The Rumours Thread

[Mojo]

TTo solve the problem:

Establish top-grade training facilities and staff at Kograh

The commute issue is crap, it's just an excuse not to play for the Dragons. I've been following the Dragons since I was in 4th class at school, I live on the central coast and commute every day to Sydney for work. I choose to live near the beach and the lifestyle away from the city and traffic, unfortunately my job is in Sydney so I have to travel. The amount of people who commute to work every day from the central coast to Sydney or from Wollongong to Sydney for work is unbelievable when you see the traffic on the roads.

I was born and bred in Sydney and always loved it but ultimately left 25 years ago primarily because of the difficulties of commuting. My wife was a teacher and I had a senior management job. Two young sons. We figured family time was much more valuable.
Sydney public transport and roads are now very much better than they were back then. It was a great city to live in, now It’s a great city to visit!

 

[Mojo]

i hate flying back and forth to Perth over the years.
wouldnt want to every second week from Jan to Oct
sucks !

Indeed. I had just a couple of months on the red-eye roundabout. Pulled the pin Love Perth but I’d relocate there before flying back and forth for work.

 

[Hound of Dracula]

The time to drive from the southern suburbs of Sydney to the Gong, plus the type of drive, would be better than driving across Sydney. it becomes a lifestyle choice of location. Easier for young guys without kids - although you move away from the Sydney scene, and a bigger decision for young families established near family and friends. Gutho bought in on it with his family and relocated.

100% - The drive from the southern suburbs of Sydney to the Gong is less time than the drive from Gold Coast to Brisbane City.
Yet many Broncos choose live in the coast!

I've never bought into this 'distance' argument

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

I must admit be local live local is my thing vs the opposite

I hate commuting

it sucks

what a waste of time in ur life vs what u can replace that time with

 

[mattw5]

100% - The drive from the southern suburbs of Sydney to the Gong is less time than the drive from Gold Coast to Brisbane City.
Yet many Broncos choose live in the coast!

I've never bought into this 'distance' argument

Neither! Good time to escape and have some time to yourself imo.

 

[qld redvee]

100% - The drive from the southern suburbs of Sydney to the Gong is less time than the drive from Gold Coast to Brisbane City.
Yet many Broncos choose live in the coast!

I've never bought into this 'distance' argument

Hound, dont forget players are not like us that have to commute day in day out in a job that takes its toll. players are doing something they love, get paid many more times our wages and probably dont do 8hrs per day like most of us. I used to do 50 minues each way daily for work , So im with you this excuse of its too far is not a viable excuse

 

[SnowDragon]

Hound, dont forget players are not like us that have to commute day in day out in a job that takes its toll. players are doing something they love, get paid many more times our wages and probably dont do 8hrs per day like most of us. I used to do 50 minues each way daily for work , So im with you this excuse of its too far is not a viable excuse

I agree, I’ve had serious travel times too. However, if you had 2 jobs on offer, 1 with 1hrs travel each way and another with 15 mins, I assume you’d take the later if they were otherwise the same right?

so basically it has an effect if you don’t want to move. It’s just how much. but for the right job and money I’d happily commute (I actually commuted from Sweden to Norway for exactly that reason) As I think others would.

 

[Old Timer]

The sheer fact that people are debating the travel issue yet clearly shows that the majority of higher quality players coming off contract given an option to commute to or relocate to Wollongong predominantly choose not to.

Juniors starting out and journeyman coming to their end apparently see it differently and will commute or move.

Then this place puts up a range of reasons why the commute or move isn’t a deal breaker and should be embraced.

 

[dragon thomo]

The commute issue is bullshit. I could not think of a better place to raise a family than around Gerringong to Kiama.
We cannot sign descent player because our front office is a rabble and our coach does not seem to be able to attract quality players

 

[since77]

The commute issue is bullshit. I could not think of a better place to raise a family than around Gerringong to Kiama.
We cannot sign descent player because our front office is a rabble and our coach does not seem to be able to attract quality players

Our front office is finally shaping up to be the best I can remember for literally decades. It's anything but a rabble compared to what it has been for the last 12-13 years.

Be critical of club and Flanno if you want but please actually think before you post utter garbage like this.

 

[RedVee]

The commute issue is bullshit. I could not think of a better place to raise a family than around Gerringong to Kiama.
We cannot sign descent player because our front office is a rabble and our coach does not seem to be able to attract quality players

I think the front office is being turned around. I like the location, I’m unsure of the Flanno attraction.

I think it is mostly because we have been a losing club for a long time.

But there is truth to “some people won’t want the commute”. But it doesn’t apply to all.

 

[Old Timer]

The commute issue is bullshit. I could not think of a better place to raise a family than around Gerringong to Kiama.
We cannot sign descent player because our front office is a rabble and our coach does not seem to be able to attract quality players

When is the last time we signed a high end rep quality Sydney based player?

Sua I suspect and questionably Frizzell before him.

Gutho, Cook at the end of the road Suli well hardly top end, Widdop & Mann ex Storm, Hunt ex Broncos, Molo ex Qld, Holmes ex Cowboys.

If not for the out of town imports by Bennett we might still be waiting for a premiership.

 

[rasaint]

The question of recruitment is multi faceted imo. In the mix is quantum of $$$ maybe including TPA type top ups ( very big factor of course), perceived and actual success of club, reputation of coach, location, family expectations and issues.

Probably Sydney to Wollongong travel an element but not huge imo. Look at success of Penrith. Long haul from Sydney out there say 1 to 1/4 hrs drive. Very hot and steamy in summer.

Right at the moment with one new team and then another from Papua ; with cash to lure players on overs not an easy environment.

 

[SIR LANCELOT]

Please take into consideration that there are 17 NRL Clubs.Not just us.We are competing for talent against them and now also Perth and then Papua.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Daniel Anderson in his interview says the first question he asks potential recruits is "Are you prepared to move to Wollongong?" and notes some of them say "No". It's obviously an important issue for some of the people we have been looking at.

 

[Gareth67]

Daniel Anderson in his interview says the first question he asks potential recruits is "Are you prepared to move to Wollongong?" and notes some of them say "No". It's obviously an important issue for some of the people we have been looking at.

Good point Johnno, but I would be asking that question on the phone as well as “ Are you prepared to travel to Wollongong for training ? “ . If no to both questions terminate the interview- over the phone hopefully.

 

[JubileeJeffro]

This is an age old forum debate.. those from the gong believe it is an ideal lifestyle location for young families, those from big cities view it as a backwater small coastal town.
The reality is if all your friends and community are in Brissy or Sydney it’s a big commute or move to the gong, and not something everyone is keen to do.

 

[rasaint]

Thank you for the information that apparently Daniel Anderson is asking about the travel / residence question to possible recruits. I wasn’t aware of that.It must be a bigger issue than I factored.

I have been to Wollongong ( shire resident ) and it’s coastal areas say Coalcliff to Wollongong central and it is a beautiful area; beachside and quality homes.

 

[possm]

Completely relocate to Kogarah with a couple of promotion events at Wollongong.

Redevelop the Taj into a multi-story builing with about 30 units reserved for top 30 players.

 

[17thPlaceLifer]

Horses for courses. Sure, some players might not mind relocating to Wollongong or commuting from Sydney, and some might... but that’s true for any club. Players from the Eastern Suburbs, Manly, or Cronulla aren’t likely to want to travel to Penrith or Parramatta either, and the reverse applies.

I don’t see location as a major reason why the Dragons have current recruitment issues.

For reference, I’ve lived in both the Shire (Menai) and St. George (Peakhurst) and regularly commuted to Wollongong University, about 35–45 minutes each way. Plenty of Dogs players and staff live in the Shire, which is at least a 30-minute commute to Belmore. So, in practical terms, the travel isn’t any worse; it’s just part of professional sport.