The Rumours Thread

[Dragon David]

OED I know some on here cant get on to Jubilee so I will refresh my comments on my take that i put on Jubillee Ave :

Webby shined and made some good comments . Centre of excellence will be a great boom for the club in getting everyone together under one roof ( coaching , administration, support staff, pathways program etc ). It will also have direct access to Wollongong Uni graduate sports science support ( at a cheaper rate commented Webby ! ) Will be built by the end of 2024.
Best to put some other observations down in bullet form. Virtually full house which surprised me but good to see. My observations It may differ from others but here goes.

* Club making a profit which means no cap in hand to owners which means more money for various projects.
* What has WIN done ? Webby countered with provided some new sponsors we would never get otherwise. Also one of the board members is also a board member at channel 9 so that should make sure the Dragons have a better say in broadcast issues. He also believes that the business acumen the directors provide mixes well with the football nous the St George side gives.
* The Steelers are gone ! One WIN director represents the football club per say but it is really the Illawarra junior/ senior football area.
* Haran said the right things but how would we know ? They have worked hard lifting the St George junior sides and this season has shown a marked improvement. Rattled off 3 or 4 names to look out for in the coming seasons ( sorry couldn't jot their names down ! ) 6 new players to make up the 30 next year but said they would be looking for opportunities in the market rather then a scatter gun approach to recruit. In saying this we need to sign up one player by Nov 1.
* When questioned on Sullivan Hook made a good point about half backs such as Cronk & Thurston didn't really become champions until their late 20's. He believes that Hunt is in top 3 halfback form and at his peak and intermated that he had a few more good years ahead. Dont know where that puts Bud, particularly when you see the next point.
* They are very confident of striking a new deal with Amone.
* The crowd warmed up in Q&A and some good questions were raised but unfortunately some resorted to slandering individual players which was unfortunate. Interesting that Wood's name was on the playing list but with a asterisk , perhaps others at this meeting may explain this ( hasn't played the number of NRL games to qualify for a contract next year ? )
* Club definitely in the market looking for a 9. According to Hook Muheisen is still 2 years away for full season NRL capabilities ( tend to agree )
* Hook put Mbye in the centres as Fegai is only a couple of games back from injury and M'bye played SOO in that position !!
* Hook claimed he was very angry with our defence but left it at that other than to say our defence was on the improve all year but after the Canberra game it has floundered. Someone shouted out well what are you going to do about it !, but it was ignored.

I will raise some more when I think of them but the overall impression for me was the club was in good admin & financial hands but still not convinced the coaching is what it should be. It is easy to see that they live in a bubble and are very close to each other ( players & coaching staff ) so making hard decisions is difficult for them to move on a mate .

Thanks Denis. I couldn't make it so the reports from you and Mike help others know what has been said and what the planning is for the future.

 

[Gourley's Socks]

Thanks @denis preston - very grateful to hear what went on.

I do think there are a couple of interesting points though:

- Mbye was a late change from the bench to start one game as a centre in SOO in 2019 (for 0 tries, 0 try assists, 0 line breaks, 0 line break assists). I wonder if Hook would be so quick to pump up a pretty middling CV if it weren't of one of his favourites.

- The Illawarra side, contributing the vast majority of footballers in recent memory, is held in high regard for their business acumen. Meanwhile, the St George side with their extensive list of business and political supporters and their legacy of sound financial management are responsible for footballing nous. No wonder things are going so well.

 

[possm]

Thanks @denis preston - very grateful to hear what went on.

I do think there are a couple of interesting points though:

- Mbye was a late change from the bench to start one game as a centre in SOO in 2019 (for 0 tries, 0 try assists, 0 line breaks, 0 line break assists). I wonder if Hook would be so quick to pump up a pretty middling CV if it weren't of one of his favourites.

- The Illawarra side, contributing the vast majority of footballers in recent memory, is held in high regard for their business acumen. Meanwhile, the St George side with their extensive list of business and political supporters and their legacy of sound financial management are responsible for footballing nous. No wonder things are going so well.

Recruitment: How many current SOO players do we have?
Football Management Nouse: How many members? How many third-party sponsors do we have? Do we actually have a five-year plan.?

 

[denis preston]

Thanks @denis preston - very grateful to hear what went on.

I do think there are a couple of interesting points though:

- Mbye was a late change from the bench to start one game as a centre in SOO in 2019 (for 0 tries, 0 try assists, 0 line breaks, 0 line break assists). I wonder if Hook would be so quick to pump up a pretty middling CV if it weren't of one of his favourites.

- The Illawarra side, contributing the vast majority of footballers in recent memory, is held in high regard for their business acumen. Meanwhile, the St George side with their extensive list of business and political supporters and their legacy of sound financial management are responsible for footballing nous. No wonder things are going so well.

There is no Illawarra side, it is dead. The district football is represented on the WIN board who have some well credentialed people on it , I was told ! They have brought sponsors to the club.

 

[BBTB]

Recruitment: How many current SOO players do we have?
Football Management Nouse: How many members? How many third-party sponsors do we have? Do we actually have a five-year plan.?

f**knose.....the Management refused to release such info.

 

[Slippery Morris]

It is reported that if Woods plays 5 more games he has a contract with Saints for next year. If not he is gone. Tigers are looking at bringing him back now that Maguire is gone as he did not want Woods. Woods may want to go back to his junior footy side so he may go if they ask him to.

Woods is out tonight so interested to see how much more games he gets over the season. Over to you Hook to save Saints from this bad contract deal.

 

[OneEyedDragon]

Big thanks to @Iron Mike and @denis preston for your reports on the Q&A Forum. Whenever Webb or Haran communicate there is always a tiny glimmer of hope in the back of my mind.

 

[denis preston]

Big thanks to @Iron Mike and @denis preston for your reports on the Q&A Forum. Whenever Webb or Haran communicate there is always a tiny glimmer of hope in the back of my mind.

Only way to look at it OED or you will go mad. Glass half full and all. Still getting over the debbie downers on the game thread , and we won !!

 

[Rod Coil]

OED I know some on here cant get on to Jubilee so I will refresh my comments on my take that i put on Jubillee Ave :

Webby shined and made some good comments . Centre of excellence will be a great boom for the club in getting everyone together under one roof ( coaching , administration, support staff, pathways program etc ). It will also have direct access to Wollongong Uni graduate sports science support ( at a cheaper rate commented Webby ! ) Will be built by the end of 2024.
Best to put some other observations down in bullet form. Virtually full house which surprised me but good to see. My observations It may differ from others but here goes.

* Club making a profit which means no cap in hand to owners which means more money for various projects.
* What has WIN done ? Webby countered with provided some new sponsors we would never get otherwise. Also one of the board members is also a board member at channel 9 so that should make sure the Dragons have a better say in broadcast issues. He also believes that the business acumen the directors provide mixes well with the football nous the St George side gives.
* The Steelers are gone ! One WIN director represents the football club per say but it is really the Illawarra junior/ senior football area.
* Haran said the right things but how would we know ? They have worked hard lifting the St George junior sides and this season has shown a marked improvement. Rattled off 3 or 4 names to look out for in the coming seasons ( sorry couldn't jot their names down ! ) 6 new players to make up the 30 next year but said they would be looking for opportunities in the market rather then a scatter gun approach to recruit. In saying this we need to sign up one player by Nov 1.
* When questioned on Sullivan Hook made a good point about half backs such as Cronk & Thurston didn't really become champions until their late 20's. He believes that Hunt is in top 3 halfback form and at his peak and intermated that he had a few more good years ahead. Dont know where that puts Bud, particularly when you see the next point.
* They are very confident of striking a new deal with Amone.
* The crowd warmed up in Q&A and some good questions were raised but unfortunately some resorted to slandering individual players which was unfortunate. Interesting that Wood's name was on the playing list but with a asterisk , perhaps others at this meeting may explain this ( hasn't played the number of NRL games to qualify for a contract next year ? )
* Club definitely in the market looking for a 9. According to Hook Muheisen is still 2 years away for full season NRL capabilities ( tend to agree )
* Hook put Mbye in the centres as Fegai is only a couple of games back from injury and M'bye played SOO in that position !!
* Hook claimed he was very angry with our defence but left it at that other than to say our defence was on the improve all year but after the Canberra game it has floundered. Someone shouted out well what are you going to do about it !, but it was ignored.

I will raise some more when I think of them but the overall impression for me was the club was in good admin & financial hands but still not convinced the coaching is what it should be. It is easy to see that they live in a bubble and are very close to each other ( players & coaching staff ) so making hard decisions is difficult for them to move on a mate .

Good summary Denis. One more point from the night from me if I may.

The bit that worries me from the night is Webb openly admitting he is from Melbourne so not understanding or appreciating the angst of the St.George faithful around the merger & subsequent 20 year decline. Botton line is that he is a businessman brought into have the place structured & run to make money.

That is a key requirement of the role so I agree there - we need to be profitable. The very important bit missing for me is the full ‘football nous’ that he simply does not have to navigate that side of the club. What I mean is a Phil Gould, Nick Politis, Frank Facer or even Ben Ikin. We will never ascend to the heights we desire until that person rises up & brings the club with them!

 

[Dragon David]

Good summary Denis. One more point from the night from me if I may.

The bit that worries me from the night is Webb openly admitting he is from Melbourne so not understanding or appreciating the angst of the St.George faithful around the merger & subsequent 20 year decline. Botton line is that he is a businessman brought into have the place structured & run to make money.

That is a key requirement of the role so I agree there - we need to be profitable. The very important bit missing for me is the full ‘football nous’ that he simply does not have to navigate that side of the club. What I mean is a Phil Gould, Nick Politis, Frank Facer or even Ben Ikin. We will never ascend to the heights we desire until that person rises up & brings the club with them!

I agree with what you say Rod. Ryan Webb is unlike guys like Gus, Nick, Frank and Ben and his background is basically to make money for the club as a business man. Webb " simply does not have to navigate that side of the club" with football knowledge as you say. He leaves that up to Haran and others to do this and that is where we could be falling down.

Putting Facer aside, he of course was our best "Secretary" and Nick, Gus and now Ben are doing great things for their respective clubs because of their footy nous and their ability to determine the right players they need and go for them at whatever cost within their caps of course and rid the players not worth keeping. They also know who would be able to mentor and coach the team to be successful.

If Gus can get Ciraldo signed up and coach at the Bulldogs, who has great potential and will end up in his first year like Fitzy at the Sharks, then full marks to Gus.

Many of us in the past were hoping that we could land Gus to help us out like he is doing now for the Dogs, unfortunately we must not have had the "pulling" power the Bulldogs have in their major sponsor - Arthur Laundy who owns 28 pubs throughout Sydney and regional NSW. Laundy bleeds blue and white of the Bulldogs and so does his family. I can see the Bulldogs will be up there at the top of the ladder for years to come with Gus and Laundy doing their bits.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

He is actually a Wests Tigers Supporter..

 

[St Tangles]

Royce Hunt is still unsigned for next year

He would be a good pick-up

 

[denis preston]

Good summary Denis. One more point from the night from me if I may.

The bit that worries me from the night is Webb openly admitting he is from Melbourne so not understanding or appreciating the angst of the St.George faithful around the merger & subsequent 20 year decline. Botton line is that he is a businessman brought into have the place structured & run to make money.

That is a key requirement of the role so I agree there - we need to be profitable. The very important bit missing for me is the full ‘football nous’ that he simply does not have to navigate that side of the club. What I mean is a Phil Gould, Nick Politis, Frank Facer or even Ben Ikin. We will never ascend to the heights we desire until that person rises up & brings the club with them!

He doesn’t need to know the game Just as Nick Politis doesn’t so he hires who do. His admin KPIs ensure everybody is on the same page. Now not sure if that applies to coaching staff but the Board itself has to enforce this and Hook himself has said minimum top 8.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Nick Politis knows the game very well.

 

[BLM01]

Nick Politis knows the game very well.

Bit too well

 

[shiloh dc]

Apparently Jacob Liddle (Tigers hooker) signed for 2023. Uninspiring!

 

[BIG RIG]

Apparently Jacob Liddle (Tigers hooker) signed for 2023. Uninspiring!

Source ??

 

[shiloh dc]

Source ??

Phelps - Telecrap.

 

[BIG RIG]

Phelps - Telecrap.

Cheers

 

[BIG RIG]

Phelps - Telecrap.

If it doesn’t bother you - could u post the article on here ?