TUPOU coming WIDDOP going

[rainman44]

I'd believe this at the beginning of the year, but Matthews and Marketo have nothing to do with Marshall throwing a silly no look pass or widdop tripping over his own feet. It's an easy cop out for them both, and I won't accept this excuse anymore. Last year the excuse was they needed time to gel, this year it's the forwards. And next year?

They both need to pull their finger out otherwise I think Mary may chop one of them next year.

When we can not get a roll on through the middle frustration takes over as i think even Rein adds to that. Teams moving up fast and are in our face because we can not get a consistent roll on like the roosters. How would Pearce go with our forward pack ?

 

[saints4me]

When we can not get a roll on through the middle frustration takes over as i think even Rein adds to that. Teams moving up fast and are in our face because we can not get a consistent roll on like the roosters. How would Pearce go with our forward pack ?

+1

 

[giboz71]

When we can not get a roll on through the middle frustration takes over as i think even Rein adds to that. Teams moving up fast and are in our face because we can not get a consistent roll on like the roosters. How would Pearce go with our forward pack ?

Exactly. And consider Pearce is the NSW 5/8 so is considered one of the benchmarks 5/8 in the comp. And it's not even his natural position. I would take Widdop 1000 times over before I even touch Pearce. So again, for those wanting Widdop gone, who would you replace him with?

For those bagging Widdop, how about Dugan and his 750k price tag?? Did anyone watch RTS 's try last night. Or Tedesco or Moylan before he got hurt. Or the Inglis try in Origin. These are the heights he needs to be measured against and he hasn't come close. We all know he's not the best passer but I haven't seen a lot of his supposed running game either. 3 tries and 2 try assists for the year does not look great compared to other fullbacks in the comp.

Not trying to bag Dugan but the whole squad is out of form so to single out Widdop is ridiculous. As I've said previously, I'd be changing attacking coaches before any players.

 

[Country Dragon]

Exactly. And consider Pearce is the NSW 5/8 so is considered one of the benchmarks 5/8 in the comp. And it's not even his natural position. I would take Widdop 1000 times over before I even touch Pearce. So again, for those wanting Widdop gone, who would you replace him with?

For those bagging Widdop, how about Dugan and his 750k price tag?? Did anyone watch RTS 's try last night. Or Tedesco or Moylan before he got hurt. Or the Inglis try in Origin. These are the heights he needs to be measured against and he hasn't come close. We all know he's not the best passer but I haven't seen a lot of his supposed running game either. 3 tries and 2 try assists for the year does not look great compared to other fullbacks in the comp.

Not trying to bag Dugan but the whole squad is out of form so to single out Widdop is ridiculous. As I've said previously, I'd be changing attacking coaches before any players.

Great post!

 

[Get2dachopper!]

You guys are right about Pearce and Dugan.

Tbh I think widdop has more upside than Marshall, and he is younger. But the excuses for both of them will soon run dry. The have had their off season together to gel. And next year they will have the the forward pack up front. Time will tell.

 

[Weipa Dragon]

I believe that benji would kill it with another five eighth. I think widdop cramps his style. Look at when widdop was leading the team around on the cronulla game sideways run, slip over then blame someone for missing his man in a tackle. I don't see the love of his game. A couple of run arounds and chip kicks with the odd try does not make him a great five eighth. Remember sowards bombs, mundines cut outs, hell even Barret's running at the line. Much better five eighths than our Gareth. He is a great defender and I would love to see him at fullback but not to be this time around.

 

[giboz71]

You guys are right about Pearce and Dugan.

Tbh I think widdop has more upside than Marshall, and he is younger. But the excuses for both of them will soon run dry. The have had their off season together to gel. And next year they will have the the forward pack up front. Time will tell.

The fact that there seems to be a discussion about choosing between Benji and Widdop is more a reflection of our coaching staff than the players. Why can't we make it work with both of them??

Remember in 2013 when our halves were Fien and Chase Stanley? Getting Benji and Widdop was akin to winning the lottery seeing what we previously had.

Our coaches just don't know how to cash the ticket.

 

[True_Believer]

I'd believe this at the beginning of the year, but Matthews and Marketo have nothing to do with Marshall throwing a silly no look pass or widdop tripping over his own feet. It's an easy cop out for them both, and I won't accept this excuse anymore. Last year the excuse was they needed time to gel, this year it's the forwards. And next year?

They both need to pull their finger out otherwise I think Mary may chop one of them next year.

In my post that you quoted, I stated that there were a number of contributing factors - the lack of go forward is just one of them. My point is, I believe we are rectifying that as of next year, and I'd like to see how they both perform behind the new pack before making a call on their suitability. If they are able to work together (which we have seen at times this year), giving them room SHOULD automatically give them more options and time. It should change the way they play. I want to see if it does before I make a call.

Also, as Giboz has stated, there is also the possibility it has more to do with the coaching staff than the players. But again, we should be able to identify that easily after the first few games next year.

I think the issue at the moment (and the players have basically stated this in interviews), is that we are down on confidence and have forgotten how to win. We need to dig deep for the rest of the season and pull ourselves out of this hole - not just the halves, but the entire team.

 

[True_Believer]

Exactly. And consider Pearce is the NSW 5/8 so is considered one of the benchmarks 5/8 in the comp. And it's not even his natural position. I would take Widdop 1000 times over before I even touch Pearce. So again, for those wanting Widdop gone, who would you replace him with?

For those bagging Widdop, how about Dugan and his 750k price tag?? Did anyone watch RTS 's try last night. Or Tedesco or Moylan before he got hurt. Or the Inglis try in Origin. These are the heights he needs to be measured against and he hasn't come close. We all know he's not the best passer but I haven't seen a lot of his supposed running game either. 3 tries and 2 try assists for the year does not look great compared to other fullbacks in the comp.

Not trying to bag Dugan but the whole squad is out of form so to single out Widdop is ridiculous. As I've said previously, I'd be changing attacking coaches before any players.

Giboz, I agree with Dugan. At the risk of starting the "fullback or centre" debate again, I just don't see him as being at the same level as the other quality fullbacks in the game. Yes he is a strong runner, but he isn't making those breaks like he used to, he's not contributing to back line movements like the others do, he's not threatening the line like he should or backing up for offloads. Close to the line he sometimes hits a hole or pulls people over the line with him, but he can do that from centre too. I am not totally convinced fullback is the position for him any more.

But that's for another discussion...

 

[Jubileeboy]

Giboz, I agree with Dugan. At the risk of starting the "fullback or centre" debate again, I just don't see him as being at the same level as the other quality fullbacks in the game. Yes he is a strong runner, but he isn't making those breaks like he used to, he's not contributing to back line movements like the others do, he's not threatening the line like he should or backing up for offloads. Close to the line he sometimes hits a hole or pulls people over the line with him, but he can do that from centre too. I am not totally convinced fullback is the position for him any more.

But that's for another discussion...

I mostly agree with this....and that is also for that other discussion.

 

[True_Believer]

I mostly agree with this....and that is also for that other discussion.

Is Dugan one of your players?

 

[giboz71]

Giboz, I agree with Dugan. At the risk of starting the "fullback or centre" debate again, I just don't see him as being at the same level as the other quality fullbacks in the game. Yes he is a strong runner, but he isn't making those breaks like he used to, he's not contributing to back line movements like the others do, he's not threatening the line like he should or backing up for offloads. Close to the line he sometimes hits a hole or pulls people over the line with him, but he can do that from centre too. I am not totally convinced fullback is the position for him any more.

But that's for another discussion...

Good post mate.

I watch a lot of games and seeing RTS and Tedesco last night, watching guys like Jack Wighton put their wingers over tonight and watching the elite fullbacks like Inglis, Slater and Brett Stewart. And the new brigade in Matt Moylan.

These guys do it all. If they are not scoring tries from close range when they are one on one like RTS last night, they are throwing perfect passes to put thier winger over, like Wighton tonight. In reality, Dugan has done neither this year. He's our highest paid player.

Again, I don't want to bag Dugan, he's obviously a great player. But I can't understand the Widdop bagging when our most expensive player is also down on form.

 

[RedVee]

I like Widdop and I like Benji for the effort he is putting in. The problem is that Price bought Widdop expecting what we needed.... A 26yo Cooper Cronk. We got a 26yo (whatever) Gareth Widdop - which is fine and dandy except that the team required a Cooper Cronk. So when the penny dropped... And Benji became available Price made a panic purchase of Benji.

The team still needed a Cooper Cronk.

Guess what? We still do.

 

[Vasilevsky]

If this has become a Widdop vs Benji or a Widdop vs Dugan argument I would like to refer you to the first 10 rounds of this year. Watch the games https://acrossthetasman.com/forum.php . Which of the 3 are a constant worry for opposition defence and which of the 3 adds....exactly what he adds I'm not sure. I guess a nice job putting in grubbers but not better than Banji. I can't even guess about about his ability to break opposition defensive lines because as far as I can see it's non-existent. Ditto for setting up tries with his passing game. Very much unlike Benji. FFS, as far as I can see the Dragons may have only scored 3 or 4 tries the entire season if not for Benji especially and Dugan to a lesser extent. And some 'Dragons supporters' are still bagging Benji? I can't understand it at all........ personally I shiver with fear when I am forced to think about this team without Benji.
Without Widdop I feel 'whatever'. He doesn't actually do much. My feeling is that a young guy perfectly willing and happy to take a back seat for Benji, like Chad Townsend at the Warriors until Johnson was injured, would be much better for the team.

 

[coast_dragons]

Cooper Cronk says not in your life time he would never join the Dragons and I don't blame him.

 

[rhino2009]

Mail is very strong that TUPOU is a step away from agreeing to terms w Dragons as early as next week and Gareth Widdop to be announced as Leeds Marquee player at seasons end ..

Leeds were offered another 5/8 last week by a prominent AUST agent but the word back from the club was that they have their man they just can't announce it till seasons end.. Widdop is the tip.

Just saying....

There's been rumour and speculation in the UK over the last few months about Widdop signing for Leeds but the club have not made a comment. Widdop has previously denied it. How reliable is this new story and is it really going to happen ?

 

[hardbaby]

Losing Widdop would be a blow in some ways but the reality is he has under performed. There have been a number of promising halves come in the market and we haven't made a play for any of them. That's the problem if he leaves next year. Guys like Taylor, Nikorima, Sezer, Townsend, Maloney etc. All were available. What's left now. Not much. It's the timing that would hurt us.

 

[Hutty1986]

Losing Widdop would be a blow in some ways but the reality is he has under performed. There have been a number of promising halves come in the market and we haven't made a play for any of them. That's the problem if he leaves next year. Guys like Taylor, Nikorima, Sezer, Townsend, Maloney etc. All were available. What's left now. Not much. It's the timing that would hurt us.

Widdop has been a fairly big disappointment overall imo. Horrible goal-kicker, doesn't lead by actions, doesn't seem like much of a talker on field. Big money for very inconsistent return.

 

[The Nick]

I like Widdop. Admittedly he has been a bit off the last several weeks (the whole team has) but he reminds me a lot of Hornby. Cool head, does his job without fanfare, never complains, completes his one-percenters (all the little things most of the experts on here miss and criticize him because he's not laying on 20 points a game instead).

 

[coast_dragons]

Ben Hornby at 7 will never win you a gf.