Round 1 v Cowboys

[The Damo]

I’m actually pleasantly surprised that the terms “apologist” and “accepting mediocrity” haven’t raised their ugly heads yet.

How long you reckon it will take? Will it be measured In hours, days, or weeks?

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

I wanted to see a coach who can make hard decisions and IMO we are yet to see that.
IMO he has tried to pick the populist team and not offend to many players.
You obviously have red very few of my posts re teams I would select as they are the different things I would do and they make sense to me and I am already well on the record for that.
Most times I try temper such things with IMO and I pleasingly note that this time you have done likewise.
"It makes sense" as an emphatic statement as against "IMO it makes sense" may draw a different response.

K mate...in future, instead of saying “makes sense” I’ll say “IMO it makes sense” so people go easy on me.

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

How long you reckon it will take? Will it be measured In hours, days, or weeks?

Give it until after round 1 I’d say

 

[SnowDragon]

When it comes to arguing

Less is more

 

[Old Timer]

How long you reckon it will take? Will it be measured In hours, days, or weeks?

Well that depends on how long it takes for the "you're not a true supporter" comments to start to appear.
On the basis of yesterday it should all unfold somewhere between now and Saturday 9.30pm but wouldn't be surprised if today is the day where the line in the sand is drawn.

 

[Old Timer]

Debelin will only miss 4 weeks, I believe he will be found not guilty on April 16th

It goes back to court that day but I don't believe that is the trial date it may in fact be next year.

 

[41yearsaint]

Expecting a high scoring close match. Both defences will be a little scratchy. Just hoping we take full advantage of our chances and Dufty gets enough game time to have an impact. Also hoping the refs aren't in a rush to blow the cobwebs out of there whistles.
Bring on 2019.

 

[Old Timer]

How long you reckon it will take? Will it be measured In hours, days, or weeks?

Just posted over in JA by taxi driver

"Imagine there's no McGregor
It's easy if you try
No dodgy game plans
Excuses, bullshit and lies
Imagine all the Dragons
Living for the game (ah ah ah)

Imagine there's a game plan
It isn't hard to do
No black prince at the leagues club
And no nepotism too
Imagine all the Dragons
Cheering on the team

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the army will be as one

Imagine no apologists
I wonder if you can
No need for frustration
A brotherhood of fans
Imagine all the Dragons
cheering on the team

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
and we'll celebrate as one"



I was bored.........................................

 

[possm]

Expecting a high scoring close match. Both defences will be a little scratchy. Just hoping we take full advantage of our chances and Dufty gets enough game time to have an impact. Also hoping the refs aren't in a rush to blow the cobwebs out of there whistles.
Bring on 2019.

Mary has always tried to have his team physically fit and ready to go for the early rounds. So the players will be OK in that regard. The problems faced by players will all revolve around selection decisions, bench management and game plan. Combinations in attack and defence are likely to be a bit rusty.

 

[The Damo]

Well that depends on how long it takes for the "you're not a true supporter" comments to start to appear.
On the basis of yesterday it should all unfold somewhere between now and Saturday 9.30pm but wouldn't be surprised if today is the day where the line in the sand is drawn.

Yeah I’d say the best bet is around midway through the second half, whichever way the game is going there’s bound to be something trigger it.

 

[The Damo]

Just posted over in JA by taxi driver

"Imagine there's no McGregor
It's easy if you try
No dodgy game plans
Excuses, bullshit and lies
Imagine all the Dragons
Living for the game (ah ah ah)

Imagine there's a game plan
It isn't hard to do
No black prince at the leagues club
And no nepotism too
Imagine all the Dragons
Cheering on the team

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the army will be as one

Imagine no apologists
I wonder if you can
No need for frustration
A brotherhood of fans
Imagine all the Dragons
cheering on the team

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
and we'll celebrate as one"



I was bored.........................................

Man that’s great. Put me down as a dreamer.

 

[possm]

Great artist, great song, one of my all time favourites

 

[Old Timer]

Man that’s great. Put me down as a dreamer.

If it does go pear shape on the selection front how long do you think coach will persevere with his idea's before making any changes?

 

[possm]

If it does go pear shape on the selection front how long do you think coach will persevere with his idea's before making any changes?

Without injuries or rep committments, all season.

 

[Saints Forever]

Here is the Canterbury Cup team: Round 1 v Mounties –

1. Tristan Sailor
2. Lachlan Maranta
3. Charly Runciman
4. Steven Marsters
5. Jonus Pearson
6. Jai Field
7. Darren Nicholls (c)
8. Pio Sokobalavu
9. Reece Robson
10. Lachlan Timm
11. Joe Lovodua
12. Jackson Ford
13. Mitchell Allgood

Interchange:

14, Hayden Lomax
15. Ashleigh Nisbet
16. Eddie Blacker
18. Shaun Sauni-Esau
20. Eli Levido

LINK: https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/03/12/dragons-canterbury-cup-nsw-team-round-1/

On paper, this looks like a really good side.

I will be very interested to see how Sailor, Marsters, Pearson, Field, Robson,Timm, Ford and Lovodua perform this season.

Marsters, Pearson, Timm and Robson are all players that are physically ready for FG and could force there way into our top 17 with stellar performances.

We will only see Field if Dufty and Norman or Widdop are injured at the same time.

I would have preferred to have run with Field as Widdop's backup this year.

The key is we have excellent depth across all positions.

Dare I say, Kudos to Millward!

Saints by 14 in both grades.

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

How long you reckon it will take? Will it be measured In hours, days, or weeks?

My question is, who is the player that will be most criticised this year? My money’s on Aitken and Lafai...my dark horse is Norman.

 

[SBD82]

My question is, who is the player that will be most criticised this year? My money’s on Aitken and Lafai...my dark horse is Norman.

I’d put a lazy $50 on Ravalawa.

Not because I think he will deserve it, but because I think people will exaggerate the inevitable handling mistakes that all players make.

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

I’d put a lazy $50 on Ravalawa.

Not because I think he will deserve it, but because I think people will exaggerate the inevitable handling mistakes that all players make.

Good call...he’ll be known as the “poor man’s Nene”

 

[The Damo]

If it does go pear shape on the selection front how long do you think coach will persevere with his idea's before making any changes?

Well he usually doesn’t change his mind quickly. If Frizz at lock and Host on the edge are kicking arse (which I expect they will) then hopefully Korbin replaces Latimore on the bench.
The big question is Dufty and how he’s used. There’s gonna be a utility back who gets limited minutes, that’s clear. If I was gonna try to predict the most likely way things will go pear shaped (which they may not, eternal optimist here) then it’ll be Aitken’s defence in question and the Dufty spine shuffle experiment that’ll go wrong. Most likely move Mary makes then is Lomax to centre and I wouldn’t be surprised to see aitken take the number 14 then and get used in the middle like Mann last year. He’s not super creative our Mary so that’s most likely. Timing wise, there’s a pretty good chance that Aiken’s gonna let in tries vs both Souths and broncos, so round 4 is my bet.

 

[The Damo]

My question is, who is the player that will be most criticised this year? My money’s on Aitken and Lafai...my dark horse is Norman.

yeah those are safe bets. I reckon over the year it’ll be Lafai (probably unfairly, I’m one of the Lafai defenders) or Norman. I think there’s a good chance Lomax takes Aitkens spot fairly early. Early rounds it’ll be Aitken and Rava though.