Rumours and Stuff

[Gronk]

Russell was Plod city this season.

so was half the team

Yeah Russell is one of those cheapies that would probably do really well at Melbourne as crash ball centre. Don’t discount his ability IMHO.

 

[Gronk]

He’s a reserve grader. Should be no where near our starting side.

He certainly isn’t creative and can only run tackle pass.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

So for all the talk about Canberra being geniuses for buying promising jnrs, it seems we are doing the same only doing it better with kids that are proven in open age.

 

[oldmancraigy]

I’m going off their latest games. Sivo has shown he has value if you give him the ball close to the line. Russell regressed badly this season. He was a pretty decent finisher when he started and I expected him to kick on this season but even his finishing was awful this season. He’s incredibly frustrating to watch because he refuses to take any risks or show any flair so he’s basically no threat with the ball in hand.

True. Perhaps there is a world where Sivo going means we can bring someone else in! Probably Russell is not the guy!!

At 550k Sivo is an awful use of cap space, because he is only effective at one aspect of the game (and elite at that part)

 

[Hindmarshisgod2]

I'm kinda sad to see sivo go...

I guess his time is up though




CUT THE COOOOOORRRRDDDD

 

[Avenger]

True. Perhaps there is a world where Sivo going means we can bring someone else in! Probably Russell is not the guy!!

At 550k Sivo is an awful use of cap space, because he is only effective at one aspect of the game (and elite at that part)

He has been garbage for years. Laziest player to ever pull on our jersey.

 

[Glenneel]

Weekend Read: Dragons’ hunt for Clunt Gutherson carries real risks for the club
St George Illawarra’s open pursuit of Clint Gutherson risks giving the Dragons’ wantaway star Ben Hunt all the ammunition he needs in his own battle against the club, writes BRENT READ.

The Dragons have made no secret of their desire to speak to Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson about his plans in coming days and weeks.
If they get their way, Gutherson will be with them next year. He wants a contract extension and the Eels aren’t prepared to give him one just yet.
The Dragons will, but it is understood their preference is to get their hands on Gutherson for 2025 when there is still plenty of juice left in his legs.
The quiet whisper is that will be Gutherson’s preference as well if he decides he wants a move, which seems likely.
He wants to play fullback, and the Dragons will give him that opportunity.
He wants an extension, and the Dragons will come to the party.
Here’s the bind though for the Dragons.

If they make it clear that their preference is to get Gutherson straight away, they leave themselves open to accusations of hypocrisy if they stand in Ben Hunt’s way should he get the chance to play elsewhere in 2025 as part of an offer from a rival club.
They can’t happily take Gutherson, who has another year remaining on his deal, off Parramatta’s hands and then tell Hunt he has to honour the final year of his contract.
Coach Shane Flanagan and chair Andrew Lancaster will need to handle their next move delicately, but the more the club’s dirty linen gets aired, the more untenable Hunt’s future becomes at the Dragons.
His interview on the pages of this newspaper last weekend exposed the simmering tension between the Dragons and their captain. In an interview with colleague Michael Carayannis, Hunt made it clear he felt let down by the club.
He thought he would get an extension after talks earlier in the season but the Dragons now want to take their time. He was disappointed with aspects of his end of season review finding their way into the media.

He put himself on a collision course with key powerbrokers and walked a fine line when he claimed the Dragons should sign Gutherson and play him at five-eighth - the No.6 jersey is worn by Shane Flanagan’s son Kyle.
Some have suggested the comment was Hunt’s way of suggesting they let him go, which would mean Flanagan moved to halfback and Gutherson played five-eighth.
Either way, it went down like a lead balloon at Dragons HQ given Hunt is their highest paid player and many would argue he didn’t play to his pay cheque this season.

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www.dailytelegraph.com.au

What a load of bull shit! Gutho has been given permission to leave - Eels decision. Hunt hasn't been given permission - Drags decision. There is no linkage so where's the hypocrisy?

 

[Glenneel]

Was that the famous game Dylan Brown played in the centres

Darwin is a fabulous city and the seafood is great and cheap.

 

[Glenneel]

My little birdies are telling me Gutherson to the Dragons for 3 years.

Got my doubts he'll last that long. Great champion but best days past him. Must love playing as sure could have transitioned into some coaching position in 2026 if he really wanted to.

 

[Glenneel]

Iongi 23/24 Highlights:

Gee he scored a few tries against us in that highlights package. Looks very fast.

 

[Glenneel]

I'm not sure who will turn out better between Iongi and Papali'i but I'm glad we have both. Losing Talagi and Cini; Gutherson supposedly shifting to the middle and Twidle shifting into the halves we need a fullback and depth.

Both are highly talented and rated by their former clubs as they've both played full seasons in reserve grade whilst eligible for Flegg.

Yet both were free to sign with rival clubs so maybe not as highly rated as Ryles obviously rates them. Now for the St George centre/winger to replace Sivo.

 

[Gronk]

Gee he scored a few tries against us in that highlights package. Looks very fast.

The problem as I see it is not his ability to score tries as an individual.

What Gutho does and I haven’t seen him do in any highlight package is bring down a forward head on in the last line of defence, organise defence from the back and take 99% of those bombs including the wobbly ones that Joey spoofs about. Get up and do it again, effort after effort.

You can spend your life in reserve grade if you can’t tick those boxes.

BTW, I haven’t even touched on that 2nd 5/8 role with cut out pass on both left and right sides, which makes you elite.

Over to you, Izzy.

 

[Glenneel]

Did this count against the salary cap or no?
@Tiger5150
@Poupou Escobar

Can you guys help me please? Present both sides in a calm, mature and balanced way please....

No both have done this to death and can stfu about the subject from now on. No body is reading their dribble any more.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

Yet both were free to sign with rival clubs so maybe not as highly rated as Ryles obviously rates them. Now for the St George centre/winger to replace Sivo.

That St George centre/ winger is not exactly a standout in reserve grade if you look at his stats. Mediocre running metres, average amount of tries and mid 60% tackle efficiency.

Sione Finau

The The Knock On Effect NSW Cup profile of Sione Finau including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.dragons.com.au

 

[TheRam]

Apparently Joash Papalii will be announced soon.

Not saying he isn't or won't ne a good future player, but other then knowing how to draw and pass and a bit of toe, those highlights are very underwhelming. He generally isn't the one making things happen much from those clips.

But I don't know anything about the kid so will reserve my final judgement till I see him play a little. Just commenting off of those clips.

 

[TheRam]

@Poupou Escobar i think Iongi has better running stats.

Who has the best effort on effort stats that most great fullbacks need?

 

[TheRam]

Iongi is the stronger runner but Joash has freaky footwork.

Ah ok, now those highlights are much better and we can see his footwork and evasion much more. Ok I remember him now. He should be a great signing if he knuckles down and we can get the best out of him.

 

[Black Panther]

Gee he scored a few tries against us in that highlights package. Looks very fast.

Iongi is a great talent, but not super quick over the 100m. Very fast over the first 50m. Silky ball skills and great footwork. Yet another who was stuck behind a great player at Penrith who left for opportunities elsewhere. Hope he kills it next year.

 

[Twizzle]

Darwin is a fabulous city and the seafood is great and cheap.

agreed

with the larger than normal Asian content of the community up there, a lot of the food outlets have that Asian influence and tons of fresh seafood

loved it

 

[Twizzle]

loving these shiny new toys we get to play with next season