Round 3 - DRAGONS vs Eels at CommBank

[jodragon40]

Great post, jodragon40. Just watched the replay and I can see Atkinson is an improvement on previous years. From 7 through 13 we’re genuinely competitive. I just hope we see a couple of changes in the backs next week

Unfortunately mate with who?

 

[George Sancti]

Unfortunately mate with who?

I understand all the arguments against it, but we’re short on solutions. Gutho to 6, Val to 1, and the best‑performing three‑quarter in NSW Cup comes into centre.

 

[Morgan]

I understand all the arguments against it, but we’re short on solutions. Gutho to 6, Val to 1, and the best‑performing three‑quarter in NSW Cup comes into centre.

In the post match press conference Flanno didn't sound like he is going to make changes. He might drop one of the wingers.

 

[TheRev]

ok so the presser... he was comparing us to 2016 where the sharks lost 0-3 and then won 15 in a row.

The quote was "Unfortunately we've lost 3 at the start, maybe its a really good kickstart for us".

I just hope its a kickstart for Shane.. the players are playing with heart.. its backline selections and strategy that isn't wrong.

 

[Dragon David]

We aren’t even the favourites next week against the titans

That game will most likely be two 0-3 teams

If we lose that lock in a spoon

...and that would be extremely embarrassing but I have a feeling that that will be the case up in the Titans home ground. Last after 4 rounds would be a disaster.

 

[jodragon40]

...and that would be extremely embarrassing but I have a feeling that that will be the case up in the Titans home ground. Last after 4 rounds would be a disaster.

Titans are favourites

 

[Dragon David]

We had 10 players run over 100m and 2 more in the 90s. They had 5 players run over 100m and 2 in the 90s. Judging by that, we should have beaten them quite easily.

To me execution was very poor by our guys. Attack was very tentative in my opinion as nobody took the game by the scruff of the neck and set an example on how to attack.

 

[Dragon David]

View attachment 1006

This really got my blood boiling

Gutho has a 4 on 2 overlap and decides to run and go inside to Atkinson

Just terrible decision making. Eyes wide shut.

 

[Justadragon]

Who said that?

Flanno in the PC

 

[Justadragon]

ok so the presser... he was comparing us to 2016 where the sharks lost 0-3 and then won 15 in a row.

The quote was "Unfortunately we've lost 3 at the start, maybe its a really good kickstart for us".

I just hope its a kickstart for Shane.. the players are playing with heart.. its backline selections and strategy that isn't wrong.

Does he really think we are going to win 15 in a row, with his game plan and style of play, once again living in the past. I said before, lose this game and there will be a pile on. This is the start of it, get ready for it to get worse.

 

[Justadragon]

They are long odds to sack Flanno
We will win the Titans game and be mediocre for the rest of the yr

I wouldn't be putting money on it, we are playing them at their home. Have a look at the ladder we could be last after 4 games and the only side that hasn't won a game. If that happens I want people to start giving me reasons why Flanno should be retained and not immediately sacked !!! I said this week had to be no excuses, so there should be none !!!

 

[Dave03]

I said some bad words today that I haven't said in a while...

 

[Dave03]

I'm probs wrong but it looked like gutho skipped passing the ball to Kyle in the last 10 lmao

 

[Dave03]

Honestly luch has been great, wouldn't mind him playing at 5/8th. Bring stewart onto the edge. Ryan couchman was great today apart from the hip drop. Val looks soo awkward playing on the right...like it's not natural to him. I wonder why

 

[Frank Facer]

Unfortunately mate with who?

As Eric said earlier in the week. Holmes to fullback, Gutho to 5/8 and Buchanan to centre. Holmes would give us speed and us more X factor in attack and would be able to play both sides of the field. Gutho would be an upgrade on Kyle at 5/8.

I would also play Luciano at prop, instead of Lawrie. We may also be without Rouchman, who will be a big lose. He is looking very good.

If Rouchman is available he would start at second row, instead of Luciano. If not then I would be playing Hanangahu in place of Luciano.

Kerr was underwhelming as usual.

 

[puff]

The context for the "kickstart" shit take is actually wild. Zoom out slightly and we'll notice it's Flanno deflecting from the fact that he's done a shit job in this game by big noting himself and reminding everyone about the time he was coach of a winning team. There is a pattern here. Over the last 3 seasons, he has made regular mention of 2016, unsolicited and apropos of nothing. If we watch the press conferences of other coaches, we will find that other coaches do not refer to the 2016 season when commenting on a game in 2024, 2025, or 2026.

 

[puff]

In the post match press conference Flanno didn't sound like he is going to make changes. He might drop one of the wingers.

He's going to make changes. Toby Couchman failed HIA mandatory 11 days out. Ryan Couchman will be suspended.

 

[puff]

I can’t stress this enough, we are playing the worst team in the comp next week (if it’s not us)

Even if we scrape a win, let’s not overplay it

Remember who we’re facing and have a higher standard for ourselves

I will be manly and cowboys biggest fan the next few months praying they string enough wins together and hold onto their coaches

I can’t have another season of Flanno HC Kyle 6 and Gutho 1

Don't support Cowboys and Manly too much! We are playing them after Titans!

You say Titans are the worst. They definitely could be, but Parra, Cowboys, Manly are right up there (down there?) with them.

 

[puff]

The move of Val to the right tbh has likely cost us 2 games.. our best weapon is a fish out of water over there.. such a daft call from the coach.

He was Parra's best weapon yesterday.

 

[puff]

Today we won the game in the forwards - the backs decided by how much

Actually quite common for us. Forwards hang in well against good sides (round 1 and 2) and dominate weak sides (Parra). We find a way to throw away all their hard work.