The Rumours Thread

[since77]

yeh, i think of the game at the SCG in front of 40,000 that year against Easts. He did the same thing if i remember correctly. Ben Creagh also scored a wonderful runaway try. Funny always thought we’d win it that year after that game.

I remember that try by Benny Creagh - he was putting so much effort into it I thought he was going to run through the fence behind the try line through the stadium and out into the street. That team was a pleasure to watch.

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

I remember that try by Benny Creagh - he was putting so much effort into it I thought he was going to run through the fence behind the try line through the stadium and out into the street. That team was a pleasure to watch.

We were all so happy 2009 and 2010. Who knew the happiness wouldn’t last long

 

[Dragon David]

We were all so happy 2009 and 2010. Who knew the happiness wouldn’t last long

I suppose in this century we have had two and three quarters of years from 2009-2011 of happiness. Unfortunately, all good things had to come to an end and I just wonder if we will ever have that feeling of glee again in the NRL competition (in my remaining years on this planet anyway). I only just have to look at the squads of the other teams and curl up in pain when I look at ours. Not one of our players named in the NSW Origin squad for 2024 and only Hunt in the Maroons squad. Even the Dolphins have 4 in the Maroons squad.

It's going to be a real tough one for us is what I can see. The talk of us nearly winning more games in close fought matches last year and if several decisions went our way we might have won but the same could be said of several other teams as well. The idea of us getting fitter and faster and stronger might be a good thing but will that actually mean we will win the games or will it mean that we just play right up to full time without being hunched over and gasping for air but still losing.

Do we really have any game breaking players to help win the close games? Better defence is going to be the key to our game plans, but we need players who can score several tries in attack for us to defend those points.

I cannot wait for the actual comp to start. Many answers I hope will come from the first 4-5 games in my opinion.

 

[TheRev]

We were all so happy 2009 and 2010. Who knew the happiness wouldn’t last long

I used to feel sorry for the other sides, I didn't want to win on a refs call or a lucky bounce.... only when we were truly the better team, I was such a gentleman.

 

[Inisai Toga]

I remember that try by Benny Creagh - he was putting so much effort into it I thought he was going to run through the fence behind the try line through the stadium and out into the street. That team was a pleasure to watch.

…ala Forest Gump .

 

[twinkletoes]

I suppose in this century we have had two and three quarters of years from 2009-2011 of happiness. Unfortunately, all good things had to come to an end and I just wonder if we will ever have that feeling of glee again in the NRL competition (in my remaining years on this planet anyway). I only just have to look at the squads of the other teams and curl up in pain when I look at ours. Not one of our players named in the NSW Origin squad for 2024 and only Hunt in the Maroons squad. Even the Dolphins have 4 in the Maroons squad.

It's going to be a real tough one for us is what I can see. The talk of us nearly winning more games in close fought matches last year and if several decisions went our way we might have won but the same could be said of several other teams as well. The idea of us getting fitter and faster and stronger might be a good thing but will that actually mean we will win the games or will it mean that we just play right up to full time without being hunched over and gasping for air but still losing.

Do we really have any game breaking players to help win the close games? Better defence is going to be the key to our game plans, but we need players who can score several tries in attack for us to defend those points.

I cannot wait for the actual comp to start. Many answers I hope will come from the first 4-5 games in my opinion.

I think Flano used the term “Football IQ”… as being something he needed to teach this team…. if he can do that and that’s not something that happens overnight…. we will start to see better performances…

 

[VodkaSaint]

I think Flano used the term “Football IQ”… as being something he needed to teach this team…. if he can do that and that’s not something that happens overnight…. we will start to see better performances…

we cant get any Dumber , shit me not only did this team go backwards under Hook but ive never ever seen a dumber football team in my life

 

[Dragon David]

I think Flano used the term “Football IQ”… as being something he needed to teach this team…. if he can do that and that’s not something that happens overnight…. we will start to see better performances…

I hope that Flanno can teach the players to use their noggins when they play for sure. Provided Flanno gives the players "free reign" to choose to play their way by using their brain and we have a leader who can remind the players to back each other up when there is an attacking raid by the opposition so that they cover defend for each other and back up a guy who makes a decent break. If our players can do the basic things much better and not give away too many penalties and keep mistakes to a minimum then their endurance and stamina will be much better as well.

 

[blacksafake]

I was referring to the future rather than the past but it's connected. D.Young played OK but what used to make me angry back then - 2006 onwards I guess - was him being handed a starting jersey while better forwards were stuck in reserves, I always thought he got an undeserved free ride thanks to Albert.

Deano was one of my favourite players because of his heart, love of the club & guaranteed effort.
Was also a fan of Albert too as a player.
My thoughts of them are strictly as players only who bled for this club not as coaches or officials of the club.

 

[maestro1]

Wow. Seriously? Thats probably the dumbest thing I’ve ever read on this forum, and that’s saying something.
Bennett loved him as a player. That’s enough for me.

Deano was essential to our 2010 premiership. Every premiership team has a Deano style player. The final against the Tigers, Deano was the player who made a tackle on the right side of the field on the halfway. He then chased Beau Ryan on the other side of the field and forced him to erratically kick the ball dead...... essentially winning us the game. If Deano doesn't get there, Tigers probably score and win.

He shouldn't be undervalued.

 

[kit66]

Oh cool.. he's doubling down with no real argument aside from a feeling he had

Who are you talking to, your imaginary friends ?
"He" has an argument, it's right there in the post you just quoted.
D.Young's early career was sustained only because his dad wanted him in the team. Any other player with Young's lack of ability would have been in reserves or let go and other more worthy players given a shot. It's something we fans have witnessed over and over, misplaced and downright unfair favouritism, in this case combined with nepotism.
If this forum had existed 2004 - 2008 Young would have been a prime target of our discontent, he was very, very ordinary. He was a poor 2nd rower so they tried to make him into a hooker just to get some use out of him and although that failed miserably he still got picked every week over better options. Yes he played in a gf winning Dragons team surrounded by an exceptional squad and coach, he's a lucky guy and yes his dad certainly deserved a big hug after the game but imo it was a tainted gf ring he received.
And what's he doing for the team now ? If he's such a legend and all round good guy why has he failed to lure any of his former charges at the Cowboys to come join him at the Dragons. Maybe they know him too well.

 

[BLM01]

Who are you talking to, your imaginary friends ?
"He" has an argument, it's right there in the post you just quoted.
D.Young's early career was sustained only because his dad wanted him in the team. Any other player with Young's lack of ability would have been in reserves or let go and other more worthy players given a shot. It's something we fans have witnessed over and over, misplaced and downright unfair favouritism, in this case combined with nepotism.
If this forum had existed 2004 - 2008 Young would have been a prime target of our discontent, he was very, very ordinary. He was a poor 2nd rower so they tried to make him into a hooker just to get some use out of him and although that failed miserably he still got picked every week over better options. Yes he played in a gf winning Dragons team surrounded by an exceptional squad and coach, he's a lucky guy and yes his dad certainly deserved a big hug after the game but imo it was a tainted gf ring he received.
And what's he doing for the team now ? If he's such a legend and all round good guy why has he failed to lure any of his former charges at the Cowboys to come join him at the Dragons. Maybe they know him too well.

That is very harsh assessment of Dean like him or not as a player, and saying he should be luring Cowboys players and calling his GF ring tainted is typical of this forum at times.
For all your dislike for him as a player Wayne Bennett does not agree with you and no he was not our best player but did a lot of work with and without the ball on bung knees.
Whatever year you think he deserved a spot, he earnt and deserved his jersey in 1st grade especially under Bennett
BTW he did play for NSW and Australia so was that his dads influence too?

 

[denis preston]

Who are you talking to, your imaginary friends ?
"He" has an argument, it's right there in the post you just quoted.
D.Young's early career was sustained only because his dad wanted him in the team. Any other player with Young's lack of ability would have been in reserves or let go and other more worthy players given a shot. It's something we fans have witnessed over and over, misplaced and downright unfair favouritism, in this case combined with nepotism.
If this forum had existed 2004 - 2008 Young would have been a prime target of our discontent, he was very, very ordinary. He was a poor 2nd rower so they tried to make him into a hooker just to get some use out of him and although that failed miserably he still got picked every week over better options. Yes he played in a gf winning Dragons team surrounded by an exceptional squad and coach, he's a lucky guy and yes his dad certainly deserved a big hug after the game but imo it was a tainted gf ring he received.
And what's he doing for the team now ? If he's such a legend and all round good guy why has he failed to lure any of his former charges at the Cowboys to come join him at the Dragons. Maybe they know him too well.

How Deep is the hole you’re digging now ?

 

[Coffs dragon]

I was a huge fan of Dean Young & one of my favourites at the time.
Yes he had dodgy knees throughout his career, but he was all heart & spirit with a great footy brain.
How good would it be to have a player these days like him that could play 13 & fill in at 9 in a forward rotation.
A very proud Dragon & seems an honourable leader.
We desperately lack this at present.

 

[kit66]

That is very harsh assessment of Dean like him or not as a player, and saying he should be luring Cowboys players and calling his GF ring tainted is typical of this forum at times.
For all your dislike for him as a player Wayne Bennett does not agree with you and no he was not our best player but did a lot of work with and without the ball on bung knees.
Whatever year you think he deserved a spot, he earnt and deserved his jersey in 1st grade especially under Bennett
BTW he did play for NSW and Australia so was that his dads influence too?

I appreciate that some of you liked him as a player and give him hero status because of 2010, fair enough.
I've given my reasons why my view of him isn't so rosy. If you guys think he was a "star" in 2004-8 or even a good footballer then you've got short memories.
I don't particularly want to argue with you guys but I'll defend my right to have an opinion.
Bennett also endorsed Steve Price - as a worthy individual to replace himself, mastercoach.
D.Young played 1 game for NSW and 1 game for Aust in a Four Nations match, not quite the illustrious career.

I don't like the Young's and refuse to give them any credit - apart from contributing to the ruination of our club, they should have both been flushed at the end of 2012 and maybe we wouldn't be in the position it is today but no they're still here and we're still a basket case.

 

[BLM01]

I appreciate that some of you liked him as a player and give him hero status because of 2010, fair enough.
I've given my reasons why my view of him isn't so rosy. If you guys think he was a "star" in 2004-8 or even a good footballer then you've got short memories.
I don't particularly want to argue with you guys but I'll defend my right to have an opinion.
Bennett also endorsed Steve Price - as a worthy individual to replace himself, mastercoach.
D.Young played 1 game for NSW and 1 game for Aust in a Four Nations match, not quite the illustrious career.

I don't like the Young's and refuse to give them any credit - apart from contributing to the ruination of our club, they should have both been flushed at the end of 2012 and maybe we wouldn't be in the position it is today but no they're still here and we're still a basket case.

Never said he was a star or hero cause he wasn't. They are your words
But he certainly was a proud Dragon who made the 200 club snd deserved what came his way and achievements
Your making him out to be a reserve grader quality who didn’t really deserve a GF ring and also should of lured Cowboy players down here as if our club was a viable move for their careers from Townsville
Plenty of great 1st graders did not represent and saying Bennett endorsed Price are terrible comparisons
1. No one saw Price coach a 1st grade side on his own when he was endorsed including Bennett
2. Bennett still gives accolades to Dean post career when he does not have to. One of his favs he says
But your last paragraph says it all
So you don’t like the Young’s snd that is OK and your entitlement as you say to an opinion
But that has nothing to do with Dean as being a worthy 1st grade player for our club
That opinion of yours is not supported by any facts as you try to justify it but just dislike it seems

 

[Nanadragon]

This is supposed to be a RUMOURS thread not a place to vent about the past!

 

[Victoire]

Who are you talking to, your imaginary friends ?
"He" has an argument, it's right there in the post you just quoted.
D.Young's early career was sustained only because his dad wanted him in the team. Any other player with Young's lack of ability would have been in reserves or let go and other more worthy players given a shot. It's something we fans have witnessed over and over, misplaced and downright unfair favouritism, in this case combined with nepotism.
If this forum had existed 2004 - 2008 Young would have been a prime target of our discontent, he was very, very ordinary. He was a poor 2nd rower so they tried to make him into a hooker just to get some use out of him and although that failed miserably he still got picked every week over better options. Yes he played in a gf winning Dragons team surrounded by an exceptional squad and coach, he's a lucky guy and yes his dad certainly deserved a big hug after the game but imo it was a tainted gf ring he received.
And what's he doing for the team now ? If he's such a legend and all round good guy why has he failed to lure any of his former charges at the Cowboys to come join him at the Dragons. Maybe they know him too well.

Dig up, stupid

 

[maestro1]

Who are you talking to, your imaginary friends ?
"He" has an argument, it's right there in the post you just quoted.
D.Young's early career was sustained only because his dad wanted him in the team. Any other player with Young's lack of ability would have been in reserves or let go and other more worthy players given a shot. It's something we fans have witnessed over and over, misplaced and downright unfair favouritism, in this case combined with nepotism.
If this forum had existed 2004 - 2008 Young would have been a prime target of our discontent, he was very, very ordinary. He was a poor 2nd rower so they tried to make him into a hooker just to get some use out of him and although that failed miserably he still got picked every week over better options. Yes he played in a gf winning Dragons team surrounded by an exceptional squad and coach, he's a lucky guy and yes his dad certainly deserved a big hug after the game but imo it was a tainted gf ring he received.
And what's he doing for the team now ? If he's such a legend and all round good guy why has he failed to lure any of his former charges at the Cowboys to come join him at the Dragons. Maybe they know him too well.

A previous forum that morphed into this definitely existed and it was busier with more posters than what we have now. Deano was a favourite and definitely was not a prime target of our discontent.

 

[maestro1]

I definitely don't believe he was assisted in his playing career. That was all Deano. Tough, passionate and a very good footballer. Loved him as a footballer

I'm not so sure about post career. There does seem to be a push to rush his coaching along.