Round 19 vs Souths

[West coast dragon]

Take aways from tonights game.

1. Widdop tried his very best to get the team to fire. His frustration at what they have become became evident on a few occasions as he tried to direct the attack and the players did something entirely different and Widdop through his hands up in disgust and scratched his head wondering what was going on.
2. The notion that Graham can play long minutes is an absolute joke. 77 minutes tonight on tired legs is farcical especially when Kerr was actually making ground and playing the ball quickly and Luc other than Vaughan looked the most likely to create something.
3. Hunt is ashell shocked footballer and he will never recover from it. Far too prone to making big mistakes at crucial times.
4. Norman is far too casual and doesn't hurt enough when things go pear shape or we lose. Also quite surprised how slow he actually is.
5. T Sims would rather be anywhere else but on the paddock in a St GI jersey. He has slumped beyond recognition. K Sims is far less dynamic than he ever was at the Broncos. Bruce brothers they ain't.
6. Why would you bring on a completely fresh player who is a small back and had no input in 77 minutes to replace a forward who defends in the middle where we had been vulnerable all night? Suicidal game plan if ever there was one.
7. Frizz tries far too hard to make up for what others (Sims in particular) aren't doing. He is overplayed in attack and has nothing other than a rip,shit or bust run which is like the rest of our footy "entirely predictable".
8. I know centres are less important in the game today than back in 2010 but FMD our centres are the most insignificant footballers you could ever imagine. Aitken is "the worst" defensive centre and just keeps on doing the same thing every single game and Lafai is almost invisible.
9. Next year will be an absolute horror show without Widdop.
10. We have no idea of how to encourage an offload let alone support it.
11. Anyone who bags Mc Innes knows SFA about footy. He is a great player and team man and whilst we might be up shit creek without a paddle without Cam the team would all be standing on their heads in the creek.
12. We were completely outplayed tonight and can take almost nothing out of the game, however for sure Souths can take even less as that form won't be winning form against the big boys come late September but then again they at least will get a shot at the title.
13. Last but not least thanks to all those that made comment re me & the grandson I really appreciate it. Whilst it is hard to stop young fans from being despondent hopefully us old timers can instil some of our "faith" from other dark times into them and get them through this horror patch so they remain Dragons fans and get some enjoyment from that in the not too distant future.

Right on McInnes the heart and soul of the joint atm

 

[West coast dragon]

Take aways from tonights game.

1. Widdop tried his very best to get the team to fire. His frustration at what they have become became evident on a few occasions as he tried to direct the attack and the players did something entirely different and Widdop through his hands up in disgust and scratched his head wondering what was going on.
2. The notion that Graham can play long minutes is an absolute joke. 77 minutes tonight on tired legs is farcical especially when Kerr was actually making ground and playing the ball quickly and Luc other than Vaughan looked the most likely to create something.
3. Hunt is ashell shocked footballer and he will never recover from it. Far too prone to making big mistakes at crucial times.
4. Norman is far too casual and doesn't hurt enough when things go pear shape or we lose. Also quite surprised how slow he actually is.
5. T Sims would rather be anywhere else but on the paddock in a St GI jersey. He has slumped beyond recognition. K Sims is far less dynamic than he ever was at the Broncos. Bruce brothers they ain't.
6. Why would you bring on a completely fresh player who is a small back and had no input in 77 minutes to replace a forward who defends in the middle where we had been vulnerable all night? Suicidal game plan if ever there was one.
7. Frizz tries far too hard to make up for what others (Sims in particular) aren't doing. He is overplayed in attack and has nothing other than a rip,shit or bust run which is like the rest of our footy "entirely predictable".
8. I know centres are less important in the game today than back in 2010 but FMD our centres are the most insignificant footballers you could ever imagine. Aitken is "the worst" defensive centre and just keeps on doing the same thing every single game and Lafai is almost invisible.
9. Next year will be an absolute horror show without Widdop.
10. We have no idea of how to encourage an offload let alone support it.
11. Anyone who bags Mc Innes knows SFA about footy. He is a great player and team man and whilst we might be up shit creek without a paddle without Cam the team would all be standing on their heads in the creek.
12. We were completely outplayed tonight and can take almost nothing out of the game, however for sure Souths can take even less as that form won't be winning form against the big boys come late September but then again they at least will get a shot at the title.
13. Last but not least thanks to all those that made comment re me & the grandson I really appreciate it. Whilst it is hard to stop young fans from being despondent hopefully us old timers can instil some of our "faith" from other dark times into them and get them through this horror patch so they remain Dragons fans and get some enjoyment from that in the not too distant future.

Didn’t have the time to elaborate like yourself old mate lol

 

[Old Timer]

Right on McInnes the heart and soul of the joint atm

Yep I really like him and he typifies courage in the big red v from a bygone era.
How are you holding up after all the health issues?

 

[rednwhites]

Take aways from tonights game.

1. Widdop tried his very best to get the team to fire. His frustration at what they have become became evident on a few occasions as he tried to direct the attack and the players did something entirely different and Widdop through his hands up in disgust and scratched his head wondering what was going on.
2. The notion that Graham can play long minutes is an absolute joke. 77 minutes tonight on tired legs is farcical especially when Kerr was actually making ground and playing the ball quickly and Luc other than Vaughan looked the most likely to create something.
3. Hunt is ashell shocked footballer and he will never recover from it. Far too prone to making big mistakes at crucial times.
4. Norman is far too casual and doesn't hurt enough when things go pear shape or we lose. Also quite surprised how slow he actually is.
5. T Sims would rather be anywhere else but on the paddock in a St GI jersey. He has slumped beyond recognition. K Sims is far less dynamic than he ever was at the Broncos. Bruce brothers they ain't.
6. Why would you bring on a completely fresh player who is a small back and had no input in 77 minutes to replace a forward who defends in the middle where we had been vulnerable all night? Suicidal game plan if ever there was one.
7. Frizz tries far too hard to make up for what others (Sims in particular) aren't doing. He is overplayed in attack and has nothing other than a rip,shit or bust run which is like the rest of our footy "entirely predictable".
8. I know centres are less important in the game today than back in 2010 but FMD our centres are the most insignificant footballers you could ever imagine. Aitken is "the worst" defensive centre and just keeps on doing the same thing every single game and Lafai is almost invisible.
9. Next year will be an absolute horror show without Widdop.
10. We have no idea of how to encourage an offload let alone support it.
11. Anyone who bags Mc Innes knows SFA about footy. He is a great player and team man and whilst we might be up shit creek without a paddle without Cam the team would all be standing on their heads in the creek.
12. We were completely outplayed tonight and can take almost nothing out of the game, however for sure Souths can take even less as that form won't be winning form against the big boys come late September but then again they at least will get a shot at the title.
13. Last but not least thanks to all those that made comment re me & the grandson I really appreciate it. Whilst it is hard to stop young fans from being despondent hopefully us old timers can instil some of our "faith" from other dark times into them and get them through this horror patch so they remain Dragons fans and get some enjoyment from that in the not too distant future.

Mate, agreed with the majority of your summary (especially Hunt) but as for number 9, Souths get the two points and they will be playing finals footy. Bennett will have them primed and Sam will be playing. They never got out of first gear tonight and didn't even panic when they got behind.

Dragons fans will be watching on enviously.

That's the reality, yet again.

 

[West coast dragon]

Yep I really like him and he typifies courage in the big red v from a bygone era.
How are you holding up after all the health issues?

Had what I thought was my final surgery mate but one more to go they found my heart still beating lol
Have spent the last week and a half going total cold turkey off the opiates hardest week and a half of my like was very ill to say the least lost 8.5kg last weekend alone and it made the Oxys seem like grand final day 2010 in comparison! 800mg of palexia sr and tapentadol ir a day for the last 10 months is murder to come off, real weapons grade shit but through that now just got a quick shoulder op now and I can breath again glad you and the young buck had some meaningful time together cheers!!!!

 

[getsmarty]

Had what I thought was my final surgery mate but one more to go they found my heart still beating lol
Have spent the last week and a half going total cold turkey off the opiates hardest week and a half of my like was very ill to say the least lost 8.5kg last weekend alone and it made the Oxys seem like grand final day 2010 in comparison! 800mg of palexia sr and tapentadol ir a day for the last 10 months is murder to come off, real weapons grade shit but through that now just got a quick shoulder op now and I can breath again glad you and the young buck had some meaningful time together cheers!!!!

That's Tough WCD...all the best and hopefully your health will be onwards and upwards...unlike our club...

 

[West coast dragon]

That's Tough WCD...all the best and hopefully your health will be onwards and upwards...unlike our club...

Thanks mate how good is Saab gonna be great debut great story looks like a great kid too

 

[West coast dragon]

Mate, agreed with the majority of your summary (especially Hunt) but as for number 9, Souths get the two points and they will be playing finals footy. Bennett will have them primed and Sam will be playing. They never got out of first gear tonight and didn't even panic when they got behind.

Dragons fans will be watching on enviously.

That's the reality, yet again.

but how good was Saab clearly the highlight of the night tallest bloke in the dragons side tonight

 

[Dragon for life]

Just finished watching we lack effort for the majority of the game but this is nothing new. A few points.

1. Where has this winger been hiding all year. We needed him all year. Our wingers have been getting out jumped all year.
2. Vaughan and Frizz are tired and they should have been rested last week.
3. Why do we continually catch the ball standing still and then run. We must be the worst team for metres gained. First half of last season we were running onto the ball and making huge metres up the field. Coach!!!
4. Not that we deserved to win but anyone think that the last pass was forward?
5. Play Aitken in the forwards. He can’t pass anyway. We don’t offload, so he should be ideal.
6 Why don’t we offload? This is where Dufty should hanging around if he is going to get picked.
7. WTF was that dropout?
8. Our kicking game is the worst in the comp.
9. F**king Mary

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

Telstra Premiership Round 19 Rabbitohs vs Dragons
Telstra Premiership

Round 19 - Friday 26th July 2019


Match: Rabbitohs vs Dragons
Kick off: 7:55pm

home Team

Rabbitohs

2nd Position

away Team

Dragons

14th Position

#NRLSouthsDragons

Venue: ANZ Stadium

Match broadcasters

• Nine Network
• Foxtel
• LIVE PASS
• KAYO

Ground Conditions: N/A

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Buy Tickets

• Latest
• Team Stats

Stats
Current Season
Wins this season
69%

11/16

38%

6/16

Points Scored
home South Sydney Rabbitohs
356

away St. George Illawarra Dragons
287
Points Conceded
home South Sydney Rabbitohs
264

away St. George Illawarra Dragons
365
Completion Rate
77%

77%

Tackle Efficiency
87.5%

88.3%

Average Points Scored
home South Sydney Rabbitohs
22

away St. George Illawarra Dragons
17
Average Points Conceded
home South Sydney Rabbitohs
16

away St. George Illawarra Dragons
22
Average Play The Ball
3.46s

3.4s


https://www.dragons.com.au/draw/nrl-premiership/2019/round-19-rabbitohs-v-dragons/

Observations regarding Souths game:
1. At full strength tonight and still got dominated by a Souths team without Sam and George.
Conceded 4 tries which is our season's average so no improvement in regards to our defence.
2. Compressed defence hasn't worked all year and tonight was no exception conceding 3 tries out wide and a soft try by Walker close to the line.
In fact the score flattered us and we were lucky that Reynolds had an off day with the boot..
3. Lafai is a passenger and Aitkin still can't defend even though he contributed in attacktonight.
4. Saab is significantly better than all our other wing options. Why did we have to wait until tonight to give him a start in FG?
One positive to come out of tonight's game. He will only get better.
5. Hunt is a dud - sorry but the occasional good game just doesn't cut it.
Plays like a tyro for QLD at 9 and then puts in shockers for us.
That goal line drop out was comical and embarrassing.
When you add the week off debacle you have to wonder whether he even wants to be at St. George under McGregor.
6. Game plan - nothing different, just bash and barge for 5 tackles and kick with the occasional block play which the opposition just gobbles up.
Having said that at about the 60th minute mark we threw caution to the wind and started to throw the ball around and off load.
We actually looked much more likely to create scoring opportunities.
That passage of ad lib football deconstructed the game and surprised Souths and nearly gave us an unlikely victory.
Looked like the players threw McGregor's game plane into the bin.
7. Tantalizing - At 16-14 even I thought we couldn't lose the game from there but, incredibly, we found a way to lose....again.
This is a recurring theme - our inability to ice games and execute those clutch plays.
That is not a trait of a title contender.
8. Dufty's 3 minute cameo - the use of the bench has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Why bother?
Kerr had a positive impact on the game when he finally came on.
Graham was shot after 60 minutes and McGregor persevered with him until it was too late.
9. Figures don't lie - *Since McGregor's extension we have lost 10 from 12.
*We have conceded more tries than any other team in the comp and concede an average of just under 24 points a game.
*Its been two weeks and two losses since McGregor stated publicly that we can still win the comp.

Simple question to the Board and Johnston in particular - What will it take to sack McGregor? The wooden spoon?
Finally, a special mention regarding McInnes.
His wholehearted effort and line speed in defence is inspirational.
As the Team tanks and is getting worse, this fellow keeps stepping up and improving.

What we are witnessing is the playing group losing all faith in the coach and his ability to turn things around.
It really doesn't matter that Widdop is back at 6 or Graham is there to inspire and lead.
Eels next week and can be a potent attacking side.
If we are serious about winning this one it has to start with our defence.
Full strength again next week.
No more excuses McGregor.

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

Observations regarding Souths game:
1. At full strength tonight and still got dominated by a Souths team without Sam and George.
Conceded 4 tries which is our season's average so no improvement in regards to our defence.
2. Compressed defence hasn't worked all year and tonight was no exception conceding 3 tries out wide and a soft try by Walker close to the line.
In fact the score flattered us and we were lucky that Reynolds had an off day with the boot..
3. Lafai is a passenger and Aitkin still can't defend even though he contributed in attacktonight.
4. Saab is significantly better than all our other wing options. Why did we have to wait until tonight to give him a start in FG?
One positive to come out of tonight's game. He will only get better.
5. Hunt is a dud - sorry but the occasional good game just doesn't cut it.
Plays like a tyro for QLD at 9 and then puts in shockers for us.
That goal line drop out was comical and embarrassing.
When you add the week off debacle you have to wonder whether he even wants to be at St. George under McGregor.
6. Game plan - nothing different, just bash and barge for 5 tackles and kick with the occasional block play which the opposition just gobbles up.
Having said that at about the 60th minute mark we threw caution to the wind and started to throw the ball around and off load.
We actually looked much more likely to create scoring opportunities.
That passage of ad lib football deconstructed the game and surprised Souths and nearly gave us an unlikely victory.
Looked like the players threw McGregor's game plane into the bin.
7. Tantalizing - At 16-14 even I thought we couldn't lose the game from there but, incredibly, we found a way to lose....again.
This is a recurring theme - our inability to ice games and execute those clutch plays.
That is not a trait of a title contender.
8. Dufty's 3 minute cameo - the use of the bench has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Why bother?
Kerr had a positive impact on the game when he finally came on.
Graham was shot after 60 minutes and McGregor persevered with him until it was too late.
9. Figures don't lie - *Since McGregor's extension we have lost 10 from 12.
*We have conceded more tries than any other team in the comp and concede an average of just under 24 points a game.
*Its been two weeks and two losses since McGregor stated publicly that we can still win the comp.

Simple question to the Board and Johnston in particular - What will it take to sack McGregor? The wooden spoon?
Finally, a special mention regarding McInnes.
His wholehearted effort and line speed in defence is inspirational.
As the Team tanks and is getting worse, this fellow keeps stepping up and improving.

What we are witnessing is the playing group losing all faith in the coach and his ability to turn things around.
It really doesn't matter that Widdop is back at 6 or Graham is there to inspire and lead.
Eels next week and can be a potent attacking side.
If we are serious about winning this one it has to start with our defence.
Full strength again next week.
No more excuses McGregor.

Very well said, DP.

 

[Coffs dragon]

Take aways from tonights game.

1. Widdop tried his very best to get the team to fire. His frustration at what they have become became evident on a few occasions as he tried to direct the attack and the players did something entirely different and Widdop through his hands up in disgust and scratched his head wondering what was going on.
2. The notion that Graham can play long minutes is an absolute joke. 77 minutes tonight on tired legs is farcical especially when Kerr was actually making ground and playing the ball quickly and Luc other than Vaughan looked the most likely to create something.
3. Hunt is ashell shocked footballer and he will never recover from it. Far too prone to making big mistakes at crucial times.
4. Norman is far too casual and doesn't hurt enough when things go pear shape or we lose. Also quite surprised how slow he actually is.
5. T Sims would rather be anywhere else but on the paddock in a St GI jersey. He has slumped beyond recognition. K Sims is far less dynamic than he ever was at the Broncos. Bruce brothers they ain't.
6. Why would you bring on a completely fresh player who is a small back and had no input in 77 minutes to replace a forward who defends in the middle where we had been vulnerable all night? Suicidal game plan if ever there was one.
7. Frizz tries far too hard to make up for what others (Sims in particular) aren't doing. He is overplayed in attack and has nothing other than a rip,shit or bust run which is like the rest of our footy "entirely predictable".
8. I know centres are less important in the game today than back in 2010 but FMD our centres are the most insignificant footballers you could ever imagine. Aitken is "the worst" defensive centre and just keeps on doing the same thing every single game and Lafai is almost invisible.
9. Next year will be an absolute horror show without Widdop.
10. We have no idea of how to encourage an offload let alone support it.
11. Anyone who bags Mc Innes knows SFA about footy. He is a great player and team man and whilst we might be up shit creek without a paddle without Cam the team would all be standing on their heads in the creek.
12. We were completely outplayed tonight and can take almost nothing out of the game, however for sure Souths can take even less as that form won't be winning form against the big boys come late September but then again they at least will get a shot at the title.
13. Last but not least thanks to all those that made comment re me & the grandson I really appreciate it. Whilst it is hard to stop young fans from being despondent hopefully us old timers can instil some of our "faith" from other dark times into them and get them through this horror patch so they remain Dragons fans and get some enjoyment from that in the not too distant future.

Brilliant summation OT and bang on target. The Dragons in 2019 play the most boring ineffective game I have ever seen.
The players might like Mary and supposedly he has not lost the shed, but they play with no Heart or Hunger. Whatever the coach is telling them, they don't listen or simply don't trust the current coaching system at all. We are Spoon worthy....it's that bad!

 

[Brutalitops]

I don't see much point criticising the players anymore. Over the last 10 weeks the performances have deteriorated at such a level that it's rather clear that the players have simply lost faith in their coach altogether. Judging performances is pointless when they seem as distracted and down on team form as they are.

I don't buy this shit about Hunt suddenly being a dud. I'm getting a pretty big sense that he's unhappy under Mary, noticed his wife on Instagram was hinting at him being unhappy with the "resting" at that point. Would not be shocked if the Frizzel rumours last week were true, he and Hunt (and Lomax) always hang out as a group and they all seem well and truly against the current game plan or unhappy. Wouldn't be surprised to lose all 3 after next year.

JDB needs to be separated from the group also. Knowing there is a divide regarding his presence at training, and then keeping him around, is just about the dumbest thing our club has ever done. How is anyone supposed to perform in an uncomfortable work environment

 

[Dragonsamy]

The player how needs to be ‘rested’ is Tariq. Quite a disappointing year from him.

To me he seams to be unable to lift his intensity at all. Lost his mongrel

 

[j0nesy]

There were two absolute passengers out there tonight. They were Tim Lafai and Tariq Sims. Both need some time in regies. Another option for Sims might be to play him at lock and force him to work. Hunt wasn’t much better, but he tried at least. Hunt’s suffering mentally I think.

On the positive side of things. I thought Saab was awesome as was McInness. Widdop was decent for his first game back and Norman looks ok at fullback. Aitken had one of his better games. Graham was solid and one of our only decent forwards. Friz tried hard, Vaughan was good in patches. Leilua was good off the bench.

 

[st.phil]

Tariq Sims is either injured or completely checked out. Hasn't played hard since that suspension

 

[BLM01]

Say what you want about players and the team last night. Yeh for the most we were poor except for Widdop & Saab who had a good debut (last defnsive glitch) and was his legs taken out trying to catch the ball..probably yeh. And a lot of those mentioned earlier performed poor..probably.
But again spark in dufty..comes on with 3 mins to play and as i said earlier the back 3 were never going to get our sets going and Mary's selections and bench rotation is poor and we know he cant coach.
But I am going to whinge about some other things.
1. Refs now allowing people to be dragging people back towards goal line along the ground when mometum halted even after calling held of course when coming out of trouble. They do nothing unless it is a sideline.
2. I like Gus but if you were listening to 9 last night the amount of times he bagged us for being down on confidence, body language was way over the top an bordering on bias (we deserve it from within but commentary was appaling and he sould of been bagging the coach)
3. Then even if Hunt is on 1.2 (I dont think he is) it is a number the media keep trotting out to continually remind us all as (yeh he had some bad things last night and some good) but the way the media lay into him cause of his salary alone again is bias agend seeking. Not talking about mental health welfare worry for him which is overdone...but just plain bias media calling. He deserved a rocket fo past few weeks but..

Here is a few names that never raise an eyebrow for ther club performances on big money. Klemmer 1 mill +, Foran 1.1, Cherry 1.2, Reynolds 800K reserve grader, Farah 900K from 4 yrs ago, Milford & Jack Bird close to 1 mill, Crichton 800-900K, Cleary (nearly 1 mill), Isaac Luke, Sezer, Moylan, Mbye, Brooks let alone Titans overpaid players..why is that?

Just sayin and having another whinge about media bias

 

[jeffdragon]

Just finished watching the replay had to go watch the daughter play footy and my take aways are

Hooray for Jason Saab we now have our very own Daniel Tupou the resemblance is uncanny
Hunts gotta go not worth the money sorry Hunt fans
Frizelle is off way off
Corey Norman is a 6 end of story but Gareth’s boot and leadership will be missed
Aitken is a 3 end of story!!! out of 10
Jdb’s Mates it’s pretty obvious who they are need to worry about footy let his situation sort itself out
Origin does f**k certain teams
Lomax is a centre
And once again well one Saab runs better than his surname suggests both parents must be elated

Friz Sims bad
Origin does us most than others.

 

[CoolCat]

Saab is capable of being the best winger in the game when he bulks up and has more experience.

 

[Too old too slow]

Liar, denier or cognitive disorder?

“We knew they would kick off short .. we seen them practicing it, they done it before... so we loaded up that left edge”


Supercoach- there is 5 v 2 around the ball, - loaded is probably exaggerated - but reality has never been your strong suit.