Round 15 vs Cows

[getsmarty]

Dragons star Jeremy Latimore forced to hitchhike to Wollongong game after traffic chaos

• 
  Desiree Savage

Dragons Den

St George Illawarra Dragons forward Jeremy Latimore. Traffic on Corrimal Street. Photos: Nathan Hopkins, Kathleen Teixeira
Dragons forward Jeremy Latimore was forced to hitch a ride on a motorbike to make it to his milestone match against the Cowboys in Wollongong on Friday.

Traffic heading into the city was chaos after a fatal multi-vehicle accident on Friday afternoon, with southbound lanes around Mount Keira overpass closed for more than six hours.

Stuck in traffic, the front rower made the decision to abandon his car on the wrong side of the road and hitchhike to WIN Stadium for his 50th appearance for the club.

Read More: Dragons run down Cowboys to keep finals hopes afloat

So Jeremy Latimore parked his car on the side of My Ousley and hitchhiked on the back of a motorbike to get to WIN Stadium. @mercury_sports

— Mitch Jennings (@Mitch_Jenno) June 28, 2019
"There was a tragic accident and it threw a spanner into the works for a few of the Sydney boys," Latimore told Dragons.com.au after the match.

"I moved about 400 metres in half an hour, so I decided to leave my car on the side of the highway on the M1."

After ditching his car on Mount Ousley, Latimore was helped by two different motorists, and felt like "Clay Morrow from Sons of Anarchy" as he arrived at the stadium on the back of a bike.

Read More: Man, 65, charged over fiery M1 crash that killed two people

"I've crossed the medium strip and jumped in a car heading towards Sydney and gone Towradgi, and it still wasn't really moving," he said.

"So I saw a guy on a motorbike and asked him for a lift, Ricardo. And Brett - he picked me up on the side of the highway - two legends and they got me to the game about five o'clock.

"All is well that ends well, but I wasn't feeling great while I was sitting in the car, and I was a bit rattled, but ... the adrenaline I felt when I got on the back of that motorbike.

"I'm not really a motorbike rider, but I looked like Clay Morrow from the Sons of Anarchy, but that's about where it starts and finishes."

St George Illawarra ended up fighting back from 10-nil down to trump the Cowboys 22-14 in a gritty victory.

Read More: On yer bikes, guvvies, let's get moving on escarpment MTB plan

Jeremy Latimore arrived to his 50th Dragons game in a very unique way tonight #redvpic.twitter.com/JBjEVbQbwe

— The Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) June 28, 2019


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...o-wollongong-game-amid-traffic-chaos/?cs=3713

 

[Lovemedragons]

I would love to get excited about the win tonight but it was once again a few lucky kicks rather than constructive play. There is just very little in the way of formation or imagination in attack. Typical McIdiot flair.

The back five, 1 through 5 let us down week after week. Lafai’s return does not fill me with any hope as he is just as bad. Maybe it’s a sign of how bad McIdiot is but these back five could not read a Dr Sues book let alone a defensive play. They are like revolving turnstiles. Ravolowa is strong, runs well, and can defend, but just cannot position himself. He pulled off a couple of good saves tonight which got us across the line but I have no confidence in him. Not under this coach.

The forwards are pulling there weight. Fritz, Vaughn, and the Sims boys. Hunt an Norman both are directing well. But this backline is atrocious.

On tonight’s performance, Melbourne will put 50 on us. They will run rings around that back five. This season is already gone. The board should be considering a real coach for next year. And that is not one of the stooges in the background or Barrett. But alas, we know that won’t happen. Bottom 4 for the next two years.

Great assessment, absolutely spot on.

 

[Lovemedragons]

Agree, especially Dufty.
Quite often Friz, Vaughan, Graham & Luc poke their noses through & look but no one is there.
I’ve also been saying for ages that I’d like to see Dufty get into dummy half & run, Like Tedesco, Turbo, Gutherson etc do.

Backing up forwards and darting from dummy half requires nothing that Dufty doesn't have, speed and anticipation, why the hell has he just about NEVER taken an offload from a forward?? Matt Dufty please go and watch tapes of Brian Johnson.

 

[BLM01]

geez even wihtout SOO players Melbourne have a 1st grade squad, coach and playbook that would likely beat our best side even at our home ground.....let alone our 2nd string side.

 

[Dragon David]

Backing up forwards and darting from dummy half requires nothing that Dufty doesn't have, speed and anticipation, why the hell has he just about NEVER taken an offload from a forward?? Matt Dufty please go and watch tapes of Brian Johnson.

This is exactly what is needed and needs to be rehearsed over and over until it is embedded in their game plan and mindset until it works 100%. Our offloading skills need to be expertly honed. In fact all the players skills should be enhanced. The players have been playing league for years since they were kids in most cases. For them to reach all grades to NRL level they would obviously have been taught more or less every aspect of the way you should pass, catch - general passing and high balls- tackle, kick, run, even side step. The big one is to have great anticipation and awareness of the way the game is heading. Also, you just must never, ever give up.

 

[possm]

Backing up forwards and darting from dummy half requires nothing that Dufty doesn't have, speed and anticipation, why the hell has he just about NEVER taken an offload from a forward?? Matt Dufty please go and watch tapes of Brian Johnson.

Backing up forwards and taking off-loads to run down the middle was a feature of Dufty's game when he played in the juniors/reserve grade. I am sure it is a game plan/coach instruction thing in first grade.

The same comment could apply to Field as well. When he is on the bench to just bring him on with 10min to go and hope for the best is madness. Rehearsed moves which involve Field taking off-loads off our forwards and running up the middle should be a feature of his game when he comes on. To also jump into dummy half and sprint upfield like Cook does would also be very helpful.

 

[Dragon David]

Backing up forwards and taking off-loads to run down the middle was a feature of Dufty's game when he played in the juniors/reserve grade. I am sure it is a game plan/coach instruction thing in first grade.

Yes I agree Possm, Dufty did take offloads from Luciano and others a lot in the juniors/reserves, however, has not had the same service or has not really followed through for the forwards to offload to him that very much since being in the NRL squad. The last great offload I saw was in the game between us and the Knights this year when Paul Vaughn offloaded to Field to score - a terrific try. Unfortunately we lost the game anyway!

 

[Old Timer]

Observations & Takeaways

• Out attack is as uninspiring and as simple as our coach. The complete lack of organised forward rushes or inclination to off load to supports (not that we have many) is so apparent. In fact I believe that Widdop tried incredibly hard as do Norman and Hunt to break the shackles of the insipid tactics employed by the coaching staff and they suffer because of it and we keep falling back into the abyss of everything being structured and played out in the pattern of the brain waves of the coach (dead simple and easily read)
• Dufty has too many mistakes in him and is not "mature" enough to be a 1st grade FB. He looks like he constantly wants to be patted on the head for anything good he might do even the simplest things. Drinkwater who is also smallish has played far less games and looked several classes above him and more importantly "very focussed".
• Ravalawa I am pleased to say is improving despite the coaching staff but should never be again be referred to as the Fijian Flyer. I think the Bula Bulldozer is more apt. He to his great credit has learned something and applied it in the game.
• Pearson is showing some skills and energy and may turn out to be an adequate 1st grade winger however would love to see him in open space and watch how he finishes off an attack.
• The centres just defy logic are mind numbing at best and require no further discussion.
• The halves I addressed above and they are limited in what they can do due to the game plan and use of the forwards. I hope to god that Norman doesn't become disillusioned with the place (something I believe happened at times with Widdop)
• Lawrie is now a concern for me as he is not mobile enough to be 13 and not big enough to be 8 or 10. Tries incredibly hard but just doesn't bend the line or get his shoulders and arms free. On the verge of becoming a plodder so needs some real input from Graham & Vaughan to help him.
• Leilua is not going to make it for many and varied reasons & it is time to move on.
• Host developing into a reliable 80 minute player and starting to hit some holes. Would like to see the sprint coaches work with him and find a yard or two of pace as then IMO he will be very dangerous.
• Mc Innes is a great asset but not the smartest footballer in the world and misses some real opportunities. Maybe he looks to stay in the "structure" coach wants and suffers for that as do the halves.
• Sims, Vaughan, Frizz all copping a flogging a usual and IMO the very best of them is yet to be seen and hopefully we do see them still in the Red V under a new coach.
• The bench and its usage is a joke as we all know and nothing further needs to be said about Lats.
• Coach is always trying to look intelligent, calm and in control but that is just dumbing down the entire place. Show some passion, get the shits, have a brain explosion and kick some arse or get the f**k out of the chair.
• Some people in trying to savour a win will again fail to see how bad we really play RL and will dismiss any criticism's either constructive or otherwise.

 

[Crush]

Observations & Takeaways

• Out attack is as uninspiring and as simple as our coach. The complete lack of organised forward rushes or inclination to off load to supports (not that we have many) is so apparent. In fact I believe that Widdop tried incredibly hard as do Norman and Hunt to break the shackles of the insipid tactics employed by the coaching staff and they suffer because of it and we keep falling back into the abyss of everything being structured and played out in the pattern of the brain waves of the coach (dead simple and easily read)
• Dufty has too many mistakes in him and is not "mature" enough to be a 1st grade FB. He looks like he constantly wants to be patted on the head for anything good he might do even the simplest things. Drinkwater who is also smallish has played far less games and looked several classes above him and more importantly "very focussed".
• Ravalawa I am pleased to say is improving despite the coaching staff but should never be again be referred to as the Fijian Flyer. I think the Bula Bulldozer is more apt. He to his great credit has learned something and applied it in the game.
• Pearson is showing some skills and energy and may turn out to be an adequate 1st grade winger however would love to see him in open space and watch how he finishes off an attack.
• The centres just defy logic are mind numbing at best and require no further discussion.
• The halves I addressed above and they are limited in what they can do due to the game plan and use of the forwards. I hope to god that Norman doesn't become disillusioned with the place (something I believe happened at times with Widdop)
• Lawrie is now a concern for me as he is not mobile enough to be 13 and not big enough to be 8 or 10. Tries incredibly hard but just doesn't bend the line or get his shoulders and arms free. On the verge of becoming a plodder so needs some real input from Graham & Vaughan to help him.
• Leilua is not going to make it for many and varied reasons & it is time to move on.
• Host developing into a reliable 80 minute player and starting to hit some holes. Would like to see the sprint coaches work with him and find a yard or two of pace as then IMO he will be very dangerous.
• Mc Innes is a great asset but not the smartest footballer in the world and misses some real opportunities. Maybe he looks to stay in the "structure" coach wants and suffers for that as do the halves.
• Sims, Vaughan, Frizz all copping a flogging a usual and IMO the very best of them is yet to be seen and hopefully we do see them still in the Red V under a new coach.
• The bench and its usage is a joke as we all know and nothing further needs to be said about Lats.
• Coach is always trying to look intelligent, calm and in control but that is just dumbing down the entire place. Show some passion, get the shits, have a brain explosion and kick some arse or get the f**k out of the chair.
• Some people in trying to savour a win will again fail to see how bad we really play RL and will dismiss any criticism's either constructive or otherwise.

You did say we would be outplayed and outcoached before the game though OT. We weren't. You need to take a closer look at oppositions before you make such predictions. We were rubbish but they were worse.
Storm by 50 this week then Dragons to beat Raiders the following week.

 

[Como Connection]

Observations & Takeaways

• Out attack is as uninspiring and as simple as our coach. The complete lack of organised forward rushes or inclination to off load to supports (not that we have many) is so apparent. In fact I believe that Widdop tried incredibly hard as do Norman and Hunt to break the shackles of the insipid tactics employed by the coaching staff and they suffer because of it and we keep falling back into the abyss of everything being structured and played out in the pattern of the brain waves of the coach (dead simple and easily read)
• Dufty has too many mistakes in him and is not "mature" enough to be a 1st grade FB. He looks like he constantly wants to be patted on the head for anything good he might do even the simplest things. Drinkwater who is also smallish has played far less games and looked several classes above him and more importantly "very focussed".
• Ravalawa I am pleased to say is improving despite the coaching staff but should never be again be referred to as the Fijian Flyer. I think the Bula Bulldozer is more apt. He to his great credit has learned something and applied it in the game.
• Pearson is showing some skills and energy and may turn out to be an adequate 1st grade winger however would love to see him in open space and watch how he finishes off an attack.
• The centres just defy logic are mind numbing at best and require no further discussion.
• The halves I addressed above and they are limited in what they can do due to the game plan and use of the forwards. I hope to god that Norman doesn't become disillusioned with the place (something I believe happened at times with Widdop)
• Lawrie is now a concern for me as he is not mobile enough to be 13 and not big enough to be 8 or 10. Tries incredibly hard but just doesn't bend the line or get his shoulders and arms free. On the verge of becoming a plodder so needs some real input from Graham & Vaughan to help him.
• Leilua is not going to make it for many and varied reasons & it is time to move on.
• Host developing into a reliable 80 minute player and starting to hit some holes. Would like to see the sprint coaches work with him and find a yard or two of pace as then IMO he will be very dangerous.
• Mc Innes is a great asset but not the smartest footballer in the world and misses some real opportunities. Maybe he looks to stay in the "structure" coach wants and suffers for that as do the halves.
• Sims, Vaughan, Frizz all copping a flogging a usual and IMO the very best of them is yet to be seen and hopefully we do see them still in the Red V under a new coach.
• The bench and its usage is a joke as we all know and nothing further needs to be said about Lats.
• Coach is always trying to look intelligent, calm and in control but that is just dumbing down the entire place. Show some passion, get the shits, have a brain explosion and kick some arse or get the f**k out of the chair.
• Some people in trying to savour a win will again fail to see how bad we really play RL and will dismiss any criticism's either constructive or otherwise.

Spot on!
CC

 

[Old Timer]

You did say we would be outplayed and outcoached before the game though OT. We weren't. You need to take a closer look at oppositions before you make such predictions. We were rubbish but they were worse.
Storm by 50 this week then Dragons to beat Raiders the following week.

I wasn't expecting their major playmaker to go off injured for half a game.
If not for that I believe what I said was going to be correct.
You need to take into account all the facts and make some allowances for things that are out of the ordinary before getting on a high horse.

 

[Crush]

I wasn't expecting their major playmaker to go off injured for half a game.
If not for that I believe what I said was going to be correct.
You need to take into account all the facts and make some allowances for things that are out of the ordinary before getting on a high horse.

Cmon OT, you can't be the one on the high horse ALL of the time, let some of us others up on it from time to time.

 

[Old Timer]

Cmon OT, you can't be the one on the high horse ALL of the time, let some of us others up on it from time to time.

OK you can get up with me but you have to sit behind and give me a cuddle. Only the very experienced can hold the reins i'm afraid.
You reckon 50 next week ,funny I actually don't see it that way.
I think we will be a bit more competitive than many think providing the refs do their job and keep Smith in check but I do have to wait and see the team sheet before I commit to how competitive we will be.

 

[Crush]

OK you can get up with me but you have to sit behind and give me a cuddle. Only the very experienced can hold the reins i'm afraid.
You reckon 50 next week ,funny I actually don't see it that way.
I think we will be a bit more competitive than many think providing the refs do their job and keep Smith in check but I do have to wait and see the team sheet before I commit to how competitive we will be.

I cannot see anything other than a flogging. Only reason we compete at all this year is due to our 4 - 5 origin stars, the rest are either average or rubbish.
There is talk that Norman will be potentially selected for Origin too.
Norman plays we lose by 30, Norman doesn't play we lose by 50.

 

[Carlton]

Observations & Takeaways

• Out attack is as uninspiring and as simple as our coach. The complete lack of organised forward rushes or inclination to off load to supports (not that we have many) is so apparent. In fact I believe that Widdop tried incredibly hard as do Norman and Hunt to break the shackles of the insipid tactics employed by the coaching staff and they suffer because of it and we keep falling back into the abyss of everything being structured and played out in the pattern of the brain waves of the coach (dead simple and easily read)
• Dufty has too many mistakes in him and is not "mature" enough to be a 1st grade FB. He looks like he constantly wants to be patted on the head for anything good he might do even the simplest things. Drinkwater who is also smallish has played far less games and looked several classes above him and more importantly "very focussed".
• Ravalawa I am pleased to say is improving despite the coaching staff but should never be again be referred to as the Fijian Flyer. I think the Bula Bulldozer is more apt. He to his great credit has learned something and applied it in the game.
• Pearson is showing some skills and energy and may turn out to be an adequate 1st grade winger however would love to see him in open space and watch how he finishes off an attack.
• The centres just defy logic are mind numbing at best and require no further discussion.
• The halves I addressed above and they are limited in what they can do due to the game plan and use of the forwards. I hope to god that Norman doesn't become disillusioned with the place (something I believe happened at times with Widdop)
• Lawrie is now a concern for me as he is not mobile enough to be 13 and not big enough to be 8 or 10. Tries incredibly hard but just doesn't bend the line or get his shoulders and arms free. On the verge of becoming a plodder so needs some real input from Graham & Vaughan to help him.
• Leilua is not going to make it for many and varied reasons & it is time to move on.
• Host developing into a reliable 80 minute player and starting to hit some holes. Would like to see the sprint coaches work with him and find a yard or two of pace as then IMO he will be very dangerous.
• Mc Innes is a great asset but not the smartest footballer in the world and misses some real opportunities. Maybe he looks to stay in the "structure" coach wants and suffers for that as do the halves.
• Sims, Vaughan, Frizz all copping a flogging a usual and IMO the very best of them is yet to be seen and hopefully we do see them still in the Red V under a new coach.
• The bench and its usage is a joke as we all know and nothing further needs to be said about Lats.
• Coach is always trying to look intelligent, calm and in control but that is just dumbing down the entire place. Show some passion, get the shits, have a brain explosion and kick some arse or get the f**k out of the chair.
• Some people in trying to savour a win will again fail to see how bad we really play RL and will dismiss any criticism's either constructive or otherwise.

OT, I dont always agree with your views but in this case I am in 100% agreement. Well done.

 

[Old Timer]

OT, I dont always agree with your views but in this case I am in 100% agreement. Well done.

Almost all the forum will be in agreement with 1 thing by seasons end.
Upon reflection probably 2 things
Coach can't coach.
The excuses for losses will be even more ridiculous.
or maybe 3 things
muzby is an arsehole.

 

[sco22]

It’s all the Coach

 

[Lovemedragons]

Observations & Takeaways

• Out attack is as uninspiring and as simple as our coach. The complete lack of organised forward rushes or inclination to off load to supports (not that we have many) is so apparent. In fact I believe that Widdop tried incredibly hard as do Norman and Hunt to break the shackles of the insipid tactics employed by the coaching staff and they suffer because of it and we keep falling back into the abyss of everything being structured and played out in the pattern of the brain waves of the coach (dead simple and easily read)
• Dufty has too many mistakes in him and is not "mature" enough to be a 1st grade FB. He looks like he constantly wants to be patted on the head for anything good he might do even the simplest things. Drinkwater who is also smallish has played far less games and looked several classes above him and more importantly "very focussed".
• Ravalawa I am pleased to say is improving despite the coaching staff but should never be again be referred to as the Fijian Flyer. I think the Bula Bulldozer is more apt. He to his great credit has learned something and applied it in the game.
• Pearson is showing some skills and energy and may turn out to be an adequate 1st grade winger however would love to see him in open space and watch how he finishes off an attack.
• The centres just defy logic are mind numbing at best and require no further discussion.
• The halves I addressed above and they are limited in what they can do due to the game plan and use of the forwards. I hope to god that Norman doesn't become disillusioned with the place (something I believe happened at times with Widdop)
• Lawrie is now a concern for me as he is not mobile enough to be 13 and not big enough to be 8 or 10. Tries incredibly hard but just doesn't bend the line or get his shoulders and arms free. On the verge of becoming a plodder so needs some real input from Graham & Vaughan to help him.
• Leilua is not going to make it for many and varied reasons & it is time to move on.
• Host developing into a reliable 80 minute player and starting to hit some holes. Would like to see the sprint coaches work with him and find a yard or two of pace as then IMO he will be very dangerous.
• Mc Innes is a great asset but not the smartest footballer in the world and misses some real opportunities. Maybe he looks to stay in the "structure" coach wants and suffers for that as do the halves.
• Sims, Vaughan, Frizz all copping a flogging a usual and IMO the very best of them is yet to be seen and hopefully we do see them still in the Red V under a new coach.
• The bench and its usage is a joke as we all know and nothing further needs to be said about Lats.
• Coach is always trying to look intelligent, calm and in control but that is just dumbing down the entire place. Show some passion, get the shits, have a brain explosion and kick some arse or get the f**k out of the chair.
• Some people in trying to savour a win will again fail to see how bad we really play RL and will dismiss any criticism's either constructive or otherwise.

And the coach played centre for Australia.....

 

[Lovemedragons]

I cannot see anything other than a flogging. Only reason we compete at all this year is due to our 4 - 5 origin stars, the rest are either average or rubbish.
There is talk that Norman will be potentially selected for Origin too.
Norman plays we lose by 30, Norman doesn't play we lose by 50.

Wow Crush that optimism you have always shown has now officially been exhausted!

 

[Crush]

Wow Crush that optimism you have always shown has now officially been exhausted!

It sure has mate!
We are in a permanent cycle of mediocrity.
Over it.