Edward
SGI NSW Cup
Unless he had form kicking them from that far out at training, it was brain fade.
Dragons v Storm Round 2
- Thread starter Dragon David
- Start date
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Was a gamble. Wouldn't been a hero if it came off. But then again, Dogs wouldn't have been in position to kick their field goal if not for that ridiculous decision.
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
If it hasn't he has got to be completely devoid of any brains.
Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
I'm not going to hold it against Zac. It seems Flanno is on the nose with a number of squad members. He wanted out then he wanted to go play in the new rugby comp and when that feel through, Parra no longer had salary cap space.
Dragon David
SGI Jersey Flegg
Like so many things when you look back with hindsight, had Atkinson not gone for the field goal, because to me his chances were extremely slim, and he kicked a high ball down to the Dogs' 20 metre line instead, with our defence being what it was that night, it could have resulted in either Burton or Crichton to have to kick from say 35-40 metres out rather than it being about 29 metres where Crichton kicked it from and the match ending in a draw. Although in saying this they might have been able to score a try so, I'm not going to say anymore - goodnight
RandomDragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
I have no problem with the team keeping it simple out of our own end, Atkinson big boot into the corner, back our defence and get into the grind every week. Does 2010 ring a bell??
jodragon40
Staff
Problem is we dont have the team to continually play to that plan
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I agree, but don't fancy our chances. Who would you suggest those 2 or 3 top line X factor marquee backs be? Anyone else is free to answer the question as well.
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I am pretty sure Fitler played most of his juniors at 5/8.
Lomax said he thought his best position was fullback when starting his first grade career. I think he would be worth signing. He was one of the premier wingers in the comp, after Flanno moved him there and if given the chance could prove to be a topline fullback.
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I thought we were always playing off the back foot.
Dragons Chris
SGI NSW Cup
That's true. Zac was only ever going to be a stop gap 5/8 but just sayin, it was after he publicly put his hand up to partner Hunt in the halves, he fell out with Flanno.
Dave03
SGI NSW Cup
We had more attacking threats in that team imo, if memory is correct we used to score heavily in the 2nd half of games. Rule changes have now also made the game a bit more quicker & open imo. It's a good base but hopefully we can develop upon it during the season. Atko massive boot is game changing for us, if we didn't have his kicking v dogs then we were totally screwed.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
Its everything we were doing in 2024 & 2025, only we were losing 10-20m every time we kicked via Kyle or LKT.. even Ben wasnt a huge boot.. Atkinson (injury free) will atleast help us with field position.
2010 though, we had an attack that was almost unstoppable.. it was back when Soward used to run the ball, but outside him the triple-play of Creagh, Cooper, BMoz with Boyd chiming in, there were so many ways we could score points. Thats not even factoring in Gasnier or Nightingale's edge.
Thats why im not enjoying our style atm, grind all day can work... but if you cant convert pressure, ur just waiting for 1 mistake or 1 piece of freakish play to break your heart. The dogs dont really have that x-factor, certainly didnt show it on the weekend anyway, could also be the narrow field though.
jodragon40
Staff
That team was built on defence. However in saying that with ball in hand as you have so rightly stated we had strike power on both sides of the field.
Even sitting there next to the infamous chookpen on that night listening to them taunt my wife and I and other Dragons supporters at half time. I was still confident with equal possession in the 2nd half we had that attacking power that could lift the trophy at ft.
Around the 60- 65th minute mark as we were waving goodbye to the steady stream of Roosters fans leaving the ground to catch the 1st train back to Central.
I never like to make comparisons especially with a champion team but its a fallacy to believe with our current spine and backs we offer the same attacking threat of our 2010 team.
The thought process currently being followed , getting our defensive structures right is the way to go. But as the coach said, " You have to have the cattle". Unfortunately we don't this season. No disrespect to our current squad.
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dragonheart
SGI Jersey Flegg
Attracting these 2 or 3 marquee backs is where we step up, we somehow got KK and our forwards and his mate Sua are pretty much complete with our young guys around him.
There is something about Kade Reed that says he will take charge and Atkinson is 5/8
Fullback needs to be young like Purdue the next Ponga, Sharpe at Newcastle is another is what we need and then if Averillo comes and I think to replace Suli (he just doesn't deliver enough and sus in defence)
The faith at this time is in Daniel Anderson to get the cattle needed for Flanno, because I think 2027 is the pivotal year, there are no excuses after this.
There is something about Kade Reed that says he will take charge and Atkinson is 5/8
Fullback needs to be young like Purdue the next Ponga, Sharpe at Newcastle is another is what we need and then if Averillo comes and I think to replace Suli (he just doesn't deliver enough and sus in defence)
The faith at this time is in Daniel Anderson to get the cattle needed for Flanno, because I think 2027 is the pivotal year, there are no excuses after this.
jodragon40
Staff
Agree
Eric
Staff
As far as fullback goes, I'm interested in how Galvin and a couple of other still or recent teenagers go in the first several rounds with an eye to fast-track Burton or Walker.
Different situation to Kade Reed because those 2 are already big and at fullback they wouldn't need to do as much defence.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Really? From what I've seen, he is never going to be close to that good.
dragonheart
SGI Jersey Flegg
I'm sure Daniel Anderson knows who we need, you would have to think Newcastle can not keep Ponga, Brown and Sharpe on big money, if Ponga doesn't go to Roosters or Union then Sharpe surely can be enticed and will make a huge difference in the backline. I also think Purdue is up there as well.
dragonheart
SGI Jersey Flegg
Yep Burton and Rokko do sound like promising future backs, but it's probably 3 years before they are there. Its next year we need an excitement machine and preferably at fullback along with Reed and Atko.