Round 1 v Sharks

[Maddragon99]

I’d be stunned ( but stoked ) if we signed either Critchon or B Smith. Just can’t see it happening regardless of the $$$ we offer them

We’re not going to attract any top tier player unless we can demonstrate that we’re a top 8 team. Top tier players want to play finals & grand finals

 

[redv13]

We’re not going to attract any top tier player unless we can demonstrate that we’re a top 8 team. Top tier players want to play finals & grand finals

Spot on. Anyway let’s hope we have a dig and rip the Sharks a new asshole Sunday night!!

 

[slippery5]

Williame was OK when he played in the Super League but he has been a dud playing for us. Ford showed a lot of potential earlier on when he came onto the scene but lacks consistency now. I think he should be on the bench instead of Williame though.

A massive clean out coming at the end of the year I would imagine and we haven't started playing yet.

I said he won't be in the starting side & nothing I've seen tells me any different, he, Lawrie & Merrin just don't put fear into the opposition in attack or defence.

 

[Old Timer]

Whilst we have had only 3 games thus far in Rd 1 IMO there is clear evidence as to what is needed to be in with a real chance of winning under the new rules.

1. At least 1 of your halves has to be wanting to get his hands on the ball at every opportunity and making sure the speed of the game remains up tempo. He needs to be judicious in when to take on the line, get it out wide quickly and when to kick early to turn the opposition around. He really has to be in the game for the entire 80 minutes.
2. The forwards need to rumble thorough and control the middle third with quick play the balls with the next big bopper thundering onto the ball and forcing the opposition forwards into retreat. Quick and accurate service from the dummy half whether it be the hooker or a half is essential to keep momentum going forward.
3. The forwards have to be ferocious & tenacious in everything they do with ball in hand and fight like buggery every time to get a quick play the ball. Being awarded 6 agains will make a teams life much easier whereas giving them up is digging your own grave.
4. The wingers need to have a roaming commission and be willing to get into the middle of the paddock taking hit ups or running off forwards who can offload and in doing so need to get back into position on their wings quickly as turnovers will cause quick play the balls and good sides will capitalise on any holes left out wide.

I note with interest Andrew John's comment today re Bird to 5/8 and have to say that would fit nicely into how I see our side best served in attack.

Bird is a dominant force on the field (Munster like for mine) and if we have passive halves we will really struggle and whilst I can see young Bud also being the right fit in the halves he has suffered an unfortunate set back with injury and might take some time to get back to being fit enough for the pace of the game as I think coming back from injuries under the new rules will be a lot tougher than previous years.

There is no doubt that players will fatigue in both attack and defence so hopefully our game plan will take these things into account and we make a bold showing of it tomorrow night.

 

[LINESPEED]

Whilst we have had only 3 games thus far in Rd 1 IMO there is clear evidence as to what is needed to be in with a real chance of winning under the new rules.

1. At least 1 of your halves has to be wanting to get his hands on the ball at every opportunity and making sure the speed of the game remains up tempo. He needs to be judicious in when to take on the line, get it out wide quickly and when to kick early to turn the opposition around. He really has to be in the game for the entire 80 minutes.
2. The forwards need to rumble thorough and control the middle third with quick play the balls with the next big bopper thundering onto the ball and forcing the opposition forwards into retreat. Quick and accurate service from the dummy half whether it be the hooker or a half is essential to keep momentum going forward.
3. The forwards have to be ferocious & tenacious in everything they do with ball in hand and fight like buggery every time to get a quick play the ball. Being awarded 6 agains will make a teams life much easier whereas giving them up is digging your own grave.
4. The wingers need to have a roaming commission and be willing to get into the middle of the paddock taking hit ups or running off forwards who can offload and in doing so need to get back into position on their wings quickly as turnovers will cause quick play the balls and good sides will capitalise on any holes left out wide.

I note with interest Andrew John's comment today re Bird to 5/8 and have to say that would fit nicely into how I see our side best served in attack.

Bird is a dominant force on the field (Munster like for mine) and if we have passive halves we will really struggle and whilst I can see young Bud also being the right fit in the halves he has suffered an unfortunate set back with injury and might take some time to get back to being fit enough for the pace of the game as I think coming back from injuries under the new rules will be a lot tougher than previous years.

There is no doubt that players will fatigue in both attack and defence so hopefully our game plan will take these things into account and we make a bold showing of it tomorrow night.

Your points 2&3 are particularly pertinent to our ‘Big Easy’ mate Pauly, who has opened his mouth and must walk the walk for a change:


“I think this year, for the benefit of the team, everyone has to be a leader in their own way,” Kangaroos prop Paul Vaughan said.

“If we can get 17 blokes on the field who can take the initiative within themselves to be a leader it is going to create a good culture and environment for the team.”

We’ll be watching YOUR linespeed first up

...to check your newfound credentials as per the above

- to see if it’s more than the usual McGregor tripe/spiel/bullshit & deflection

that you’ve been so comfortable with

... and there’ll be nowhere to hide anymore ol’ mate -


... as the now senior frontman, we’re onta ya

You owe us some claret

 

[Dragonslayer]

Whilst we have had only 3 games thus far in Rd 1 IMO there is clear evidence as to what is needed to be in with a real chance of winning under the new rules.

1. At least 1 of your halves has to be wanting to get his hands on the ball at every opportunity and making sure the speed of the game remains up tempo. He needs to be judicious in when to take on the line, get it out wide quickly and when to kick early to turn the opposition around. He really has to be in the game for the entire 80 minutes.
2. The forwards need to rumble thorough and control the middle third with quick play the balls with the next big bopper thundering onto the ball and forcing the opposition forwards into retreat. Quick and accurate service from the dummy half whether it be the hooker or a half is essential to keep momentum going forward.
3. The forwards have to be ferocious & tenacious in everything they do with ball in hand and fight like buggery every time to get a quick play the ball. Being awarded 6 agains will make a teams life much easier whereas giving them up is digging your own grave.
4. The wingers need to have a roaming commission and be willing to get into the middle of the paddock taking hit ups or running off forwards who can offload and in doing so need to get back into position on their wings quickly as turnovers will cause quick play the balls and good sides will capitalise on any holes left out wide.

I note with interest Andrew John's comment today re Bird to 5/8 and have to say that would fit nicely into how I see our side best served in attack.

Bird is a dominant force on the field (Munster like for mine) and if we have passive halves we will really struggle and whilst I can see young Bud also being the right fit in the halves he has suffered an unfortunate set back with injury and might take some time to get back to being fit enough for the pace of the game as I think coming back from injuries under the new rules will be a lot tougher than previous years.

There is no doubt that players will fatigue in both attack and defence so hopefully our game plan will take these things into account and we make a bold showing of it tomorrow night.

Point 2 has beem shown to be particularly important, especially the hooking role. Smith in the Storm game, Brailey for the Knights and Mahoney all played significant rolee in their teams victories.

Lets hope Macca can produce the same influence on the game tomorrow, as it would go a long way to getting us a win.

 

[muzby]

Whilst we have had only 3 games thus far in Rd 1 IMO there is clear evidence as to what is needed to be in with a real chance of winning under the new rules.

1. At least 1 of your halves has to be wanting to get his hands on the ball at every opportunity and making sure the speed of the game remains up tempo. He needs to be judicious in when to take on the line, get it out wide quickly and when to kick early to turn the opposition around. He really has to be in the game for the entire 80 minutes.
2. The forwards need to rumble thorough and control the middle third with quick play the balls with the next big bopper thundering onto the ball and forcing the opposition forwards into retreat. Quick and accurate service from the dummy half whether it be the hooker or a half is essential to keep momentum going forward.
3. The forwards have to be ferocious & tenacious in everything they do with ball in hand and fight like buggery every time to get a quick play the ball. Being awarded 6 agains will make a teams life much easier whereas giving them up is digging your own grave.
4. The wingers need to have a roaming commission and be willing to get into the middle of the paddock taking hit ups or running off forwards who can offload and in doing so need to get back into position on their wings quickly as turnovers will cause quick play the balls and good sides will capitalise on any holes left out wide.

I note with interest Andrew John's comment today re Bird to 5/8 and have to say that would fit nicely into how I see our side best served in attack.

Bird is a dominant force on the field (Munster like for mine) and if we have passive halves we will really struggle and whilst I can see young Bud also being the right fit in the halves he has suffered an unfortunate set back with injury and might take some time to get back to being fit enough for the pace of the game as I think coming back from injuries under the new rules will be a lot tougher than previous years.

There is no doubt that players will fatigue in both attack and defence so hopefully our game plan will take these things into account and we make a bold showing of it tomorrow night.

5. Dufty needs to defend like Dufty, and not let in 10 tries like Dugan.

 

[Miller was a legend]

Point 2 has beem shown to be particularly important, especially the hooking role. Smith in the Storm game, Brailey for the Knights and Mahoney all played significant rolee in their teams victories.

Lets hope Macca can produce the same influence on the game tomorrow, as it would go a long way to getting us a win.

It’s not likely to be his running game. He doesn’t have one

 

[Miller was a legend]

5. Dufty needs to defend like Dufty, and not let in 10 tries like Dugan.

Oh snap!

 

[Gareth67]

Oh snap!

Gavin , shouldn’t you be getting your mob in the right frame of mind for the local derby rather than downgrading the Dragons chances of victory tomorrow ?

I would hate to see a decent fellow such as yourself come out with egg all over his face - again .

 

[Miller was a legend]

Gavin , shouldn’t you be getting your mob in the right frame of mind for the local derby rather than downgrading the Dragons chances of victory tomorrow ?

I would hate to see a decent fellow such as yourself come out with egg all over his face - again .

Haha downgrading?

how so Gareth?

acknowledging Muzby’s Dugan comment to OT or the truth about Macca?

if the latter, sorry if that upsets, but be honest, he is a great defender, organiser for his half back and 5/8, but he is nowhere near a renowned runner of the ball from dummy half

 

[kit66]

Whilst we have had only 3 games thus far in Rd 1 IMO there is clear evidence as to what is needed to be in with a real chance of winning under the new rules.

1. At least 1 of your halves has to be wanting to get his hands on the ball at every opportunity and making sure the speed of the game remains up tempo. He needs to be judicious in when to take on the line, get it out wide quickly and when to kick early to turn the opposition around. He really has to be in the game for the entire 80 minutes.
2. The forwards need to rumble thorough and control the middle third with quick play the balls with the next big bopper thundering onto the ball and forcing the opposition forwards into retreat. Quick and accurate service from the dummy half whether it be the hooker or a half is essential to keep momentum going forward.
3. The forwards have to be ferocious & tenacious in everything they do with ball in hand and fight like buggery every time to get a quick play the ball. Being awarded 6 agains will make a teams life much easier whereas giving them up is digging your own grave.
4. The wingers need to have a roaming commission and be willing to get into the middle of the paddock taking hit ups or running off forwards who can offload and in doing so need to get back into position on their wings quickly as turnovers will cause quick play the balls and good sides will capitalise on any holes left out wide.

I note with interest Andrew John's comment today re Bird to 5/8 and have to say that would fit nicely into how I see our side best served in attack.

Bird is a dominant force on the field (Munster like for mine) and if we have passive halves we will really struggle and whilst I can see young Bud also being the right fit in the halves he has suffered an unfortunate set back with injury and might take some time to get back to being fit enough for the pace of the game as I think coming back from injuries under the new rules will be a lot tougher than previous years.

There is no doubt that players will fatigue in both attack and defence so hopefully our game plan will take these things into account and we make a bold showing of it tomorrow night.

Good points but we have enough halves in Hunt, Norman, Sullivan, Clune and Amone all of whom can do the job. Having a skillful centre ( who wants to play centre ) in Bird will be huge for us under the new rules. He excelled in that postion for the Sharkies and he will again for us. Hook sounds like he wants early ball out wide and both Bird and Lomax can capitalize on that. I'm not sold on the Kerr to 11 experiment but it could benefit us in attack if he can bend or break the line and then give us those really fast play the balls he's known for and get his centre even more space.

 

[boardlumps62]

Haha downgrading?

how so Gareth?

acknowledging Muzby’s Dugan comment to OT or the truth about Macca?

if the latter, sorry if that upsets, but be honest, he is a great defender, organiser for his half back and 5/8, but he is nowhere near a renowned runner of the ball from dummy half

Not that you need to be told anything bit I M O every player needs to have some ability to run (and fast too) or they are a waste of time.

 

[Maddragon99]

Whilst we have had only 3 games thus far in Rd 1 IMO there is clear evidence as to what is needed to be in with a real chance of winning under the new rules.

1. At least 1 of your halves has to be wanting to get his hands on the ball at every opportunity and making sure the speed of the game remains up tempo. He needs to be judicious in when to take on the line, get it out wide quickly and when to kick early to turn the opposition around. He really has to be in the game for the entire 80 minutes.
2. The forwards need to rumble thorough and control the middle third with quick play the balls with the next big bopper thundering onto the ball and forcing the opposition forwards into retreat. Quick and accurate service from the dummy half whether it be the hooker or a half is essential to keep momentum going forward.
3. The forwards have to be ferocious & tenacious in everything they do with ball in hand and fight like buggery every time to get a quick play the ball. Being awarded 6 agains will make a teams life much easier whereas giving them up is digging your own grave.
4. The wingers need to have a roaming commission and be willing to get into the middle of the paddock taking hit ups or running off forwards who can offload and in doing so need to get back into position on their wings quickly as turnovers will cause quick play the balls and good sides will capitalise on any holes left out wide.

I note with interest Andrew John's comment today re Bird to 5/8 and have to say that would fit nicely into how I see our side best served in attack.

Bird is a dominant force on the field (Munster like for mine) and if we have passive halves we will really struggle and whilst I can see young Bud also being the right fit in the halves he has suffered an unfortunate set back with injury and might take some time to get back to being fit enough for the pace of the game as I think coming back from injuries under the new rules will be a lot tougher than previous years.

There is no doubt that players will fatigue in both attack and defence so hopefully our game plan will take these things into account and we make a bold showing of it tomorrow night.

I wouldn’t describe either Hunt or Norman as dominant halves & think Bird will be needed at Lock if de Belin doesn’t make a full comeback.

 

[Old Timer]

I wouldn’t describe either Hunt or Norman as dominant halves & think Bird will be needed at Lock if de Belin doesn’t make a full comeback.

I honestly think we need to buy a new lock as JDB will be well short of what is needed if he does make it back.

2.5 years out of a rapidly changing game will not be ideal for an ageing player so me thinks the front row will be he is position long term.

Just watching the momentum build in other games the 7, 6, 9 are all strategic in achieving that and Bird IMO has all the characteristics that make Munster such a dynamic player and if we don't have go forward halves then our centres will be swamped and playing off the back foot well behind the advantage line which would waste JB's obvious talents.

Other than Bud who is going to be out for a while we have no "give me the f**king ball now" type halves and without that your team will be struggling to keep in the game?

Bird wants the ball in his hands and best we put him into a position where he can dictate the play rather than responding to what the halves may or may not give him.

 

[Gareth67]

Haha downgrading?

how so Gareth?

acknowledging Muzby’s Dugan comment to OT or the truth about Macca?

if the latter, sorry if that upsets, but be honest, he is a great defender, organiser for his half back and 5/8, but he is nowhere near a renowned runner of the ball from dummy half

Wrong choice of words on my part Miller , no offense intended old son , merely stirring the pot a little .

 

[possm]

Whilst we have had only 3 games thus far in Rd 1 IMO there is clear evidence as to what is needed to be in with a real chance of winning under the new rules.

1. At least 1 of your halves has to be wanting to get his hands on the ball at every opportunity and making sure the speed of the game remains up tempo. He needs to be judicious in when to take on the line, get it out wide quickly and when to kick early to turn the opposition around. He really has to be in the game for the entire 80 minutes.
2. The forwards need to rumble thorough and control the middle third with quick play the balls with the next big bopper thundering onto the ball and forcing the opposition forwards into retreat. Quick and accurate service from the dummy half whether it be the hooker or a half is essential to keep momentum going forward.
3. The forwards have to be ferocious & tenacious in everything they do with ball in hand and fight like buggery every time to get a quick play the ball. Being awarded 6 agains will make a teams life much easier whereas giving them up is digging your own grave.
4. The wingers need to have a roaming commission and be willing to get into the middle of the paddock taking hit ups or running off forwards who can offload and in doing so need to get back into position on their wings quickly as turnovers will cause quick play the balls and good sides will capitalise on any holes left out wide.

I note with interest Andrew John's comment today re Bird to 5/8 and have to say that would fit nicely into how I see our side best served in attack.

Bird is a dominant force on the field (Munster like for mine) and if we have passive halves we will really struggle and whilst I can see young Bud also being the right fit in the halves he has suffered an unfortunate set back with injury and might take some time to get back to being fit enough for the pace of the game as I think coming back from injuries under the new rules will be a lot tougher than previous years.

There is no doubt that players will fatigue in both attack and defence so hopefully our game plan will take these things into account and we make a bold showing of it tomorrow night.

The problem is that Bird is still coming back from injury and so, would not be fit enough to be a dominant 6. It will have to be Clune. I'm sure Bird running off Clune will cause some damage.

I'm just hoping that both Hunt and Clune have been schooled well in the art of kicking long into the corners by Soward. Shorter kicks to the middle right down the fullbacks throat just won't do the trick.

But as everyone is saying, our forwards need to stand up and be counted or we can forget ending up with the two points after the game. And if they can't man up for the rest of the season, we are in for a very bad year.

Our forwards looked very tired and lethargic in the CC game against Souths, let's hope they are fresh, energetic and dominant in this game against the Sharks.

 

[Miller was a legend]

Wrong choice of words on my part Miller , no offense intended old son , merely stirring the pot a little .

Lol no worries Gareth!

Being the last game of the weekend is the pits!

 

[Miller was a legend]

The problem is that Bird is still coming back from injury and so, would not be fit enough to be a dominant 6. It will have to be Clune. I'm sure Bird running off Clune will cause some damage.

I'm just hoping that both Hunt and Clune have been schooled well in the art of kicking long into the corners by Soward. Shorter kicks to the middle right down the fullbacks throat just won't do the trick.

But as everyone is saying, our forwards need to stand up and be counted or we can forget ending up with the two points after the game. And if they can't man up for the rest of the season, we are in for a very bad year.

Our forwards looked very tired and lethargic in the CC game against Souths, let's hope they are fresh, energetic and dominant in this game against the Sharks.

I think the forwards will be up for this game Possm. They have to be and not many derbies I can recall where they don’t lift

 

[Gareth67]

Lol no worries Gareth!

Being the last game of the weekend is the pits!

I have an awful feeling that the Dragons will be playing quite a few games on either Sunday or the Monday night this season .

Personally I believe that whoever plays the Monday game is considered to be not a contender for the big matches at season’s end - it must affect upon the teams morale , at least that’s the way I look at it . Then of course the poor sods may need to have a short turn-around the next weekend immediately putting them at a distinct disadvantage .

Still as far as our chaps are concerned I just want to see some commitment and pride in their jersey and a bit of wholehearted effort wouldn’t go astray neither . Not getting my hopes to high for the season itself , but hey Miller wouldn’t it be nice to start the year off by beating our baby brothers from the shire !