The Mole , OMG does he hate dragons?

[Old Timer]

Underachieved last year ?

Yes I think so based on all the media reports that had us top 8 bound after we had a few wins and on the basis of how good Hunt and Lomax were and to a lesser degree Sua.

I mean we were red hot favourites to win on Anzac Day.

Then add all the posts in here saying we make the eight if not for K F’s untimely suspension.

So to me that = underachieved and with the 2 anchors lifted off the chain we should more than eclipse last year.

 

[Crush]

Well seeing as I thought we underachieved last year I’m saying we could finish 8th.

If we don’t it’s a fail in my book the only acceptable excuses to miss are bad injury toll or over representation at SOO which seems unlikely.

That’s encouraging to hear.
Initially I remember you being very negative about Shane Flanigan but it seems that you have changed your mind.
I guess you have seen the improvement since the Mary and Hook era like most of us.
Who would have thought that in two short years since the Hook cluster, that we’d now be expecting top 8 minimum from our team, a real credit to Flano and his team.

 

[CozDragon]

Yes I think so based on all the media reports that had us top 8 bound after we had a few wins and on the basis of how good Hunt and Lomax were and to a lesser degree Sua.

I mean we were red hot favourites to win on Anzac Day.

Then add all the posts in here saying we make the eight if not for K F’s untimely suspension.

So to me that = underachieved and with the 2 anchors lifted off the chain we should more than eclipse last year.

You just went on about people not using the media's expectation of us as a guide to whether this year is successful or not but then did the exact same thing....

 

[kit66]

You just went on about people not using the media's expectation of us as a guide to whether this year is successful or not but then did the exact same thing....

In hindsight. There's a difference.

 

[CozDragon]

In hindsight. There's a difference.

OT said they hope people don't use the media projections of us being a wooden spoon favourite to influence our judgement on whether this season is successful or once it is over.

So if they deem last season as an underachievement because we didn't finish top 8 based on the media reports of us being top 8 bound, how on earth that is not the exact same thing?

It is all in hindsight. You can't judge whether a season has been successful or not until it is over and it can be looked back on... What are you even saying..

 

[possm]

If we signed Lodge, our chances of making the top 8 and being competitive in the 2025 final series would be greatly enhanced. In addition, I predict Lawson will be a sensation on the left wing.

Atkinson arrives in 2026, and by that time, at least four young forwards—the Couchman twins, Fifita, and Tonga — will be a positive addition to our top 17. So, I predict it likely that the Dragons will be top 4 and possibly be premiers in 2026.

 

[KingFlanno7]

If we signed Lodge, our chances of making the top 8 and being competitive in the 2025 final series would be greatly enhanced. In addition, I predict Lawson will be a sensation on the left wing.

Atkinson arrives in 2026, and by that time, at least four young forwards—the Couchman twins, Fifita, and Tonga — will be a positive addition to our top 17. So, I predict it likely that the Dragons will be top 4 and possibly be premiers in 2026.

I am all for the Lodge signing at a good price, but he won't be the defining reason we make or don't make the top 8. Big Loko will play plenty of first grade this year, he is big enough and tough enough to do it. I think this squad is easily a top 8 or better team and I'm sure Flanno and the team have the same feeling, I think we are in for a great year

 

[possm]

I am all for the Lodge signing at a good price, but he won't be the defining reason we make or don't make the top 8. Big Loko will play plenty of first grade this year, he is big enough and tough enough to do it. I think this squad is easily a top 8 or better team and I'm sure Flanno and the team have the same feeling, I think we are in for a great year

8. Molo
9. Cook
10. Lodge
11. Leilua
12. Su'A
13. De Belin

14. Liddle
15. Tonga
16. Fifita
17. Couchman

If the above players can perform to their full potential, the Dragons will have a a very competitive forward pack in 2025. Our missing link is Lodge so sign him on a two-year deal.

By the way, our reserve grade team is really looking very good as well. At long last we finally have some real depth in 2025.

 

[CozDragon]

I am all for the Lodge signing at a good price, but he won't be the defining reason we make or don't make the top 8. Big Loko will play plenty of first grade this year, he is big enough and tough enough to do it. I think this squad is easily a top 8 or better team and I'm sure Flanno and the team have the same feeling, I think we are in for a great year

Hopefully Fifita can surprise us and have a big season too. If he comes on and Loko progresses as we all hope, that could eliminate our need for that prop signing, or at least let us be even more selective in who we bring in. It would likely also make us a more appealing destination having two big gun props (providing we keep them of course) to play off of.

 

[possm]

Hopefully Fifita can surprise us and have a big season too. If he comes on and Loko progresses as we all hope, that could eliminate our need for that prop signing, or at least let us be even more selective in who we bring in. It would likely also make us a more appealing destination having two big gun props (providing we keep them of course) to play off of.

Fifita and Tonga need to be included in the top 17 this season. But this does not fill the experience gap and the need for an alpha prop.

Lodge on a two-year deal is the right player at the right time for the Dragons. Under the leadership of coach Flannagan, and captains Cook and Gutherson, Lodge has the potential to play to his potential.

 

[KingFlanno7]

Big Loko will 100% be our starting front rower 26. He could suprise this year and ironically I wouldn't be surprised if he had a breakout year in 25

 

[kit66]

OT said they hope people don't use the media projections of us being a wooden spoon favourite to influence our judgement on whether this season is successful or once it is over.

So if they deem last season as an underachievement because we didn't finish top 8 based on the media reports of us being top 8 bound, how on earth that is not the exact same thing?

It is all in hindsight. You can't judge whether a season has been successful or not until it is over and it can be looked back on... What are you even saying..

You've answered your own question. In OT's post you quoted, he only used the "media reports" comment to back up the reality of what actually transpired. Past tense. Not that I mean to speak for OT.
His other comment says he hopes people don't use Media projections/predictions as excuses or to justify where we land on the ladder this year - future tense.
He doesn't do what he said he hopes others don't do.

 

[blacksafake]

Yes I think so based on all the media reports that had us top 8 bound after we had a few wins and on the basis of how good Hunt and Lomax were and to a lesser degree Sua.

I mean we were red hot favourites to win on Anzac Day.

Then add all the posts in here saying we make the eight if not for K F’s untimely suspension.

So to me that = underachieved and with the 2 anchors lifted off the chain we should more than eclipse last year.

Disregarding the Media opinions I’m amazed you thought we underachieved by missing the 8.
Particularly with a coach you thought shouldn’t have been signed, a 6 & 1 you don’t rate, slow wingers, a pack with the exception of Liddle & Su’a who couldn’t hold their own & poor captain/leader with average kicking game who likes to be involved in every play.
I can understand you saying making the 8 this season but not last.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Hey OT, this time last year Saints were not tipped to make the 8, they were tipped for the spoon. Hunt was wanting out, Lomax spitting chips over positional change, Flanno first year to a club that came 2nd last, recruitment of unwanted players like Leilua and RFM, etc. Saints were coming into 2024 on the back of a very difficult off-season and not one that looked top 8 bound that is for sure.

Mid year after a start which surprised everyone, they were then removed from spoon favourites and it did not come till much later in the season they were tipped to make the 8. Saints definitely did not underachieve from what they were predicted to come this time last year in 2024 hence why most see see Saints as exceeding expectations last year.

Saints again are tipped to finish bottom 2 by most so if they have a similar season to last season, then it will be again looked at as being successful. They have media reports saying that they have the worst halves combo in the comp and no big forwards compared to other bottom 8 sides.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

I reckon we over achieved. OK, we only ended up 11th on the ladder, but we beat Melbourne in Melbourne, Penrith in Penrith, and we were in the final 8 with only two games to play. Best finish since 2018 although I guess that's not really saying a whole lot. More to the point the team looked like it was properly coached, after the Hook debacle.

 

[maestro1]

Unfortunately, there is too much prep work in a lot of posts. Forum members feeling that we will improve, but prepping that Flanno isn't responsible. However, if we drop our bundle it will be Flanno's fault. Can't have it both ways.
Across the media and "experts" we are favourites to finish last, our halves are rated bottom 2 and similar for our forward pack. Anything above last 2 is exceeding expectations (not mine). I think we will have a cracking season but there is an element who won't admit improvement. We improved from 2023 and there were posters protesting that we didn't improve. Hard to convince this element as their thirst for a successful season means they have to give Flanno credit. Something they are probably not capable of doing. Hence the prepping........getting in early with setting parameters. Realistically anything above 11th is an actual improvement. I'm hoping for minimum top 8, but, 10 and better is obviously an improvement. To be clear, I won't be happy with 10th. I feel we can definitely make the 8.

 

[Crush]

I think people have to be realistic and have some kind of scale on which to judge the success of the season.
Top 4 - Beyond wildest dreams
Top 8 - Great
9th - 10th Decent
11th - 13th Ordinary
14th - 15th Poor
16th - 17th Horrendous

 

[SAP58]

I am all for the Lodge signing at a good price, but he won't be the defining reason we make or don't make the top 8. Big Loko will play plenty of first grade this year, he is big enough and tough enough to do it. I think this squad is easily a top 8 or better team and I'm sure Flanno and the team have the same feeling, I think we are in for a great year

Love that kind of positive talk nearly as much as that pop up disappearing. I can finally look at the forum again on my phone.

 

[Jim Dragons]

Another way to look at this is to assume that Hunt's errors are each separate categories: so we add his errors (43) + kick errors (20) = 63 errors. This means 63 turnovers = potentially 378 more tackles for the other sides. The average game has about 290 tackles. So each side on an average gets 145 tackles per game. 378 ÷ 145 = 2.6.

wtf! So this suggests that last season Hunt surrendered possession worth 2.6 entire game possessions to our opponents.

How did this go on for so long?

I do agree that you need to read stats with what they are worth... BUT those stats are very damning and also positives if we find and turn around the causes... ie - don't allow new personnel to replicate the same errors

 

[Jubilee]

They have media reports saying that they have the worst halves combo in the comp...

All Kyle and Lachlan have to do is facilitate the team. They don't have to be stars. Give the team well timed ball. Give passes that don't pressure the receivers. Stay alive after passing. Tackle. Kick. Don't make three errors and miss two tackles every game. I am sure they can both do all of that.