Tim Lafai to the Sharks?

[possm]

Let Fiz go this season and promote Host plus resign him please.
CC

When it comes to replacing Frizell and Graham, we need a 'like for like or better'. Host is a good backup player, not a marquee player.

 

[denis preston]

When it comes to replacing Frizell and Graham, we need a 'like for like or better'. Host is a good backup player, not a marquee player.

My feelings are that we have been burnt badly with high priced recruits and until a couple of games ago we had close to 2.5 million of our cap on players that should be is ressies ( Hunt, Norman & Graham ) Now my thoughts are that no matter what we spend we are wasting it with a coach that has proven incapable of improving or motivating players. I am excited what a new experienced proven coach can do with Host, Blocker, Kerr,Ford,Dufty,Rav,Lomax,Clune & others waiting in the wings so any critique of any of our players must come with the fact that they have to play under this dimwit.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

My feelings are that we have been burnt badly with high priced recruits and until a couple of games ago we had close to 2.5 million of our cap on players that should be is ressies ( Hunt, Norman & Graham ) Now my thoughts are that no matter what we spend we are wasting it with a coach that has proven incapable of improving or motivating players. I am excited what a new experienced proven coach can do with Host, Blocker, Kerr,Ford,Dufty,Rav,Lomax,Clune & others waiting in the wings so any critique of any of our players must come with the fact that they have to play under this dimwit.

Well, we saw the first signs of that proven experienced coach working his magic against Manly- It is obvious that Flannagan has moved from just the defence coach onto the attack as well- that move of Clune's with the back across the body kick to link with Norman coming down the middle is beyond McBaldy's imagination. Flannagan admitted his move into the attack side of things on 2SM last night and specific work he is doing with Dufty.

The dilemma we now face is that players such as Aitken who most of us had written off are starting to show what they can do under the guidance of a smart coach and perhaps shouldn't be discarded. The war chest to buy new players will therefore be smaller.

 

[getsmarty]

Well, we saw the first signs of that proven experienced coach working his magic against Manly- It is obvious that Flannagan has moved from just the defence coach onto the attack as well- that move of Clune's with the back across the body kick to link with Norman coming down the middle is beyond McBaldy's imagination. Flannagan admitted his move into the attack side of things on 2SM last night and specific work he is doing with Dufty.

The dilemma we now face is that players such as Aitken who most of us had written off are starting to show what they can do under the guidance of a smart coach and perhaps shouldn't be discarded. The war chest to buy new players will therefore be smaller.

All good points..Re Aitken...looks more like a forward...too one dimensional to remain at centre...

Williame offers more in terms of his ability to step and pass as well as speed off the mark.

 

[True_Believer]

Well, we saw the first signs of that proven experienced coach working his magic against Manly- It is obvious that Flannagan has moved from just the defence coach onto the attack as well- that move of Clune's with the back across the body kick to link with Norman coming down the middle is beyond McBaldy's imagination. Flannagan admitted his move into the attack side of things on 2SM last night and specific work he is doing with Dufty.

The dilemma we now face is that players such as Aitken who most of us had written off are starting to show what they can do under the guidance of a smart coach and perhaps shouldn't be discarded. The war chest to buy new players will therefore be smaller.

Exactly what I've been saying for a while now. I really can't see how we can judge the players or the recruitment until we replace the coach. The key points are:

• For the youth
  • They aren't getting a chance
  • When they do get a chance, there's no perseverance and are often in and out of the team
  • They are often getting screwed around with regards to being played out of position or multiple positions week in week out
  • Underutilised and incorrectly used
  • We have continually resigned youth and lower grade players who look promising but they move on when they aren't getting a chance through Mary
• For the experienced players
  • Not being able to play to their strengths
  • Incorrectly Used
  • Being played out of position

For both groups, they appear to be following a game plan that is outdated and, at least it looks like to me, they haven't bought into. Not to mention forcing them into a style that doesn't suit any of our players. The Manly game to me looked like, for the first time in forever, they played to a different plan and they looked to be enjoying it. It looked like they wanted to play. As others have pointed out, it looked to me like they were coached by someone else.

With all of that, how can we honestly say that any player we have on the books at the moment is crap? How can we honestly say we've recruited poorly? Dufty who has been much maligned on here is now starting to pick up and improve. Aitken is even starting to look like a different player.

I know it's only one game and there's no guarantee we'll keep this up - but I will still stick by my belief that we need to sack the coach before we can make a call on anything else.

 

[getsmarty]

TEAM LISTS

Breaking
Presented By

NRL team: Round 10 v Bulldogs
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Tue 14 Jul 2020, 03:58 PM

St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has named his mandatory 21-man squad ahead of the Dragons' Round 10 clash against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday, July 18.

Jordan Pereira (suspension) has been replaced in the team by Jason Saab, while Jacob Host (hamstring) returns to the wider 21-man squad.

Red V members and partners afforded entrance to attend WIN Stadium on Saturday afternoon are reminded to familiarise themselves with the Covid-19 safe protocols.

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Match highlights: Round 9 v Sea Eagles

NRL squad for Round 10 v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs –

1. Matt Dufty – sponsored by EFEX
2. Jason Saab – sponsored by Baytek Construction
3. Euan Aitken – sponsored by University of Wollongong
   4. Zac Lomax – sponsored by Floormania
   5. Mikaele Ravalawa – sponsored by Nutrition Station
   6. Corey Norman – sponsored by Kingsgrove Sports Centre
   7. Adam Clune – sponsored by Wollongong Jetski
   8. Blake Lawrie – sponsored by SMAI
   9. Ben Hunt – sponsored by Paul's Customs and Forwarding Solutions
   10. Paul Vaughan – sponsored by Fox Property
   11. Tyson Frizell – sponsored by Modus Projects
   12. Tariq Sims – sponsored by Stonemasons & Landscapers (since 1970)
   13. Cameron McInnes (c) – sponsored by Dincel Construction System

Interchange:
14. Trent Merrin – sponsored by Dynamic Projects
15. Josh Kerr – sponsored by Professionals Padstow
16. Tyrell Fuimaono – sponsored by CMG Audio Visual
17. Jackson Ford – sponsored by Bodytech Fitness
18. Jacob Host
19. Tristan Sailor
20. Tim Lafai – sponsored by Nutrition Station
21. Korbin Sims

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/07/14/nrl-team-round-10-v-bulldogs/

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons player swap emerges as fuming Test star eyes Dogs exit
NRL Premiership

• July 15, 2020 9:21pm
• by Staff writers
• Source: FOX SPORTS

Corey Harawira-Naera could be handed a lifeline out of Canterbury.Source: Getty Images
Corey Harawira-Naera could be handed a lifeline out of Canterbury as part of a player swap involving St George Illawarra’s Tim Lafai.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the pair could immediately swap clubs as Harawira-Naera fumes at the Bulldogs for leaving him out in the cold when the NRL deregistered his contract in pre season.

The NRL Appeals Committee later ruled that his and Jayden Okunbor’s contracts were to be reinstated, making him available to play as soon as next week.

But Fox Sports revealed on Wednesday that Harawira-Naera intends to tell the Bulldogs that he’s not interested in a spot and would prefer to be moved elsewhere.

Now a potential deal with the Dragons has emerged as the club refuses to release their own wantaway, Jason Saab.

Lafai and Harawira-Naera are reportedly on similar salaries while the Dragons have enough space in their salary cap to fit the Kiwi Test forward in next season.

The publication reports that the Bulldogs hope Lafai will join regardless of the outcome as they have already released Morgan Harper.

Harawira-Naera’s other interested parties are believed to be the Canberra Raiders, West Tigers and the New Zealand Warriors.

Okunbor, however, is reportedly keen to resume his career at the Bulldogs when his suspension finishes after round 14.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...p/news-story/26ea8e558457406ecc98f8e193afac63

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons and Bulldogs consider Lafai-Harawira-Naera player swap
Adrian Proszenko
July 15, 2020 — 5.00pm

• Send via Email

Corey Harawira-Naera could resume his NRL career at St George Illawarra as part of a player swap that would result in Tim Lafai immediately shifting to Canterbury.

The development comes as the Dragons refuse to release Jason Saab this season, with the winger’s fate likely to be decided by the club's board at the end of the year.

Harawira-Naera is eligible for a first-grade return as soon as next week after his sacking, and that of Bulldogs teammate Jayden Okunbor, was overturned by the NRL’s appeals committee.

The Kiwi international wanted to speak to Canterbury officials before deciding whether to stay put, although reports suggest he resents the club’s handling of the Port Macquarie incident that threatened his career.

Canberra, Wests Tigers and the Warriors are also keen on Harawira-Naera’s services, with the Raiders desperate to add him to an injury-affected roster. However, the proposed player swap with the Dragons provides a ready-made solution if he wants a fresh start.

Lafai and Harawira-Naera are on similar salaries, meaning neither would be out of pocket and there would be minimal effect on either club’s salary cap for this year. The Red V also has the cap space to accommodate him next season as they contemplate the long-term make-up of their pack.

The Bulldogs are hopeful Lafai will soon be able to join them regardless given they released Morgan Harper early to join Manly.

The joint-venture outfit is scheduled to meet with Jack de Belin next week in a bid to gauge his interest in re-signing. The NSW lock remains suspended under the NRL’s no fault stand-down rule, but that hasn’t stopped the Warriors from offering him a lucrative deal contingent on him being acquitted of sexual assault charges.

It remains unclear if and when de Belin’s trial will be held, but the Dragons want to know his intentions. The 29-year-old continues to train with the team while in exile even while the parties are unsure about whether a return is possible.

De Belin continues to be paid his $595,000 salary for this year, with his market worth unlikely to be greatly affected even if sidelined for two seasons.


Okunbor wants back in at Belmore as Harawira-Naera considers options
The Dragons met with Saab and his family this week to discuss his situation after the teenage flanker again requested a release on compassionate grounds. The parties resolved Saab would remain at the club until the end of the year, with the board to review the situation then.

• 
  
• https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/dr...rawira-naera-player-swap-20200715-p55cdo.html

 

[dragon thomo]

I would consider driving lafai to Belmore now.

 

[The Badger]

Well, we saw the first signs of that proven experienced coach working his magic against Manly- It is obvious that Flannagan has moved from just the defence coach onto the attack as well- that move of Clune's with the back across the body kick to link with Norman coming down the middle is beyond McBaldy's imagination. Flannagan admitted his move into the attack side of things on 2SM last night and specific work he is doing with Dufty.

The dilemma we now face is that players such as Aitken who most of us had written off are starting to show what they can do under the guidance of a smart coach and perhaps shouldn't be discarded. The war chest to buy new players will therefore be smaller.

Yes it is obvious Flanagan has taken the reins .That change takes time and could be seen with improvement against Roosters and Raiders until a more emphatic show against Eagles.He is a recent premiership winning coach.Surely the Board can see the change in attitude and application as well.You only need to see the body language in the coaches box.Its obvious who is the puppet and who is the puppeteer.

 

[Crush]

If Lafai leaves SGI it will be the end of a chapter in this forum. The age old debate will cease to be discussed "who is the shitter centre, Lafai or Aitken?"
I still maintain its Lafai......

 

[hazzbeen]

If Lafai leaves SGI it will be the end of a chapter in this forum. The age old debate will cease to be discussed "who is the shitter centre, Lafai or Aitken?"
I still maintain its Lafai......

Crush I don't think you would have said this if it wasn't for his recent good couple of games ..... Previous to that he showed nothing ..... Lafai , Aitken who's the best ...... Lomax for me .....

 

[Crush]

Crush I don't think you would have said this if it wasn't for his recent good couple of games ..... Previous to that he showed nothing ..... Lafai , Aitken who's the best ...... Lomax for me .....

I've been saying it since 2016 mate.
Lafai played a handful of games just before he re-signed where he was excellent, otherwise he's been dogshit.
Aitken has been rubbish too but at least he offers something in attack, Lafai nothing.
I wish him all the best for his future endeavours.

 

[possm]

My feelings are that we have been burnt badly with high priced recruits and until a couple of games ago we had close to 2.5 million of our cap on players that should be is ressies ( Hunt, Norman & Graham ) Now my thoughts are that no matter what we spend we are wasting it with a coach that has proven incapable of improving or motivating players. I am excited what a new experienced proven coach can do with Host, Blocker, Kerr,Ford,Dufty,Rav,Lomax,Clune & others waiting in the wings so any critique of any of our players must come with the fact that they have to play under this dimwit.

It is good to have a balance of bright juniors and experienced top grade/marquee players in the NRL top 30. You just have to look at the top sides to see this. And it is up to the head coach and recruitment manager to ensure we don't buy high priced duds.

It is very rare that a 17 mainly comprised of young juniors with lots of potentials would win the competition or even compete well all season. Some exeptions would include 'Baths Babes' of 1977 and 1979 and suppose the Rosters team of 1975. But these are the exception rather than the rule.

With a good junior catchment area, we have the luxury of filling vacant spots for a couple of seasons with reasonably price talented juniors. So as long as we use our money wisely and recruits a sprinkling of marquee players to complement these young guns, we should always be up there in the top 4.

Not having the correct managers to recruit and maintain a high standard of performance will bring any team to its knees, so it goes without saying that no matter who we recruit/promote, the likes of Mary and Millward have to go before the team would realize its true potential.

 

[Inisai Toga]

It is good to have a balance of bright juniors and experienced top grade/marquee players in the NRL top 30. You just have to look at the top sides to see this. And it is up to the head coach and recruitment manager to ensure we don't buy high priced duds.

It is very rare that a 17 mainly comprised of young juniors with lots of potentials would win the competition or even compete well all season. Some exeptions would include 'Baths Babes' of 1977 and 1979 and suppose the Rosters team of 1975. But these are the exception rather than the rule.

With a good junior catchment area, we have the luxury of filling vacant spots for a couple of seasons with reasonably price talented juniors. So as long as we use our money wisely and recruits a sprinkling of marquee players to complement these young guns, we should always be up there in the top 4.

Not having the correct managers to recruit and maintain a high standard of performance will bring any team to its knees, so it goes without saying that no matter who we recruit/promote, the likes of Mary and Millward have to go before the team would realize its true potential.

Mary yes; Millard no!

 

[hazzbeen]

I've been saying it since 2016 mate.
Lafai played a handful of games just before he re-signed where he was excellent, otherwise he's been dogshit.
Aitken has been rubbish too but at least he offers something in attack, Lafai nothing.
I wish him all the best for his future endeavours.

Yes mate I do now recall , your posts , We are very poor in a lot of areas compared to other teams ....

 

[Dragonsamy]

The Bulldogs are reportedly making a play for David Fifita, John Bateman and Nick Cotric who would all nicely fill holes in our roster. It doesn't mean they'll end up there but at least their CEO has made public what actions he is taking to improve the club's fortunes and not hiding behind a wall of silence like our mob.

Merahputih
I sometimes wonder if he realises that he incharge of a football club

 

[SAP58]

Merahputih
I sometimes wonder if he realises that he incharge of a football club

It’s obviously a criteria to be appointed to the position with the current Board. BJ & the current CEO (can’t remember his name as he is in hiding as well) just a puppet & only allowed to comment or inform supporters when he is told he can !

 

[muzby]

Merahputih
I sometimes wonder if he realises that he incharge of a football club

Careful bro, don’t speak about the big boss like that..

 

[Dragonsamy]

It’s obviously a criteria to be appointed to the position with the current Board. BJ & the current CEO (can’t remember his name as he is in hiding as well) just a puppet & only allowed to comment or inform supporters when he is told he can !

His name Ryan Webb.
Don't blame you for not knowing