Dragons v Storm Round 2

[RedVHeartbeat]

Good comeback by the boys. We were in this up to our necks at oranges, in fact up till about 60 then same old story too much early bash and barge knackers us and we lose our discipline and forget how to tackle, inviting teams back into the contest. Infuriating?

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

I'll say it again we have too many slow Polynesians in our side. Big but little agility in the backs when we need speed and agility. No ball skill in the pack other than Luch who was strong again. Gurer has to be dropped and not sure where Sele fits in. Pleased to see Ryan has picked up Tobys offload skills. He was my pick of the forwards, best game he has played for the Red V.

 

[Mug Fan]

Good comeback by the boys. We were in this up to our necks at oranges. Same old story too much bash and barge knackers us then we lose our discipline and forget how to tackle, inviting teams back into the contest. Infuriating?

Spoiler alert, we lose.

 

[puff]

Our coach has had 3 off seasons to recruit and retain players. This squad is of his choosing. He has had 3 pre seasons to instill winning habits and standards. The self-sabotaging way we played yesterday is his responsibility. I overreacted to our gutsy performance in Vegas. But, it is not your good games that determine what kind of team you are. I have a bad feeling that our performance yesterday is who we are. That is the result of 3 pre seasons of coaching. Incredible that he was extended last year.

 

[Eric]

I'll say it again we have too many slow Polynesians in our side. Big but little agility in the backs when we need speed and agility. No ball skill in the pack other than Luch who was strong again. Gurer has to be dropped and not sure where Sele fits in. Pleased to see Ryan has picked up Tobys offload skills. He was my pick of the forwards, best game he has played for the Red V.

I don't think being Polynesian is an issue but they are too big and too slow. I agree with that.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Atko pulled out a screamer of a cutout o

He showed that was no fluke 15 into second stanza with another clever pass again on the chest of Val. At this point we had to believe we could win this. But we fell on our face and proved we werent very smart. If we can find a winning attitude a winning formula will follow. Until then we will remain pretenders.

 

[Frank Facer]

Our coach has had 3 off seasons to recruit and retain players. This squad is of his choosing. He has had 3 pre seasons to instill winning habits and standards. The self-sabotaging way we played yesterday is his responsibility. I overreacted to our gutsy performance in Vegas. But, it is not your good games that determine what kind of team you are. I have a bad feeling that our performance yesterday is who we are. That is the result of 3 pre seasons of coaching. Incredible that he was extended last year.

Flanno has got the players he wanted. He got the players he could get. There is a massive difference. Next year we will be stronger

 

[Justadragon]

I will add this to my comments after just watching the replay which I do its just a habit. I would not be surprised if both our play makers were playing injured in that 2nd half as a result of two separate tackles in the 1st half.

My response to that Jo is we had a 6 man bench with LKT on it, why weren't they or at least one replaced, thats what its there for !!!

 

[Justadragon]

I suspect you’ll be proven correct, RVH. If the losses continue, the calls for Flanno to be sacked will grow. The real issue isn’t removing him, it’s finding someone who can do a better job. Our trial and error approach with the previous three coaches didn’t serve us well, and at least Flanno has shown he can deliver a premiership.

Brad Arthur !!!

 

[Justadragon]

Flanno has got the players he wanted. He got the players he could get. There is a massive difference. Next year we will be stronger

I'm still seething but I've been hearing this next year bit for the last 15 years, I'm sick of it !!!

This team needs to hang its head in shame over the defensive effort of the last 20min of yesterdays game. Some of the missed tackles were deplorable. The last try Melb scored was a totally disgusting effort.

 

[puff]

Flanno has got the players he wanted. He got the players he could get. There is a massive difference. Next year we will be stronger

FFS. He's had 3 years! This squad is of his making. Every coach wants Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas. Most don't get them. They have to fall back on a practice that is distinct from recruitment: COACHING.

With the exception of Fisher-Harris, who wanted to move back home, Warriors have mostly recruited players who couldn't get a game elsewhere. They have done quite well with these players.

Even the Melbourne spine that played yesterday were not in high demand before they got to Melbourne. Bellamy and his system COACHED them into becoming great players. They didn't replace Cameron Smith by signing the big name hooker of the day Damien Cook. Instead, they developed Harry Grant.

If Flanno can't coach the players he has, he's not a good coach. If he says he needs big name players but can't get them, he is not a good recruiter. Either way it is not working.

 

[GCRV]

FFS. He's had 3 years! This squad is of his making. Every coach wants Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas. Most don't get them. They have to fall back on a practice that is distinct from recruitment: COACHING.

With the exception of Fisher-Harris, who wanted to move back home, Warriors have mostly recruited players who couldn't get a game elsewhere. They have done quite well with these players.

Even the Melbourne spine that played yesterday were not in high demand before they got to Melbourne. Bellamy and his system COACHED them into becoming great players. They didn't replace Cameron Smith by signing the big name hooker of the day Damien Cook. Instead, they developed Harry Grant.

If Flanno can't coach the players he has, he's not a good coach. If he says he needs big name players but can't them, he is not a good recruiter. Either way it is not working.

 

[Justadragon]

Have just watched the replay(why I put myself through that I dont know) KF, Suli and TU all MIA !!!

 

[Eric]

Sorry, rather than start a separate Thread on the Storm I'll include what I want to post in the Other Clubs 2026 Thread although I'm wanting to cover other years as well, but this Other Clubs one should suffice if Eric/Jo think it OK?

I can't speak for jodragon40 but as far as I'm concerned, it need not be so strict. As long as you make an effort because I'm pretty sure that's what the vast majority of posters like. Though if you want to mention someone to get their attention, you need to enter the @ mark and then username without a space. Like this D Dragon David.

 

[jodragon40]

I can't speak for jodragon40 but as far as I'm concerned, it need not be so strict. As long as you make an effort because I'm pretty sure that's what the vast majority of posters like. Though if you want to mention someone to get their attention, you need to enter the @ mark and then username without a space. Like this D Dragon David.

D Dragon David In my view, A thread topic should cover that particular topic. If you want to elaborate there is nothing wrong with saying that in the thread and then starting a new topic as suggested.

Then you can start a topic on the issues you wish to elaborate on. If you want to talk about Storm and players from other years that would require responses from other members thats how I would suggest you do it.

Comments on a particular topic should be about that topic. Otherwise it gets so bloody frustrating. Its akin waiting to catch a train from Central to Kogarah and along the way we end up at Penrith. Just my views. Keep on topic it helps everyone.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

FFS. He's had 3 years! This squad is of his making. Every coach wants Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas. Most don't get them. They have to fall back on a practice that is distinct from recruitment: COACHING.

With the exception of Fisher-Harris, who wanted to move back home, Warriors have mostly recruited players who couldn't get a game elsewhere. They have done quite well with these players.

Even the Melbourne spine that played yesterday were not in high demand before they got to Melbourne. Bellamy and his system COACHED them into becoming great players. They didn't replace Cameron Smith by signing the big name hooker of the day Damien Cook. Instead, they developed Harry Grant.

If Flanno can't coach the players he has, he's not a good coach. If he says he needs big name players but can't get them, he is not a good recruiter. Either way it is not working.

couldn’t be more accurate, the year when Canterbury flicked a switch midseason and made the 8 in Ciraldo’s 2nd season the dogs weren’t fancied to do well and the squad was seen as pretty average

The 2nd half of the season when they finally punted Hutchinson for Sexton they won 10 of the last 12 games and looked like a top 4 side

It’s time we have higher standards for a coach, I keep hearing Flanno say he doesn’t have the cattle and that’s such a defeatist mentality.

COACH THE TEAM TO BE BETTER THEN, frankly Andrew Webster has made a lot of these struggling coaches look even worse.

old mate keeps saying oh we need more marquees yet he’s the one who’s crafted this squad and signed the fullback who he’s now trying to replace after just over a year

Also has signed 2 shite players to play in the halves when there’s been better players available but for whatever reason (we all know why) he’s refused to do it

I am asking our fans to stop making excuses for a washed coach and expect better after 3 off seasons to have an effect on the team/results

 

[jodragon40]

My response to that Jo is we had a 6 man bench with LKT on it, why weren't they or at least one replaced, thats what its there for !!!

I honestly don't know

 

[TheRev]

it is both.. it is a combination of the squad he was able to sign 'plus' the type of squad he wanted to build.. essentially the way Flanno sees the game has really narrowed the players that we could go after.. for example a dozen wingers have come and gone for cheap but they didn't fit Flannos mould.. and he's not willing (or able) to think differently.. he has his approach but I'm not sure his approach works in the modern game.

Having said that.. I think if you put Flanno into the coaching gig at the broncos.. the bloke might well win a premiership.. with a star studded roster and enough natural talent in the outside backs of which they have a huge pool to choose from.. who knows what Flanno could do.. but its totally different @ saints where we cant attract the best.. we have to build with whats out there... and adapt.. but he only prioritised size over speed and unfortunately its costing us now.... we've gone into 2026 missing 4 signings we should have made to give ourselves a fair crack.

I have respect and compassion for Flanno Snr.. but he has taken us down an alley of his choosing.. and if we cant turn things around quickly we will need to cut ties. His son is another, I don't mind Kyle at all, especially defensively.... but he cant be locked in... Flanno really hasn't been interested in signing a 7 like Sandon or before him Boyd.. and there have been others, but guys that are totally on the market for cheap... and would have added speed and skill and kicking length .. god and goalkicking to our halves.. but we were not genuinely in for those sorts of guys, not to the point we would give them a starting 1st grade spot.. hes rly only expressed interest in marquee 7's.. which are hard to find... these are Flanno decisions he has to wear.. and 3yrs in he has been unable to learn from his mistakes... I was hoping he would adapt.

But lets hope we go on a run from next week.. we will know what we are dealing with against some slightly weaker squads.. beating the storm was never likely we do know that.