Vaughan conrimed for 3 years..

[Mr Red]

I agree ...Merrin wasn't worth what he was asking imo....as for Vaughan lets hope its value for money...we will just have to wait and see

The dragons offered Merrin 550k to 600k a season depending on reports, which at that time was going to make him the highest paid dragon forward....we wouldn't budge on this yet along comes Vaughan and we give him At least the same if not more...
Whilst I agree 550k for Merrin was too much, given his representive credentials compared to Vaughan I'm scratching my head at how our recruitment team function...
Stay tuned for dragons complaining they have cap issues at some stage...lol

 

[TruSaint]

The dragons offered Merrin 550k to 600k a season depending on reports, which at that time was going to make him the highest paid dragon forward....we wouldn't budge on this yet along comes Vaughan and we give him At least the same if not more...
Whilst I agree 550k for Merrin was too much, given his representive credentials compared to Vaughan I'm scratching my head at how our recruitment team function...
Stay tuned for dragons complaining they have cap issues at some stage...lol

No, the last offer made to Merrin was 680k. He rejected.

Few years on with new cap levels, this is what we have to deal with.

He's on 750k plus...

http://www.zerotackle.com/rugby-league/teams/penrith-panthers/

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

wouldn't we also be looking at who we were able to retain with the $200k to $250k pa saving

2017 =

OPTION A)
Vaughan
Garrick
Dufty

vs

OPTION B)
Merrin

 

[TruSaint]

wouldn't we also be looking at who we were able to retain with the $200k to $250k pa saving

2017 =

OPTION A)
Vaughan
Garrick
Dufty

vs

OPTION B)
Merrin

Great point... agree

 

[Eatons Hill Dragon]

wouldn't we also be looking at who we were able to retain with the $200k to $250k pa saving

2017 =

OPTION A)
Vaughan
Garrick
Dufty

vs

OPTION B)
Merrin

How about OPTION C)
Pay out McGregor.

 

[Mr Red]

wouldn't we also be looking at who we were able to retain with the $200k to $250k pa saving

2017 =

OPTION A)
Vaughan
Garrick
Dufty

vs

OPTION B)
Merrin

Hmmmmmmm......
Meanwhile panthers pay Merrin more than us, upgrade guys like Moylan, mansour and Cartwright and then go and sign Tamou on good dollars.....seems possible at most clubs to retain young talent and add some strike power to their roster ....
I really don't think the reason the dragons didn't keep Merrin was so they had a bit of spare cash to keep some juniors.... If so how badly managed is their cap, and once again no TPA'S ....

 

[TheFrog]

In the back of my mind I seem to recall a figure of around $800,000 a year for Merrin.

Seems a bit high. I don't know what Merrin is on or what the Dragons offered him and neither does anyone here, but whatever he's on he's earned it this season.

 

[Dragon Revival]

Probably when it comes around to 2018 and 2019 the going rate for paying a good prop forward will be around the $550,000 mark
beating in mind salary cap increases. If Vaughan works out well we will not complain.
I am quite optimistic about next year as I believe we will have barring injuries a balanced roster. If McGregor can not get the team to perform up to the fans' expectations he will be demoted or replaced.

 

[blacksafake]

I'm more than happy with his signing. Some raiders supporters have said that he had "issues"off the field. What they were was never divulged but i'm sure the club did their homework.

 

[Pro Dragons]

Can he play half back?

 

[Twenty10]

Really good signing. Front row is really important and we were lacking. He's a far superior player to Cooper. Rotation of Big boys is looking good.

 

[Alec's-saints]

hasler will turn him into future rep star by 2019.

 

[FlameThrower]

hasler will turn him into future rep star by 2019.

You keep posting this on every thread....what makes you think this is the plan?

 

[kit66]

Does this mean we will see signs on the hill like

Hardcore Vaughan

or

Vaughan to be wild ?

Nice. Or....

The Vaughan Supremacy / Ultimatum

I'm more than happy with this signing and I don't care how much he costs, just glad of a decent addition to the forwards. I'd play him at lock in rotation with Sims or JDB and leave the prop work to Packer, Mose, Ah Mau and Host. He's got some footwork so maybe start on the bench and bring him on when the opposition pack starts to tire.
That leaves Thompson and Friz in the 2nd row and some handy bodies on the bench.
Next step, secure the services of Luciano Leilua and we'll be looking mighty good up front for 2017.

 

[Alec's-saints]

You keep posting this on every thread....what makes you think this is the plan?

on every thread? i only said it one other.. i also have reliable source! doust is also close to mimis.

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons add muscle with Vaughan signing

Mitch Cohen@@MitchRWCohen

21 Oct 2016, 2:27 p.m.
The St George Illawarra Dragons finally added some much-needed firepower to their forward pack with the signing of former Canberra Raiders gun Paul Vaughan on a three-year deal.

Paul Vaughan. Picture: JAY CRONAN

After weeks of speculation, the club announced on Friday the three-time NSW Country Origin representative had agreed to a deal that will keep him at the Dragons until the end of 2019.

Vaughan was released from the final year of his Raiders contract which allowed the forward to sign a deal believed to be worth $1.75 million over three years.

He made 85 appearances for the Canberra over four seasons, but struggled to nail down a starting spot in 2016 when he managed 18 games.

It prompted the Dragons to pursue the talented front-rower, who was unveiled by the club a little more than a fortnight before pre-season for the new campaign begins.

“I’m very happy to be joining the Dragons who have such a rich history and looking forward to starting the pre-season alongside my new teammates,” Vaughan said. “The focus now is training hard over the coming months to establish myself within a very strong forward pack and playing my role within the squad.”

The Canberra-born 25-year old will join a St George-Illawarra forward pack which features star NSW Blues back-rower Tyson Frizell, former Kiwi international Russell Packer as well as NSW Country Origin representatives Tarik Sims and Jack De Belin.

Dragons Director of Rugby League Pathways Ian Millward was rapt with the addition.

“Paul is a big-sized front-rower who has played representative rugby league for several seasons now. His experience and presence will be a welcome addition to our current forward pack,” he said.

Vaughan is St George-Illawarra’s third major signing for next season.

The Dragons signed former South Sydney hooker Cameron McInnes on a two-year deal in September and welcomed highly-rated Gold Coast winger Nene MacDonald in August.

They also picked up Sims from the Newcastle Knights midway through last season on a multi year deal.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4243478/dragons-add-muscle-with-vaughan-signing/?cs=302

 

[RedVDave]

Vaughn To Be Wild!

Gun signing IMO, still need some backs though IMO

 

[coast_dragons]

Thats one area the Dragons will have covered easily in the future and thats outside backs.

We already know what Dufty can do.
Issac Thompson is a massive human being just needs to be more consistant.
Garrick is a try scoring machine and has a bright future.
Zac Lomax was one of the most sort after centres in his age group and can be anything.
Mathespn Johns massively under rated and has a bright future.

The player I see as a real gem is Patty Herbert this is the guy who will push for first grade honours in the near future.

 

[Saintsified]

I Vaughn a premiership in 2017

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

The dragons offered Merrin 550k to 600k a season depending on reports, which at that time was going to make him the highest paid dragon forward....we wouldn't budge on this yet along comes Vaughan and we give him At least the same if not more...
Whilst I agree 550k for Merrin was too much, given his representive credentials compared to Vaughan I'm scratching my head at how our recruitment team function...
Stay tuned for dragons complaining they have cap issues at some stage...lol

Time will tell mate...lets hope Vaughan turns out to be more than ok