The Rumours Thread

[maestro1]

Lodge is a good signing to complement a well balanced squad
It now is Flano’s side
It‘s now over to the players and the coach
Minimum expectation is top 6 which is just a pass mark
Top 4 should be the aim
We should all be confident now with the squad and coach
Anything less is a failure
No more excuses

Your threshold of top 6 is not an impossibility. However, when making such calls, punters need to also factor in that 6 other teams will go backwards. We DO NOT control what other teams do. The only control we have over other teams is when we play them. For us to jump to 6th position, it means that Manly, Knights, Raiders, Cowboys, Bulldogs need to fair worse in 2025. That also doesn't factor in that the teams that finished below us don't improve. I'd say the Tigers, Broncos, Bunnies and Titans will definitely improve in 2025. We DO NOT control how these teams perform. All we can control is our own performance and when we play the individual teams. That said, Flanno has improved our squad from 2023 and you'd want to think that we improve vastly on 2024. We don't have the 6th best roster. Our roster is more accurately placed at 8, 9 or 10th.
Better rosters who should be top 6.....Panthers, Storm, Roosters, Broncos, Sharks, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Eagles. There would be an argument for the Tigers, Titans, Bunnies also having better rosters than us. Perspective please. What helps us is our coach. Like Bennett, he can get a poor roster to perform well. A good roster to perform great and a great roster to be exceptional.

 

[Old Timer]

Your threshold of top 6 is not an impossibility. However, when making such calls, punters need to also factor in that 6 other teams will go backwards. We DO NOT control what other teams do. The only control we have over other teams is when we play them. For us to jump to 6th position, it means that Manly, Knights, Raiders, Cowboys, Bulldogs need to fair worse in 2025. That also doesn't factor in that the teams that finished below us don't improve. I'd say the Tigers, Broncos, Bunnies and Titans will definitely improve in 2025. We DO NOT control how these teams perform. All we can control is our own performance and when we play the individual teams. That said, Flanno has improved our squad from 2023 and you'd want to think that we improve vastly on 2024. We don't have the 6th best roster. Our roster is more accurately placed at 8, 9 or 10th.
Better rosters who should be top 6.....Panthers, Storm, Roosters, Broncos, Sharks, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Eagles. There would be an argument for the Tigers, Titans, Bunnies also having better rosters than us. Perspective please. What helps us is our coach. Like Bennett, he can get a poor roster to perform well. A good roster to perform great and a great roster to be exceptional.

Not so sure Bennett really ever got a poor roster to perform well.

 

[Kolum Kid]

Your threshold of top 6 is not an impossibility. However, when making such calls, punters need to also factor in that 6 other teams will go backwards. We DO NOT control what other teams do. The only control we have over other teams is when we play them. For us to jump to 6th position, it means that Manly, Knights, Raiders, Cowboys, Bulldogs need to fair worse in 2025. That also doesn't factor in that the teams that finished below us don't improve. I'd say the Tigers, Broncos, Bunnies and Titans will definitely improve in 2025. We DO NOT control how these teams perform. All we can control is our own performance and when we play the individual teams. That said, Flanno has improved our squad from 2023 and you'd want to think that we improve vastly on 2024. We don't have the 6th best roster. Our roster is more accurately placed at 8, 9 or 10th.
Better rosters who should be top 6.....Panthers, Storm, Roosters, Broncos, Sharks, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Eagles. There would be an argument for the Tigers, Titans, Bunnies also having better rosters than us. Perspective please. What helps us is our coach. Like Bennett, he can get a poor roster to perform well. A good roster to perform great and a great roster to be exceptional.

Really good observation Maestro. For me we will have wins and losses but if our losses are not blow-outs and we can win some tight games that will be improvement.

 

[possm]

Your threshold of top 6 is not an impossibility. However, when making such calls, punters need to also factor in that 6 other teams will go backwards. We DO NOT control what other teams do. The only control we have over other teams is when we play them. For us to jump to 6th position, it means that Manly, Knights, Raiders, Cowboys, Bulldogs need to fair worse in 2025. That also doesn't factor in that the teams that finished below us don't improve. I'd say the Tigers, Broncos, Bunnies and Titans will definitely improve in 2025. We DO NOT control how these teams perform. All we can control is our own performance and when we play the individual teams. That said, Flanno has improved our squad from 2023 and you'd want to think that we improve vastly on 2024. We don't have the 6th best roster. Our roster is more accurately placed at 8, 9 or 10th.
Better rosters who should be top 6.....Panthers, Storm, Roosters, Broncos, Sharks, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Eagles. There would be an argument for the Tigers, Titans, Bunnies also having better rosters than us. Perspective please. What helps us is our coach. Like Bennett, he can get a poor roster to perform well. A good roster to perform great and a great roster to be exceptional.

To make it to the top 6 or top 4 none of the other NRL teams need to go backwards. The Dragon players just need to play to their full potential most weeks in 2025.

 

[OneEyedDragon]

Lodge is a good signing to complement a well balanced squad
It now is Flano’s side
It‘s now over to the players and the coach
Minimum expectation is top 6 which is just a pass mark
Top 4 should be the aim
We should all be confident now with the squad and coach
Anything less is a failure
No more excuses

I have read enough of your posts to understand that you are not a fan of Flanagan, but the hard line expectations you place on the team in 2025 make little sense. Your belief that a little over a year is enough time to claim that "it now is Flano's side" doesn't appear to make any allowance for the mess Flano inherited. As a rusted on Dragons fan,
I would be ecstatic if SGI won the premiership
I would be delighted if SGI made the top 4
I would be very pleased if SGI made the top 8
I would be happy if the team put in a committed performance each week.

BTW those annoying pop up ads make it almost impossible to make a post without throwing the tablet against the wall in frustration!

 

[maestro1]

To make it to the top 6 or top 4 none of the other NRL teams need to go backwards. The Dragon players just need to play to their full potential most weeks in 2025.

If the teams in the top 6 for 2024 who all have better rosters (IMHO) perform to their expected level, we cannot finish top 6 unless we perform beyond the expected level of our roster. Basically, if our roster is 8th to 10th in quality, we need to perform way above our expected level and then hope that squad quality teams in the 1 to 6 group need to drop. This is where your coach is paramount. There is also the improvement of lesser sides to consider. The Tigers now have a very good roster, however, most don't rate their coach. In contrast, we aren't rated that high, but having Flanno has most assuming that he will get the roster performing.

 

[maestro1]

To make it to the top 6 or top 4 none of the other NRL teams need to go backwards. The Dragon players just need to play to their full potential most weeks in 2025.

If they "don't go backwards" how do we enter the top 6. Seven doesn't go into 6.

 

[maestro1]

Not so sure Bennett really ever got a poor roster to perform well.

He took an ok Knights roster to a prelim final against the Roosters in 2013. Although, it was a decent squad, they weren't a top 4 squad.

 

[Old Timer]

He took an ok Knights roster to a prelim final against the Roosters in 2013. Although, it was a decent squad, they weren't a top 4 squad.

Bennett was pretty much kissed on the dick with squads.

For all his years at the helm there is 1 example and even that one is not a poor squad performing well above expectations to get to the play offs.

There are probably a few examples of others who have done better with much less.

 

[possm]

If they "don't go backwards" how do we enter the top 6. Seven doesn't go into 6.

We don't have selfish Hunt
We have Gutherson at the back, has a good last line of defense, can count the numbers, and has a great pass. He can kick a field goal.
Holmes is a great center who can kick goals and set up his winger.
Lodge who will add some starch to the front row and lead our forward pack,
Cook,who is a very smart hooker and very quick around the ruck.

The above players take our 17 to a new level 'top 4' in 2025

 

[CronullaSaint]

If the teams in the top 6 for 2024 who all have better rosters (IMHO) perform to their expected level, we cannot finish top 6 unless we perform beyond the expected level of our roster. Basically, if our roster is 8th to 10th in quality, we need to perform way above our expected level and then hope that squad quality teams in the 1 to 6 group need to drop. This is where your coach is paramount. There is also the improvement of lesser sides to consider. The Tigers now have a very good roster, however, most don't rate their coach. In contrast, we aren't rated that high, but having Flanno has most assuming that he will get the roster performing.

Each year teams that were expected to go good fail & teams that were written off succeed. The Warriors were expected to go better in 2024 on the back of 2023 and were also written off at the start of 2023. A couple of years back Parra made the grand final & have since failed with a very similar team. I hope St George will be one of the teams written off that succeeds beyond expectations.

 

[Crush]

Bennett was pretty much kissed on the dick with squads.

For all his years at the helm there is 1 example and even that one is not a poor squad performing well above expectations to get to the play offs.

There are probably a few examples of others who have done better with much less.

Are you questioning Bennett’s brilliance as a coach?
Surely not, he’s the GOAT IMO, an unbelievable coach, just look at the Dolphins enterance into the comp, sure they fell away but that side had no right to be anywhere near the top 8.
And what he did with dragons showed clearly how good a coach he is.

 

[maestro1]

Bennett was pretty much kissed on the dick with squads.

For all his years at the helm there is 1 example and even that one is not a poor squad performing well above expectations to get to the play offs.

There are probably a few examples of others who have done better with much less.

I'd definitely agree that there a MANY "examples of others who have done better with much less". However, Bennett has always performed at expected or above (give or take a season here or there). His 2006 season is a standout as no one thought that the Broncos team would beat the Storm. Similarly for Flanno, the Sharks beating the Storm was one of the biggest upsets in recent times.

 

[Hound of Dracula]

Very mixed to say the least.

From a playing perspective

I understand the logic as it is borne out of necessity.

I have fears for his ability to play a majority of games.

I have no fear for the ability he brings to the table he can play and do a job for us.

I think T & T is a good outcome for the coach and the group how that type of deals affects Lodge is yet to be seen.

From a morals point of view I have not followed all the outcomes and ramifications after his brain snap in the USA

If he has shown contrition and paid his dues in full then he is entitled to make a return to society and his chosen profession as was the case with Russell Packer.

If not then how he holds a contract in the NRL is beyond me

I do have concerns as to why he has been such a journeymen since being allowed back into the fold.

Having employed long term criminals as part of their return to work programme there are those that learn from their mistakes and go on to having successful lives but obviously carry some scars as do the victims.

Then there are others who learn nothing and continue offending so far Lodge to his credit had kept a clean slate.

As I say if he is truly aware and remorseful of his horror actions and paid his dues he deserves a chance and if if it is with us so be it.

Our moral compass has has a weak magnet as does the NRL in general and I wish it was very different but there is an Ezra Mann type who will be shown far too much leniency at almost every club.

I did follow the USA Lodge brain snap

Mostly Lodge was guilty of youthful ignorance of the effects of excess alcohol and medication. As another poster mentioned – Lodge has no recollection of any of his actions.

I think the courts were a little lenient but he and/or his father returned to the U.S. to face civil action from the victims. They negotiated a substantial payment which Lodge paid off. He has been a clean-skin since.

I experienced a similar situation (I’m certain my JD’s were spiked) which cost me my Nightclub job after I woke up wondering why my car was parked outside my house with two broken axels, when I specifically gave my keys to someone because I wasn’t driving.

The stories I was told I did, made it the most shameful day/night of my life. It was 40 years ago & I don’t recall one moment.

I’m extremely grateful no-one was injured.

 

[be55]

Anyone questioning Bennett's coaching credentials needs a mental health assessment...

 

[KingFlanno7]

Ronaldo muilatalo being shopped to the Broncos? Get on the phone Flanno he is a gun

 

[Gourley's Socks]

I did follow the USA Lodge brain snap

Mostly Lodge was guilty of youthful ignorance of the effects of excess alcohol and medication. As another poster mentioned – Lodge has no recollection of any of his actions.

I think the courts were a little lenient but he and/or his father returned to the U.S. to face civil action from the victims. They negotiated a substantial payment which Lodge paid off. He has been a clean-skin since.

I experienced a similar situation (I’m certain my JD’s were spiked) which cost me my Nightclub job after I woke up wondering why my car was parked outside my house with two broken axels, when I specifically gave my keys to someone because I wasn’t driving.

The stories I was told I did, made it the most shameful day/night of my life. It was 40 years ago & I don’t recall one moment.

I’m extremely grateful no-one was injured.

That's a very interesting and personal perspective HoD. Thank you for sharing.

The thing I struggle with though is his lack of accountability. As per https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/052d5a817a9b95f3bcec52fd4e06bf3f he tries to play the victim card - implying strongly that the $1.2M payout was a cash-grab.

As a parent, I would imagine I'd lose a lot of money in time off work to support my child had we been through such a situation as the victims here were. Additionally, I'd expect that the costs of ongoing counselling would be significant and very probably long-term. Finally, I would be inclined to move house as well in an attempt to start anew. $1.2M wouldn't go very far in these circumstances and that's to say nothing of the damage to my wife or to myself.

So for Lodge to cry woe-is-me is pretty rich - especially when considering he received a particularly lenient initial sentence due no doubt to his ability to finance a strong defence.

And there's also a massive difference to a drink being spiked and someone voluntarily taking more than double the recommended dose of a prescription medication.

Personally I have no sympathy for Lodge and hope he's belted into oblivion if he ever dons the jersey.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Bennett was pretty much kissed on the dick with squads.

For all his years at the helm there is 1 example and even that one is not a poor squad performing well above expectations to get to the play offs.

There are probably a few examples of others who have done better with much less.

All fell into his lap.... success wherever he has coached, mayn't have won premierships at Newcastle, Souths, Dolphins but was very successful, has won SOO and coached Australia, NZ and England to major victories, he mayn't be a tactical master but knows how to get the best out of players Soward, Weyman, the no name #7 Halfback (Broncos) who's name escapes me, i have personally watched him at training when he was coaching us and also a few times when he was coaching souths (Erskinville Oval), the way he commands respect and treats the players etc is amazing, you don't coach for 40years and have your teams constantly in the top 8 if you don't know what you are doing..

 

[maestro1]

That's a very interesting and personal perspective HoD. Thank you for sharing.

The thing I struggle with though is his lack of accountability. As per https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/052d5a817a9b95f3bcec52fd4e06bf3f he tries to play the victim card - implying strongly that the $1.2M payout was a cash-grab.

As a parent, I would imagine I'd lose a lot of money in time off work to support my child had we been through such a situation as the victims here were. Additionally, I'd expect that the costs of ongoing counselling would be significant and very probably long-term. Finally, I would be inclined to move house as well in an attempt to start anew. $1.2M wouldn't go very far in these circumstances and that's to say nothing of the damage to my wife or to myself.

So for Lodge to cry woe-is-me is pretty rich - especially when considering he received a particularly lenient initial sentence due no doubt to his ability to finance a strong defence.

And there's also a massive difference to a drink being spiked and someone voluntarily taking more than double the recommended dose of a prescription medication.

Personally I have no sympathy for Lodge and hope he's belted into oblivion if he ever dons the jersey.

You hope he fails in the Red V ??

 

[Gourley's Socks]

You hope he fails in the Red V ??

Unfortunately yes I do.

I found the Packer signing difficult to support and to my mind, this is considerably worse. I cheer for the club but I can't divorce that completely from the people that make up the club.