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Sloan

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,978
100% it just makes sense.. that said... it shouldnt have to be that way in terms of playing ressies being considered such a big deal... but certain players seem to really get a rise out of media and fans.. this is definitely one of them.
I agree. That is the problem. Playing reggies is a big deal to some players and managers. They just want to walk after putting the dummy back in.
It does not help with the NRL basically wiping their hands clean of it with little support.
 

possm

Coach
Messages
15,966
100% it just makes sense.. that said... it shouldnt have to be that way in terms of playing ressies being considered such a big deal... but certain players seem to really get a rise out of media and fans.. this is definitely one of them.
Yes, he still gets paid the same, first-grade or reserve-grade. Not like in the old days when he would receive a pay cut.
 

KogarahWarrior

Juniors
Messages
2,146
Good Luck to Matt Feagai tomorrow
Battled hard to get his spot back with some notable performances in NSW Cup esp at Fullback
Golden opportunity for him tomorrow
Tbh I think Feagai, as much as Sloan deserves credit for his humility and not kicking stones. For all of 22 and 23 and about half of 21 he was our go-to left winger and was suddenly dropped. While Rava has regressed Matt has actually stepped up and decided to make a real fist out of the KOE captaincy and Flanno's new style to become the best he can be. Well done to him.
 
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Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
9,325
Excerpt from Foxsports News -

"SLOAN CALL EXPOSES DRAGONS’ GLARING PROBLEM

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan made the shock call to drop Tyrell Sloan for last Sunday’s clash with the Panthers — but he may be forced to recall him a week later.

With Sloan relegated to New South Wales Cup, Mat Feagai was called on to play at the back but he was wiped out 21 minutes into the game due to a head knock.

Feagai failed his HIA but was deemed to be displaying category two symptoms, which means he’s still a chance of being named for the Dragons’ Round 22 clash with the Storm.

If, however, Feagai is sidelined, Sloan will be parachuted straight back into the No.1 jersey after a dominant performance in Cup where he finished with a try, a linebreak, two linebreak assists, seven tackle busts and 223 running metres.

It was a bold call from Flanagan to drop Sloan in the first place given his lack of options to replace him. Feagai had played 10 NSW Cup games at fullback prior to his promotion — but only out of necessity because of the lack of depth in that position at the club.


The situation has shone a spotlight on the one position Flanagan desperately needs to bolster next season for two reasons — genuine depth and to create healthy competition for the No.1 jersey.

A report emerged over the weekend linking Valentine Holmes to the Dragons after the Origin star was given permission by the Cowboys to test his value on the open market.

Holmes has played a total of 67 NRL games at fullback, but the last time he lined up there was in 2021.

It wouldn’t be an immediate fix though given Holmes is still signed to the Cowboys until the end of 2025.

Blaize Talagi could, however, be an immediate option should the 19-year-old knock back the option in his favour at the Eels for next season. The Dragons are reportedly chasing his signature."
 

FlickFlano

Juniors
Messages
408
"If, however, Feagai is sidelined, Sloan will be parachuted straight back into the No.1 jersey after a dominant performance in Cup where he finished with a try, a linebreak, two linebreak assists, seven tackle busts and 223 running metres."

WTAF - this the the issue when you look at stats not games ... anyone that watched the game knows Sloan was horrible in defence, the reason he was dropped.
 

justadragon

Bench
Messages
4,103
"If, however, Feagai is sidelined, Sloan will be parachuted straight back into the No.1 jersey after a dominant performance in Cup where he finished with a try, a linebreak, two linebreak assists, seven tackle busts and 223 running metres."

WTAF - this the the issue when you look at stats not games ... anyone that watched the game knows Sloan was horrible in defence, the reason he was dropped.
This x 1000%
 
Messages
853
"If, however, Feagai is sidelined, Sloan will be parachuted straight back into the No.1 jersey after a dominant performance in Cup where he finished with a try, a linebreak, two linebreak assists, seven tackle busts and 223 running metres."

WTAF - this the the issue when you look at stats not games ... anyone that watched the game knows Sloan was horrible in defence, the reason he was dropped.
True but Sloan was at least in position, unlike Reece Walsh who wasn't even sighted in defence. Sloan's concentration in improving defence coming at the cost of his natural attacking ability. Currently poor bugger looks sub standard at both.

Matt Feagai had a good crack but he's so slow.

Sounds a little mean but I hope Feagai's there next week to take the heat. Little point dropping Sloan for 1 week then bringing him back to be slaughtered by the Storm.

Next year hopefully there will be some fair dinkum competition for FB.
Sloan will have no option but to lift.

Both Fegai brothers have worked hard and improved but I doubt either will be long term regular first graders.
Hope I'm wrong!
 

rasaint

Juniors
Messages
1,118
For what it is worth, if the Feagai are sticking around why not groom them for backrower or lock.

I mentioned this a few months ago ( got no support or reaction lol) but now a few posters are throwing this up in other threads. Matt n Max both strong and mobile. Slow for backs ( like Lomax). Add 7 kg and see what happens playing in the middle/ edge.
 

steerlerbab

Juniors
Messages
282
For what it is worth, if the Feagai are sticking around why not groom them for backrower or lock.

I mentioned this a few months ago ( got no support or reaction lol) but now a few posters are throwing this up in other threads. Matt n Max both strong and mobile. Slow for backs ( like Lomax). Add 7 kg and see what happens playing in the middle/ edge.
At the moment second row is one area that we are well covered (Sua, Leilua, RFM and Couchman's). I can see Max playing second row sometimes. I am not sure why he is not offered contract extension. He was originally asked to test the market from memory, but now he is deemed better than Bird and Bird is given permission to test the market.

Mat on the other hand has a great step. He will be wasted in second row. Flanagan used him as pressure on Sloan.

Going back to Sloan. One week at KOE and Sloan was totally different player from the one that played against Broncos. If Holmes come and Allan recover there will be more pressure on Sloan if he does not perform. Yesterday he was back to his best.
 

Auntie.Gerald

First Grade
Messages
7,281

went back and watched the hi lights after seeing Flanos post game interview re Sloan

Flano was so so re Sloan defensively.................I thought the try to Melbourne in our right corner he was there to tap the ball away but the ball accelerated very fast at the last moment to the Melbourne winger. That on replay is unlucky.

The one where Harry Grant saw Sloan in the ruck defence and slow getting back was Sloans fault staying in no mans land.

Without Sloan though and Hunt we didnt have the attack we needed to stretch the Storm and then make them pay through points
 

TheRev

Coach
Messages
11,646

went back and watched the hi lights after seeing Flanos post game interview re Sloan

Flano was so so re Sloan defensively.................I thought the try to Melbourne in our right corner he was there to tap the ball away but the ball accelerated very fast at the last moment to the Melbourne winger. That on replay is unlucky.

The one where Harry Grant saw Sloan in the ruck defence and slow getting back was Sloans fault staying in no mans land.

Without Sloan though and Hunt we didnt have the attack we needed to stretch the Storm and then make them pay through points
He's also trying to make it clear that he needs the same effort every week... thats the gig.

But he also acknowledges that we need someone with a bit of pace to be a threat.. so the outside guys dont just end up getting swallowed up by extra defenders.
 

John moz

Juniors
Messages
936
Dragons will not win another game this season over at home v sharks playing for the finals and flanno sticks with sloan each week . Embarrassing footy Dragons look not interested we have the worst defence against top 8 teams getting flogged all year .
 

Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
9,325
Dragons will not win another game this season over at home v sharks playing for the finals and flanno sticks with sloan each week . Embarrassing footy Dragons look not interested we have the worst defence against top 8 teams getting flogged all year .
I agree with you J moz. The lack of pace in our squad makes for poor attack and defence.

The Sharks can always jot down the 4 competition points a season straight away when they know they will play us twice. They just love playing us because we are as weak as shit.
 

John moz

Juniors
Messages
936
If flanno doesn't drop sloan for next 2 games season over . Why is he still in the team each week they drop Rav and he was our only player in the backs that scores tries .
 

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