What is needed is a clean out but more importantly what is urgently needed is a coach who can get the best out of the players we have for 2013 (youngsters and older players alike).
First up, the Dragons need a leader on the field who is quick to recognise opportunities and changing situations. Hornby has failed on this front for ages, even during the Bennett days. Last night there was a prime example, when he had all his team back 30m for a penalty kick and the Tigers just ran the 30m, got on a roll and later scored a try. In a few prvious games, Hornby failed to have Soward take a field goal attempt early in a tackle count which if successful, could have led us to win the game or go into extra time. These decisions were made even though the Dragons were in field position to do so. The result being the play breaking down - drooped ball, knock-on, player trapped in possession and the opportunity lost. I have never thought of Hornby as a Captain with a brilliant mind or one who reads a game well (like Thurston or Benji or DCE or Pearce or Carney ...)
Secondly, Soward is clearly playing without confidence. I am sure he wishes for a replacement coach. This situation, if not address in the near future, may result in us losing him to an English club next year or for 2014. And I am of the opinion that it's not only Soward who is down in confidence, it seems most of the team are also feeling the same.
I think it important to ask the question: What is in the best interest of the Club, the team and most importantly the members and the fans?
In my opinion it is to provide members and fans with a sense of pride and confidence in our Club.
To be confident the players in the team are doing their best each week.
To be confident the coaching and recruitment staff are up to the challenge.
I think all of us would like to be assured that the Club and our team is being run in a highly professional manner.
I am sure we expect our elected officials, hired administrators and appointed coaching staff to demonstrate an ability to provide the financial resorces, recruitment prowess and coaching skills to keep this great club competitive and placed within the top 8 each year.
Frankley, it is not good enough to knowingly and purposely write off two years of assperations of success purely because Doust had not done enough to provide the necessary funds or because Craig Young fell shor and fail to identify suitable players for recruitment or because Price selfishly and recklessly experimented with a coaching plan that was doomed to fail and produced the results we have today.
Really, it's not good enough and it is esspecially not good enough for a proud club such as the Dragons.
It's time to make the hard decisions; the board should immediately sack Doust, Price and Craig Young and replace them with compitant officials such as Carr, Coyne and the best coach available for next year.
