Signings for 2020 and future looking team

[BLM01]

Dufty has to go also Lafai and Aitkin. You are probably right Dufty is not used correctly but he cannot tackle or take the high ball.

Dufty has improved his bomb taking and defense slowly this year. Its not there yet but showing improvement is good enough for me as a keeper but meeds better coaching. Of course he is not used properly and is probably not told to get ouit of position and back up the middle just incase when they dont offload anyway mostly...to get ready for dragons footy block / cut out plays in Mary's sweeping shallow clunky backline movements from our half that no one is ready for not even the players themselves know what they are doing.

 

[blacksafake]

I don’t think Dufty is going as bad as people think, he is just being used poorly for mine. He is the same size as Billy Slater, and other small fullbacks like Barba and Bowen have been great. I’d love to see him sniff around the middle a bit more, I used to watch him in 20s and he and Leilua had an awesome combo. Also would like to say f$$$ the Roosters.

I’ve been banging on for ages about wanting to see him hanging around the middle just like Turbo, Teddy & in recent times Slater. I’d like to see him get into dummy half & run at tired defence at times but we seem to use him out the back on our so successfull block play.
Long term is he the answer? Possibly not but in the meantime let’s use him properly.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

I’ve been banging on for ages about wanting to see him hanging around the middle just like Turbo, Teddy & in recent times Slater. I’d like to see him get into dummy half & run at tired defence at times but we seem to use him out the back on our so successfull block play.
Long term is he the answer? Possibly not but in the meantime let’s use him properly.

Partly agree- they use him badly in attack- but having said that, I still think his best position going forward is in the halves where he played his junior football. The game has moved past his body type at full back. NRL is evolving into American football ie essentially a game of forcing backs- strong defenders are now following up kicks aiming to carry the full back back into their in goal to regain possession. He just can't put on weight so I don't see how he can ever be a successful full back.

 

[Carlton]

Like who?

Who would want to come to us to play under our current structure, play under McGregor and play for a team battling in 14th spot on the ladder. Add in our well advertised internal strife and reported salary cap stretched already to its limit.
We still have to fill a roster of 30 players, so unloading 5, 6 or 7 players still means we have to replace them. Add in the DeBelin debarkle and yes its a complete mess.
Dufty would be on what 250k maybe 300k, which top flight, with all the requirements, fullback will come here for that?

I have identified a problem, I haven't tried to say how it should be corrected. But if we are over the salary cap for next year, there are players on substantial overs that need to be moved on.

Widdop frees up $450K, Dufty would free up $250k to $300K by your estimates. We have Schiller coming through who sounds promising but is a couple of years off first grade (if he makes it). I would consider Jordan Rapana as a possible fullback for a couple of years (I'm not entirely sold on this solution but worth thinking about).

 

[j0nesy]

I don’t think Dufty is going as bad as people think, he is just being used poorly for mine. He is the same size as Billy Slater, and other small fullbacks like Barba and Bowen have been great. I’d love to see him sniff around the middle a bit more, I used to watch him in 20s and he and Leilua had an awesome combo. Also would like to say f$$$ the Roosters.

Agree mate, for a start we are 6th or 7th in kick return meters, the best of all of our stats. He’s been getting better in defence and under the high ball every week. There are a number of issues:
1. We’ve changed wingers almost every game so it’s been difficult to strike up any combination at that back
2. We’ve either had poor wingers or wingers and centres that don’t understand positional play - so he gets little protection and doesn’t really get many options to link up
3. The coach is ultra conservative and his style of play does not suit an attacking fullback - tuck it under the arm and one out rarely leads to 2nd phase play or rewards support play
4. He should not be playing off the bench - adds no impact and only plays a few minutes. That would destroy his confidence and will erode his match fitness.

Stick with a back 3 of Dufty, Saab and Pereira (I’d prefer a new signing like Oates or Rapana) for half a season next season and we’ll be in the top 4 for kick returns. Play Lomax over Aitken in the centres and maybe Rav over Lafai. Teach them how to protect their wingers and fullback, it’s a fine line between an escort and a legitimate block, some do it well.

Tell Dufty to trail McInness, Vaughan and Leilua every 2nd play for the last 20 mins of each half and at least once every 2nd set for the first 20 mins.

None of it will not happen under this coach. So may as well play him in CC to at least keep his match fitness up.

 

[Overseas dragon]

GET A DECENT COACH.

 

[redVinme]

Just looking at the roosters, seem to be coming near the end of their window with a lot of players that will need significant upgrades. If I could approach anyone after Nov 30. (They are starting negotiations now) I'd be looking at Manu over anyone. He has such a well rounded game and is still really young. He also filled in for teddy at FB during origin and did a great job. Sign him and if he and Lomax both want to play FB pit them against each other and see who comes out on top with the other to take the right centre spot. More affordable then a tier 1 FB with more flexibility in the centres. Both will be long term superstars.

 

[Walpole]

Above all else we need a new coach.

After that I'd say we need a Centre (with Lomax the other centre), a Fullback (although I'd like to see Dufty goes under a decent coach), a Lock and a genuine bench utility (someone who can play in the forwards effectively, cover in the backs if necessary, gets more than 3 minutes a game and is not just an afterthought).

 

[redVinme]

Just looking at the roosters, seem to be coming near the end of their window with a lot of players that will need significant upgrades. If I could approach anyone after Nov 30. (They are starting negotiations now) I'd be looking at Manu over anyone. He has such a well rounded game and is still really young. He also filled in for teddy at FB during origin and did a great job. Sign him and if he and Lomax both want to play FB pit them against each other and see who comes out on top with the other to take the right centre spot. More affordable then a tier 1 FB with more flexibility in the centres. Both will be long term superstars.

News ramien is now available too.

Make it happen
Maybe a trade for Aitken?

If we could get both it'd be a huge difference

Manu
Rav
Ramien
Lomax
Saab

That's a backline

Or
Lomax
Pearson
Rav
Ramien
Saab

 

[Dragonslayer]

I'm not getting the love affair with Pearson. He's been very disappointing in his 1st grade appearances this year, but I see many put him in their teams. Why???

These are the current stats of the wingers this season:

Pearson:
7 games
1 try
1 line break
11 tackle breaks
85% tackle efficiency
108.5 average running metres

Periera:
11 games
5 try's
6 line breaks
64 tackle breaks
81% tackle efficiency
137.4 average running metres

Ravalawa:
16 games
10 try's
10 line breaks
47 tackle breaks
62% tackle efficiency
121.7 average running metres

Again, I cant see how Pearson is a superior winger and maybe thats why hes been dropped to CC.

I still think Rava would make a great centre and given the stats above Periera should be on 1 wing with Saab on the other (assuming they upgrade his contract lol).

 

[possm]

Agree mate, for a start we are 6th or 7th in kick return meters, the best of all of our stats. He’s been getting better in defence and under the high ball every week. There are a number of issues:
1. We’ve changed wingers almost every game so it’s been difficult to strike up any combination at that back
2. We’ve either had poor wingers or wingers and centres that don’t understand positional play - so he gets little protection and doesn’t really get many options to link up
3. The coach is ultra conservative and his style of play does not suit an attacking fullback - tuck it under the arm and one out rarely leads to 2nd phase play or rewards support play
4. He should not be playing off the bench - adds no impact and only plays a few minutes. That would destroy his confidence and will erode his match fitness.

Stick with a back 3 of Dufty, Saab and Pereira (I’d prefer a new signing like Oates or Rapana) for half a season next season and we’ll be in the top 4 for kick returns. Play Lomax over Aitken in the centres and maybe Rav over Lafai. Teach them how to protect their wingers and fullback, it’s a fine line between an escort and a legitimate block, some do it well.

Tell Dufty to trail McInness, Vaughan and Leilua every 2nd play for the last 20 mins of each half and at least once every 2nd set for the first 20 mins.

None of it will not happen under this coach. So may as well play him in CC to at least keep his match fitness up.

• If your a winger outside Aitken, you already know you'll have a poor game. So Saab's two try feat in his last game is even more laudable.
• Lomax is a centre / fullback, he is not a winger.
• Norman is not a fullback but had done his best to fill the position well.
• Ravalawa could be a good right centre.

So with the above in mind;
1. Lomax
2. Saab
3. Ravalawa
4. Norman
5. Pearson
6. Widdop
7. Hunt

 

[j0nesy]

• If your a winger outside Aitken, you already know you'll have a poor game. So Saab's two try feat in his last game is even more laudable.
• Lomax is a centre / fullback, he is not a winger.
• Norman is not a fullback but had done his best to fill the position well.
• Ravalawa could be a good right centre.

So with the above in mind;
1. Lomax
2. Saab
3. Ravalawa
4. Norman
5. Pearson
6. Widdop
7. Hunt

Pearson is a dud, you can’t blame Aitken for his inability to get within cooee of a high ball. Or his piss poor ball handling. Norman is a half that can play a bit of fullback. I don’t think he’s a centre. Agree though that Rav could go well in the centres.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Our CEO with the support of the SGI Board should have fought hard for a proper and fair deal immediately after the policy was announced. Jonhston should have asked that, because the policy was introduced retrospectively, a one off deal regarding De Belin should be considered:

1. De Belin's contract to be transferred to the NRL until legal matters are resolved.
2. SGI salary cap be credited to the extent of De Belin's contract price.
3. All financial responsibility towards De Belin to be assumed by the NRL.

Only by adopting these measures would an element of fairness towards SGI - who was not the decision maker of this new policy - would be the right thing to do as far as the treatment of SGI is concerned.

Yes- I have previously argued that SGI were put in an impossible situation to recruit De Belin's replacement with the uncertainty surrounding his availability which is all of the NRL's making by making a retrospective decision without adequate consultation with the clubs.

As you say, the only fair outcome is to treat De Belin as a special case. HIs contract should be over and above the salary cap with the NRL paying him and managing his SGI contract until it concludes at the end of next year or he resumes playing after (hopefully) being found innocent- whichever occurs earlier.

 

[West coast dragon]

how good is FORD?? I cant wait to see him get a FG spot what an attacking weapon hits hard too in d!

I’m a Holden man myself although I do like the mustangs!

 

[boardlumps62]

With so much talk of The Dragons being a rabble for the next couple of years with Mary secure as coach and no money available to sign any worthwhile recruits I'm wondering this.
Should I cancel my Foxtel Sports Package and sign up again in 2 years time. Or look for a new team.

 

[Crush]

I admire people in here for still even discussing the Dragons.
I couldn't give a toss anymore.

 

[Bloodbath]

Signing for the next couple of years none under this idiot mcf**kwit

 

[Dragonslayer]

McGregor "finally" has the "team he wants", now we are (rumouredly) unloading players left, right and centre (I wish it was a couple of centres).

Supposedly gone or been tapped from our current top 30 roster:
Robson, Kerr, Timm, K. Sims, Host, Leilua and Latimore, that's 7 players we need to replace
Plus, young Masters from the DS.

A couple of us, a few weeks ago now, did mention things were going to get worse and I don't believe the names listed are the end to it.
I hope it's wrong and these whispers and rumours are false, but the drum is beating rather loudly, and not in our favour.

You'll note that ALL those mentioned are forwards (barring Masters). K.Sims, I have to say is a new one on the list that I hadn't heard before and surprising given his only been here like 1yr, maybe his brothers form has something to do with it as well.

Sad times ahead I fear.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Signing for the next couple of years none under this idiot mcf**kwit

Mary would turn the kangaroos into a Bangladesh high school u9s squad

 

[j0nesy]

McGregor "finally" has the "team he wants", now we are (rumouredly) unloading players left, right and centre (I wish it was a couple of centres).

Supposedly gone or been tapped from our current top 30 roster:
Robson, Kerr, Timm, K. Sims, Host, Leilua and Latimore, that's 7 players we need to replace
Plus, young Masters from the DS.

A couple of us, a few weeks ago now, did mention things were going to get worse and I don't believe the names listed are the end to it.
I hope it's wrong and these whispers and rumours are false, but the drum is beating rather loudly, and not in our favour.

You'll note that ALL those mentioned are forwards (barring Masters). K.Sims, I have to say is a new one on the list that I hadn't heard before and surprising given his only been here like 1yr, maybe his brothers form has something to do with it as well.

Sad times ahead I fear.

Not sure what K Sims and Leilua have done wrong. I think Leilua has really come good this season. But who knows with this club.