The Rumours Thread

[denis preston]

We definitely softened up in that last 3rd of the season.. Compared to when the old dog was here we dropped tackle efficiency from .94 to .92 whilst PCM as a ratio of opposition meters gained went from .33 to .35

The figures under Young look scary.. it’s like we just gave up..

Yes agree but Graham wasn't the glue holding things together.More like the opportunist not wanting to really say it as it was as to not burn bridges. His public backing of Mcmuppet was probably getting up players noses and was more to do with his media career then anything else. I tip he will come back and get a job in the media or at worst assistant coach.Not the first player we signed up on obviously a downward path. Just disappointing we repeated this with Merrin , but for all we know he may be on a cheap contract ( or i hope he is ! )

 

[denis preston]

Or maybe it was the case that the forwards that he tried to mentor haven't got the discipline nor the intestinal fortitude that he had in his prime. What also didn't help was the fact McGregor and Co kept picking players out of position. Frizell, Ford and Host used in the middles. He then moved Frizell back to the edge and insisted on playing both he and Tariq on the opposite sides that they were use to playing and got picked for NSW SOO in those positions. Masterstroke after masterstroke from the coaching staff who have all been shown the door. We only need to expunge Haran and Millward to start fresh.

This Haran is a real mystery man for a bloke in such a high profile job. Helensberg boy who worked in the Melbourne storm system for a while ? Anything else anybody here can add ?

 

[muzby]

Yes agree but Graham wasn't the glue holding things together.More like the opportunist not wanting to really say it as it was as to not burn bridges. His public backing of Mcmuppet was probably getting up players noses and was more to do with his media career then anything else. I tip he will come back and get a job in the media or at worst assistant coach.Not the first player we signed up on obviously a downward path. Just disappointing we repeated this with Merrin , but for all we know he may be on a cheap contract ( or i hope he is ! )

I’ve been disappointed with Merrin..

He’s a husk of the player he was when he left us..

Never been a big fan of bringing back a player once they’ve gone (Gaz excluded)..

That being said, Rein had a good relationship with Hook, didn’t he?


/duck

 

[RedVDave]

I’ve been disappointed with Merrin..

He’s a husk of the player he was when he left us..

Never been a big fan of bringing back a player once they’ve gone (Gaz excluded)..

That being said, Rein had a good relationship with Hook, didn’t he?


/duck

I think the game has gotten to fast for Merrin a shell of what he used to be.

 

[Old Timer]

Yes agree but Graham wasn't the glue holding things together.More like the opportunist not wanting to really say it as it was as to not burn bridges. His public backing of Mcmuppet was probably getting up players noses and was more to do with his media career then anything else. I tip he will come back and get a job in the media or at worst assistant coach.Not the first player we signed up on obviously a downward path. Just disappointing we repeated this with Merrin , but for all we know he may be on a cheap contract ( or i hope he is ! )

If people were truly honest about Graham they would know that there would be lucky to be 2 moments in the entire time he was with us where he would have a "highlight" added to his days at the dogs and those moments would be of him chasing an opposition player back to our goal line and probably him frothing at the mouth at Dufty.

 

[BLM01]

This Haran is a real mystery man for a bloke in such a high profile job. Helensberg boy who worked in the Melbourne storm system for a while ? Anything else anybody here can add ?

He’s been involved in our pathways as a junior talent scout under Mullholland, he has been part of recruitment, our club football manager and Yes he has been shuffled around a few gigs moving his way up to now GM but it is more of an operational admin role co-ordinating transitions and welfare of staff snd players
Not really a decision maker here In regards to overseeing coach or player performance or recruitment and retention

 

[Inisai Toga]

If people were truly honest about Graham they would know that there would be lucky to be 2 moments in the entire time he was with us where he would have a "highlight" added to his days at the dogs and those moments would be of him chasing an opposition player back to our goal line and probably him frothing at the mouth at Dufty.

.....Well least Dufty improved the following year.

 

[Inisai Toga]

I think the game has gotten to fast for Merrin a shell of what he used to be.

Also with his body size/shape he needs to be playing regularly. The more football the better...etc; this in and out stuff with no reserve grade doesn’t help his cause; cant get enough football to get form; real paradox.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Also with his body size/shape he needs to be playing regularly. The more football the better...etc; this in and out stuff with no reserve grade doesn’t help his cause; cant get enough football to get form; real paradox.

He had some good moments where he put on some footwork. Who knows with a good off season and the CC comp hopefully up and running he may be able to add something next year.

 

[Inisai Toga]

He had some good moments where he put on some footwork. Who knows with a good off season and the CC comp hopefully up and running he may be able to add something next year.

Well if Griffin is as tough as they say, it sounds like he’ll be fit, so you never know; hope your right! Love to see Dufty be encouraged to follow him a bit more when hits the line.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

I think the game has gotten to fast for Merrin a shell of what he used to be.

Bottom line, very few players go the ESL and come back better players- they've usually gone because they've reached their use by date here and can't cut it anymore- which is why Millward's decision to sign both Merrin and Williame is so inexplicable.

 

[Inisai Toga]

Bottom line, very few players go the ESL and come back better players- they've usually gone because they've reached their use by date here and can't cut it anymore- which is why Millward's decision to sign both Merrin and Williame is so inexplicable.

Mmm; not sure it’s that dramatic regarding signing Merrin. He wasn’t going that bad at Penrith before he left. Wouldn’t have paid overs so I can see their perspective. Kerr and Lawrie etc still had plenty of chances so he hasn’t blocked their opportunity.

 

[Como Connection]

Bottom line, very few players go the ESL and come back better players- they've usually gone because they've reached their use by date here and can't cut it anymore- which is why Millward's decision to sign both Merrin and Williame is so inexplicable.

Probably Mary's I say!
CC

 

[kit66]

I’ve been disappointed with Merrin..

He’s a husk of the player he was when he left us..

Never been a big fan of bringing back a player once they’ve gone (Gaz excluded)..

That being said, Rein had a good relationship with Hook, didn’t he?


/duck

Merrin was a very good player early on for us with a great off-load if you remember but then along came first Price then Mary who worked their magic, the off-loads suddenly stopped and Merrin became less effective ( along with a few other team mates ). He was never the same after he went to Penrith and I can't see him miraculously regaining form next year, I'd love to see it but I know I won't.

 

[muzby]

Merrin was a very good player early on for us with a great off-load if you remember but then along came first Price then Mary who worked their magic, the off-loads suddenly stopped and Merrin became less effective ( along with a few other team mates ). He was never the same after he went to Penrith and I can't see him miraculously regaining form next year, I'd love to see it but I know I won't.

This is probably my most favourite Merrin thing ever:

 

[Inisai Toga]

Merrin was a very good player early on for us with a great off-load if you remember but then along came first Price then Mary who worked their magic, the off-loads suddenly stopped and Merrin became less effective ( along with a few other team mates ). He was never the same after he went to Penrith and I can't see him miraculously regaining form next year, I'd love to see it but I know I won't.

Don’t you love these ‘young school’ coaches...brilliant idea

 

[redv13]

I think the game has gotten to fast for Merrin a shell of what he used to be.

If Merrin put the same effort in on the field as he does with his ridiculous dance moves then he’d be killing it

 

[muzby]

If Merrin put the same effort in on the field as he does with his ridiculous dance moves then he’d be killing it

You’re thinking of Nathan Cleary..

 

[Gareth67]

It would appear that the old war-horse Jimmy Graham ( apparently not every forum members ideal forward ) still has what it takes , unfortunately it this instance it was a referee . I can only assume that Jimmy boy did not agree with the refs decision !

 

[Kylez3]

Merrin has had one of the biggest declines I've ever seen in a player. At his peak he was starting 13 for the NSW team but not long ago he was absolutely stinking it up in the SuperLeague despite only being 30 years of age.

What an embarrassment and waste.