jodragon40
Staff
Please use this new thread to discuss juniors and their readiness to play 1sts also NSW Cup players
Last edited:
1st Grade Readiness
- Thread starter jodragon40
- Start date
Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
It's not a question of the player being ready or not. It's what the teams needs. We are in it to win it, not be a feeder club for richer clubs.
jodragon40
Staff
It actually is the question. That question is raised between coaching staff every week when reviewing the progress of talented juniors .
Even back in my days we had weekly meetings with 1sts and Ressies coaching staff where we identified the progress made by individual players.
Not everyone gets to pull on a 1sts jersey, in fact only4% of registered players will achieve that.
Edward
SGI NSW Cup
I'm wondering if or when Holmes or Suli is out whether Buchanan or Heidke comes straight in. And if they do come straight in and play very well, would that shift Holmes to wing or shift Suli to reserve grade?
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I would like to see Coutts get a run at centre in reserve grade. From his highlights package, I think he would made a very good centre. He was a 5/8 in his juniors and weighs over 100kgs. He can hit a hole and can beat a man on his own and has a passing game. He looks fast enough for centre. I think he could made very good centre.
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I like Holmes at centre. I thought he was great there for us last year. For a long time, maybe since Suli came to our club, I have thought edge backrower is his position, but with the abundance of edge backrowers we now have, it looks like we won't get to see that experiment. I also think Suli would made a great edge backrower.
Edward
SGI NSW Cup
Sounds like a good second rower. Buchanan and Heidke not would make but are very good centres.
Dragon David
SGI Jersey Flegg
I'm not familiar with the juniors Jo, so cannot say anything about them and if they are ready or not to put on a first grade jersey. It is a pity that there are not replays of the junior games which would assist people like me. I do read up on them particularly the stuff that you guys post and who go to games and watch the young ones play and of course when Mug Fan posted plenty of stuff on juniors. Looking forward to reading progress on them.
Don't know if the posts above are what you want on this thread Jo.
Don't know if the posts above are what you want on this thread Jo.
Leighton Craig
SGI Jersey Flegg
Both Heidke and Buchanan could both have a long careers, 2026 I see them both developing there games in nsw cup with Buchanan probably a playing some nrl games through injuries. 2027 I see Heidke debuting i honestly reckon he has a higher ceiling then Buchanan he’s bigger and taller with better attacking, he has played amazing in the limited nsw cup games he’s played, shame he’s had a tough run that’s hindered his development. it really depends how our winger situation goes because val could be pushed out to wing eventually with them in the centres, suli on his day can be outstanding but mostly he’s poor end of 2027 he will be off contract I don’t see us keeping him past that when he’s so inconsistent, so honestly if Heidke and Buchanan keep developing we’ll I see both them centres with val on the wing possibly Buchanan on wing since he as played there and who knows who our other wing is
So Buchanan fighting for a spot in 2027
And Heidke end of 2027-2028
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I do like the look of Buchanan. He has good game for a centre. He can beat a man on his own, has a step and or swerve, can hit a hole, can pass the ball and set up his winger or those backing up on the inside, has a bit of pace and knows his way to the try line. My only concern with him is his lack of size. Hopefully he can come on this year.
Heidke has shown some good signs.
jodragon40
Staff
Holmes won't play wing. Buchanan is 1st in the pecking order at the moment for centres. Heidke is an impressive youngster who should make his mark in ressies this season.
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
I worry about Buchanan's size, the last game we played against souths he got rag dolled on several occasions, I hope he has put on some size in the off season .
jodragon40
Staff
Coutts? Dylan Coutts, centre? Wow big call. Never played centre in his life. He has been impressive at training, one to watch in the ressies this season in the backrow as well as young O'Neil from the Dogs.
jodragon40
Staff
Don't know if he will be good enough to cement a permanent 1st grade spot.
Edward
SGI NSW Cup
No one knows but at this stage, it looks likely. At the end of last season, not Flanno but someone, maybe Watsford was talking about how this is going to be a massive off season for Buchanan.
jodragon40
Staff
Well hes reached his dream playing 1sts for the Dragons well done
Edward
SGI NSW Cup
His dreams might go beyond that. Like captaining a grand final winning Dragons team.
Coutts is fast and agile - for such a big lad - but most NRL backs would turn him inside out. He is a forward.
jodragon40
Staff
Agree definitely one to watch though
RandomDragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
Coutts is a middle and should not be playing centre. The good thing about the club now is that it seems there is a lot of depth in Reggie’s down into JF now too. Genuinely curious when was the last time we properly recruited players to play in JF? I know Ando has recruited a few.
Never really thought about it but it makes sense for SG Ball players to go back and play park footy because they’re not good enough to make the JF squad. I feel for at least the last 5 years the JF team has always been hanging on for the SG comp to finish to fill it with players.
Realistically Heidke, Reed, and a few others should be starting in JF
Never really thought about it but it makes sense for SG Ball players to go back and play park footy because they’re not good enough to make the JF squad. I feel for at least the last 5 years the JF team has always been hanging on for the SG comp to finish to fill it with players.
Realistically Heidke, Reed, and a few others should be starting in JF