Round 13 v Newcastle

[Dragons Chris]

Dragons team:​

1. Clinton Gutherson
2. Tyrell Sloan
3. Moses Suli
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Christian Tuipulotu
6. Lyhkan King-Togia
7. Kyle Flanagan
8. Jack de Belin
9. Damien Cook
10. David Klemmer
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Hamish Stewart
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Toby Couchman
16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
17. Blake Lawrie

 

[TheRev]

I was very surprised Lawson wasnt in the 17, I think whats happened is Allans injury has forced Lawson into centre coverage for Val, and lost him a spot on the wing... Its a shame tbh cause I think Allan is definitely the better centre coverage at this stage of development.

RFM is the other I assumed would be in the 17, surely Luciano wont go 80 minutes.. I mean he might but not a lot of other 2nd rower coverage in that 17 bar maybe a Stewart.. but its a gamble to not have on the bench.

 

[Mug Fan]

I was very surprised Lawson wasnt in the 17, I think whats happened is Allans injury has forced Lawson into centre coverage for Val, and lost him a spot on the wing... Its a shame tbh cause I think Allan is definitely the better centre coverage at this stage of development.

RFM is the other I assumed would be in the 17, surely Luciano wont go 80 minutes.. I mean he might but not a lot of other 2nd rower coverage in that 17 bar maybe a Stewart.. but its a gamble to not have on the bench.

Correct, Nathan will debut if Val doesn't back up.
Toby been running on the edge.

 

[Dragons Chris]

LKT and KF switched. Interesting. Does it mean Flanno is unhappy with one or both? Ilias form in reserve grade causing a rethink?

 

[TheRev]

LKT and KF switched. Interesting. Does it mean Flanno is unhappy with one or both? Ilias form in reserve grade causing a rethink?

I rly like the change, I think no more hiding in the 6, Kyles clearly the 7 and he has to own it now... and hes good enough or hes not.

There are a couple of ppl on forums (literally 2 of them) who are seeing something I really am not in Ilias's nsw cup form, as im seeing Glover playing 3x as well as Lachlan... Jonah seems to do everything faster, hes a proper running threat... but hes just a rookie with questionable defence... and I dont think hes here next year.... so I just dont think we see him as a first grade solution 'at this point', but I don't think Kyle would kill it in NSW Cup either btw..... same flaws as Ilias.

Basically... whether it was Ilias or Kyle in first grade, I dont think it would make much of a difference tbh.. Kyle is atleast tackling well, is our backup goalkicker, and is gonna be here for a few more years most likely, whereas Ilias probably moves on... but Ilias I think has a 'slightly' better kicking game.. but I think both players are very similar.. neither is much of a running threat.. they are really just there to unlock the players around them and not make mistakes.

 

[Ryan]

I rly like the change, I think no more hiding in the 6, Kyles clearly the 7 and he has to own it now... and hes good enough or hes not.

There are a couple of ppl on forums (literally 2 of them) who are seeing something I really am not in Ilias's nsw cup form, as im seeing Glover playing 3x as well as Lachlan... Jonah seems to do everything faster, hes a proper running threat... but hes just a rookie with questionable defence... and I dont think hes here next year.... so I just dont think we see him as a first grade solution 'at this point', but I don't think Kyle would kill it in NSW Cup either btw..... same flaws as Ilias.

Basically... whether it was Ilias or Kyle in first grade, I dont think it would make much of a difference tbh.. Kyle is atleast tackling well, is our backup goalkicker, and is gonna be here for a few more years most likely, whereas Ilias probably moves on... but Ilias I think has a 'slightly' better kicking game.. but I think both players are very similar.. neither is much of a running threat.. they are really just there to unlock the players around them and not make mistakes.

Ilias has a much better running game. Not that it's good. Just better. Otherwise I think they are similiar. Time to give Ilias a chance with LKT. See how that goes. If it's no good, Kyle will be recalled.

 

[RedVictory]

Ilias has a much better running game. Not that it's good. Just better. Otherwise I think they are similiar. Time to give Ilias a chance with LKT. See how that goes. If it's no good, Kyle will be recalled.

I recall a game years ago that JDB played in the halves. Maybe we should give him a run and see how it goes.

 

[Eric]

I recall a game years ago that JDB played in the halves. Maybe we should give him a run and see how it goes.

Against the Broncos I believe.

 

[redv13]

I recall a game years ago that JDB played in the halves. Maybe we should give him a run and see how it goes.

Absolute master stroke by the bald peanut at the time

 

[RedV25]

I rly like the change, I think no more hiding in the 6, Kyles clearly the 7 and he has to own it now... and hes good enough or hes not.

There are a couple of ppl on forums (literally 2 of them) who are seeing something I really am not in Ilias's nsw cup form, as im seeing Glover playing 3x as well as Lachlan... Jonah seems to do everything faster, hes a proper running threat... but hes just a rookie with questionable defence... and I dont think hes here next year.... so I just dont think we see him as a first grade solution 'at this point', but I don't think Kyle would kill it in NSW Cup either btw..... same flaws as Ilias.

Basically... whether it was Ilias or Kyle in first grade, I dont think it would make much of a difference tbh.. Kyle is atleast tackling well, is our backup goalkicker, and is gonna be here for a few more years most likely, whereas Ilias probably moves on... but Ilias I think has a 'slightly' better kicking game.. but I think both players are very similar.. neither is much of a running threat.. they are really just there to unlock the players around them and not make mistakes.

Good points Rev. I think we need to find a half that can steer the team around with confidence and I haven’t seen that with our current crop. From what I’ve seen of Glover he’s got a lot of potential but as you said would be a liability in defence. As I’ve stated before we need to get our half back sorted before the new teams come in. Sexton maybe?

 

[Dragons Chris]

Good points Rev. I think we need to find a half that can steer the team around with confidence and I haven’t seen that with our current crop. From what I’ve seen of Glover he’s got a lot of potential but as you said would be a liability in defence. As I’ve stated before we need to get our half back sorted before the new teams come in. Sexton maybe?

I agree more than anyone something needs to be done about the halves. But not Sexton. He's hardly any better than Kyle. Salvation lies within. Reed and LKT. Until Reed is ready, as he can be fast tracked to take over at some point early next year, Ilias and LKT. The Ilias-LKT combo might be ok. Who knows until Flanno gives it a try?

 

[Edward]

Hope Ponga is in everything tonight but Val has a quiet game. Obviously I want NSW to win but with 0 Dragons players in the team, don't care much.

But anyway,
NSW by 14,
MOM: Moses
First try: Moses

 

[Eric]

Hope Ponga is in everything tonight but Val has a quiet game. Obviously I want NSW to win but with 0 Dragons players in the team, don't care much.

But anyway,
NSW by 14,
MOM: Moses
First try: Moses

A bit off topic but no one seems very excited by SOO so not worth a new thread. So:

• NSW by 16
• First try: Lomax
• MotM: Angus Crighton

 

[redv13]

NSW by 4
1st try Coates
MOTM Martin

 

[GCRV]

NSW by 4
MOM = Mitchell
First try = S. Crighton

 

[Edward]

Dean Young in the NSW coaching staff.

 

[Dragons Chris]

I doubt Val will play. He didn't have a good game but did a lot of hard work. 3 or 4 days rest and he would've been a chance but 2 days? I don't think so. Luckily the same will surely apply to Ponga.

Dragons by 10
First try: Lawson!
MoM: JDB

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Toby Couchman

A short break for him. Anyway hope sufficient to recharge his motor. He makes our bench very solid alongside LPT. Bout time Flanno saw sense and started with Jack.

Kyles clearly the 7 and he has to own it now...

No way. The guy lacks vision and the ability to think on his feet. The Knights will show him up for his lack of footy nouse. LKT is gonna have to take on the line more, back himself. Just as well they aint going well either, but if Ponga backs up they are dangerous..

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Jonah seems to do everything faster, hes a proper running threat.

That is all he is. Has no play making ability or footy nouse. We are sure in a dilemma with our halves. I am taking a gamble on Reed, a rookie yes, suss defensively, but he does have footy instinct and the makings of an efficient game manager. Ilias is his 5/8 partner. Dont think LKT is quite ready for this level.

 

[GCRV]

That is all he is. Has no play making ability or footy nouse. We are sure in a dilemma with our halves. I am taking a gamble on Reed, a rookie yes, suss defensively, but he does have footy instinct and the makings of an efficient game manager. Ilias is his 5/8 partner. Dont think LKT is quite ready for this level.

Yes to Reed but not this year. Way too early. Hopefully next year but probably not from round 1.