Round 1 Dragons v Broncos at Kogarah

[kit66]

So here is an interesting point for sone to consider when they think I am negative
I actually hold out some small hope that maybe he will change a couple of things
If not then I’ll be making several voodoo dolls and buying particularly large needles.

you'll need a lock of his hair........

 

[Crush]

Just had a look at the Donkeys forum.
Nothing to see there really, main comments of mild interest to us is Hunt “will overplay his hand”, “isn’t a halfback” etc.

They’re not as cocky about this game as they usually are.

I think the pressure on Hunt, which he seems to be welcoming, is a good thing for the rest of our squad, especially if a miracle occurs and Mann and Lomax play.

Also, wouldn’t mind seeing JDB put a few hits on Lodge.

If Mann and Lomaz are selected in the run on team on Thursday I will eat my hat. 10000/1 chance.

 

[ALSGI]

If Mann and Lomaz are selected in the run on team on Thursday I will eat my hat. 10000/1 chance.

Yep, it would be a miracle indeed.
Although, I remember being in a state of shock when McGenius named Dufty last year.

 

[possm]

If Mann and Lomax are selected on the right edge in the run on side, I will feel a lot more confident and have a big smile while you are eating your hat Crush.

This will not be your regular first grade game. For the Dragons it is a home game with what I expect to be a large vocal crowd but more importantly, we will be facing a team coached by one of the best in the business. There will be no room poor selection decisions and poor bench management. Our players will need to be up for the game and play their very best football. No room for errors when your team plays against a Bennett coach side.

 

[Crush]

If Mann and Lomax are selected on the right edge in the run on side, I will feel a lot more confident and have a big smile while you are eating your hat Crush.

This will not be your regular first grade game. For the Dragons it is our a home game with what I expect to be a large vocal crowd but more importantly, we will be facing a team coached by one of the best in the business. There will be no room poor selection decisions and poor bench management. Our players will need to be up for the game and play their very best football. No room for errors when your team plays against a Bennett coach side.

I would happily eat my hat with a big smile if Mary selects Mann and Lomax but it won't happen. It will take at least 10 weeks of Aitken leaking tries and Lafai flicking the ball into the stands before Mary even considers making a change to his beloved centres.
Remember this is the team he wants.
Aitken and Lafai are his long term centres signed up for the next few years.
Only injury will force his hand.

 

[Old Timer]

you'll need a lock of his hair........

Knowing my luck he had a back, sack & crack before getting on the piss last night at the Mardi Gras.

 

[kit66]

Knowing my luck he had a back, sack & crack before getting on the piss last night at the Mardi Gras.

So it's the eyebrows then. Wait til he's pissed after losing round 1 to tries off kicks.

 

[Objective View]

Donkeys +4

Straight Shooter

 

[Alec's-saints]

Donkeys +4

Straight Shooter

keep death riding this team you flog

 

[Objective View]

keep death riding this team you flog

Are you as certain of a win here as you were against Rabbits?

Straight Shooter

 

[Red V for life]

Lomax didn’t look out of place in the trials, but don’t know enough about him to say he should be in the run on side.

Having said that, Mann and Lomax as a centre pairing would set the tone for the season ahead by:

- putting our underperforming centres (and others) on notice that the protection of previous years is gone - you don’t perform, you’re out

- signalling a departure from Mary’s approach of not making changes at all or doing it when the horse has long bolted

- signalling faith in the young ones coming through.

All positives for mine.

The make-up of the team for Rd 1 imo needs to be more defensively based (sadly). They have pace to burn out wide, we don’t. Mann is a must.

 

[Old Timer]

keep death riding this team you flog

If he was death riding the team it would be Bronco's plus 20.
IMO Bronco's + 4 is conservative and within an acceptable margin of error.
Whilst I always want my beloved Dragons to win I am realistic enough (took a long time) to actually evaluate their chances with total honesty rather than hope.
Bronco's plus +10 because I saw very little in our trials (other than a multitude of excuses) to show we can knock off a 100% professional outfit but if we were playing Tigpies, Titans, Warriors, Panthers I would have us winning and winning well.

 

[possm]

OK, if Mary won't sack Nightingale or Macdonald, who are the better centres:
Aitken or Lomax
Lafai or Mann

 

[Belta]

I personally wouldn't throw young Lomax in round 1. A lot of extra hype being round 1 and Roberts in particular is a very difficult assignment in what would be a high pressure game for a 18 year old to make his debt. Lomax is good enough but I'd ease him in. I'd start with Mann and Lafai.

 

[Alec's-saints]

Broncos struggled against Png

If he was death riding the team it would be Bronco's plus 20.
IMO Bronco's + 4 is conservative and within an acceptable margin of error.
Whilst I always want my beloved Dragons to win I am realistic enough (took a long time) to actually evaluate their chances with total honesty rather than hope.
Bronco's plus +10 because I saw very little in our trials (other than a multitude of excuses) to show we can knock off a 100% professional outfit but if we were playing Tigpies, Titans, Warriors, Panthers I would have us winning and winning well.

 

[Objective View]

If he was death riding the team it would be Bronco's plus 20.
IMO Bronco's + 4 is conservative and within an acceptable margin of error.
Whilst I always want my beloved Dragons to win I am realistic enough (took a long time) to actually evaluate their chances with total honesty rather than hope.
Bronco's plus +10 because I saw very little in our trials (other than a multitude of excuses) to show we can knock off a 100% professional outfit but if we were playing Tigpies, Titans, Warriors, Panthers I would have us winning and winning well.

Don't waste your breathe, OT. There are some who want this forum to be a brain-free zone, just an echo chamber for their own non-sensical views (masquerading as 'true' support).

Straight Shooter

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Only 5 sleeps peeps, can hardly wait.

All the conjecture about our 17(18) will come to a screaming halt on Tuesday arvo.

For me, I think we will win regardless of the selections but I’d like to see Mann, Lomax and Host in the 17 not Aitken, Nighty and Luciano.

Most factors seem in our favour, home ground, inside clues from Hunt with the Donkeys/Bennett machine and Widdop and Graham have some clues as to Bennett’s thinking from he World Cup. Surely Bennett won’t do the opposite, reverse the curse and get one over Hunt/Widdop/Graham and Mary? Bennett’s surely not that good?

Our halves and forwards look great on paper, stronger than theirs.

Our 1-5 are ...... rocks and diamonds. Rocks and Opals maybe?

They have a few injury concerns.

Refs should be swayed by our Kogarah crowd.

Lot’s of pressure on Hunt.

We win I say, bring it on.

Bennett oversaw the Dragons' first premiership in 31-years back in 2010. Other than the following season, SGI haven't gone close to emulating that feat in the time since.

He IS that good coaching wise.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

If Mann and Lomax are selected on the right edge in the run on side, I will feel a lot more confident and have a big smile while you are eating your hat Crush.

This will not be your regular first grade game. For the Dragons it is a home game with what I expect to be a large vocal crowd but more importantly, we will be facing a team coached by one of the best in the business. There will be no room poor selection decisions and poor bench management. Our players will need to be up for the game and play their very best football. No room for errors when your team plays against a Bennett coach side.

Remember, the NRL (in its infinite wisdom) has scheduled its season opener on a Thursday night; a time when most folk have work (or school) the following day.

Also, traditionally Brisbane don't draw large away crowds in Sydney.

Expect a crowd figure of around 10k.

 

[Walpole]

OT I will save you the wait until Tuesday and name the team for you.
1. DUFTY
2. MACDONALD
3. AITKEN
4. LAFAI
5. NIGHTINGALE
6. WIDDOP
7. HUNT
8. GRAHAM
9. MCINNES
10. VAUGHAN
11. FRIZELL
12. LEILUA
13. JDB
14. AU MAU
15. SIMS
16. LATIMORE
17. MANN
Thats it. Mary doesn't change. Thats his team.

Barring injury that is almost certainly going to be the team, depressingly. I'm assuming no Host, Sele or Lomax and Mann picking splinters out of his arse for 73 minutes.

 

[Old Timer]

Don't waste your breathe, OT. There are some who want this forum to be a brain-free zone, just an echo chamber for their own non-sensical views (masquerading as 'true' support).

Straight Shooter

No doubt some of these guys take us in the tipping comp every week and then tell their mates they don't win the tipping comp because they are unlucky.