Likewise, there are a couple of sides who seem to be breaking all logic in their player purchases, dogs the most obvious culprit.
Of course the Dragons are a whole different can of worms, either players simply dont want to come, or we are short of money, or were saving it all up to make a play on a marquee playmaker (we must have 800k for Cronk)... either way id love to see some purchases to supplement the squad.
Also, why dont we have any mid-season purchases like the other clubs have been doing? We could have gotten a replacement for Weyman perhaps... and there are several other fringe/older players, but I guess they are not seen as needing replacement as such.
Up until the last couple of weeks, I had great concerned about the recruitment activity of the our club. Now I think I have a better understanding of the situation and with fingers crossed, I live in hope.
It seems to me that the club has the salary cap but not the cash and so, there is no immediate plans to purchase any big name players prior to the 2014 season when Hornby, Fien, Cooper and a whole lot of fringe players are off contract.
The Dragons are lucky enough to have a great juniors system so until the cash situation is solved, the club will mainly rely on our juniors comming through however, I do believe Doust would lash out for a good half or five eighth if one became available e.g. Thurston, Pearce or maybe one from the UK. I honestly believe Doust and Price were hoping Kyle would solve this problem for them.
With a cloud over Soward's future at the club and Hornby's looming retirement, it should be the club's priority to focus on recruiting a top line player to fill the void for season 2014.
My tip is that the Dragons will make a strong play for Thurston and if unsuccessful, maybe go for Pearce. For next year, given that Kyle has a long term injury, I think Price will go for a young promising halfback as backup for Hornby who will stay on until the end of the 2014 season.
I wish it was otherwise however, I'm resigned to the fact that Doust has got us into this financial mess and it's going to take time and a great deal of effort to get things back on track.
So with fingers crossed, I hope we will be competitive during the reamainder of 2012 and during season 2013. If things work out in our favour, we should return to top four contention in 2014. Price will have to make things work with the sqaud he's given and club management won't necessarily judge him on the Dragons place on the ladder in seasons 2012 and 2013.
