Tristan Sailor, sign him up long term

[Frank Facer]

I like the look of young Sailor. I am think that we should sign him up long term. I think that Sailor may be the better option than Widdop by 2019/2020. I think Sailor's best position is 5/8. He looks to have a good all round game. I am starting to think that Sailor will be a better player than Widdop within the next 3 years.

I am still not totally satisfied with Widdop. His form has been up and down.

I like the idea of us having a backline of

1 Dufty/Field
2 Matherson Johns
3 Lomax
4 Marsters
5 TBC,
6 Sailor
7 Hunt

by 2020

 

[BennyV]

2020 is 2 years away. No way in hell Sailor eclipses Widdop by then. He'll be lucky to be in the frame for first grade by that point.

 

[Alec's-saints]

I like the look of young Sailor. I am think that we should sign him up long term. I think that Sailor may be the better option than Widdop by 2019/2020. I think Sailor's best position is 5/8. He looks to have a good all round game. I am starting to think that Sailor will be a better player than Widdop within the next 3 years.

I am still not totally satisfied with Widdop. His form has been up and down.

I like the idea of us having a backline of

1 Dufty/Field
2 Matherson Johns
3 Lomax
4 Marsters
5 TBC,
6 Sailor
7 Hunt

by 2020

widdop five-eight of the year. second in dally m. you're drunk

 

[Overseas dragon]

I like the look of young Sailor. I am think that we should sign him up long term. I think that Sailor may be the better option than Widdop by 2019/2020. I think Sailor's best position is 5/8. He looks to have a good all round game. I am starting to think that Sailor will be a better player than Widdop within the next 3 years.

I am still not totally satisfied with Widdop. His form has been up and down.

I like the idea of us having a backline of

1 Dufty/Field
2 Matherson Johns
3 Lomax
4 Marsters
5 TBC,
6 Sailor
7 Hunt

by 2020

FRANK take of the sunglasses my friend yes he shows terrific potential ......

 

[Reddragon]

The underestimation of Widdop is amazing. He’s clearly one of the club’s best players.

 

[possm]

The long term investment in our young juniors comes with risk. Ideally we need to ensure we have enough cap dollars left in the kitty to cover for the situation where a junior does not progress to the standard required.

This year we have some great juniors coming through but according to our coach aren't ready as yet. However, at the same time we extend contracts for experienced players who are below standard.

 

[Frank Facer]

2020 is 2 years away. No way in hell Sailor eclipses Widdop by then. He'll be lucky to be in the frame for first grade by that point.

In 2 years time, Sailor will be 21. If he is any good, then he should be more than ready for first grade by then.

I am not bagging Widdop, I am just not totally satisfied with him and think that Sailor may turn out to be the better player in a few years time. I want us to make sure we keep him. If we let him go, it could turn out to be one of our biggest mistakes. Good halves are very hard to come by and we may have one in Sailor.

 

[mobels]

Hes still far to small and gets physically dominated in the Under 20s in defence. While I'm hoping that he does turn into a successful first grader, I'm still yet to see anything that tells me he'll be able to make the next step.

Let alone being better than Widdop within the next two years.

 

[Overseas dragon]

In 2 years time, Sailor will be 21. If he is any good, then he should be more than ready for first grade by then.

I am not bagging Widdop, I am just not totally satisfied with him and think that Sailor may turn out to be the better player in a few years time. I want us to make sure we keep him. If we let him go, it could turn out to be one of our biggest mistakes. Good halves are very hard to come by and we may have one in Sailor.

Certainly don't disagree FRANK I'm sure Duftys attack is fine but his defense needs improvement ......

 

[watatank]

Sailor has talent but needs to prove he can be a first grader before we talk about taking over Widdop's spot and that could take a while.

If we compare Sailor to players like Dufty and Field, who are around the same age as Sailor will be, haven't established themselves yet. It has taken Dufty several years to get to this point, he's now 22. Dufty and Field are contracted to 2019 and are competing with each other (Dufty's spot to lose, probably). Sailor is also contracted to 2019 and will be trying to compete with Widdop who has been there for several years and still contracted until 2021.

I think it's likely that if Sailor is going to be a first grader he will play some wing and fullback and then we take those opportunities in the halves as they come

 

[Slackboy72]

I am still not totally satisfied with Widdop. His form has been up and down.

Yeah his form when he was out of the team injured was terrible eh...















dickhead

 

[denis preston]

Geez Frank , this is a big call. I thought that you must have witnessed some recent trail form and the kid bulked up and improved his defense 100%. He really needs some of the bulk of his father but at the moment his body type must have been inherited from his mother. Great that he is on contract with us and this year in reggies will undoubtedly give us a better idea of his future.

 

[Frank Facer]

Geez Frank , this is a big call. I thought that you must have witnessed some recent trail form and the kid bulked up and improved his defense 100%. He really needs some of the bulk of his father but at the moment his body type must have been inherited from his mother. Great that he is on contract with us and this year in reggies will undoubtedly give us a better idea of his future.

I don't think Sailor is ready to take Widdop spot this year. I am thinking by 2020 he should be cherry ripe for first grade. Maybe blood him next year if Widdop gets injured and if his form warrants selection?

I am not aware of how good or bad his defence is. He looks to have a good running game, good passing game and good short attacking kicking game.

I am quite content with Widdop for the next 2 seasons.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

Widdop is a freak and should see out his career with us, and rightly so. When he is on, he's one of the better players in the competition. Last year showed that, and he was playing alongside McCrone.

Sailor is good, but I feel that our spine is locked up now with Widdop/Hunt/McInnes/Dufty. One thing i've noticed with juniors these days is that they are becoming more and more impatient in waiting for their First Grade opportunities. Guys like Ponga, Ramien... Even Bird, all moved to different clubs under the age of 20 seeking that opportunity, rather than waiting it out (fully understand it if they're good enough). We're sadly most likely going to lose some quality juniors as a result of this in the future (Field, Sailor, maybe even Marsters if he doesn't transition into the centres like he should).

 

[BennyV]

In 2 years time, Sailor will be 21. If he is any good, then he should be more than ready for first grade by then.

I am not bagging Widdop, I am just not totally satisfied with him and think that Sailor may turn out to be the better player in a few years time. I want us to make sure we keep him. If we let him go, it could turn out to be one of our biggest mistakes. Good halves are very hard to come by and we may have one in Sailor.

Your timeframes are completely unrealistic. There are plenty of youngsters who dont debut until 21, and it will usually take a season or two to properly own the position, especially the undersized guys. Look at Dufty and Field as prime examples. Sailor looks talented, but he was only above-average in NYC Last year and his defence at that level is poor. He is behind Widdop, Mann and Field as a 5/8 at this point and so will be lucky to get a first grade debut by 2020. HIs surname will generate plenty of interest but there's next to no way he'll be in first grade anywhere full time in 2 years.

 

[RufusRex]

Widdop is a good player that takes a lot of dumb options

Two things that stick out from the Mudgee game

1. Kicking on the 4th to Nightingale - did get a penalty but nighty was never going to get there before Gagai
2. The kick on the 5th down a very skinny blind side to Nene that went touch in goal

If he makes a break you are just about guaranteed that there will be a kick on the end of it .. doesn't matter if it is tackle 1/2/3/4/5 ...

Needs to be a bit smarter at times to jump to the top tier of playmakers.


PS .. lets not forget the kick into JDB in the must win doggies game.

 

[RufusRex]

double post

 

[Lovemedragons]

until I see Widdop take control of a 50/50 game and direct us to consistent victory I will not be convinced like some on here. We lose way too many games that we are still in with 20 to go, the exact opposite to Melbourne and the Cowboys (and QLD for that matter) who all have playmakers who take control and guide teams for a lot more wins than losses.

Having said that he is a very good player who is actually better suited to fullback imo.

Sailor can wait until he grows into a man, 2 - 3 years minimum whereas Lomax is ready now.

 

[Belta]

signing your most promising juniors to lengthy contracts has its merits. Sure some may not progress but those that do will be on your books and not lost to other teams. It's just the gamble you need to take. As they say a Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. (No pun intended) I'd gamble on Sailor to play either five eight or fullback, and its not set in concrete when these players, ie Lomax, Marsters will be capable of playing first grade. Let's face it our current lineup are not exactly tearing the opposition apart.

 

[Crush]

Widdop is a freak and should see out his career with us, and rightly so. When he is on, he's one of the better players in the competition. Last year showed that, and he was playing alongside McCrone.

Sailor is good, but I feel that our spine is locked up now with Widdop/Hunt/McInnes/Dufty. One thing i've noticed with juniors these days is that they are becoming more and more impatient in waiting for their First Grade opportunities. Guys like Ponga, Ramien... Even Bird, all moved to different clubs under the age of 20 seeking that opportunity, rather than waiting it out (fully understand it if they're good enough). We're sadly most likely going to lose some quality juniors as a result of this in the future (Field, Sailor, maybe even Marsters if he doesn't transition into the centres like he should).

Tom,
Widdop is the most frustrating player for me in the Dragons. He has days where he is on and just kills it, wins games for us. Then he has games where he is off and he runs sideways all day and makes terrible decisions.
I called it that this year he would have a blinder with Hunt taking some pressure off but he didn't look good on Saturday to me. He was running sideways again and looked out of ideas.
Anyway, very early days and I am hoping for a massive season from Widdop. He needs to straighten up and draw the defense to him though instead of running sideways. Maybe Benji(the crab)rubbed off on him?