Recruitment vs Development; the future of the Dragons

[TruSaint]

Yes, doesn’t mean they had to appoint them though. In my opinion both Price and McGregor were wrong selections from the Board. People at the club appeared to fall for the bullshit that they now had learnt the ‘processes” from Bennett and the rest would/should simply fall into place. Trouble is it’s never just about the ‘process’, it’s usually about the ‘people’ and Bennett had this one also covered; the others hadn’t developed this craft to the necessary level in their respective career stages. Costly decisions!

Of course the board is to blame.
I have said that for years.

Not just with Price and Mary, but the whole damn board structure, which is prehistoric.

 

[TruSaint]

 

[Maddragon99]

Good on you Getsmarty for providing a bit of balance for Steve Price.

He was handed a very weakened squad in 2012. We could cover all the ins and outs but let’s say the recruitment of Mark Gasnier 2010 ( glad we did) on back loaded deal took away Jeremy Smith, Neville Costigan, Jarrod Saffy , Darius Boyd at his best, even Adam Cuthberson who went well for us in 2011 and followed Bennett to Newcastle in 2012.

In other words no go forward eliminated and salary cap crunched for years. Sounds familiar?

price didn’t have a chance, regardless of perceived lack of ability.

You’re right about price, no coach has really done well following Bennett, he does have the reputation of leaving a dumpster fire behind. Ivan Henjack, Price, Robert Stone & Anthony Seybold all failed badly. If Souths don’t win a comp they’ll probably end up in the wilderness as well.

 

[possm]

In all fairness Bennett wanted a 5 year term but was given 3 years to win a premiership by Doust and the Board. Bennett won the premiership but did not have the time or interest in carrying out duties that were beneficial outside the term of his contract.

A 750k p/a 5 year deal would have suited both parties and I suggest, would have most probably delivered a back to back premiership as well. I'm sure under a 5 year deal, Saints would have been a top 4 side in 2012/2013 and as a result with a stronger squad than what we actually had for season 2014.

 

[getsmarty]

Thanks for sharing @TruSaint . Very positive interviews....

 

[Coffs dragon]

These 2 guy’s are a breath of fresh air, bringing a wealth of much needed experience from outside the sheltered workshop. How good is is to have 3 NRL experienced coaches in charge instead of the past L/platers & under the bus victims.

 

[getsmarty]

These 2 guy’s are a breath of fresh air, bringing a wealth of much needed experience from outside the sheltered workshop. How good is is to have 3 NRL experienced coaches in charge instead of the past L/platers & under the bus victims.

Exactly right @Coffs dragon . Looking forward to next year....hopefully we can be competitive, unlike the last 8 years..

 

[George Dragon]

These 2 guy’s are a breath of fresh air, bringing a wealth of much needed experience from outside the sheltered workshop. How good is is to have 3 NRL experienced coaches in charge instead of the past L/platers & under the bus victims.

Totally agree.
Just posted similar on the Griffin thread.

 

[Maddragon99]

In all fairness Bennett wanted a 5 year term but was given 3 years to win a premiership by Doust and the Board. Bennett won the premiership but did not have the time or interest in carrying out duties that were beneficial outside the term of his contract.

A 750k p/a 5 year deal would have suited both parties and I suggest, would have most probably delivered a back to back premiership as well. I'm sure under a 5 year deal, Saints would have been a top 4 side in 2012/2013 and as a result with a stronger squad than what we actually had for season 2014.

Exactly right Possum, it’s one of the big what if’s? 2011 was there for the taking, I remember watching us lose to Brisbane in extra time & not believing what I was seeing. Shocker.

 

[Maddragon99]

Totally agree.
Just posted similar on the Griffin thread.

In Hook We Trust hope to see that sign on the Hill

 

[redVinme]

Much better than " I'm that bloke Mary blames when we don't go well"

 

[blacksafake]

Good post except Mary stayed 8 years too long....LOL

Post of the month

 

[blacksafake]

Very refreshing comments, especially Peters “I’m accountable for defence”.

 

[getsmarty]

Sit down with Matthew Elliott and Peter Gentle
Assistant coaches Matthew Elliott and Peter Gentle provide an insight into their background as coaches and talk in depth about their roles at the Dragons and the upcoming 2021 season.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/12/15/assistant-coaches-peter-gentle-and-matthew-elliott/

 

[This Year?]

Before the JV I saw us as a recruitment club with a sprinkling of development.
I think as a JV we've struggled to transition into a development club, which is what we should be striving to be.
I don't know if each side of the JV takes care of their own catchment areas or have they combined both areas under the JV in all grades?

 

[Maxwell]

Yes, doesn’t mean they had to appoint them though. In my opinion both Price and McGregor were wrong selections from the Board. People at the club appeared to fall for the bullshit that they now had learnt the ‘processes” from Bennett and the rest would/should simply fall into place. Trouble is it’s never just about the ‘process’, it’s usually about the ‘people’ and Bennett had this one also covered; the others hadn’t developed this craft to the necessary level in their respective career stages. Costly decisions!

Yes and also when Bennett left Newcastle he endorsed Rick Stone ,same scenario and same thing happened . Bennett just makes out he is leaving the club strong and in good hands. Knowingly he is taking half the rosters with him .

 

[Dragon David]

I'm waiting to see how Souths goes in 2022 when Jason Demetriou takes over the reins. I respect JD,but he could come a cropper without good old Wayne giving the orders.

 

[Inisai Toga]

Yes and also when Bennett left Newcastle he endorsed Rick Stone ,same scenario and same thing happened . Bennett just makes out he is leaving the club strong and in good hands. Knowingly he is taking half the rosters with him .

Mmm, appreciate your view here however, I have a slightly different perspective here Maxwell. Firstly, If they ask Bennett about an assistant I feel he’s hardly going to say Stone or Price is this or that because he’s already employed him.

Secondly, my recollection reflecting on Bennett’s player recruitment at Saints is he saved Soward’s and arguably Costigan’s career, developed Scott’s, Saffy and Prior’s; not all of them were setting the world on fire prior to 2009. Boyd and Jeremy Smith were the real ‘big’ recruitment additions and ‘we knew’ when he decided to leave that they would follow. We only offered him a 3 year deal and he also said he’d let Doust know when he was getting restless. He’d did!

It’s different to say Manly’s recruitment assault in the 70’s when they signed South’s, Wests, North’s and England stars. He’s popular with players and he’s effective and that’s why players follow. I’m really so glad he came to our joint!
I just think generally clubs should be better and more accountable at handling the change as coaches move on and not be so reliant on them for player retention. Just my opinion...

 

[getsmarty]

Yes and also when Bennett left Newcastle he endorsed Rick Stone ,same scenario and same thing happened . Bennett just makes out he is leaving the club strong and in good hands. Knowingly he is taking half the rosters with him .

Bennett didn't take half our roster with him....Daruis Boyd ( who was always going to follow Wayne ), McKinnon ( wanted to return home ) and Beau Scott ( who wasn't offered a contract.by us ).and Costigan.

 

[Maddragon99]

Before the JV I saw us as a recruitment club with a sprinkling of development.
I think as a JV we've struggled to transition into a development club, which is what we should be striving to be.
I don't know if each side of the JV takes care of their own catchment areas or have they combined both areas under the JV in all grades?

Dragons & Steelers have their own Harold Matthew’s & SG Ball teams but we only have one Canterbury Cup team, the Cutters.

When you think about it it’s an enormous advantage to have double junior development systems.