What's new
By:
Advanced search…
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Widdop seeks release

Dennis Papaioannou

Dennis Papaioannou

Bench
Messages
2,866
BLM01 said:
Back to Widdop's recent press conference. I admire he fronted some of their stupid and repeated questions that he just answered for 7 + minutes.
The only thing for me is he was more uncomfortable with answering the way and how it became speculation saying the media basically must of made it up 100% but who knows....but was probably blabbing one day when on the piss with his English mates on the recent tour....then whooska..newsworthy!.. but they were so adamant he actually or his management did ask for a release not just he was thinking about it...still does not sit well for me.
Where's a body language expert when you need it.

Anyway that appears over "for the moment" and I hope he stays until end of 2021, but in answering will he see out his contract he did not go on the front foot with a definitive either. I wanted to hear the following;
"I love this "clob" and I aint going anywhere while I am contract as I want to win a premiership here as a proud captain"...some words to that affect..:confused:
Click to expand...
I've also been waiting to hear those words ever since he came to St. George.
Never has shown that sort of passion about the club or anything in my view.
Always being talked up as our club captain and inspirational leader.
Cardboard cut out in my view. Not a captain's backside.
Give the armband to a real leader. Frizz would be my first choice. Graham doesn't play enough minutes but could co captain.
Weigh into the market for a replacement 5/8 now and play Widdop at Fullback. in 2019 if he stays.
Bennett put him there for a reason and we should pay attention.
 
S

SBD82

Coach
Messages
17,854
Dennis Papaioannou said:
I've also been waiting to hear those words ever since he came to St. George.
Never has shown that sort of passion about the club or anything in my view.
Always being talked up as our club captain and inspirational leader.
Cardboard cut out in my view. Not a captain's backside.
Give the armband to a real leader. Frizz would be my first choice. Graham doesn't play enough minutes but could co captain.
Weigh into the market for a replacement 5/8 now and play Widdop at Fullback. in 2019 if he stays.
Bennett put him there for a reason and we should pay attention.
Click to expand...
If you truly want to know the qualities of a leader, don't listen to what they say. Listen to what others say of them.
 
BLM01

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,915
Dennis Papaioannou said:
I've also been waiting to hear those words ever since he came to St. George.
Never has shown that sort of passion about the club or anything in my view.
Always being talked up as our club captain and inspirational leader.
Cardboard cut out in my view. Not a captain's backside.
Give the armband to a real leader. Frizz would be my first choice. Graham doesn't play enough minutes but could co captain.
Weigh into the market for a replacement 5/8 now and play Widdop at Fullback. in 2019 if he stays.
Bennett put him there for a reason and we should pay attention.
Click to expand...

Well..ouch..but
1. Bennett put him there due to injury, not sure it was long term, but we will see
2. I thought at the time he was given captaincy it was a sign of sucking up a bit to him..not earnt..however having said that I think he is an inspirational player but not a real leader and motivator on field (although I have only watched them train once last year prior to the Warriors game at WIN.. I dont know what he is like in the locker room as a skip)
3. To me Frizz is the same, he his too soft a talker, inspirational player but I dont think he is an on field motivator or leader
4. I think the Dragons know for sure now if they need to be in the marketplace or not for next year..time will tell. Until we know..we assume nothing and I want him in our side as our 5/8th as he was on song in 2018 until the white hair do!...as was the rest of em
5. McInnes would be next in line not sure he his a motivator either.
6. My on field captain and motivator would be (if not Graham) is T.Sims or JDB cause both mouth off and fire people up.
 
BLM01

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,915
BLM01 said:
Back to Widdop's recent press conference. I admire he fronted some of their stupid and repeated questions that he just answered for 7 + minutes.
The only thing for me is he was more uncomfortable with answering the way and how it became speculation saying the media basically must of made it up 100% but who knows....but was probably blabbing one day when on the piss with his English mates on the recent tour....then whooska..newsworthy!.. but they were so adamant he actually or his management did ask for a release not just he was thinking about it...still does not sit well for me.
Where's a body language expert when you need it.

Anyway that appears over "for the moment" and I hope he stays until end of 2021, but in answering will he see out his contract he did not go on the front foot with a definitive either. I wanted to hear the following;
"I love this "clob" and I aint going anywhere while I am contract as I want to win a premiership here as a proud captain"...some words to that affect..:confused:
Click to expand...

This;
"The club has been in discussions with Gareth for a number of weeks concerning his future at the Dragons," Director of Rugby League Pathways and List Management Ian Millward said.
"We understand his circumstances and he understands ours, and this is something we plan on working through together."

So my question.
If no one asked for a release and it was all media beat up and always committed to the Dragons...why have the club and Millward being talking for number of weeks about it recently?...what was there to talk about and work through?..he has always said one day so what's new!
Sorry to labour the point but must get this smell out of my nose...happy now ;)
 
Last edited:
C

Carlton

Juniors
Messages
1,233
We know Widdop has had a serious shoulder injury which will take time into next season to heal and may even then get reinjured. We also know he wants to go to SL in 2020. That means in 2019 he will probably not be 100% physically and the following year will leave.

Let him go now and free up about $1 million of salary cap, use this to buy a top class 5/8 if one is available or else accept next year will be a bit of a struggle year and spend the money from Widdop, what was there for Hayne and I suspect some extra on top of this, to buy the very best young players available and/or the best value top line first graders that become available. The balance of the team will suffer for 2019 but the base of a super team will be there. Use the increase in salary cap and move some players on and find the exact players needed for 2020 to enhance the team from 2019.
 
Dragons4me

Dragons4me

Juniors
Messages
1,325
Carlton said:
We know Widdop has had a serious shoulder injury which will take time into next season to heal and may even then get reinjured. We also know he wants to go to SL in 2020. That means in 2019 he will probably not be 100% physically and the following year will leave.

Let him go now and free up about $1 million of salary cap, use this to buy a top class 5/8 if one is available or else accept next year will be a bit of a struggle year and spend the money from Widdop, what was there for Hayne and I suspect some extra on top of this, to buy the very best young players available and/or the best value top line first graders that become available. The balance of the team will suffer for 2019 but the base of a super team will be there. Use the increase in salary cap and move some players on and find the exact players needed for 2020 to enhance the team from 2019.
Click to expand...

Fair comment but he has stated he is committed to 2019 so let's play him. I'm sure Mary get him to mentor his replacement whilst here with the view to take over if and when he does go home. Pretty good mentor to have the current UK 5/8th.
 
C

Carlton

Juniors
Messages
1,233
Dragons4me said:
Fair comment but he has stated he is committed to 2019 so let's play him. I'm sure Mary get him to mentor his replacement whilst here with the view to take over if and when he does go home. Pretty good mentor to have the current UK 5/8th.
Click to expand...

I am not so sure that he really wants to be here next year regardless of what has been said. Also, I suspect that his shoulder will not allow him to play for the whole year anyway. When your main playmaker, captain, senior member of the leadership group announces he wants to leave you don't gain anything by keeping him for another year. Why pay someone $1 million for 2019 to mentor some anonymous player?
 
True_Believer

True_Believer

Juniors
Messages
1,839
Dennis Papaioannou said:
I've also been waiting to hear those words ever since he came to St. George.
Never has shown that sort of passion about the club or anything in my view.
Always being talked up as our club captain and inspirational leader.
Cardboard cut out in my view. Not a captain's backside.
Give the armband to a real leader. Frizz would be my first choice. Graham doesn't play enough minutes but could co captain.
Weigh into the market for a replacement 5/8 now and play Widdop at Fullback. in 2019 if he stays.
Bennett put him there for a reason and we should pay attention.
Click to expand...

You won’t hear those words because his hands are tied.
 
True_Believer

True_Believer

Juniors
Messages
1,839
Carlton said:
I am not so sure that he really wants to be here next year regardless of what has been said. Also, I suspect that his shoulder will not allow him to play for the whole year anyway. When your main playmaker, captain, senior member of the leadership group announces he wants to leave you don't gain anything by keeping him for another year. Why pay someone $1 million for 2019 to mentor some anonymous player?
Click to expand...

Mate, this wasn’t his intention.
 
Crush

Crush

Coach
Messages
11,243
If you woke up to the news that Dragons had signed Shaun Johnson for 3 years and allowed Widdop an immediate release how would you feel?
Champagne anyone?
 
Crush

Crush

Coach
Messages
11,243
SBD82 said:
Not from me. I rate Johnson on a dry track with a structured half playing next to him, but at night, in the wet, or when he has to be the organising half, I don't think he is effective.
Click to expand...
It would be pretty exciting though wouldn't it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Top