The Rumours Thread

[Gareth67]

Assuming that this rumour is true (surely it isn’t) and Cam has said he wants to play 9, and he is clearly an 80 minute hooker, surely the only reason you would buy Macca is because Cam is leaving. The coaches have said he has only trained at 9 too. Who was touted play 13 before all this?

Undoubtedly a lot of grey areas in between the black and white at the moment . The Dragons have apparently began talks with Cam McInnes to extend his contract but have not made the man an offer ?

On the other side of the coin if McCulloch has indeed been signed - not forgetting that the Broncs were asking close to the $600,00 mark , then there is no way he will be sitting on the bench collecting splinters for that sort of money .

Hopefully all questions will be answered in the not too distant future and the Dragons are able to secure Cam’s services for another few years .

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

$$$ and we only want a decent depth hooker. We have our 1st choice dont forget.
Why did Rabbitohs sign benji?

If he’s a depth signing fair enough but the talk is of McInnes playing lock which I’m not a fan of. Plus I’m happy with BB as a backup personally. The only thing I can think of is that with the speed of the game Hook wants 2 hookers and McInnes wants to play 80. So he might run with Macca and BB off the bench or something like that.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

James Hooper reporting where exactly?
Thanks

Triple M, but he’s a noted dribbler.

 

[BLM01]

If he’s a depth signing fair enough but the talk is of McInnes playing lock which I’m not a fan of. Plus I’m happy with BB as a backup personally. The only thing I can think of is that with the speed of the game Hook wants 2 hookers and McInnes wants to play 80. So he might run with Macca and BB off the bench or something like that.

The only talk about Cam playing lock are people on here who don’t know and I was one of them. I think 13 he could make that his own.

The amount of time I’ve seen BB play 1st grade except for trials is very minimal and he has had injuries.
maybe defence is not up to scratch in Hooks eyes I’m not sure,
But to me he wants an Experienced backup hooker who can defend all day and play 80 in case cam gets injured without moving Hunt who he wants to give first go and last chance at 7.

We signed BB for last year!
Ask yourself why did we sign Luke if BB was a ready-made back up

 

[St.Mono]

Dragons Looking at Nathan Peats , reported in the paper today..

 

[BLM01]

Dragons Looking at Nathan Peats , reported in the paper today..

yep..$$$ cheap is what we are after there for back up and depth.
Which also may indicate to me Cam is staying
Obviously Broncos wont chip in for most of McC's $600k salary so of course we look elsewhere

People talking about Brandon Smith.
Why are not all the other clubs short of a hooker not after him?
That too may be asking too much $$$$ for limited NRL time at hooker.
Players and player managers have got to know by now moving forward you wont get the same big $$$ readily anymore due to the salary cap squeezes and reductions.

 

[Dragonslayer]

yep..$$$ cheap is what we are after there for back up and depth.
Which also may indicate to me Cam is staying
Obviously Broncos wont chip in for most of McC's $600k salary so of course we look elsewhere

People talking about Brandon Smith.
Why are not all the other clubs short of a hooker not after him?
That too may be asking too much $$$$ for limited NRL time at hooker.
Players and player managers have got to know by now moving forward you wont get the same big $$$ readily anymore due to the salary cap squeezes and reductions.

Exactly.
To look at this logically:

Hooper says we signed McCollough for 2yrs, ok, so starting when? I do recall they were saying 3yrs. To me this means 2022/23. This also happens to co-incide with BB ending his contract.

As said before BB has had a few nasty concussions and other injuries and may not be seen as a long term back-up, or he may have indicated himself (speculation of course) that he wont play on past this year.

Now, we have news that we are enquiring about Peats. Who, atm, has no contract with anyone ( as far as I'm aware).

Given the news that players from outside the top 30 can play NRL after rd 11, it wouldn't surprise if we did offer a 'part-time' contract based on the above.

As you say none of this suggests Cam is going anywhere, in fact only strengthens the chance of him re-signing. Both McC and Peats would be cheap, especially Peats who has played SOO.

 

[redv13]

Triple M, but he’s a noted dribbler.

Yep the same dud reporter who thought the ex coach was a great coach and should have kept his job....

 

[SBD82]

Assuming that this rumour is true (surely it isn’t) and Cam has said he wants to play 9, and he is clearly an 80 minute hooker, surely the only reason you would buy Macca is because Cam is leaving. The coaches have said he has only trained at 9 too. Who was touted play 13 before all this?

With the new 6 again rules and the game speeding up, I get the feeling that all clubs will be playing a hooker rotation. The metres available around the middle are too valuable to miss out on because the 9 is fatigued.

 

[blacksafake]

With the new 6 again rules and the game speeding up, I get the feeling that all clubs will be playing a hooker rotation. The metres available around the middle are too valuable to miss out on because the 9 is fatigued.

Especially one like McInnes who does 50 tackles a game.

 

[SBD82]

Especially one like McInnes who does 50 tackles a game.

Yeah exactly. Even Cook was a bit of a spent force in the last 10 minutes of games last year. I just don’t see how it’s going to be possible for sides to have a 9 play the full 80. Unless they are exceptionally fit, beyond anything we’ve seen so far.

 

[BLM01]

Yep the same dud reporter who thought the ex coach was a great coach and should have kept his job....

Who changed his tune when It was clear his time was over as the BOD were meeting discussing Mary’s future for the 2nd time

 

[jak]

all this talk about another hooker must be making billy brittain feel wanted.

 

[TruSaint]

Yeah exactly. Even Cook was a bit of a spent force in the last 10 minutes of games last year. I just don’t see how it’s going to be possible for sides to have a 9 play the full 80. Unless they are exceptionally fit, beyond anything we’ve seen so far.

Agree with you that 80 mins is a big ask under the new rules.

Just not sure we need Peats/McC.

Hunt can rotate or use as @jak said Billy.

 

[SBD82]

Agree with you that 80 mins is a big ask under the new rules.

Just not sure we need Peats/McC.

Hunt can rotate or use as @jak said Billy.

Mate if it was up to me, it’d be McInnes at 9 and Hunt at 14. I’ve got no interest in Peats or McCullough.

 

[TruSaint]

Mate if it was up to me, it’d be McInnes at 9 and Hunt at 14. I’ve got no interest in Peats or McCullough.

Yeah, Im with you mate.

 

[getsmarty]

Mate if it was up to me, it’d be McInnes at 9 and Hunt at 14. I’ve got no interest in Peats or McCullough.

Hunt will be 7....already stated by Hook and Elliot. I know people don't agree.. but that is what will happen. We released lovodua....Peats is to fill this spot, if we get him.

 

[kit66]

Yeah exactly. Even Cook was a bit of a spent force in the last 10 minutes of games last year. I just don’t see how it’s going to be possible for sides to have a 9 play the full 80. Unless they are exceptionally fit, beyond anything we’ve seen so far.

They can get other players in to take runs from dummy half ( like they're supposed to do anyway ). Get the wingers, centres and Hunt to get in there more often and dart out for some cheap metres with Dufty backing up ready for the off load if there's a line break or a hole. Nene McDonald and Nightie were great at this but it seems to be a forgotten skill right when it would be most useful. Do it often and you'd have the opposition on the back foot half the game.

 

[muzby]

They can get other players in to take runs from dummy half ( like they're supposed to do anyway ). Get the wingers, centres and Hunt to get in there more often and dart out for some cheap metres with Dufty backing up ready for the off load if there's a line break or a hole. Nene McDonald and Nightie were great at this but it seems to be a forgotten skill right when it would be most useful. Do it often and you'd have the opposition on the back foot half the game.

I’ve often found the most effective runs from dummy half are taken on impulse when the person with the ball sees the defence isn’t set..

Not sure that sending someone in for a designated scoot will achieve much

 

[kit66]

I’ve often found the most effective runs from dummy half are taken on impulse when the person with the ball sees the defence isn’t set..

Not sure that sending someone in for a designated scoot will achieve much

You couldn't designate the runs, just have people ready to come in any time they see an opportunity. The same as we used to get our wingers to do only encourage them and others to be more aware. But if we're going with 2 hookers it's a moot point. Just an option.