Superthread L. No honour.

[Didgi]

Oh man, Le Tour coming up. The amount of work I won't be getting done with it on in the background will be immense.

 

[Jobdog]

Bennett's doing the hard yards now. Not sure he will finish the job, but Rick Stone should, should, inherit a far better squad / club than was taken off him.

By having to start again because nine of our top 25 will be retired in 2016?

 

[Alba]

Knights fans getting a rap, and not only a rap, but one from Alba - I like it.

I'd prefer it if my team wasn't actually rubbish though

I agree with Drew! Definitely not rubbish! Their time will come around again.

 

[Drew-Sta]

That's basically what Robinson does - he got the best out of Scott Dureau ffs (inb4 ESL haters). He's a fantastic coach, I'm just hoping he doesn't go the way of other good young (and not so young) coaches with a similar style - the likes of Elliott, Cleary, and to a lesser extent Griffin spring to mind.

I don't think he will. He was the reason the Roosters got to 2010 so if he can do that with Brian Smith as an anchor then he seems to be the real deal.

Elliot is a disappointment. Had a lot of potential then read his own press.

Jury is still out on Cleary. Next two years will be a good judge.

Griffin's mistake was hiring Kearney. That can't work out well.

By having to start again because nine of our top 25 will be retired in 2016?

Bennett will blood more kids by that time. You'll have emerging coming through to replace the young and the young guys he has now (Roberts, McKinnon, Rochow, McManus etc) will all be hitting their straps well so you'll have a strong team moving forward.

Have faith.

I agree with Drew! Definitely not rubbish! Their time will come around again.

;-)

 

[Red Bear]

That's basically what Robinson does - he got the best out of Scott Dureau ffs (inb4 ESL haters). He's a fantastic coach, I'm just hoping he doesn't go the way of other good young (and not so young) coaches with a similar style - the likes of Elliott, Cleary, and to a lesser extent Griffin spring to mind.



A type of jet popular in west Asia/the middle east, I believe.

What's wrong with Cleary? Building a good side in Penrith IMO.

I do think it's funny that since that lol@Souffs banner at Newcastle all the lol's have been in one direction, and it isnt towards Souths. I'd still have some faith in Bennett but he has inherited such a shit culture, it's gonna take a while to overcome. Still think they should've signed Brian Smith long term, was doing a good job.

Dragons could go either way in terms of rubbish squads. Dont really like their forward pack much, bar Merrin and if he stays around Weyman. Actually Frizzell also looks the goods. The others are either raw or pretty average (Dan Hunt for example, or sadly Ben Creagh who has always been excellent at club level but seems to have dropped off a bit). They've bolstered their backline big time with Widdopp, Farrell, Dugan if he hangs around but not sure they have a whole heap to work with if the pack stays as dire as it's looking.

Parramatta's squad looks woeful, will take a long time to fix that joint. Think the Tigers are moving in the right direction though, what remains to be seen is whether they get a competitive squad again whilst their current players are still firing (Farah and Marshall anyway).

 

[Jobdog]

In Wayne We Trust?

 

[Drew-Sta]

Oh, and Scott Dureau was one of the best halves running around in the Newcastle junior system; he, Mullen and Walsh. He simply wasn't coached to make the step up.

 

[Dutchy]

You can't coach what Scotty D lacked. I know from playing against him.

He's scared of getting hurt, and won't tackle front on because of it.

 

[Jason Maher]

What's wrong with Cleary? Building a good side in Penrith IMO.

I do think it's funny that since that lol@Souffs banner at Newcastle all the lol's have been in one direction, and it isnt towards Souths. I'd still have some faith in Bennett but he has inherited such a shit culture, it's gonna take a while to overcome. Still think they should've signed Brian Smith long term, was doing a good job.

Dragons could go either way in terms of rubbish squads. Dont really like their forward pack much, bar Merrin and if he stays around Weyman. Actually Frizzell also looks the goods. The others are either raw or pretty average (Dan Hunt for example, or sadly Ben Creagh who has always been excellent at club level but seems to have dropped off a bit). They've bolstered their backline big time with Widdopp, Farrell, Dugan if he hangs around but not sure they have a whole heap to work with if the pack stays as dire as it's looking.

Parramatta's squad looks woeful, will take a long time to fix that joint. Think the Tigers are moving in the right direction though, what remains to be seen is whether they get a competitive squad again whilst their current players are still firing (Farah and Marshall anyway).

I'd be punting Dan Hunt and Michael Weyman. The former has gone backwards, the latter has been undone by too many injuries. We have some very good young forwards around which can build a good pack - Frizell, Stockwell, De Bellin, King, and of course Merrin. Add Joel Thompson next year. Have some good depth players as well. Plus I think Vidot's future will ultimately be as a back rower. Just need to sign 1 or 2 decent young front rowers and we'll be ok. Problem is I don't think the majority of our fans have anything like the patience to wait for the team we are building to gel.

 

[Jason Maher]

The other problem is our coach. I just don't think he's the right bloke to get the best out of our young guns. Nor to make the right selection calls. Hopefully I'm wrong and he'll do better with some better cattle next year. He has to start putting blokes like De Bellin, Stockwell, and especially King in the starting line up. They are the future of our team, and too good to be benchies.

 

[Drew-Sta]

Dragons could go either way in terms of rubbish squads. Dont really like their forward pack much, bar Merrin and if he stays around Weyman. Actually Frizzell also looks the goods. The others are either raw or pretty average (Dan Hunt for example, or sadly Ben Creagh who has always been excellent at club level but seems to have dropped off a bit). They've bolstered their backline big time with Widdopp, Farrell, Dugan if he hangs around but not sure they have a whole heap to work with if the pack stays as dire as it's looking.

Saints haven't got the leadership or culture, TBH. We do have Cooper (Pommy) and Thompson coming in, so we'll have different forward mix next year. We also have Stockwell, Ah Mau and De Belin coming through properly.

We should punt Hunt and Weyman then tell Merrin to get his ass back into the front row instead of this rubbish at lock he's been doing. He should be hammering the advantage line with an arm to the offload and we'd be doing ok.

Our backs have only been an issue this year. We have no centres. Farrell will hopefully fix that.

My major concern is our halfback. Who do we have?! Squat...

In Wayne We Trust?

Worked for us ;-)

 

[Joker's Wild]

You can't coach what Scotty D lacked. I know from playing against him.

He's scared of getting hurt, and won't tackle front on because of it.

Nailed it there mate

Scotty hates contact and it let him down on many, many occasions.

 

[Drew-Sta]

You can't coach what Scotty D lacked. I know from playing against him.

He's scared of getting hurt, and won't tackle front on because of it.

Perhaps you're right, but Bennett got Soward tackling which means its possible for anyone.

Fear of pain is easily fixed. Hurt them enough at training and they'll either learn to tackle front on or break - both options get you a result.

The other problem is our coach. I just don't think he's the right bloke to get the best out of our young guns. Nor to make the right selection calls. Hopefully I'm wrong and he'll do better with some better cattle next year. He has to start putting blokes like De Bellin, Stockwell, and especially King in the starting line up. They are the future of our team, and too good to be benchies.

We'll never know with Price. Doust and Albert are the issue IMO. They've poisoned the well so Price will never get the shot to show what could have been.

 

[Drew-Sta]

Moar coffee!

 

[Jason Maher]

Drew: you'll need to replace me for F7s. I bloody forgot about it, and I'll be out all day today.

 

[Red Bear]

I'd be punting Dan Hunt and Michael Weyman. The former has gone backwards, the latter has been undone by too many injuries. We have some very good young forwards around which can build a good pack - Frizell, Stockwell, De Bellin, King, and of course Merrin. Add Joel Thompson next year. Have some good depth players as well. Plus I think Vidot's future will ultimately be as a back rower. Just need to sign 1 or 2 decent young front rowers and we'll be ok. Problem is I don't think the majority of our fans have anything like the patience to wait for the team we are building to gel.

Saints haven't got the leadership or culture, TBH. We do have Cooper (Pommy) and Thompson coming in, so we'll have different forward mix next year. We also have Stockwell, Ah Mau and De Belin coming through properly.

We should punt Hunt and Weyman then tell Merrin to get his ass back into the front row instead of this rubbish at lock he's been doing. He should be hammering the advantage line with an arm to the offload and we'd be doing ok.

Our backs have only been an issue this year. We have no centres. Farrell will hopefully fix that.

My major concern is our halfback. Who do we have?! Squat...



Worked for us ;-)

Definitely agree on Merrin, should be back in the front row (although he's doing a good job where he is, he's a natural front rower, gets through the defense with a good offload to boot).

Dan Hunt is an example of why stats measuring metres gained are flawed. He makes alot of metres but he rarely puts any dent in the defence and he doesnt get his team over the advantage line. The value of a front rower is more about the metres they can gain once they hit the defensive line + play the ball speed, where players such as Woods and Scott excel (not to mention Tim Mannah, who really has been outstanding in a woeful Parramatta side).

Also Ricky Stuart is a dick. Stop coaching in such an ill disciplined way and you wont get such poor penalty counts against you. Darcy Lussick must be one of the worst buys of the season as well, just gives away penalty after penalty with stupid play. Agression still has to be disciplined if you want to get anywhere in the game - look at how Souths and Easts are playing at present.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Dragons biggest problem was them winning the comp in 2010 and then re-signing all of their grand final heroes. If they'd have not won in 2010 I think they would have been a lot more cut throat with how they managed their roster. As it was, because they won the comp, if Doust were to have cut anyone, he'd have been hammered by the Red V faithful. Guys like Cooper and Soward should have been gone in 2011 or 2012 imo. This sort of ruthless player management is the reason why the Broncos were so good for so long. In reality, this is the sort of knowledge Bennett should have brought to the Dragons but either he had no say post 2010 or he was ignored.

Mind you, Bennett seems to have lost that edge a little as he has taken a few guys who are probably post used by date up to the Knights since.

 

[dogslife]

I think they should oust Doust and the club can be run by committee, everyone in JA is now in charge!

This should provide a few lulz

 

[Twizzle]

Mickey Arthur sacked within a few weeks of the ashes

f**king lols, we're a shambles

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Dan Hunt is an example of why stats measuring metres gained are flawed. He makes alot of metres but he rarely puts any dent in the defence and he doesnt get his team over the advantage line. The value of a front rower is more about the metres they can gain once they hit the defensive line + play the ball speed, where players such as Woods and Scott excel (not to mention Tim Mannah, who really has been outstanding in a woeful Parramatta side).

Some of these massive metre gaining props are very good at being in the right place to take a first hit up off a kick or penalty, where an easy 15 - 20 metres is always on offer. 2 or three of those and you are well on the way to 100+ metres in the game. The real test of a prop is the second and third hit up after a resumption and if they come back for their second hit up in a set.

Also Ricky Stuart is a dick. Stop coaching in such an ill disciplined way and you wont get such poor penalty counts against you. Darcy Lussick must be one of the worst buys of the season as well, just gives away penalty after penalty with stupid play. Agression still has to be disciplined if you want to get anywhere in the game - look at how Souths and Easts are playing at present.

Stuart is a very poor coach. It will be interesting to see what excuses he comes up with once he has bee at Parra for a few years. At the moment he is playing the good old "haven't got a quality roster" card. In two years time, once he has rebuilt a new team and they are still shit, he will go the "the team just doesn't seem to want to play for each other" excuse. Then after that he is generally out the door.