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Rate Gareth Widdop

Messages
17,545
Where did i say that?? Fake NEWS are you? I would have made him a cup of tea. Pretty sure he is more intetested in drinkg english tea than play making or running at the line. Compare him to Tommy Bishop and cryyyy! Bishop was a half. He could play 6 or 7. But he had balls, not a widdop bra.
Oh god no, is this is a Cronulla supporter trolling!

Our mob are normally straight up about shit stirring and don't do the loveallienvascapital20 stuff.
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
18,095
Possm
You seem to draw the conclusion that contract extension and better performances are linked.
I don't agree with that thought.
IMO there has been a dramatic change on the training paddock, in the sheds and on the field.
No doubt Mc Inness and Vaughan make a big difference in the roster but the squad and staff are much the same as last year.
Whilst many in here panned the end of season review and questioned the worth of and work done by Coyne and Co it appears to be the one thing that was truly different and IMO has brought great benefit to the club.
Despite what we all think about individual players or the coaching staff the demeanour in the place at this time is immeasurably better than 2016.
I am enjoying watching the team play (as is my son & grandson who were pissed off last year) even to the point they now want to go to the games again.
That is a great outcome and I just hope that the club realises that whilst we are all happier, we will be happiest when we have a coach and team that can win the comp.
I am of the opinion that Coyne & Co are well and truly aware of that and will push hard to make it happen.
The club has certain decisions it needs to make and hopefully they will make good one's but until they are made we will not know that answer.
 

Carlton

Juniors
Messages
1,233
Capital & loveoursaints
Have you looked at the video yet?
I need you to confirm that the Widdop you bag as never having played a minute of good attacking football since arriving at the club is the same one in the video?
You seem to be very silent about it all.
Perhaps you think he has a twin brother or a double?

Good video, based on that we should have kept Benji as the playmaker. Did you see his kicks and short passes for Widdop?
 

possm

Coach
Messages
16,005
Possm
You seem to draw the conclusion that contract extension and better performances are linked.
I don't agree with that thought.
IMO there has been a dramatic change on the training paddock, in the sheds and on the field.
No doubt Mc Inness and Vaughan make a big difference in the roster but the squad and staff are much the same as last year.
Whilst many in here panned the end of season review and questioned the worth of and work done by Coyne and Co it appears to be the one thing that was truly different and IMO has brought great benefit to the club.
Despite what we all think about individual players or the coaching staff the demeanour in the place at this time is immeasurably better than 2016.
I am enjoying watching the team play (as is my son & grandson who were pissed off last year) even to the point they now want to go to the games again.
That is a great outcome and I just hope that the club realises that whilst we are all happier, we will be happiest when we have a coach and team that can win the comp.
I am of the opinion that Coyne & Co are well and truly aware of that and will push hard to make it happen.
The club has certain decisions it needs to make and hopefully they will make good one's but until they are made we will not know that answer.
Old Timer,
I always read your posts with great interest and on many occasions find myself agreeing with you. In the same way I sometimes find myself holding a different point of view but always respect the way you set out your posts and justify what you are saying.

I would love to know the new rules, policy or directives that Coyne's group have introduced. I'd also like to know if these things were introduced to limit Mary's role in an effort to mittigate mistakes/errors. Could you please list the changes you referred too and the reasons for making these changes.

My view is that if Bennett, Hasler or any of the other top coaches were in place at the Dragons, there weould be no need;

for a Coyne Group,
for Millward to control recruitment and pathways,
for the Dragons to be paying overs for good players or,
for the adoption of a 'power plan' which will indeed resutl in our forwards becomeing busted or burnt out.
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
18,095
Old Timer,
I always read your posts with great interest and on many occasions find myself agreeing with you. In the same way I sometimes find myself holding a different point of view but always respect the way you set out your posts and justify what you are saying.

I would love to know the new rules, policy or directives that Coyne's group have introduced. I'd also like to know if these things were introduced to limit Mary's role in an effort to mittigate mistakes/errors. Could you please list the changes you referred too and the reasons for making these changes.

My view is that if Bennett, Hasler or any of the other top coaches were in place at the Dragons, there weould be no need;

for a Coyne Group,
for Millward to control recruitment and pathways,
for the Dragons to be paying overs for good players or,
for the adoption of a 'power plan' which will indeed resutl in our forwards becomeing busted or burnt out.
Possm
It is impossible to give you anything that you ask for as none of us are part of the inner sanctum.
I am merely pointing out to you what was, what is and anything that we know for a fact that has altered.
In respect of the facts we know
Mary said he is just coaching and doing nothing more unlike previous years where he had fingers in everything.
We have a different regime in the club re fitness levels, training methods, game preparation and injury management. No doubt we are fitter.
We have a happier playing group and different playing style which is reflected in the player reaction on the ground and results on the scoreboard..
We have a different pathways mentality, better retention policy and a different recruitment policy (- Mary)
It was noted by Mary and club management that all of this was highlighted as issues in the end of year review and has been addressed.
Who conducted the end of year review and assessment thereof?
Coyne & Co is the answer to that question and as he is the only substantial difference between what has happened this year compared to the last 3 or 4 years I would think it a reasonable assumption he is having a lot of input and it is all positive.
The results we are currently getting are not down to purely good luck or poor play by everyone else.
We have to acknowledge there is an obvious difference and in light of no other tangible evidence I give the Gold Logie to Coyne & Co.
.
 

possm

Coach
Messages
16,005
Possm
It is impossible to give you anything that you ask for as none of us are part of the inner sanctum.
I am merely pointing out to you what was, what is and anything that we know for a fact that has altered.
In respect of the facts we know
Mary said he is just coaching and doing nothing more unlike previous years where he had fingers in everything. Mary did not make this decision, it was made for hime because he was incapable of performing these other duties - which most first grade coaches do perform.
We have a different regime in the club re fitness levels, training methods, game preparation and injury management. No doubt we are fitter. Yes
We have a happier playing group and different playing style which is reflected in the player reaction on the ground and results on the scoreboard.. Could be that we have a happier playing group mainly because Mary has stopped giving the players impossible plans and instructions to follow. Now they are mainly 'playing what they see in front of them'.
We have a different pathways mentality, better retention policy and a different recruitment policy (- Mary)
It was noted by Mary and club management that all of this was highlighted as issues in the end of year review and has been addressed.
Who conducted the end of year review and assessment thereof?
Coyne & Co is the answer to that question and as he is the only substantial difference between what has happened this year compared to the last 3 or 4 years I would think it a reasonable assumption he is having a lot of input and it is all positive. The new system for recruitment and pathways is a system developed by Millward and presented to the Coyne group with endorsement of the old boys knowing the following:
No head coach in his right mind would continue with this policy - Mary coach old boy.
Millward as director has long term employment and control of recruitment - old boy.
There is no garrentee that the lucky group of young players retained by Millward will end up playing first grade. The fact that Millward has slotted them to be selected in first grade in certain positions and in certain years is rediculas.

The results we are currently getting are not down to purely good luck or poor play by everyone else. The team will most likely keep winning and remain upbeat/happy until key players, who are playing out of their skin, become busted or burnt out.
We have to acknowledge there is an obvious difference and in light of no other tangible evidence I give the Gold Logie to Coyne & Co.
.
See comments in blue above.
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
18,095
Possm
I also give it to the club and management on a regular basis.
However I am coming to the realisation that in amongst all the shit there is some good things and they need to be acknowledged as well.
From my corporate life I know for a fact that Coyne is an extremely good operator, well revered by all and goes about things quietly and efficiently.
Just because there is no big fan fare doesn't mean to say it's not happening.
The results for the moment indicate change is happening and whilst I do not agree with the coach or selections in my heart I can't be unhappy if we are winning on the proviso we are playing attractive.
We are still a bit of an ugly duckling and in the short term might not progress from that but for the moment we are immeasurably better than we were anytime last year of or the greater part of 2015 so I will try to remain positive.
If we stall again then my frustration will rise and my anger will grow.
The club still has much to do for me to be 100% impressed that we have turned the corner completely but any improvement needs to be acknowledged.
Rather than try and second guess what the club is doing re coaches i will now wait until i see what they do as nothing will change regardless of what we post on this forum.
 

possm

Coach
Messages
16,005
Possm
I also give it to the club and management on a regular basis.
However I am coming to the realisation that in amongst all the shit there is some good things and they need to be acknowledged as well.
From my corporate life I know for a fact that Coyne is an extremely good operator, well revered by all and goes about things quietly and efficiently.
Just because there is no big fan fare doesn't mean to say it's not happening.
The results for the moment indicate change is happening and whilst I do not agree with the coach or selections in my heart I can't be unhappy if we are winning on the proviso we are playing attractive.
We are still a bit of an ugly duckling and in the short term might not progress from that but for the moment we are immeasurably better than we were anytime last year of or the greater part of 2015 so I will try to remain positive.
If we stall again then my frustration will rise and my anger will grow.
The club still has much to do for me to be 100% impressed that we have turned the corner completely but any improvement needs to be acknowledged.
Rather than try and second guess what the club is doing re coaches i will now wait until i see what they do as nothing will change regardless of what we post on this forum.
Well said. I understand your train of thought and know we both want only the best for our Club.

I remember having to wait years to gain membership of the St George Leagues Club in the '70s. I finally gained membership but let it go when I moved from Sydney to Brisbane.

A couple of years ago, on reading a post from Willow, I applied for membership and found there was no waiting list. Instead there was a concerted effort to sway me from becoming a member with full voting rights. I insisted on a 5 yr membership with full voting rights and receved my membership in a couple of days after payment.

The above shows me how things have changed at our Club. What once was an exclusive and sort after membership, is now doled out to anyone who wants it. They don't want new members to have voting rights mainly because they don't want us to upset the apple cart. Now it's not about supporting the Football Club, it's all about politics within the Club and the protection of the 'old boy' network.
 
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Old Timer

Coach
Messages
18,095
Well said. I understand your train of thought and know we both want only the best for our Club.

I remember having to wait years to gain membership of the St George Leagues Club in the '70s. I finally gained membership but let it go when I moved from Sydney to Brisbane.

A couple of years ago, on reading a post from Willow, I applied for membership and found there was no waiting list. Instead there was a concerted effort to sway me from becoming a member with full voting rights. I insisted on a 5 yr membership with full voting rights and receved my membership in a couple of days after payment.

The above shows me how things have changed at our Club. What once was an exclusive and sort after membership, is now doled out to anyone who wants it. They don't want new members to have voting rights mainly because they don't want us to upset the apple cart. Now it's not about supporting the Football Club, it's all about politics within the Club and the protection of the 'old boy' network.
Possm
I here what you say about the membership.
My mum & dad tried to join in the 60's and had to go via the feeder club Thirroul for 3 years including having to actually go to Thirroul 6 times a year to hold onto that membership.
All clubs today have open books with membership available on the day so that is not a phenomenon to our club.
Re the restrictive nature of the voting rights I don't like it nor do I agree with it but I do fully understand how and why it can come about.
Yes no doubt some nepotism involved but having been a director of a club it is annoying when you do all the hard work and get the place out of the shit and trading well the very people who bought to its knees want back in and can somehow muddle together enough votes to oust you.
I am not saying tag we are well run etc but the logic of what was created is not lost on me.
 

BringTheNoise

Juniors
Messages
1,172
I was very critical of Widdop last season and even after the Charity Shield this year, but only a fool would deny that he is playing very good football ATM and deserves his spot in the side.
 

possm

Coach
Messages
16,005
With our pack performing so well, it has made it much easier for Widdop to perform and with Hunt arriving next year, I'm sure his inclusion would make a Widdop/Hunt partnership far superior to the Widdop/McCrone partnership.

The problem will be Widdop's asking price for the extension. It will not only be 'is he worth that money' it will be 'can we do better with Mann or Field at a much lower price'.
 

Capital

Juniors
Messages
119
I was very critical of Widdop last season and even after the Charity Shield this year, but only a fool would deny that he is playing very good football ATM and deserves his spot in the side.
Widdop has been much better this year but still poor. That try to Lafai in which Widdop must have been penciled in for a try assist and line break assist was actually pretty poor. It was the last tackle and Lafai had a lot of work to do. If the roles had been reversed, Widdop would be labelled as the greatest Dragons player ever and Lafai not gotten a mention. As is, it had nothing to do with Lafai and everything to do with Widdop's pass 5 meters before the defensive line and with at least 2 opposition players to beat.

But despite the winning ways at present, and depite all 3 doing some good things over the first 4 rounds, I'm in favor of dropping Widdop, Aitken and Lafai. Against the top teams the lack of speed and creativity in our team is going to be found out.
 

Capital

Juniors
Messages
119
Possm
You seem to draw the conclusion that contract extension and better performances are linked.
I don't agree with that thought.
IMO there has been a dramatic change on the training paddock, in the sheds and on the field.
No doubt Mc Inness and Vaughan make a big difference in the roster but the squad and staff are much the same as last year.
Whilst many in here panned the end of season review and questioned the worth of and work done by Coyne and Co it appears to be the one thing that was truly different and IMO has brought great benefit to the club.
Despite what we all think about individual players or the coaching staff the demeanour in the place at this time is immeasurably better than 2016.
I am enjoying watching the team play (as is my son & grandson who were pissed off last year) even to the point they now want to go to the games again.
That is a great outcome and I just hope that the club realises that whilst we are all happier, we will be happiest when we have a coach and team that can win the comp.
I am of the opinion that Coyne & Co are well and truly aware of that and will push hard to make it happen.
The club has certain decisions it needs to make and hopefully they will make good one's but until they are made we will not know that answer.

What is your relationship to Gareth Widdop? Why is it ok for you to criticise other team memebers or the coaching staff a lot. Like every second or third message, but you flip-out at the slightest mention of criticism of Widdop? Will you still support St George next year when Widdop is no longer with the club? He may get picked up at at a bargain by the Tigers if they lose Moses. Canterbury and Brisbane are both looking for halves for next season but Widdop has no chance of getting a start there.
 

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