men and leaders staying level-headed enough to keep the team focused on the game plan.

Are we a team of spoilers who stop other teams playing to their potential? I don't think our team and coaches get enough recognition about this.

Brailey was quiet yesterday.
And Trindall and Hynes did nothing.

 

[JubileeJeffro]

Very happy with the win yesterday, the grit and spirit and giving the sharts top 4 hopes a big dent. Still had some lapses (intercept in last few mins) on closing out (not putting on more points with all our possession and completion, and no thought of a FG when up by 6 in another tight game) but the scramble defence and pressure got us there.

Oh and KF was brilliant.

It was during the game i got clarity on why I've gone off Sloane... for a fast guy, Sloan is always half a step away from a break, an intercept, a support play or closing down an oppositionattacking play... Can't coach speed but he can't learn footy smarts (under a number of coaches in lower grades and nrl).

I won't be unhappy if we let him go.. and if another coach can improve him, well good luck to them.

Send this video below to Sloan, if he could do some of that involvement and support play in the middle like Blacklock he would be loved and score a lot more tries. Blacklock was never the greatest defender but he could turn a game and score tries from anywhere due to his presence and hunger around the ball. What a year 99 was!
Being at that GF was still one of the most deflating days of my life…

Every Nathan Blacklock try from the 1999 NRL season

We dive into the archive to check out every Nathan Blacklock try from the 1999 NRL season

www.nrl.com

 

[Gareth67]

Brailey was quiet yesterday.
And Trindall and Hynes did nothing.

I watched the shark’s Fitzgibbon after match interview and it was more or less a repeat of Wicky Stuart’s from the previous week .

“ We were off our game today da , da , da and da . “ For pity bloody sake why can’t these BEATEN coaches from BEATEN teams simply be honest with themselves and say the truth - we were beaten by a far better side on the day - congratulations to them .

The Cronulla boys all looked looked the part when they ran on to the field - their hair all slick and shiny and parted to one side , even that overrated Nic Hynes showing off his latest perm , the complete package .

But the Big Red V took no prisoners and rubbed their pretty faces into the Kogarah mud . However Fitzgibbon must surely be pleased that at least the refereeing and bunker officials done their jobs so they will be alright for next week .

Whereas we the Dragon supporters can look forward to our next game knowing that there will be 100% effort given and that is all we can ask from the boys .

 

[Happy Old Dragon]

Love this photo.

Smells Like Team Spirit

(apologies to the late, great KC for "paraphrasing")

 

[Happy Old Dragon]

It was great, some may say that was our GF, who cares. I was really surprised to see how well Sele and Klemer played, Stewart was tireless. Halangahu looks very strong. Our pack stood up to one of the best packs in the NRL.

Some real passion on the field yesterday by some of our more experienced players. Hopefully it continues and they go into the off-season on a real high.

Agree with EVERYTHING you say Chopper.
We won the Monty Porter Cup (MPC)!
And I am so proud and happy for the boys.

We used to laugh at Souths and the CS - ref LOL@SOUFFS.
But so what!!!!
In the context of our season it was a GREAT GREAT victory.
So lets relish that moment.

And yes, the passion shown by Gutho and Klem (amongst others) - inspiring and beautiful.

 

[Bayside Dragon]

Brailey was quiet yesterday.
And Trindall and Hynes did nothing.

Loving the way we make the best teams look ordinary. Coincidence or good preparation? Happened too often in my view to be coincidence.

That's why I reckon TW & DA extended SF as their first joint order of business. They know who has the passion needed to move this club forward. When DA signed on, my prostrate couldn't contain itself with excitement!! These three are on the same page, and will have each other's collective backs -and with their individual skill sets will bring the crowds flocking back.

As I've said elsewhere, results aren't everything. In sports entertainment, bums on seats is the name of the modern game. And "popstar" players love to be where the crowds are packed deepest.

For the first time in 25yrs, I actually believe that this club is on the up! Go the triad of TW, DA & SF!!!!

 

[Trifili13]

Went onto the Gummies matchday thread this morning. The contrast between before, during and after the game. Hahaha.

 

[Trifili13]

Did I hear correctly that after the Raiders and Broncos we have the most wins against top 8 teams this year?

 

[hewi]

Did I hear correctly that after the Raiders and Broncos we have the most wins against top 8 teams this year?

You did and hopefully we can add another next week with the Warriors

 

[SnowDragon]

Regardless of the ladder, you can feel we have turned a corner. Team attitude has changed. Leaders seem passionate, and the group are united behind them, it’s not all about ”me” Anymore.

Flanno has been so smart to drop Hunt (after a failed year trying to mould him) and bring in the heart of Gutho. Klem is another driving this, damm they looked glorious yesterday!

We want to recruit a few key players, but should otherwise invest in what we have and grow from within.