The Rumours Thread

[Inisai Toga]

Saints looking for Hooker with McCullough gone. How good in management. Only 1 Hooker on the books. Billy Britain more or less out since the beginning of the season and they have nobody else. They assumed McCullough will play the season without Injury. A 31 y.o hooker coming off a serious injury last year. A player that does a heap of tackles a game and no backup? Wow. Do they need someone to explain what the spine is in a team and how important it is? Seems like they are clueless in that dept.

.. Hunt also been injured!

 

[Dragon David]

Saints looking for Hooker with McCullough gone. How good in management. Only 1 Hooker on the books. Billy Britain more or less out since the beginning of the season and they have nobody else. They assumed McCullough will play the season without Injury. A 31 y.o hooker coming off a serious injury last year. A player that does a heap of tackles a game and no backup? Wow. Do they need someone to explain what the spine is in a team and how important it is? Seems like they are clueless in that dept.

You have certainly brought up a case now for someone to explain what the f ck is going on with the recruitment department? Putting Billy Britain aside, how in blazes did they overlook this situation where there has not been someone signed up as a back up for Macca? Did they think that he would be a superman who would be available for the full 24 rounds of football and playing 80 minutes per game without fading/injuring himself? Come on Dragons, get your damn act together. What are you doing about next years hooker? Think and plan ahead better than you have recruiters!!

 

[BLM01]

You have certainly brought up a case now for someone to explain what the f ck is going on with the recruitment department? Putting Billy Britain aside, how in blazes did they overlook this situation where there has not been someone signed up as a back up for Macca? Did they think that he would be a superman who would be available for the full 24 rounds of football and playing 80 minutes per game without fading/injuring himself? Come on Dragons, get your damn act together. What are you doing about next years hooker? Think and plan ahead better than you have recruiters!!

Ben Hunt plan B also out
Plan C Billy Britain concussion issues + not in bubble and you can only use people in QLD bubble
Run of bad luck but we did try to get Mybe for some time also
We will be fine next year with Connor M starting to loom as well
Over-reaction by some
A lot of teams have lent and borrowed players late this year in the bubble

 

[redv13]

Saints looking for Hooker with McCullough gone. How good in management. Only 1 Hooker on the books. Billy Britain more or less out since the beginning of the season and they have nobody else. They assumed McCullough will play the season without Injury. A 31 y.o hooker coming off a serious injury last year. A player that does a heap of tackles a game and no backup? Wow. Do they need someone to explain what the spine is in a team and how important it is? Seems like they are clueless in that dept.

To be honest let’s look at it objectively. I’m sure they weren’t anticipating BB having his ongoing head knock issues. Then they tried to get Mbye before August 1 but that fell through. We are in a pickle no doubt but with minimal reserve grade too it’s just shit luck

 

[Old Timer]

To be honest let’s look at it objectively. I’m sure they weren’t anticipating BB having his ongoing head knock issues. Then they tried to get Mbye before August 1 but that fell through. We are in a pickle no doubt but with minimal reserve grade too it’s just shit luck

One could never have imagined the wretched luck that Griffin has had to deal with this season.

You can't count the number of injuries / suspensions (some our own fault some just the ridiculousness of the NRL judiciary system) at crucial times that has forced him to rejig what was already rejigged.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

To be honest let’s look at it objectively. I’m sure they weren’t anticipating BB having his ongoing head knock issues. Then they tried to get Mbye before August 1 but that fell through. We are in a pickle no doubt but with minimal reserve grade too it’s just shit luck

Agreed we are going okay considering our luck. Hook can’t be expected to completely reshaped our entire squad within a year. Before the season kicked off we had McInnes, Macca and BB. Mary would have had us getting the spoon without question.

 

[Inisai Toga]

One could never have imagined the wretched luck that Griffin has had to deal with this season.

You can't count the number of injuries / suspensions (some our own fault some just the ridiculousness of the NRL judiciary system) at crucial times that has forced him to rejig what was already rejigged.

yep, but he never has deflected responsibility or played the victim once.

 

[randomdragon]

.

 

[Ghostface Killah]

Mate told me we’re after King Gutho

 

[BIG RIG]

Brent Read on Fox just reported that we have been unable to gain a loan dummy half as of now - he said this could change but also stated don’t be suprised if McGuire or Clune play at 9

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Brent Read on Fox just reported that we have been unable to gain a loan dummy half as of now - he said this could change but also stated don’t be suprised if McGuire or Clune play at 9

I actually wouldn’t have minded seeing Mitch Rein at hooker for us one last time for old times sake. Certainly better than Clune.

 

[Gareth67]

Mate told me we’re after King Gutho

 

[mightydragon]

Put Norman there. It will limit his opportunities to throw an intercept unless we are close to the line.

 

[saintmar]

I actually wouldn’t have minded seeing Mitch Rein at hooker for us one last time for old times sake. Certainly better than Clune.

 

[Rob Dragon 1]

Saints looking for Hooker with McCullough gone. How good in management. Only 1 Hooker on the books. Billy Britain more or less out since the beginning of the season and they have nobody else. They assumed McCullough will play the season without Injury. A 31 y.o hooker coming off a serious injury last year. A player that does a heap of tackles a game and no backup? Wow. Do they need someone to explain what the spine is in a team and how important it is? Seems like they are clueless in that dept.

I am as critical of many/most of the appalling decisions our management seem to stumble into; but this is not one of them. McCullough was signed before McInness was injured; and we had Brittian in reserves and a SOO hooker in Hunt who can switch up to play there. This was just a series of unfortunate events, not the usual ineptitude.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

I am as critical of many/most of the appalling decisions our management seem to stumble into; but this is not one of them. McCullough was signed before McInness was injured; and we had Brittian in reserves and a SOO hooker in Hunt who can switch up to play there. This was just a series of unfortunate events, not the usual ineptitude.

This is the most unlucky year I can remember for our side. It’s hard to believe we are still even mathematically a chance, although highly unlikely. Craig Bellamy wouldn’t walk into this side and transform us in a year. Dead wood had to go, new blood had to come in.

 

[Inisai Toga]

Irrespective of ‘making the 8’, it’s interesting to assess other clubs for a minute.

Parramatta and Canberra missed their window to win a comp?; Newcastle, been massive under achievers for mine despite going to market pretty aggressively; West Tigers not even sure we’re they’re heading Titians’ promise so much, yet..; Nth Queensland - see Tigers; did Canterbury improve?… Some of these club performances this year does question where they are positioned in their premiership quest. There could be a lot of frustration connected to some of these outcomes (Parra, Canberra) and some players let go. Letting the dust settle a bit and three more strong buys from Saints we may be positioned ok, imo.

 

[Old Timer]

Irrespective of ‘making the 8’, it’s interesting to assess other clubs for a minute.

Parramatta and Canberra missed their window to win a comp?; Newcastle, been massive under achievers for mine despite going to market pretty aggressively; West Tigers not even sure we’re they’re heading Titians’ promise so much, yet..; Nth Queensland - see Tigers; did Canterbury improve?… Some of these club performances this year does question where they are positioned in their premiership quest. There could be a lot of frustration connected to some of these outcomes (Parra, Canberra) and some players let go. Letting the dust settle a bit and three more strong buys from Saints we may be positioned ok, imo.

Insightful post and gives a proper perspective on what actually happens to any of the non elite clubs.


Whilst I cant remember the exact wording of the headlines the other day but it was akin to "Dragons go from contenders to pretenders" well what a crock of shit that all was.

The only thing that should be referenced to was that according to the press and during the pre season we were contenders for the spoon so I suppose in that sense it is true.

Early in the season so many of the peanut press gallery talked up final 8 chances for Titans, Eels, Knights, Warriors, Raiders, Cowboys, Sharks & even Tigpies (on the back of Madge) so in the big scheme of things their lack of substantive performance is far greater than ours.

But the press just love to give it to us as do the NRL, judiciary and almost everyone else including some in here.

 

[Rob Dragon 1]

Irrespective of ‘making the 8’, it’s interesting to assess other clubs for a minute.

Parramatta and Canberra missed their window to win a comp?; Newcastle, been massive under achievers for mine despite going to market pretty aggressively; West Tigers not even sure we’re they’re heading Titians’ promise so much, yet..; Nth Queensland - see Tigers; did Canterbury improve?… Some of these club performances this year does question where they are positioned in their premiership quest. There could be a lot of frustration connected to some of these outcomes (Parra, Canberra) and some players let go. Letting the dust settle a bit and three more strong buys from Saints we may be positioned ok, imo.

And what does it say about the nature of the Competition that we are still a chance to make the 8? The NRL head honcho's need a real re-think about the structure of the Salary Cap, TPA's, Transfer Fees for clubs producing juniors etc.

What does it say about the club when a team from a non NRL state has been the best team over the last 20 years? Are they well run etc blah, blah,blah,blah. Melbourne isn't, never has been and never will be a rugby league city. Never. But the obsession with spreading the "brand" is totally at the expense of the heartland (Newcastle, Illawarra, Sydney West, all of QLD), but persist we must! I am so thoroughly sick the The Storm and everything about them.

 

[Gourley's Socks]

Irrespective of ‘making the 8’, it’s interesting to assess other clubs for a minute.

Parramatta and Canberra missed their window to win a comp?; Newcastle, been massive under achievers for mine despite going to market pretty aggressively; West Tigers not even sure we’re they’re heading Titians’ promise so much, yet..; Nth Queensland - see Tigers; did Canterbury improve?… Some of these club performances this year does question where they are positioned in their premiership quest. There could be a lot of frustration connected to some of these outcomes (Parra, Canberra) and some players let go. Letting the dust settle a bit and three more strong buys from Saints we may be positioned ok, imo.

Really good post.

I'm increasingly of the belief that each year there are 4 or 5 clubs with good rosters, 3 or 4 clubs with obviously poor rosters and the remaining 8 or so are simply fighting to fill out the broadcast schedule come September.

It's interesting then to think of what separates those 8 teams. Certainly luck - both on and off the field - plays a part as does form and coaching. But there's never actually any chance of winning the comp so a "grand final" is really just scraping into those last four places in the eight.