Soward Early Release

[BennyV]

Hasler for sure and probably Bellamy. Bennett had almost the entire QLD team during his years at Brisbane. I know Bellamy had very good players too but he recruited and trained them from all over NSW and QLD, they didn't just naturally join the Broncos.

He did it with an ILLEGAL team champ, for 5 years they were cheating the salary cap and formed the core of the team, then two years after being caught out, they win the comp with effectively the same nucleus that saw them stripped of premierships...give any coach 4 of the best players in the world, take one away and they will still do very, very well...a good coach, yes, but he isn't Bennett. He also struggled coaching NSW without those star players.

Hasler is good, but he's no Bennett...he's won 2 competitions and a minor premiership across 2 clubs over a span of 10 years, he is on course to be just as good. He is very innovative but TBH he needs a bit more to cement himself atop the ladder and I cant see him doing that at the bulldogs, they simply dont have the culture that he created at Manly.

Put Bennett into perspective; he has coached successfully at EVERY level of the game, across a number of teams. He is a much better man manager than those listed above and I believe he had a much tougher assignment at Newcastle. He is also much older than Hasler, and nearing the end of his coaching career. If Hasler has his kind of record by the time he retires, well done, but stats speak for themselves and Bennett is the best in NRL history.

 

[Elias1983]

Untrue that he is the greatest coach or as to why he left? IMO both are untrue. IMO his success at the Dragons was more a reflection of how bad Brown was as a head coach. Now despite dramatically strengthening the roster at Newcastle they have gone backwards. Still, he is 100 times better than Price. Price can't be compared to any other coach because he simply isn't one.

You remind me of a (im)poster that used to be here, his name was johnny be good....

Is that you johnny?

 

[Elias1983]

Business is business but Soward feels robbed of farewell

Outgoing St George Illawarra five-eighth Jamie Soward feels robbed of having the chance to farewell the Dragons faithful but says his impending short stint move to England is the best outcome for he and his former club.

After weeks of turmoil and unrest, Soward has left the Dragons and will link up with English Super League club London Broncos for the rest of this year before starting with Penrith on a four-year-deal.

I'm not going to comment on mine and Pricey's relationship.
​

In his only interview since announcing the switch, Soward defended his relationship with the Dragons senior players, was critical of his form and spoke of his disappointment of not being offered a contract extension at the club beyond this year.

Soward has been playing for the Dragons feeder club, the Cutters, in NSW Cup Photo: Orlando Chiodo

"It was [disappointing]," Soward said. "We've said all along it's a business and I think everyone understand that if your current job doesn't want to retain you, you have to look elsewhere. The Panthers offer was very enticing and I'm very excited about joining the Panthers."


His last moment as a Dragon will be missing an after the siren penalty goal against Canterbury on May 31. Soward hasn't featured in the NRL squad since that, instead axed to NSW Cup and forced to train with Illawarra Cutters part-time. He wouldn't confirm if his relationship with coach Steve Price was strained but said he had maintained a strong bond with the playing group.

"I'm not going to comment on mine and Pricey's relationship," Soward said. "I'd rather talk about the good times like Pricey being an assistant coach to our 2010 premiership win.
"I've got no problems with the senior players and they have no problems with me. I've spoken to Ben Creagh a lot recently and they are lifelong mates who obviously didn't want it to end this way. I will be mates with them and I'm sure if they wanted to catch up for an orange juice we would."

He leaves the Dragons with a premiership and world title. He is also the joint-ventures leading point-scorer with 997 points from 140 games since joining the club midway through 2007.

"I haven't got sour grapes," Soward said. "When I signed with Penrith the club wanted to look for the future as part of giving Pricey the right roster. My form hadn't been great this year, whether I should have been dropped or not, isn't for me to comment but I seem to get the blame when we lose.

"Dousty (CEO Peter Doust) was very professional with the way he handled things behind the scenes. It may seem like this has happened very quickly but it's been a long couple of weeks for me and my family.

"The most disappointing thing for me is that I don't get the chance to say goodbye to the fans. I know with the way it's played out, everyone comes with their own opinion. When I came to the Dragons everyone was so receptive and I guess when we won the premiership everyone was relieved. They are great memories that we are always going to share."

It is hard to believe that just two years ago, Soward was preparing for his second game for NSW and went on to feature in the entire three match series. Now he is busy packing his home to relocate to London to join the Broncos as he waits for his visa to be approved. London sit second to last on the ladder.

"I've been in contact with (London coach) Tony Rea and he has been sending the game plans over," Soward said.

Soward's departure allows the Dragons to step up their chase for the immediate signing of Canberra half Sam Williams.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...of-farewell-20130618-2og09.html#ixzz2WXkJHmBF

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...of-farewell-20130618-2og09.html#ixzz2WXkEHRqP

 

[possm]

Don't care who is right or who is wrong.Both parties move on ,the club has done a good thing for Soward in releasing him to the ESL,rather than holding him back in the Cutters.
I would be disappointed if Soward has a whinge in the future ,it would be good if he can move on with his career with dignity,unlike Mundine who left so many of us with a bad taste.

Yea, I believe you would be disapointed. Nothing like the true facts to cloud the history.

The only problem in this sorry saga is Price.

 

[TheRev]

He did it with an ILLEGAL team champ, for 5 years they were cheating the salary cap and formed the core of the team, then two years after being caught out, they win the comp with effectively the same nucleus that saw them stripped of premierships...give any coach 4 of the best players in the world, take one away and they will still do very, very well...a good coach, yes, but he isn't Bennett. He also struggled coaching NSW without those star players.

Bellamy has the same affect on average talent that Bennett does, he turns cheap average footballers into high quality first-graders.. they get shipped off due to the cap (Blair a prime example), then he does it again with the next crop.. I understand the cap issues a while back.. but he has held this consistency since 1999, thats 14yrs, thats phenomenal, they are the benchmark.

On top of that, Bellamy is always at the forefront of tactics, his team are the ones that we all copy, sometimes I dont like the way he does it (the wrestling, grappling and slowing down tactics), but he sets the pace... plus the Storms structure in attack and defence is astonishing (granted Cronk/Smith help a great deal).. thats something he has over Bennett imo, Bennett is a legend ofcourse, but I see him as old-school.. I dont think he is an innovator like Bellamy..

Obviously id take either in a heart-beat! Price's tactics and man-management has frustrated me for so long im starting to not care anymore about what team he dishes up.. I cant wait for him to leave our club, and yes I do agree that its a shame in a way that Bellamy didnt come up the Dragons and see if he could prove himself away from the Storm club.. im sure its not just the coach that have led to the clubs success.

 

[Drain the Dragon]

Lol

Well based on some of his previous suggestions, he holds Brian Smith in fairly high esteem, I'm interested to know which coaches rate above Bennett, who's won 7 premierships at 2 different clubs...

Henjak as well - LOL

 

[Mr Red]

They better sign Sam Williams before the June 30 deadline otherwise not keeping Soward purely for depth to cover injury will be one of the dumbest decisions i have ever seen.

 

[st.phil]

They better sign Sam Williams before the June 30 deadline otherwise not keeping Soward purely for depth to cover injury will be one of the dumbest decisions i have ever seen.

+1

 

[Elias1983]

Well over in the jubilee ave a week or so ago it was an absolute certainty that williams was coming.

Now it's a bit different, not as certain as before.

Who knows, maybe that is why they let sowie go early, maybe they are finalsing a deal with williams and will announce it soon.

That's what happened when they announced widdop, sowie signed with penrith, the next day they announced widdop.

 

[Fiery]

Henjak as well - LOL

I rate Henjak and Brian Smith far above Steve Price but I am contradicting (going against what I posted earlier:roll: {just for you}) myself because I don't rate Price as a coach period. Brian Smith is an excellent short-term solution in my opinion. Henjak did outstanding in getting a very young team playing well but in the end didn't get on with his bosses at the Broncos.

 

[Gomarchin]

They better sign Sam Williams before the June 30 deadline otherwise not keeping Soward purely for depth to cover injury will be one of the dumbest decisions i have ever seen.

+2

But knowing Doust he's probably trying to save as much as he can this year before Price decides to re-sign Fein for a further 3 years - as our half back.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Doesn't sound like any half is coming over soon. I though Rangi was a certainty but even that has cooled down.

If Fein gets injured it will be interesting how they go. They will Throw Drinkwater in with Chase as his 5/8 and expect results. Poor guy. He has no hope.

Actually Prior will probably be the new No.7.

 

[Slippery Morris]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-feels-robbed-of-farewell-20130618-2og09.html

Business is business but Soward feels robbed of farewell​

DateJune 18, 2013 - 4:13PM Last act as a Dragon: Jamie Soward reacts after missing a penalty kick against the Bulldogs. Photo: Getty Images​

Outgoing St George Illawarra five-eighth Jamie Soward feels robbed of having the chance to farewell the Dragons faithful but says his impending short stint move to England is the best outcome for he and his former club.
After weeks of turmoil and unrest, Soward has left the Dragons and will link up with English Super League club London Broncos for the rest of this year before starting with Penrith on a four-year-deal.I'm not going to comment on mine and Pricey's relationship.
In his only interview since announcing the switch, Soward defended his relationship with the Dragons senior players, was critical of his form and spoke of his disappointment of not being offered a contract extension at the club beyond this year.
Soward has been playing for the Dragons feeder club, the Cutters, in NSW Cup Photo: Orlando Chiodo​

"It was [disappointing]," Soward said. "We've said all along it's a business and I think everyone understand that if your current job doesn't want to retain you, you have to look elsewhere. The Panthers offer was very enticing and I'm very excited about joining the Panthers."
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His last moment as a Dragon will be missing an after the siren penalty goal against Canterbury on May 31. Soward hasn't featured in the NRL squad since that, instead axed to NSW Cup and forced to train with Illawarra Cutters part-time. He wouldn't confirm if his relationship with coach Steve Price was strained but said he had maintained a strong bond with the playing group.
"I'm not going to comment on mine and Pricey's relationship," Soward said. "I'd rather talk about the good times like Pricey being an assistant coach to our 2010 premiership win.
"I've got no problems with the senior players and they have no problems with me. I've spoken to Ben Creagh a lot recently and they are lifelong mates who obviously didn't want it to end this way. I will be mates with them and I'm sure if they wanted to catch up for an orange juice we would."
He leaves the Dragons with a premiership and world title. He is also the joint-ventures leading point-scorer with 977 points from 140 games since joining the club midway through 2007.
"I haven't got sour grapes," Soward said. "When I signed with Penrith the club wanted to look for the future as part of giving Pricey the right roster. My form hadn't been great this year, whether I should have been dropped or not, isn't for me to comment but I seem to get the blame when we lose.
"Dousty (CEO Peter Doust) was very professional with the way he handled things behind the scenes. It may seem like this has happened very quickly but it's been a long couple of weeks for me and my family.
"The most disappointing thing for me is that I don't get the chance to say goodbye to the fans. I know with the way it's played out, everyone comes with their own opinion. When I came to the Dragons everyone was so receptive and I guess when we won the premiership everyone was relieved. They are great memories that we are always going to share."
It is hard to believe that just two years ago, Soward was preparing for his second game for NSW and went on to feature in the entire three match series. Now he is busy packing his home to relocate to London to join the Broncos as he waits for his visa to be approved. London sit second to last on the ladder.
"I've been in contact with (London coach) Tony Rea and he has been sending the game plans over," Soward said.
Soward's departure allows the Dragons to step up their chase for the immediate signing of Canberra half Sam Williams.​

 

[Slippery Morris]

The last line is interesting. THis section was gold......

I'm not going to comment on mine and Pricey's relationship," Soward said. "I'd rather talk about the good times like Pricey being an assistant coach to our 2010 premiership win.

 

[Fiery]

Doesn't sound like any half is coming over soon. I though Rangi was a certainty but even that has cooled down.

If Fein gets injured it will be interesting how they go. They will Throw Drinkwater in with Chase as his 5/8 and expect results. Poor guy. He has no hope.

Actually Prior will probably be the new No.7.

Price will probably try and talk Steve Morris out of retirement.....

 

[Black Forest Dragon]

Bellamy has the same affect on average talent that Bennett does, he turns cheap average footballers into high quality first-graders.. they get shipped off due to the cap (Blair a prime example), then he does it again with the next crop.. I understand the cap issues a while back.. but he has held this consistency since 1999, thats 14yrs, thats phenomenal, they are the benchmark.

On top of that, Bellamy is always at the forefront of tactics, his team are the ones that we all copy, sometimes I dont like the way he does it (the wrestling, grappling and slowing down tactics), but he sets the pace... plus the Storms structure in attack and defence is astonishing (granted Cronk/Smith help a great deal).. thats something he has over Bennett imo, Bennett is a legend ofcourse, but I see him as old-school.. I dont think he is an innovator like Bellamy..

Obviously id take either in a heart-beat! Price's tactics and man-management has frustrated me for so long im starting to not care anymore about what team he dishes up.. I cant wait for him to leave our club, and yes I do agree that its a shame in a way that Bellamy didnt come up the Dragons and see if he could prove himself away from the Storm club.. im sure its not just the coach that have led to the clubs success.

Rev - once again positively good read. I agree with this assessment of the two coaches whole-heartedly.

What does Steve Price get paid? What do you currently do for a job?

I don't wish to blow sunshine up your clackker, ....but mate, can't you be the coach ?

 

[KiamaSaint]

Disgraceful, the whole episode. I don't care what Soward has done, it is still up to the management to make sure it did not get out of hand like this. The writing was on the wall with their on field spat in the second of 2011 and it has just been left to fester until this point. Disgraceful.

 

[dragondonar1]

It would have been nice for both parties to swallow their pride and allow soward to play one last game so he can reach 1000 points for the club and to give him and fan farewell. Good luck and all the best until we play you next year.

 

[rainman44]

Doesn't sound like any half is coming over soon. I though Rangi was a certainty but even that has cooled down.

If Fein gets injured it will be interesting how they go. They will Throw Drinkwater in with Chase as his 5/8 and expect results. Poor guy. He has no hope.

Actually Prior will probably be the new No.7.

I dont know about sam williams but Rangi chase will be at the dragons. next year, thats what i have been told.

 

[TheRev]

Rev - once again positively good read. I agree with this assessment of the two coaches whole-heartedly.

What does Steve Price get paid? What do you currently do for a job?

I don't wish to blow sunshine up your clackker, ....but mate, can't you be the coach ?

hahaha too funny I have the upmost respect for what coaches do, continually inspiring men and their tactics in the highest arena, all under the glaring scrutiny of fans/media/sponsors... I wouldnt last a week under that kind of stress... I wouldnt wish the job on anyone!

Lets just hope the change comes soon and they find a guy capable of developing our players in a positive direction.