Sick off this

[maestro1]

Missing Widdop, de Belin, Norman from our cap. Then Graham for the second half, Lafai and Frizell for most of the game.

Have been missing K Sims, Frizell at stages throughout the year.

Then you have Dufty and Ravalawa forcing selection changes through poor form.

Are you absolute incels aware of the impact that has on salary cap and depth of a squad?

But email away to someone's spam inbox. That'll fix it.

Watching from Win Stadium last night I saw 4 internationals from the Sharks on the sideline who took no part in the game. Whilst we are making EXCUSES the sharks and Eagles are winning games with just as many injuries as us. There is no room for excuses at this level. Get the job done or step aside and let someone else do it.

 

[Wittenberg]

Our immediate problem is our squad, especially our backs. Yes we have lost two out of our 30 with JDB and Widdop, but injuries like that to Korbin and Corey cannot be used as an overall excuse because they hit all clubs. We went into this season with a mediocre crop of wingers and a fullback who we knew had some deficiencies in defence and under the high ball. Dufty’s fragility made it all the more important for us to field two wingers capable of defusing kicks and who were able to add potency to our kick returns. Instead we gambled on Rava to partner the determined but limited JP. So our back three are weak. Lomax was no doubt seen as the back up for our centres and wingers. This assumed that Mary’s Aitken love affair would continue. We also knew that we would lose our halfback to Origin. So losing McDonald, Nightingale, Herbert, Garrick is coming home to roost with Lafai’s injury. Field has not shown the ability to guide the side around the park, so Norman moving to the centres, at least during Origin, does not seem an option. Not a great situation.

 

[Mickthedragon]

We're up the creek without a paddle.
Hunt hasn't been playing up to his salary and doesn't look right.
Field has had some chances and offered zero. The forwards look busted and not making enough metres.
And our backs are the worst in the comp, Aitken is useless and Periera has had a shocker this year after he became a favorite last season for his efforts. Lucky we have a top coach in McFraud to get us out of it.

 

[Dragonsamy]

I am looking forward to the team selection for next weeks match now that we have a few more walking wounded . Is it possible that the maestro will spring some surprises ?

Even in the press conference he said that Latimore would be back in two week when we play again .
Are things going bad enough already.
One good thing is that Norman will be back.

 

[Dragonsamy]

I hear he's flying Josh McCrone back for an encore and the save our season.

We know how much you love Josh OKB.
Tell you what would he do any worse

 

[getsmarty]

Even in the press conference he said that Latimore would be back in two week when we play again .
Are things going bad enough already.
One good thing is that Norman will be back.

I just wish the Journos would ask some hard questions..eg Since renewing your contract you have lost 5 in a row....Do you feel embarrassed because if anyone else was in your position they wouldn't be making all the excuses you do......

OR...Own the problem....He always deflects to others...

 

[Dragonsamy]

I just wish the Journos would ask some hard questions..eg Since renewing your contract you have lost 5 in a row....Do you feel embarrassed because if anyone else was in your position they wouldn't be making all the excuses you do......

OR...Own the problem....He always deflects to others...

100%

 

[Warabrook saint]

There is clearly something horribly wrong within the club. The roster for this year, pre-season included five state of origin players (Frizell, Hunt, Vaughan, JDB, T.Sims), two England internationals (Widdop, Graham), solid, experienced NRL players (Norman, K.Sims, McInnes) and a stack of promising young players (Lawrie, Host, Leilua, Robson, Dufty) yet here we are, 4-7 and more chance of a wooden spoon than the top 8.

If we were anything close to a professional club heads would roll over such a disgraceful situation, but let's face it, nothing is going to change. For those that can remember, it's the late 80s all over again. Get used to it.

Remember the late eighties well,very depressing performances that seemed like they would never end

 

[Redhoopz]

While it is frustrating loosing 5 on the trot, I don't think yesterday was that bad. If we finished the game with a full team and the result was the same, it would be a different story...

The frustrating thing is last week's loss to Newcastle was put mostly on the fact that they expected JDB to play. That's a Sh!t excuse...

The Dragons should've stood JDB down at the start of the season, to minimise the distraction and to get it out of the players heads that he may play. I get the fact that he's pleaded not guilty and he has every right to contest it, but it at the end of the day he put himself in that position and the seriousness of the charge warrants a stand down.

McGregor needs to develop a plan B. His play of using his forwards as battering rams won't get him far. Lawrie could be used alot better if he had a passing game (I know he can pass but is just used for hit ups).

In terms of the backline, Aitken hasn't improved since he's come into FG. He's a good runner, but that's about it.

They are lacking a big strong winger...Oates or Cotric would be the ideal signing (not sure on their availability).

The game against the Bulldogs will be a tough game, we should beat them but you never know, it's at ANZ and we don't have a good record against the dogs there..

 

[possm]

While it is frustrating loosing 5 on the trot, I don't think yesterday was that bad. If we finished the game with a full team and the result was the same, it would be a different story...

The frustrating thing is last week's loss to Newcastle was put mostly on the fact that they expected JDB to play. That's a Sh!t excuse...

The Dragons should've stood JDB down at the start of the season, to minimise the distraction and to get it out of the players heads that he may play. I get the fact that he's pleaded not guilty and he has every right to contest it, but it at the end of the day he put himself in that position and the seriousness of the charge warrants a stand down.

McGregor needs to develop a plan B. His play of using his forwards as battering rams won't get him far. Lawrie could be used alot better if he had a passing game (I know he can pass but is just used for hit ups).

In terms of the backline, Aitken hasn't improved since he's come into FG. He's a good runner, but that's about it.

They are lacking a big strong winger...Oates or Cotric would be the ideal signing (not sure on their availability).

The game against the Bulldogs will be a tough game, we should beat them but you never know, it's at ANZ and we don't have a good record against the dogs there..

This season is gone, so:
Sign James Roberts for the rest of 2019 and beyond.
Sign Oates for 2020 and beyond.
If possible keep Robson as our new rotation of lock/hooker.
Promote Saab to first grade after June 30 2019.
Sign a first grade centre/fullback - DWZ - for 2020.
Promote Timm to the NRL bench.
Promote Kerr to the NRL bench.

1. Lomax
2. Saab
3. DWZ
4. Roberts
5. Oates
6. Norman
7. Hunt
8. Timm
9. McInnes
10. Vaughan
11. T Sims
12. Frizell
13. Robson
14. K Sims
15. Lawrie
16. Kerr
17. Leilua

Now that's a team that could be very competitive in 2020. Where possible the above players should be selected in first grade as much as possible this year to prepare them for the 2020 season.

 

[Gareth67]

I suggest as many as possible send an email( no abusive ones)to the attention of Johnston. You won’t get an answer(speaking from experience) but if we bombard them with emails regularly it may start the wheels turning.

Can we start a thread similar to the ‘ Sack Mary ‘ , but title it ‘ Sack the entire bluudy Board ‘ ?

 

[Coffs dragon]

Today from the Lurker #3 story on Mary being safe until at least end of 2020 due to him being handed a leave pass in 2019 with the JDB case & the injury excuses.
FMD this bloke is a protected species & must have a drink with every Journalist in town!

 

[Crush]

I just cannot fathom why he would bring up the fact that we would welcome Jeremy Latimore back shortly.
What the actual f#$k?
I mean, is he delusional? Does he actually think that is a positive thing?

 

[st.phil]

I just cannot fathom why he would bring up the fact that we would welcome Jeremy Latimore back shortly.
What the actual f#$k?
I mean, is he delusional? Does he actually think that is a positive thing?

Oh yeah Lats is back - crisis averted!! Honestly he has got nothing - hapless, looks like a deer in the headlights. Great shout out to that bloke who should have got a go earlier - reece ROBINSON! How can a guy who can barely string together 10th grade english level sentences or remember the name of one of the clubs most promising juniors inspire a group of players? Embarrassing

 

[dragons girl]

We're up the creek without a paddle.
Hunt hasn't been playing up to his salary and doesn't look right.
Field has had some chances and offered zero. The forwards look busted and not making enough metres.
And our backs are the worst in the comp, Aitken is useless and Periera has had a shocker this year after he became a favorite last season for his efforts. Lucky we have a top coach in McFraud to get us out of it.

The club has to be run like a business,with business people in charge.We can't keep living in the past or we will never win another comp.

 

[ALSGI]

We need a noo coach.

 

[Crush]

We need a noo coach.

I think we need a nyu coach.

 

[Gareth67]

Plus a new board of directors at the joint venture , puss the whole lot of them off to the Antarctic !

 

[boardlumps62]

Think the supporters are doing it tough Mary has no hair to pull out.
Got another one with James Graham probable brokenl things have gone from worse to worserer.
Sorry I'm feeling it.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Our immediate problem is our squad, especially our backs. Yes we have lost two out of our 30 with JDB and Widdop, but injuries like that to Korbin and Corey cannot be used as an overall excuse because they hit all clubs. We went into this season with a mediocre crop of wingers and a fullback who we knew had some deficiencies in defence and under the high ball. Dufty’s fragility made it all the more important for us to field two wingers capable of defusing kicks and who were able to add potency to our kick returns. Instead we gambled on Rava to partner the determined but limited JP. So our back three are weak. Lomax was no doubt seen as the back up for our centres and wingers. This assumed that Mary’s Aitken love affair would continue. We also knew that we would lose our halfback to Origin. So losing McDonald, Nightingale, Herbert, Garrick is coming home to roost with Lafai’s injury. Field has not shown the ability to guide the side around the park, so Norman moving to the centres, at least during Origin, does not seem an option. Not a great situation.

Good post- this is an overrated team with an incompetent coach, a poor recruitment/retention manager in Millward and seemingly zero hIgh performance coaching and development pathways. I couldn't believe my ears earlier in the year when some of the Fox Murdoch journalists were talking up SGI. Paul Kent has been a long time apologist for Mary but another was even suggesting SGI were potential premiers!!

A simple exercise in comparison. The Sharks with about half of the combined St George Illawarra population and junior numbers have managed to not only unearth, but turn into regular first graders, recent standout juniors in Jayden and Blake Brayley, Briton Nikora, Bronson Xerri and Kyle Flanagan. Another, Jesse Ramien, had to be released. They have also recruited good fringe players in Sione Katoa, Jack Williams and Braden Uele who is now providing real impact off the bench. I have not even considered their elite recruitment(Moylan, Johnson, Woods etc)

Of our top juniors, Dufty is now back in Canterbury Cup, Field is a glorified touch footy player, Lomax is struggling to find his best position, Host provides little impact off the bench and Leilua tries hard but it appears that he ís just struggling with the transition to senior football. Blake Lawrie is the one junior who I think has transitioned well. Of course, the best of them all could have been Reece Robson who was a standout against the Sharks but due to Mary's keeping him in CC, he is now leaving us.

Meanwhile our fringe player recruitment has been poor. Ravalawa, Pearson and in particular Maranta have done nothing to demand NRL selection. Josh Kerr is big but just seems to make rookie errors and give away penalties. Timm, despite good reports of form, is not being selected- could he end up like Reece Robson?

The club needs a root and branch cleanout. Of course, with the old boys running the show, this will never happen.