Round 17 Dragons v Titans

[Overseas dragon]

Mann won't be in the team and he will have 3 forwards plus Mann anybody else had enough of jetski and the keystone cops in charge of this great club well use to be great now it's a joke.

Well it's nice to be wrong for a change

 

[TomRedVRiver]

Looking at the Titans team, there are a lot of threats across the park.
Hayne at the back, Hurrell on the edge, Taylor calling the shots and Wallace/Peats/James in the middle.

I guess you just never know which Titans team will turn up... The team that are running 14th, or the team that beat Melbourne.

 

[Dragsters]

I think Mathews will come in and honestly i see no point.

Why has he been named in the 21 again along with Milne and yet Leilua is over looked Mary still has no clue and is stupid.

Even Head and his selections for Illawarra have me baffled. I thought he would do well with Illawarra be honestly he is shit and is on the nose with people associated with the club.

Perhaps it may be asking a lot for 2 shrewd selections in the same week!

For mine, if Vaughan was still there I would prefer to see Leilua on the bench, but with the big guy out for 3-4 weeks I think Lawrie might add more thrust.

Matthews would be the weak selection option imo.

 

[dragon-83]

Henry tells Titans defend or miss finals.

 

[thebigredv]

Win this very wintble (but tough) game and it will make all the difference as to our prospects. A loss to a team below us heading into the bye will just about kill us off. Play like we did in the last 40 mins and we will contest any game.

 

[j0nesy]

Just about the strongest team we have fielded this season. Great to see Mann given a shot ahead of Mccrone.

 

[Overseas dragon]

Just about the strongest team we have fielded this season. Great to see Mann given a shot ahead of Mccrone.

And so say all of us.i guess there's still hope for Mr jetski

 

[Old Timer]

Now let's hope if this doesn't quite work 1st up that it is not instantly shelved.
We cannot expect this to be an instant world class success and we should be careful in how we review it after the event.
I have no doubt Mary has made a very good call here and I respect him for making it allbe it a bit late IMO.

 

[blacksafake]

About time, let's hope this ends well or else McGregor will revert back to his conservative self. Should Mann play well & I don't see why not maybe McGregor will be more flexible with his selections in the future.
I hope this selection is not based on Mann signing elsewhere & McGregor now decides to give him a go in the halves to try & change his mind.

 

[mickeylane]

Mickeylane even some one as silly as you wouldn't pick a guy who hasn't played in 2 months oh wait yes you would.

They picked WIDDOP after 7 weeks !!
Boom!!

 

[GC Dragon]

Now let's hope if this doesn't quite work 1st up that it is not instantly shelved.
We cannot expect this to be an instant world class success and we should be careful in how we review it after the event.
I have no doubt Mary has made a very good call here and I respect him for making it allbe it a bit late IMO.

I agree . This needs to be the position Mann plays for the remander of the season . He can't be thrown under a bus like he was last year after 2 games at fullback . The fact is he is a much better all round player than McCrone . I know both Phil Gould and Wayne Bennett believe he is a 5/8 . So given a decent crack at the position could be of great benifit not only to him but the club moving forward ( If he stays ) .
If he shows real promise there it could give us another option next year . He could move to his prefered left side and be the natural running 5/8 Gould and Bennett think he is with Hunt running the show at Half Widdop could move to Fullback . I am not saying this is the way to go ..but...it would give us another option . At this stage we need a few options because Dufty is the only other real option i can see for the full time Fullback roll .

 

[gitano]

McCrone will start with Mann to the bench.

You heard it here first.

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons duo Vaughan, Frizell left battered and blue

Tim Barrow@@TheBarrow

27 Jun 2017, 1:38 p.m.
DRAGONS coach Paul McGregor has thrust Kurt Mann into the halfback role, as he also faces a double injury blow.

Mann was named in the No.7 jersey to take on the Gold Coast on Friday night, with Josh McCrone pushed to the bench.

Down and out: Paul Vaughan. Picture: Getty Images

The move comes as in-form prop Paul Vaughan faces a month on the sidelines and teammate Tyson Frizell is in doubt to St George Illawarra’s clash with the Titans.

In his 100th NRL game, Vaughan came from the field in the opening minutes of the dramatic 32-28 victory over the Knights at Kogarah. Athletic performance manager Nathan Pickworth confirmed Vaughan is out for 3-4 weeks, meaning he may not play again until they take on Newcastle again on July 29.

Pickworth remained hopeful Frizell would line-up for the Dragons on Friday night, despite suffering a medial ligament sprain in his ankle.

“He has pulled up reasonably well,” Pickworth said. “The MRI has revealed a medial ligament sprain in his ankle. He’s a bit swollen and a bit puffy and we’re going to see how he progresses through the week.”

While the Dragons have a bye next week, Frizell will go back into NSW State of Origin camp on Sunday, trying to win the decider against Queensland in Brisbane on July 12.

However, Euan Aitken has been named in the Dragons line-up recovering from a hamstring strain which has left him sidelined since May.

Decider: Tyson Frizell will have to overcome an ankle problem. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...ughan-frizell-left-battered-and-blue/?cs=3713

 

[getsmarty]

McCrone will start with Mann to the bench.

You heard it here first.

Actually I mentioned this earlier on in the thread...Wouldn't surprise me if coach does a shifty on the day.

Only hope is he can't be bothered cut and pasting their spots.

 

[Walpole]

McCrone will start with Mann to the bench.

You heard it here first.

I really fear that you may be correct here.

Let's just hope McGregor finally shows some balls and sticks with Mann at 7 for the full 80 minutes.

 

[Como Connection]

I really fear that you may be correct here.

Let's just hope McGregor finally shows some balls and sticks with Mann at 7 for the full 80 minutes.

And the rest of the year.
Hopefully resigns and takes the fullback role in 2018.
CC

 

[hazzbeen]

McCrone will start with Mann to the bench.

You heard it here first.

Gitano It would not surprise me at all , was thinking the same ....... I know Mann my not be the solution at 7 but either is McCrone . Maybe Widdop and Mann can swap around during the game . Just gives more option IMO with Mann in the halves ....

 

[SBD82]

I wonder if there's any chance this means Widdop switching to the right side half. Mann looked very good playing on the left side for us when Widdop was out.

Also possible they will play a more traditional 6/7 role with Mann and Widdop playing both sides and the LHS/RHS will only effect where they line up in defense. Mann or Widdop could play the sweeper role that Dugan isn't suited to in a long left hand spread, and duges could become another option runner. I wouldn't want to be a defender with duges, thommo and lafai all running options.

I'll be very interested to see how this plays out.

 

[ALSGI]

Mann at 7 will be a big improvement imo and the squad have a short week to practice with him there. I think he'll own this position for the rest of the season, he'll add some real speed in the halves and hope he follows our pack around for the off loads. I think his defence has improved greatly this year but the workload at 7 will test him. Tyrone Roberts and Taylor v Widdop and Mann.

Can't believe we haven't more options with kicking especially with Hornby coaching. Widdop cant be our only option and that's why McCrone will occupy a bench spot until we have better options. Hope Mann and McInnes can step up with their boot.

Aitken back at 3 is also a great attacking injection imo. He'll be marking Hurrell so hope he's had a long look at his defence. LAM's been awesome but Vaughan is a big loss. JDB will be fresh and fired up. Hopefully Thomo and Duges rev the boys up like they did last week at half time.

Macdonald would have to be on his last chance - wouldn't he? He'll be marking Zillman. I'd love to see Dufty replace him and get some FG time. Xfactor plus from anywhere on the park.

Duges won't let Hayne score.

I'm much more confident this week which is a big change from last week at half time.
I've always said - always change a winning team.
I think we'll be too good on Friday night, despite the Titans fielding their strongest team this year. Hoping for a dominant 80 mins with a big score - we have the squad. Back in the top 4 with a bye coming up?

 

[Overseas dragon]

I'm sure the hayne plane will get grounded into the turf by tatt man.