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The Rumours Thread

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,977
So are you suggesting they don't need a backs coach?

IMO Ryles needs to have some support and who better to try than someone who has played at the highest level but evidently you want to rule him out for having done so.

Gasnier can teach them match day preparation, personal drills, dealing with the mental challenges of playing against the best, how to change the momentum of a game, what to do if what you are doing isn't succeeding plus a shit load more of things he has experienced 1st hand.

This place is full of skeptics of others whilst hating anyone being skeptical of our own team / coaches etc and of course are even more skeptical of any former players doing stuff at other clubs.
I was waiting for your usual reply and you did not let me down
You can’t have it both ways OT
Accusing a Dragons forum of being sceptical of others when you are one of the biggest sceptics of the current dragon coach we have
In all your rant about supporting the current Parra coach you have not provided one reason why Ryles himself should avoid scepticism

It is great Sterlo is back but please tell me how Ryles gets the credit for bringing Pete Stirling or should I say Sterling for the ambassador role with the club?

But if Ryles succeeds next 2years as you suggest I will certainly acknowledge I was wrong
But after being in a GF 2 yrs ago and nearly always challenging for a Top 4 or always the 8 recently under Arthur what does success look like for Parra and their fans with arguably the best 7 and 6 combo in the comp akin to Melb going forward
 
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BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,977
Why do we have to give Rav a top 30 spot ? We have a plethora of wingers or players that can play on the wing & he would be way down the list ? If he doesnt leave he can play out his time in reserve grade. Happy to be corrected if there is another reason why.
Because he has a contract and earning big $$ and counted in the squad
Does not preclude him for playing Reggies
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
17,993
I was waiting for your usual reply and you did not let me down
You can’t have it both ways OT
Accusing a Dragons forum of being sceptical of others when you are one of the biggest sceptics of the current dragon coach we have
In all your rant about supporting the current Parra coach you have not provided one reason why Ryles himself should avoid scepticism

It is great Sterlo is back but please tell me how Ryles gets the credit for bringing Pete Stirling or should I say Sterling for the ambassador role with the club?

But if Ryles succeeds next 2years as you suggest I will certainly acknowledge I was wrong
But after being in a GF 2 yrs ago and nearly always challenging for a Top 4 or always the 8 recently under Arthur what does success look like for Parra and their fans with arguably the best 7 and 6 combo in the comp akin to Melb going forward
Stirling has had almost nothing to do with the club post his retirement

He know says he’s glad to be onboard as part of “the new era” for Parramatta.

Isn’t Ryles the new era?

If he didn’t believe in Ryles do you think he would stick his head up now?
 

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,977
Stirling has had almost nothing to do with the club post his retirement

He know says he’s glad to be onboard as part of “the new era” for Parramatta.

Isn’t Ryles the new era?

If he didn’t believe in Ryles do you think he would stick his head up now?
Well he had a job in the media he loved for 30+ years.. and not long since retired.. would say too busy more than anything
Now.. He is being paid to be an ambassador of the club he loves and probably has the time. Good luck to him
When he retired from TV it was about family, travel and golf living in the Central Coast (his words).
You are a long time retired
However, how do you know he was not approached by the front office in lieu of sticking his head up.
He was just as supportive of Arthur when Parra were flying when asked

But now you are grandstanding!
New Era.. cmon. We have all heard that many times before at all clubs
It is just a new rookie coach. different year.
I remember Steve Kearney was the next big thing after doing an apprenticeship under Bellamy & Bennett.

I will say though and what is not in doubt.
They have a better Top 17 than us and have done for nearly 10 years.
They are a rich powerful club. (we should be too)
Well run BOD?. That is debatable (our clubs answer not in doubt based on recent history)
Ryles is starting on a better platform than Flanno had and still has.
You talk about Lawrie being here with us. Whose fault is that.
Was he not offered an opportunity to explore other options last year. No options apparently

Flanno had and still has a bigger job to resurrect our flickering flame of a squad and football club department.
He cant change the front office

BTW..his name is Sterling.
 
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Old Timer

Coach
Messages
17,993
Well he had a job in the media he loved for 30+ years.. and not long since retired.. would say too busy more than anything
Now.. He is being paid to be an ambassador of the club he loves and probably has the time. Good luck to him
When he retired from TV it was about family, travel and golf living in the Central Coast (his words).
You are a long time retired
However, how do you know he was not approached by the front office in lieu of sticking his head up.
He was just as supportive of Arthur when Parra were flying when asked

But now you are grandstanding!
New Era.. cmon. We have all heard that many times before at all clubs
It is just a new rookie coach. different year.
I remember Steve Kearney was the next big thing after doing an apprenticeship under Bellamy & Bennett.

I will say though and what is not in doubt.
They have a better Top 17 than us and have done for nearly 10 years.
They are a rich powerful club. (we should be too)
Well run BOD?. That is debatable (our clubs answer not in doubt based on recent history)
Ryles is starting on a better platform than Flanno had and still has.
You talk about Lawrie being here with us. Whose fault is that.
Was he not offered an opportunity to explore other options last year. No options apparently

Flanno had and still has a bigger job to resurrect our flickering flame of a squad and football club department.
He cant change the front office

BTW..his name is Sterling.
If you have to resort to pedantry then best you give it away we both know who we are talking about

Me grandstanding you say in relation to “new era” obviously you have failed to listen to what Sterling actually said himself best you look that up.

Sterling was no fan of Arthur as you claim rather the contrary.

You bring up some peripheral rubbish about the squads they both inherit fmd we are talking about coaching ability not making excuses.

You think S F is the bees knees and that Ryles is a dud.

I’ve never said S F can’t coach rather that I actually don’t like the style of his play book not withstanding that like others on a given day I will also be critical of his selections however, my actual criticism of S F was a personal matter re his character so don’t confuse the two.

I actually believe Ryles will be a good coach albeit it will take up to 2 years to see that to fully transfer to results on the field.

For some reason you are rambling on about Lawrie, BOD’s, money and powerful clubs etc what has any of that got to do with this current dialogue between us re Ryles, Gasnier, Sterling etc?
 

TheRev

Coach
Messages
11,646
Why do we have to give Rav a top 30 spot ? We have a plethora of wingers or players that can play on the wing & he would be way down the list ? If he doesnt leave he can play out his time in reserve grade. Happy to be corrected if there is another reason why.
I think the confusion here is even if Rava plays the entire year in reserve grade (which he 100% will if he stays), hes still contracted in our Top 30, i.e. only 17 players (+18th man) fit in 1st grade, the rest will play reserves.

Unfortunately Rava (and Lawrie) are contracted for 2025 and 2026.. otherwise it wouldnt be as big a deal to write them off.. my feeling is by april or june this year, if neither player is even close to seeing 1st grade, maybe they will be more open to a UK move to rekindle their careers.

If im honest though, I dont even think Rava plays reserve grade unless hes in some form.. there are other guys who need those development wing positions (assuming we arent carrying injuries).
 

TheRev

Coach
Messages
11,646
I think what some people struggle with (around rumours) is that things change quickly, literally day to day.. we've had a few players this year verbally agreed to terms... or certainly that we were right in the hunt for, but a late offer comes from a rival club (with a shorter commute or more chance of finals) and *po0f* contract is dead....

I'd rather still know.. a) its fascinating (what else is there to talk about) and b) atleast I know we are trying... which is something that never happened under Griffin's reign.. we were so uninspiring in our effort to recuit/improve.
 
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TheRev

Coach
Messages
11,646
People are saying Blake looks slimmer and fitter. I hope he is buying in and will provide his best efforts in 2025. It will help a lot if he just decides to make 2025 his year of best fitness and continual extra 1% efforts throughout his times on-field. That is all we want from him.
Yep.. I'm holding out a 10% chance that Lawrie improves in 2025.. and his job is to lead that NSW Cup pack big-time.. if he can impress from there.. and we get injuries then who knows.. 90% chance that doesnt happen.. but its not impossible.. his career is on the line.
 

Jubilee

Juniors
Messages
885
Yep.. I'm holding out a 10% chance that Lawrie improves in 2025.. and his job is to lead that NSW Cup pack big-time.. if he can impress from there.. and we get injuries then who knows.. 90% chance that doesnt happen.. but its not impossible.. his career is on the line.
He has physical limitations for a modern forward but there is nothing to stop him committing mentally and emotionally to leaving it all on the field every time he trains and plays.

If I were Flanno this is what I would impress on him. He is experienced enough to show the young guys leadership. So show it.
 

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,977
If you have to resort to pedantry then best you give it away we both know who we are talking about

Me grandstanding you say in relation to “new era” obviously you have failed to listen to what Sterling actually said himself best you look that up.

Sterling was no fan of Arthur as you claim rather the contrary.

You bring up some peripheral rubbish about the squads they both inherit fmd we are talking about coaching ability not making excuses.

You think S F is the bees knees and that Ryles is a dud.

I’ve never said S F can’t coach rather that I actually don’t like the style of his play book not withstanding that like others on a given day I will also be critical of his selections however, my actual criticism of S F was a personal matter re his character so don’t confuse the two.

I actually believe Ryles will be a good coach albeit it will take up to 2 years to see that to fully transfer to results on the field.

For some reason you are rambling on about Lawrie, BOD’s, money and powerful clubs etc what has any of that got to do with this current dialogue between us re Ryles, Gasnier, Sterling etc?
I will repeat your grandstand quotes for your comprehension to understand why. pedantry is your forte!.

"Your underestimation of Ryles is astonishing and I believe it will firmly bite you on the arse within his first 2 years at the helm".

(
I have maintained and all I ask is back that statement up in lieu of my skepticism of how he will go - Why would not Flanno get given the same time by you with an inferior squad?)

"He has instantly brought Stirling in from the freezer that others have had him in locked away in for 30 + years so Ryles is already heavily buying into the Parramatta legacy and he has procured the services of one of the great centres of the modern era to help coach his young backline".

(so you are sure it was Ryles that brought him in is that correct? - and I think he was happy to lock himself away busy working a lucrative gig in the media?)

"If that's out of his depth then god help us as we hold onto Lawrie and other shitters".

(you brought Lawrie into it..not me. I just responded)

"Sterling was no fan of Arthur as you claim rather the contrary"

(can you back that up or is that another grandstand statement of your opinion)

"You think S F is the bees knees and that Ryles is a dud."

(never said that and dont think it either...another grandstand statement by you)

So in the wash up and weeks of debating
we agree Flanno can coach.
We cant agree on..his style or play book suits us going forward
We agree that for some reason you hold a personal grudge
We dont agree that Ryles will bite my arse within 2 years

Goodbye OT.. enjoy supporting Ryles in Blue & Gold just in spite because I dont and I support Flanno ATM and what he is doing.
 

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