Not going to start a new thread, but thought I would throw this in here:
How are we really doing as a Club? These are/were our positions on the respective ladders (excluding finals)
HM - Steelers 8th/Dragons 10th....................Panthers 3rd
SGB - Steelers 5th/Dragons 14th...................Panthers 4th
JF - Dragons (currently) 3rd.............................Panthers 5th
KOE Cup - Dragons (currently 8th)...............Panthers 1st
NRL - Dragons (currently) 9th (inc the bye)...........Panthers 1st
NRLW - Dragons grand finalists
The ambition should be to emulate the success of the Panthers at all grades level. Very envious actually that the systems put in place there have managed to create a dynasty of profession and skilled players.
For me, it's not just about the immediate success at First Grade level, it's the success that the Club holds through it's entire system. This is the sustainable future of our Club. The Panthers, through every grade have or are going to play finals football, a definite 'carrot' for any player, either currently playing for them or looking to join them. Obviously money is the modern loyalty, but success leads to other rewards such as SOO duties and/or Australian representation or other rep opportunities.
We are 'thereabouts', with our juniors (in particular the Steelers arm), playing finals, JF sitting comfortably in 3rd are in a good position, and our KOE Cup team starting to link some games together and sitting 8th after a complete disaster of a start to their season.
What does this all mean though?
Well a Head Coaches job, isn't just focused on first grade players, they have to know just about every player within the Club, as retention of players earmarked for the future, is also a responsibility of the HC and his coaching staff, all the way down the chain.
The Sharks are an interesting case study for the future, given the 'new coach' has entered their system. They are strong through all grades also, playing finals in HM and SGB, sitting 4th in JF, 2nd in KOE Cup and obviously 7th in NRL.
The Knights on the other hand, seemingly heading in a downward trend throughout their Club, with HM 12th, then some good results in SGB 2nd, and currently 2nd in JF, however, KOE Cup sees them 9th and NRL 13th.
So has or does a "new" coach bring results the whole organisation can build on? It will be interesting at seasons end to see the comparison of the Sharks and Knights through JF, KOE Cup and NRL.
Where does that leave Hook? well for mine making the 8 is the first 'target', however, where within that 8 number will be a more determining factor imo. As for playing or not playing certain players, I doubt very much there is a 'favourites' tag on any player, like why does Fitzy keep rolling out Andrew Fifita for an example. The fact is experience is a settler for any team. Yes, Macca is a little past it, and we saw evidence of what his future may look like last week, coming off the bench for an impact. It's why we are heavily seeking a quality hooker as he passes on the baton. Bud and Sloan have to earn their spots, and both have some things to work on with their games, flashes of brilliance in Ressies doesn't equate to consistent NRL performance. Both understand this and are working hard on improving their games, and both will be an integral part of our long term future.
We have some very gifted players coming through our system, players we need to ensure they see the real rigours of being a professional footballer, then, and only then , will we be up there with the likes of the current Panthers as a Club.
