Round 6 v GC Titans

[justadragon]

Once again, Coach Shane Flanagan demonstrates an apparent inability to exercise decisive judgment in his team selections, a failing that undermines his leadership. Much like his predecessors, he persists in recycling the same lackluster and uninspired lineups week after week, seemingly anticipating a different outcome from an unchanged approach—a practice that epitomizes folly.

Firstly, one must question the rationale behind limiting the bench to a solitary front rower and persisting with Lawrie in that role. This week, we face a formidable Titans forward pack, yet Flanagan appears to lack the prescience to adjust his strategy accordingly. Opting for a single front-row replacement against such opposition suggests a troubling oversight, potentially leaving the team ill-equipped to counter the physicality they will encounter.

Secondly, the reluctance to sanction players for subpar performances or pivotal errors in matches is equally perplexing.
Last week, Illias and Tuipulotu committed critical mistakes that directly contributed to the the defeat, yet Flanagan refrains from holding them accountable.

This hesitance to wield authority and enforce standards within the playing group raises serious doubts about his capacity to instill discipline and drive improvement. Why does he shy away from the hard choices that could galvanize the squad?

Such decisions reflect a perplexing lack of acumen from Flanagan, casting a shadow of disillusionment over us supporters.
For those of us invested in the team’s fortunes, this inertia is profoundly disheartening.

I do agree with you on this one IH, whilst not wanting Flanno immediately sacked, there are obviously some concerns that needed to be addressed, if we lose this match, he will have a lot to answer for. But he still deserves the time others have. He must know that if he cocks this up, its his last gig.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

no surprise really, he said in the PC that nothing would change and it didnt, next !!! Surely Flanno isnt that dumb that he cant see that having Lawrie there is a waste of space or there are a lot of members on this forum that know nothing about RL.

Welcome back Justa- posters have nominated quite a few sub par performers last weekend (Lawrie, Tui, Ilias, Flanagan, Cook etc)- my nominee was Sloane who had an absolute shocker- he went walkabout for Ado Carr's try but that could be partially excused by his inexperience on the wing. What was inexcusable was his poor handling and ball security when in possession but also his lack of judgement in receiving the ball near the touchline and continuing to run directly ahead, instead of cutting back infield when the cover was on top of him making it easy for him to be pushed into touch.

Bottom line, take the Colossus Gutho out of the Dragons line up and put him back in the Eels strip and they win by 20 points. He can't be expected to play at that level every week without getting a crook back from carrying this sorry mob.

 

[KogarahWarrior]

I do agree with you on this one IH, whilst not wanting Flanno immediately sacked, there are obviously some concerns that needed to be addressed, if we lose this match, he will have a lot to answer for. But he still deserves the time others have. He must know that if he cocks this up, its his last gig.

Yeah, I actually half-agree with him on this one. While I don't think this Friday's game should be the measure for whether this is Flanno's last gig or not, it is upsetting to see the same team list roll out each week. I will say though, and this is what IH was missing - we lack the cavalry to actually come in and be the replacements to certain players. For instance, I don't even think you can replace Lawrie with LPT because having 3 rookie forwards on the bench is a massive risk - not even because they aren't capable (Egan and Stewart have both proven to already be better than most of our forwards), but because if something goes wrong, it'll be bad for their development - we saw this when Amone and Sloan got chucked into first grade with no real cup experience.

There are definitely capable replacements in certain positions though. LKT is definitely ready to replace Kyle as he HAS had enough experience by now, but we all know that's just not happening. He is an actual half and is just as sound defensively as Kyle, if his cup stats are anything to go by. As for Ilias, I'd keep him there. At least he kicks, which Kyle can't do. Tuipulotu is also no match for Finau and I've personally found it mind-boggling from round 1 that he got the run over him, and there was no reward for Finau's trial form.

 

[possm]

The club has given Flanno too much hard work to do. They have football management staff ane recruitment management staff on the books but, they don't seem to be up to the job.
Replace:
Haran
Millard
Millward
Dean Young

In addition, we have some players who are not living up to expectations:
Move Leilua to the prop rotation
Move Suli to an edge forward position
Move Gutherson to the five-eighth position
Move Cook to the center position
Promote Tonga to the prop forward rotation
Promote Ramsey to the Fullback position
Promote Glover to the halfback position
Select our wingers on current form

Drop to reserve grade:
K Flannagan
Ilias
Lawrie
Sloan
CT

So our first grade 17 would be:
1. Ramsey
2. The best in-form winger
3. Cook
4. Homes
5. Our best in-form winger
6. Gutherson
7. Glover
8. T Couchman
9. Liddle
10. Klemmer
11. Suli
12. Su'A
13. De Belin

14. Tonga
15. Leilua
16. Stewart
17. Eagan

Having Glover control the match and get his hand on the ball more often would be a marked improvement.
Clover would add speed and learn a lot from Guthersson.

Ramsey is our second-best fullback, behind Gutherson.

Leilua is less effective on the edge these days and we have a big hole in our prop rotation. He has the size, pace and talent to be our club's best prop.
Tonga is the next cab on the rank for the prop rotation.
Suli would be a devastating edge forward. With size, pace, and a great step, Suli would be a great addition to our back row.

Some would say this is too big a change with too many inexperienced players however, I am convinced that these changes will bring extra speed, better game management, and a message that Flanno wants performance and players will be held accountable for sub-standard performance.

.

 

[justadragon]

Welcome back Justa- posters have nominated quite a few sub par performers last weekend (Lawrie, Tui, Ilias, Flanagan, Cook etc)- my nominee was Sloane who had an absolute shocker- he went walkabout for Ado Carr's try but that could be partially excused by his inexperience on the wing. What was inexcusable was his poor handling and ball security when in possession but also his lack of judgement in receiving the ball near the touchline and continuing to run directly ahead, instead of cutting back infield when the cover was on top of him making it easy for him to be pushed into touch.

Bottom line, take the Colossus Gutho out of the Dragons line up and put him back in the Eels strip and they win by 20 points. He can't be expected to play at that level every week without getting a crook back from carrying this sorry mob.

Totally agree mate and thanks, I dont actually blame anyone for our loss. it was just a combination of players and mistakes that let us down badly. I was deflated when I saw the team list, but then the Dragons supporter care factor set in, Lawrie is a mystery to me surely we cant all be seeing something different Flanno. Oh well I'm due to be there on Friday, lets see if its a totally different perspective live.

 

[justadragon]

Yeah, I actually half-agree with him on this one. While I don't think this Friday's game should be the measure for whether this is Flanno's last gig or not, it is upsetting to see the same team list roll out each week. I will say though, and this is what IH was missing - we lack the cavalry to actually come in and be the replacements to certain players. For instance, I don't even think you can replace Lawrie with LPT because having 3 rookie forwards on the bench is a massive risk - not even because they aren't capable (Egan and Stewart have both proven to already be better than most of our forwards), but because if something goes wrong, it'll be bad for their development - we saw this when Amone and Sloan got chucked into first grade with no real cup experience.

There are definitely capable replacements in certain positions though. LKT is definitely ready to replace Kyle as he HAS had enough experience by now, but we all know that's just not happening. He is an actual half and is just as sound defensively as Kyle, if his cup stats are anything to go by. As for Ilias, I'd keep him there. At least he kicks, which Kyle can't do. Tuipulotu is also no match for Finau and I've personally found it mind-boggling from round 1 that he got the run over him, and there was no reward for Finau's trial form.

Yes absolutely KW, poor choice of my wording, I meant if Flanno blows the whole coaching assignment at the Dragons, not just this next game. Agree with your reasoning on LKT, what worries me now is a rumor saying he could link up with Parra, if that is the case then I wouldnt like him in the team. Finau 100 should be there.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

As McEnroe said.....YOU CANT BE SERIOUS

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Same shit. Different week.

Same shit. Different year

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Flannos love affair with Blake Lawrie is as nauseating as McGregors with Euan Aitken

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

no surprise really, he said in the PC that nothing would change and it didnt, next !!! Surely Flanno isnt that dumb that he cant see that having Lawrie there is a waste of space or there are a lot of members on this forum that know nothing about RL.

Well I mustn't as well then because as well as Lawrie the Cook / Liddle merry go round is shit especially the way Lids is being used and please tell me how Sloan is supposed to be giving full value on the wing

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

no surprise really, he said in the PC that nothing would exercise it didnt, next !!! Surely Flanno isnt that dumb that he cant see that having Lawrie there is a waste of space or there are a lot of members on this forum that know nothing about RL.

Well obviously I'm one of those....besides Lawrie, what is going on with the Cook /Liddle merry go round it's a completely inaffective exercise the way their used tbh...and what value are we getting from young Sloane on the wing.....thats 4 players out of 17 almost 25 % of the team.......over to you coach

Sorry everyone didn't think the first one was sent

 

[getsmarty]

‘Not an excuse’: Dragons halfback given just ‘two or three’ games to save jersey by his agent

‘Not an excuse’: Dragons star given just ‘two or three’ games to save jersey by his agent

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[moes]

To be fair to illas, the coaches orders for him all offseason was to focus on defence and kicking. You’d think as a young half coming back from injury & confidence crisis that you’d ask him to focus on running the ball first? He was running way more at souths

I guess that would have meant his son having to step up as playmaker and kicker, which he can’t do.

ps now both his coach and manager have had a crack at him publicly - he will either continue to go into his shell and will be dropped in coming weeks or turn the criticism into man of the match performances, win us the next few games and defy the critics.
I’m a glass half/empty type of supporter unfortunately so hope I’m wrong where I think it’ll end,

 

[Number of the Beath]

Lawrie, eh? And the team did so well last week that no changes are required. It looks like Flanno has drunk the Kool Aid.
I was disappointed that I wasn't going to be able to watch the game. Now I think I've got off lightly.
Why can't this $hithouse wreckage of a once great club ever make a good decision?

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

Roosters: right…we’ve only won 1 game this season. We need to make changes. Townsend is out, Savala is in.

Dragons: right…we’ve only won 1 game this season. We don’t need to make changes…we’re good.

FMD I hate our team.

 

[John moz]

No changes to our no 6 no 7 again same shit each week . No speed or structure we have KT in reserves killing it give him a run or we will lose him .

 

[possm]

Flannos love affair with Blake Lawrie is as nauseating as McGregors with Euan Aitken

Flanno is left with very few options. All other options revolve around props with little or no first-grade experience or ex-first-grade props that are well past their use-by date.

We need a complete change at BOD level as it seems to me, this problem has been constant no matter who the coach (excluding Bennett who demanded near complete control of the football side of club management).

The first step would be to delegate football matters to the GM Football who should report to the the the CEO.

Step 2 would be to replace the current GM Football and his staff and the Recruitment Manager and his Staff.

Step 3 would be to ensure the next lot of players recruited for 2026 and beyond are quality players. There needs to be a balanced between 3 groups of players:
1. The spine
2. The remaining backs
3. The forwards.

As a rule of thumb, there should be one marquee player in the non-spine groups and at least three marquee players within the spine So that is, 5 marquee players in the top 17.. For example;

Fullback
Five-eighth
Halfback
Hooker
Prop

 

[baggygreen man]

Finau in.

Agree with this . Not re Illias. Gutho backs him saying it was tuff starting in a new club as the half. "He will come good once he settles in" the skipper says. Also Sloan. Has had another tuff break. He is not a wing having no patience to wait for the ball to come his way. Flanno is wasting his attacking ability, being our only player with the uncanny eyes up ability to make something from nothing.

 

[baggygreen man]

we have KT in reserves killing it give him a run or we will lose him .

Dunno bout that. He is no natural play maker either, no speedster while his defense is suss. If I am bringing him in it is for Flanagan. But we all know his old man aint turfing his son.

 

[baggygreen man]

Move Leilua to the prop rotation - YES
Move Suli to an edge forward position- Yes
Move Gutherson to the five-eighth position- YES
Move Cook to the center position NO! Give Sloan a crack there, promote Sione Finau to wing on his edge.
Promote Tonga to the prop forward rotation -NO. bench.
Promote Ramsey to the Fullback position -NO. defensive liability.
Promote Glover to the halfback position -NO. defensive liability.