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Round 1 2021 semi realistic sides

kit66

kit66

Bench
Messages
4,032
getsmarty said:
ramseyc-try_rc1_2522.jpg


DRAGONS


Dragons Stat to Fix: Turning leads into wins
Author
Troy Whittaker NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Fri 8 Jan 2021, 08:00 AM
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In 12 of 20 rounds last season, St George Illawarra either led or were tied when the half-time whistle blew.

But they won just five of those matches, effectively costing themselves a finals berth as they fell six points short of the top eight.

Whether it was their mindset, not being able to execute under fatigue, the pressure of close games or any number of other reasons, the Dragons generally struggled in the second stanza of matches.

It could be argued that constant changes in key positions - star playmaker Ben Hunt spent more time at hooker than halfback, bumping Cam McInnes to lock and leaving rookie Adam Clune and Corey Norman in the halves - impacted their game-management.

Whatever the cause, St George Illawarra will have rued letting so many chances slip. They won five of nine games after leading at half-time and lost all three games when they headed into the sheds level.

stat-to-fix-dragons_20210103.jpg

The heat was on the Dragons from the get-go, but they weren't far away from a flying start having surrendered a 12-8 half-time lead against Wests Tigers in round one (lost 24-14) before doing the same versus Penrith the following week (led 16-12, lost 32-28).

The Red V also blew half-time advantages against the Titans in round 16 (led 2-0, lost 14-10) and Cowboys in round 17 (led 12-6, lost 23-22).

Under Paul McGregor's coaching, St George Illawarra kept pace with heavyweights Sydney Roosters (10-10 at half-time in rounds 7 and 13) and South Sydney Rabbitohs (16-16 in round 12) but failed to kick on.


https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/01/08/dragons-stat-to-fix-turning-leads-into-wins/
Click to expand...

McGregor was crap at adjusting our play at half time. Good coaches pay attention and come up with a winning strategy for their boys at the break - they fix their weak points and exploit the oppositions' weaknesses and what helps them do it is an opposition that runs out and plays exactly the same in the 2nd half as they did in the first - e.g. Maryball. Bellamy and Bennet are so good at that.

That stat should improve under Hook but the stat he needs to fix first is our Possession and controlling a game. Last year we were in the top 3 sides for Least Penalties, Least Errors, Least Missed Tackles and first in the league for Kick Metres and 2nd best for Completions and yet we were 14th for Possession, meaning all our great discipline and great kicking was wasted by our halves and hooker not taking control of the game and our forwards not dominating the opposition pack and controlling the ruck. It also suggests we got through our sets really fast via a lot of one out running - we were the worst in the comp for offloads and subsequently bugger all 2nd Phase play. I can't find the stat for repeat sets but I'd imagine ours were fairly low.

If Hook can get a better handle on that one stat, Possession, while keeping our good discipline and kicking game in place we can improve exponentially and head up the table with a bullet.
The top two teams for Possession in 2020 were the two that finished 1st & 2nd and got to play a gf, Storm & Panthers. It's an old saying but true, you can't win games without the ball.
 
BLM01

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,977
George Dragon said:
Poor bench selection
Poor bench use
Poor rotation
Equals second half of game and year fatigue.
Click to expand...

Yeh I also put it down to the half time speeches and trying to teach the players "how to play rugby league by ignoring the opposition" on his whiteboard
"My game plan won us us the 1st half..just replicate that and you got this
"I have fooled that Trent Robinson and Wayne Bennett yet again"

No wonderr the NRL coaching olive branch has not reached his managements inbox yet.
I'd rather Dean Pay or Siebold before Mc85 if they were the only choices.
 
George Dragon

George Dragon

Juniors
Messages
1,986
This may help some of the younger guys press their claim.

There will be four trials played featuring players with 12 games or less experience earlier in February.

NRL pre-season trials
February 13
Sharks v Dragons: Shark Park at 5pm (AEDT)

February 18
Eels v Dragons: TBC at TBC

February 20
Wests Tigers v Roosters: 6.30pm (AEDT) at Kirkham Oval, Camden

Warriors v Storm: 7.30pm (AEST) at Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/12/18...CQoIOUolzNToYPJi14MuUeTo8W59EDg70zlZ1du5rnUNM
 
Dragonslayer

Dragonslayer

First Grade
Messages
7,815
George Dragon said:
This may help some of the younger guys press their claim.

There will be four trials played featuring players with 12 games or less experience earlier in February.

NRL pre-season trials
February 13
Sharks v Dragons: Shark Park at 5pm (AEDT)

February 18
Eels v Dragons: TBC at TBC

February 20
Wests Tigers v Roosters: 6.30pm (AEDT) at Kirkham Oval, Camden

Warriors v Storm: 7.30pm (AEST) at Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/12/18...CQoIOUolzNToYPJi14MuUeTo8W59EDg70zlZ1du5rnUNM
Click to expand...

So, basically we are a month away from the first trial of the season v Sharks. Then its a 5 day turn around for the 2nd one v Eels. Plenty of youngsters on show as George suggests.
There is also the Indigenous v Moari game (Kerr probably).
Then a 9 day turnaround for the Charity Shield.

I would think Hook and Co would already have squads in mind.
 
G

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
34,334
bann.jpg


DRAGONS


The tough pre-season slog continues
Wed 13 Jan 2021, 11:48 AM
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The Dragons hit the training paddock for a skills and team session on Tuesday. Take a look at some of the best photos from the hit-out.


Shaun Sauni-Esau runs into the attention of Zac Lomax and Mikaele Ravalawa.

gallery4.jpg


Josh Kerr back in action at Dragons training.

gallery5.jpg


Jordan Pereira wins the contest for the ball.

gallery14.jpg


Lomax keeps his eyes on the ball.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2021/01/13/the-tough-pre-season-slog-continues/
 
randomdragon

randomdragon

Juniors
Messages
2,034
W
George Dragon said:
This may help some of the younger guys press their claim.

There will be four trials played featuring players with 12 games or less experience earlier in February.

NRL pre-season trials
February 13
Sharks v Dragons: Shark Park at 5pm (AEDT)

February 18
Eels v Dragons: TBC at TBC

February 20
Wests Tigers v Roosters: 6.30pm (AEDT) at Kirkham Oval, Camden

Warriors v Storm: 7.30pm (AEST) at Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/12/18...CQoIOUolzNToYPJi14MuUeTo8W59EDg70zlZ1du5rnUNM
Click to expand...

will These trials be live streamed?
 
BLM01

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,977
getsmarty said:
gallery7.jpg


Lomax goes aerial.

gallery8.jpg


Never in doubt.

gallery9.jpg


An impressive training try goes to Lomax.

gallery3.jpg


Ben Hunt eagerly awaits the ball.

gallery2.jpg


Young gun Junior Armone looks to pass.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2021/01/13/the-tough-pre-season-slog-continues/
Click to expand...
I wonder if the green singlets are the B-side or the reserve grade players
Is it a hint to selections come trials or Round 1 or who’s playing CC and who might be the preferred NRL options at this stage?
Eg JP, Clune and Sullivan, Blacker, Matt Feagai, H Lomax and others
 
G

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
34,334
remote.axd

The Dragons' 2020 season in review



DRAGONS


St George Illawarra Dragons: 2021 round 1 predicted team
Author
Chris Kennedy & Jamie Soward
Timestamp
Thu 14 Jan 2021, 07:01 PM
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In a series analysing who will line up in each position for all 16 teams in the opening round of the Telstra Premiership in 2021, NRL.com looks at the St George Illawarra Dragons.

NRL.com says: There are four wingers vying for two spots, with Max Feagai and Jordan Pereira also in the frame.

Jack Bird could play a number of spots but is likely to start off at either centre or via the bench, which could hand Brayden Wiliame a chance.

Whether new coach Anthony Griffin sticks with Ben Hunt at hooker or returns he and skipper Cam McInnes to their preferred roles will become clear through the pre-season.

predicted_dra_20201200-1.jpg

Jamie Soward says: The talking point will be where Ben Hunt plays. Anthony Griffin has made no secret about where he wants Ben to play and it's with Corey.

Both those guys are so talented and they have a system in place now and Cameron McInnes comes back at hooker.

Vaughan will probably start with someone like Faamausili with Josh Kerr off the bench so they have a bit more foot speed to start. I love the back row of Sims and Ford, who could be a breakout player this year.

I don't think Lawrie will start at 13; I wouldn't be surprised if Jack Bird found himself in the back row because of his versatility of being able to play centre, fullback, five-eighth ... he may start off the bench but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him spend some time in the back row with Max Feagai or Wiliame at centre.

Both Feagai brothers will be pushing for spots. Pereira will start on one wing and may partner Ramsey. Merrin and Lawrie are probably competing for one spot because they're similar body types.

Poasa has come from a Roosters system and will be expected to bring some of those values. One thing about the Dragons is they have depth in the outside backs because the Feagai bothers have come up to top squad. Clune and Sullivan will be pushing Hunt and Norman the whole way.



https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/12/30/st-george-illawarra-dragons-2021-round-1-predicted-team/
 
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