Blood&Bandage
Juniors
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Especially with the roster we have.
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Especially with the roster we have.
Turnaround not far off: Latimore
Dragons Den
KEEPING FAITH: Dragons veteran Jeremy Latimore has seen enough in his 11-year career to know his side can turn their season around. Picture: NRL Photos
IN 11 NRL seasons with five different clubs, there's few things Dragons prop Jeremy Latimore hasn't experienced.
It's what leaves him confident the Dragons can emerge from a five-game slump against Canterbury on Monday.
Currently 13th on the ladder, a loss to the last-placed Bulldogs would see their top-eight climb become perilously steep, but Latimore knows how quickly things can change.
"I've been around long enough to know it only takes a couple of wins to turn your season around," Latimore said.
"There was a point last year where no one gave us a hope, then we jagged a win against the Knights [in round 26] and came out a week later and put 50 on Brisbane.
"The week before they were going to go through and play the grand final according to all the experts. They don't need to be pretty wins, you just have to tough it out and things start happening.
"It's a funny game with the football gods and how the ball starts bouncing for you. You've just got to give yourself a chance by defending well and doing the simple things right which we're not at the moment."
That has been the focus for the Dragons on a merciful two-week spell with the bye which Latimore admits "couldn't come quick enough."
"We've obviously got a couple of boys carrying injuries and we haven't been playing that well so get away refresh was really good," he said.
"We've looked at a few things and hopefully we can go out there and start to build our season again because there's still a lot of footy to be played.
"It's not all doom and gloom, we just need to get a bit of confidence back in what we're doing because we're probably lacking that at the moment.
"As a group you don't forget how to play football, we just need to hold onto the footy and defend a bit better. They're two easy fixes, it's just attitude."
Latimore has been named to return from a knee injury that's hampered the first half of his season and saw him feature on a lengthy injury list.
Corey Norman will return from a fractured cheekbone this week, but James Graham, Tim Lafai and Gareth Widdop will remain on it for a while longer.
Latimore said they promise to provide a huge boost when they return if the Dragons can stay in the finals race long enough.
"We've had a lot of changes throughout the year with injuries to key players and things like that but it's how you deal with it," Latimore said.
"We haven't handled it that well but we've just got to get on with it. We get Corey back this week which is massive for this team.
"The Bulldogs aren't going to be easy, there's been a lot said about them the last few weeks as well. It's a key part of their season so there's pressure on them to.
"We've just got to dumb everything down and play a really simple style of footy. If we do that we'll give ourselves a chance."
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6203799/turnaround-not-far-away-latimore/?cs=3713
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We do need a plan that includes a replacement as well. That is why I say bring in Gould as football manager and let him handle it. Now is a good time so we can be prepared for 2020.
Kerr, Timm and Ford all played very well today and in my opinion should be in the NRL 17. Saab continues to look good and is the most likely on the right wing. Clune had a magnificent game.
Jordan played well too
Yes
Hard to believe this hillbilly is the coach of the most famous Rugby League club in the world ...
