Round 16 Game vs Newcastle

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Exactly & I'm torn on this as I would have liked to see Friz given a rest. If ever there was a game where you could rest anyone then this is it.

Hopefully mate we are in a comfortable position that he wont have to play many minutes......Mmmmm then again I am talking about us arnt I

 

[ALSGI]

I have thought the same thing this weekend. When cotric scored a 90 meter try yesterday from nothing I thought nobody in dragons scores that try.

Exactly, or Storms two Wingers who are there purely for speed and have scored plenty this year. Xfactor plus options B, C and D.
We have a club legend on one wing when he's not covering at FB, and a plodder on the other wing who played well last year and is yet to show his speed after 16 rounds.

 

[hazzbeen]

Exactly, or Storms two Wingers who are there purely for speed and have scored plenty this year. Xfactor plus options B, C and D.
We have a club legend on one wing when he's not covering at FB, and a plodder on the other wing who played well last year and is yet to show his speed after 16 rounds.

ALSGI thats right speed can change a game in in a few minutes . This is what other teams can do if things are not going their way and behind on the score board , out of nothing their speed men can keep them in the game by scoring a long range try . The way we are everything has to be going our way and if it dosnt we have no one that can change the game for us ..... I hear you Dino SPEED AND MORE SPEED ......

 

[Old Timer]

IMO today they should play basic boring complete your sets type footy. Don't get dragged into a flashy style of play like the knights want.
To beat the top teams dragons need to chance their arm and throw the miracle flick passes and chip kicks etc because just completing sets and kicking to cnr wont win the game.
To beat the knights though just keep it simple and the defense will open up and there will be meat pies on offer.

So exactly when do we practise the
"chance their arm and throw the miracle flick passes and chip kicks etc"
as you call it footy that is required to beet the top sides?
Only by practising such things do they become easier and repeatable.
You are falling into then "I am just happy for a win and any win will do" category of fan.
We should be able to showcase all our skills today and complete them with a certain aplomb, put Newcastle well and truly to the sword and put others on notice that we are the real deal.
Anything less than that means we are mediocre and will always be mediocre under current management and coaching structures.
This game is a reality check of the 1st order and at the end we will know one way or the other if we have any skills that will test any of the good sides of which there is an ever increasing number.

 

[Crush]

So exactly when do we practise the
"chance their arm and throw the miracle flick passes and chip kicks etc"
as you call it footy that is required to beet the top sides?
Only by practising such things do they become easier and repeatable.
You are falling into then "I am just happy for a win and any win will do" category of fan.
We should be able to showcase all our skills today and complete them with a certain aplomb, put Newcastle well and truly to the sword and put others on notice that we are the real deal.
Anything less than that means we are mediocre and will always be mediocre under current management and coaching structures.
This game is a reality check of the 1st order and at the end we will know one way or the other if we have any skills that will test any of the good sides of which there is an ever increasing number.

Disagree. Just gotta try and get the 2 points every week. This week to do that we just need to complete sets and be tough in the middle and we win.
We are different types of fans OT. I don't criticise you for being who you are do I? I know you like the confrontation but can't you just let people have their opinions from time to time without a full scale attack on theirs calling them apolgists and mediocrity accepting fools EVERY time?
Bright sunny day outside OT, bbq, beers and the mighty saints on at 2pm, the early game! Here's hoping we win and win well!

 

[hazzbeen]

Disagree. Just gotta try and get the 2 points every week. This week to do that we just need to complete sets and be tough in the middle and we win.
We are different types of fans OT. I don't criticise you for being who you are do I? I know you like the confrontation but can't you just let people have their opinions from time to time without a full scale attack on theirs calling them apolgists and mediocrity accepting fools EVERY time?
Bright sunny day outside OT, bbq, beers and the mighty saints on at 2pm, the early game! Here's hoping we win and win well!

Crush just getting the 2 points is great , but the way we are playing is not going to win us the Comp . We need to mix it up from time to time ,need a plan B when things dont go our way , Anyway hope the BBQ is clean and ready and yea lets hope we get the 2 points , enjoy your day mate ....

 

[ALSGI]

Disagree. Just gotta try and get the 2 points every week. This week to do that we just need to complete sets and be tough in the middle and we win.
We are different types of fans OT. I don't criticise you for being who you are do I? I know you like the confrontation but can't you just let people have their opinions from time to time without a full scale attack on theirs calling them apolgists and mediocrity accepting fools EVERY time?
Bright sunny day outside OT, bbq, beers and the mighty saints on at 2pm, the early game! Here's hoping we win and win well!

Have to agree with OT on this Crush.
An ugly 2 points at the start of the season gives us something to work on but at this stage would only confirm the deficiencies we all know exist (except Mary and co).
Delaying the losses we'll face in the next few weeks if we just roll out the same shit plan A cut and paste team and game plan. I think we'll lose today with Plan A because if I was Browny it's been telegraphed to him all year and confirmed with team selections this week.
Imo, today's game is the perfect to roll the dice, inject some youth and speed, try the chip and chase, halves run straight and take on the line, give McInnes a kick and ask him to dart out and take a run with support, etc
You're right though, great day for a beer and Bbq and cheer for the Dragons regardless.

 

[Old Timer]

Disagree. Just gotta try and get the 2 points every week. This week to do that we just need to complete sets and be tough in the middle and we win.
We are different types of fans OT. I don't criticise you for being who you are do I? I know you like the confrontation but can't you just let people have their opinions from time to time without a full scale attack on theirs calling them apolgists and mediocrity accepting fools EVERY time?
Bright sunny day outside OT, bbq, beers and the mighty saints on at 2pm, the early game! Here's hoping we win and win well!

Crush
Unfortunately you and a few others misinterpret my posts.
I always wish for a win and will always take the 2 points however we get them but I am realistic about what it takes to win the comp.
If we are to espouse thoughts of top 4 finish or even win the comp then IMO we can't do it playing as we do.
You yourself admit that in your post and furthermore you state that we have to "chance our arm" against the good sides if we are to have chance of beating them.
These are "you own words not mine" I am simply trying to suggest that if you are going to take that risk against the good sides then best we do some homework against the weaker sides does that not make sense to you?
How can it be that we must in your opinion have to play exciting football to try and win against great sides and at the same time suggest we have to play boring as bat shit football to ensure we beat the weaker sides.
That does not make any sense to me whatsoever.
You take my post as criticism or an attack when it is not, it is merely asking a question of you.
Why wouldn't we practise skills to get better at them because without those skills we can't win this competition but with them we just might.
That's the difference between us.
Sure its sunny outside, the bbq's are going, beers to be had and yes I will be at the game with 3 generations of my family and will have a great day none of that is lost on me.
My daughter in law loves nothing more than having a pie and chips with me at the footy so as much as you might think I might be miserable it's actually not correct.

 

[Crush]

Have to agree with OT on this Crush.
An ugly 2 points at the start of the season gives us something to work on but at this stage would only confirm the deficiencies we all know exist (except Mary and co).
Delaying the losses we'll face in the next few weeks if we just roll out the same shit plan A cut and paste team and game plan. I think we'll lose today with Plan A because if I was Browny it's been telegraphed to him all year and confirmed with team selections this week.
Imo, today's game is the perfect to roll the dice, inject some youth and speed, try the chip and chase, halves run straight and take on the line, give McInnes a kick and ask him to dart out and take a run with support, etc
You're right though, great day for a beer and Bbq and cheer for the Dragons regardless.

Fair enough mate!
Lets see how it unfolds. No doubt we will be riding the roller-coaster that is supporting the dragons!

 

[Smack]

When Aitken is fully fit, I'd move Mann to the halves and Aitken to the centres.

 

[Crush]

Crush
Unfortunately you and a few others misinterpret my posts.
I always wish for a win and will always take the 2 points however we get them but I am realistic about what it takes to win the comp.
If we are to espouse thoughts of top 4 finish or even win the comp then IMO we can't do it playing as we do.
You yourself admit that in your post and furthermore you state that we have to "chance our arm" against the good sides if we are to have chance of beating them.
These are "you own words not mine" I am simply trying to suggest that if you are going to take that risk against the good sides then best we do some homework against the weaker sides does that not make sense to you?
How can it be that we must in your opinion have to play exciting football to try and win against great sides and at the same time suggest we have to play boring as bat shit football to ensure we beat the weaker sides.
That does not make any sense to me whatsoever.
You take my post as criticism or an attack when it is not, it is merely asking a question of you.
Why wouldn't we practise skills to get better at them because without those skills we can't win this competition but with them we just might.
That's the difference between us.
Sure its sunny outside, the bbq's are going, beers to be had and yes I will be at the game with 3 generations of my family and will have a great day none of that is lost on me.
My daughter in law loves nothing more than having a pie and chips with me at the footy so as much as you might think I might be miserable it's actually not correct.

To beat the top sides just completing sets and defending well will not get you a win. You need to do those things plus there needs to be some razzle dazzle. Even then it might not be enough to get the 2 points.
To beat the bottom sides you just need to do the basics and be patient. They will open up at some stage and there will be points. If you try to get fancy and play expansive side to side stuff against the knights and the timing is off, the balls go to ground, the balls go forward etc then you invite them into the game.
Anyway thats just my opinion and maybe I am off the mark.
I don't think that you are miserable my point was just made that maybe you don't need to criticise posts every time, let a few go through to the keeper?
Enjoy the game OT. No doubt there will be a rant or two after the game win lose or draw!

 

[TomRedVRiver]

Lawrie was not named for Illawarra, looks like he could be making his first grade debut today!

 

[hewi]

When Aitken is fully fit, I'd move Mann to the halves and Aitken to the centres.

IMO Aitken should not come straight back in. Test him out in the lower grade to make sure he is 100% ok.

 

[Lewish33]

IMO today they should play basic boring complete your sets type footy. Don't get dragged into a flashy style of play like the knights want.
To beat the top teams dragons need to chance their arm and throw the miracle flick passes and chip kicks etc because just completing sets and kicking to cnr wont win the game.
To beat the knights though just keep it simple and the defense will open up and there will be meat pies on offer.

Cool. Back to "Dragons Footy" then? Something to look forward to.

 

[Old Timer]

Lawrie was not named for Illawarra, looks like he could be making his first grade debut today!

I sincerely hope he does and I pray that is not just a bench warming exercise and that he gets serious time on the paddock.
All the youngsters will all make a few boo boos along the way and we have to expect that and not instantly be critical.
It will be great to see these young guys "together" in a senior side which will hopefully be the nucleus of a great side for years to come.
Today is as good a day as any to "play hard" here's to a great game and some exciting footy.

 

[coast_dragons]

Lawrie is on standby for Friz so more then likely he won't play.

If so what a wasted oppurtunity.

 

[Smack]

thats what i meant by fully fit mate

IMO Aitken should not come straight back in. Test him out in the lower grade to make sure he is 100% ok.

 

[hewi]

thats what i meant by fully fit mate

Got it. Thanks.

 

[hewi]

Boys, on the way to San Fran today, can't even get get the game on radio Aus, so please get the boys home for me!!!!

 

[Dragonslayer]

Just goes to show how desperate we have become just to win a game.
Supercoach McGregor would rather name the same players as changing them "is not the answer", yet when he rolls out the team list last Tuesday we see 2 players returning from long term injuries (Matthews and Aitken) in a week when we have rep players to back-up.
Yes Lawrie and Dufty were named also, but really just token nominations.
Today we play a tem who many thought we would be fighting out the wooden spoon for, so, by default, this game will be hard fought and difficult for us.
However, to back up Friz (who is obviously busted and needs injections to play) is ridiculous, and would have presented a perfect opportunity for McGregor to blood young Lawrie by moving Sele to lock and Sims to his preferred edge. But no let's risk our top player and hope he doesn't get further injured.
As for Dugan, again another opportunity wasted. Dugan could have easily slotted into centre, Mann to half and Dufty to fullback. But no, let's play safety first, first.
Finally, even including Milne is a slap in the face to our youngsters. Given the scenario with Dugan and if McGregor wants Dugan at fullback then again a perfect opportunity to have Dufty on the bench and inject him into the game when we know the knights really start to struggle with defense (around the 60 min mark).
McGregor's selection reek of desperation now, belief in the old guard will come good and probably this game is a game to play them back into form, however, the real truth will be known at full-time. A win by 40 and everyone selected will be safe, a win by 1-10 and we played "improved" footy today and was a grinding win against a quality team, a loss then we weren't good enough and we have to do better, but changing the team is not the answer.................you know the presser right?
For mine this game is a 50/50. I just hope we don't play like it.