Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
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Coach from 2027
- Thread starter Morgan
- Start date
Mug Fan
SGI NSW Cup
Dave03
SGI NSW Cup
f*ck me upside down
Dave03
SGI NSW Cup
Sharks just had goat curry for dinner
Mailroomsgi
SGI NSW Cup
Can’t stress enough how important it was this bloke was sacked, he’s like poison
Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
The one good thing that hopefully will bring some needed wins for us next year is the recruitment of several players that have some ticker and speed to add to the great crop of young forwards to play alongside KK and several up and coming juniors to add to our Top 30 squad as well as a couple more external signings in the backs who have speed to burn (this is so much in need).
The big question is though, who will be their coach?
This year, with the exception of several forwards, the squad has not got the class to attack and defend to win games as we have seen so far. I don't think that Bellamy, Bennett, Cleary, Robinson, Webster, etc. would be able to get us that many wins this year with the overall cattle we have. Our player strength is terrible. So it is no wonder that both Flanno and Young have struggled to get us any wins, except that sole win against the Broncos (the Broncos to me are struggling as well for some reason and they were off their game moreso than us last week).
So with the new players coming into the squad for next year, our playing strength on paper looks much better. It will be then up to the "right" head coach to get them to gel with who we have promoted from within on top of the better guys we currently have. Will it be Young or Hornby? I cannot see Cheika coming, Arthur is staying in England, Talau only as an assistant for a few years or remaining the Cup coach, Peter Wallace would be great but I think that he will be the Panthers head coach one day, the rest forget about. So really not that many to really choose from who can be the one to bring us much needed success.
This is why Ben Creagh and Tim Watsford are giving Young the remaining games of this year to see what improvements he can achieve and in the meantime study really hard as to alternatives to head hunt to get someone better if Deano fails to make any real improvement with the results.
My views only at this stage of the year.
The big question is though, who will be their coach?
This year, with the exception of several forwards, the squad has not got the class to attack and defend to win games as we have seen so far. I don't think that Bellamy, Bennett, Cleary, Robinson, Webster, etc. would be able to get us that many wins this year with the overall cattle we have. Our player strength is terrible. So it is no wonder that both Flanno and Young have struggled to get us any wins, except that sole win against the Broncos (the Broncos to me are struggling as well for some reason and they were off their game moreso than us last week).
So with the new players coming into the squad for next year, our playing strength on paper looks much better. It will be then up to the "right" head coach to get them to gel with who we have promoted from within on top of the better guys we currently have. Will it be Young or Hornby? I cannot see Cheika coming, Arthur is staying in England, Talau only as an assistant for a few years or remaining the Cup coach, Peter Wallace would be great but I think that he will be the Panthers head coach one day, the rest forget about. So really not that many to really choose from who can be the one to bring us much needed success.
This is why Ben Creagh and Tim Watsford are giving Young the remaining games of this year to see what improvements he can achieve and in the meantime study really hard as to alternatives to head hunt to get someone better if Deano fails to make any real improvement with the results.
My views only at this stage of the year.
Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
So, since Bennett's era, we have seen the Dragons struggle to compete consistently well enough to reach the Top 4 in the NRL competition ladder. The Club's best achievements since 2011 (Bennett's last year at the Dragons) were an elimination final in 2015 and a semi final in 2018 after finishing 8th and 7th in those years respectively.
In the years following Bennett's departure the Club has had 4 full-time Head Coaches, namely in chronological order, Steve Price (2012 - May 2014), Paul McGregor (May 2014 - August 2020 and replaced by interim head coach Dean Young for the balance of the 2020 season), Anthony Griffin (2021 - May 2023 and replaced by interim head coach Ryan Carr for the balance of the 2023 season) and Shane Flanagan (2024 - April 2026 with Dean Young taking over again as the interim head coach for the balance of the 2026 season). Below, I have copied and pasted some material I have been able to obtain from the internet to include in this post (sorry for making it such a long one but it is something that I just wanted to do - I'm over the age of "getting a life"
).
"The St George Illawarra Dragons haven't permanently appointed a long-term head coach because they are deliberately evaluating their options, stripping absolute control over roster management from the role, and allowing interim coach Dean Young to guide the club through a massive 2027 roster rebuild.
The lack of a permanent appointment is due to several key factors:
In the years following Bennett's departure the Club has had 4 full-time Head Coaches, namely in chronological order, Steve Price (2012 - May 2014), Paul McGregor (May 2014 - August 2020 and replaced by interim head coach Dean Young for the balance of the 2020 season), Anthony Griffin (2021 - May 2023 and replaced by interim head coach Ryan Carr for the balance of the 2023 season) and Shane Flanagan (2024 - April 2026 with Dean Young taking over again as the interim head coach for the balance of the 2026 season). Below, I have copied and pasted some material I have been able to obtain from the internet to include in this post (sorry for making it such a long one but it is something that I just wanted to do - I'm over the age of "getting a life"
)."The St George Illawarra Dragons haven't permanently appointed a long-term head coach because they are deliberately evaluating their options, stripping absolute control over roster management from the role, and allowing interim coach Dean Young to guide the club through a massive 2027 roster rebuild.
The lack of a permanent appointment is due to several key factors:
- Strategic Rebuilding: Club powerbrokers are actively executing a major roster overhaul, bringing in high-profile talent for 2027 such as Scott Drinkwater, Keaon Koloamatangi, Luke Metcalf and Phillip Sami. Management wanted to establish the new playing roster before committing to a permanent head coach.
- Restructuring Coach Authority: The board made the strategic decision to strip the next long-term head coach of absolute power regarding player signings and retention. This shift is designed to prevent the historical rostering mistakes that have plagued the joint venture.
- Interim Success and Stability: Dean Young was appointed for the remainder of the 2026 season. He has strong support from the playing group and has played a pivotal role in organizing the club’s new recruitment strategy, giving the board time to properly consider its long-term structure."
Eric
Staff
They will give him every chance but I don't think he's up to the challenge. Has he improved the team since Flanno was sacked? Maybe marginally or maybe it's just Broncos are that bad and Shonkies were without their first choice halfback and NSW Origin hooker.So, since Bennett's era, we have seen the Dragons struggle to compete consistently well enough to reach the Top 4 in the NRL competition ladder. The Club's best achievements since 2011 (Bennett's last year at the Dragons) were an elimination final in 2015 and a semi final in 2018 after finishing 8th and 7th in those years respectively.
In the years following Bennett's departure the Club has had 4 full-time Head Coaches, namely in chronological order, Steve Price (2012 - May 2014), Paul McGregor (May 2014 - August 2020 and replaced by interim head coach Dean Young for the balance of the 2020 season), Anthony Griffin (2021 - May 2023 and replaced by interim head coach Ryan Carr for the balance of the 2023 season) and Shane Flanagan (2024 - April 2026 with Dean Young taking over again as the interim head coach for the balance of the 2026 season). Below, I have copied and pasted some material I have been able to obtain from the internet to include in this post (sorry for making it such a long one but it is something that I just wanted to do - I'm over the age of "getting a life"
"The St George Illawarra Dragons haven't permanently appointed a long-term head coach because they are deliberately evaluating their options, stripping absolute control over roster management from the role, and allowing interim coach Dean Young to guide the club through a massive 2027 roster rebuild.
The lack of a permanent appointment is due to several key factors:
As can be seen, and most of us are aware of, is that we have had 4 head coaches that have been sacked and replaced by interim coaches. Only one of the interim coaches has been appointed head coach, that being Paul McGregor. The chances of Dean Young being appointed head coach is, in some circles, a big chance and with 13 more regular games left to be played in the 2026 season, this will definitely determine if Young will be good enough to be the Head Coach from 2027. The ball is in Young's court and if he can get us more wins than losses in those last 13 games, with the current crop of guys, then I'd say he could land the job because having better players from 2027 it should make Young's job considerably better. However, if the games remaining continue to be losses, then I'd say, adios amigo.
- Strategic Rebuilding: Club powerbrokers are actively executing a major roster overhaul, bringing in high-profile talent for 2027 such as Scott Drinkwater, Keaon Koloamatangi, Luke Metcalf and Phillip Sami. Management wanted to establish the new playing roster before committing to a permanent head coach.
- Restructuring Coach Authority: The board made the strategic decision to strip the next long-term head coach of absolute power regarding player signings and retention. This shift is designed to prevent the historical rostering mistakes that have plagued the joint venture.
- Interim Success and Stability: Dean Young was appointed for the remainder of the 2026 season. He has strong support from the playing group and has played a pivotal role in organizing the club’s new recruitment strategy, giving the board time to properly consider its long-term structure."
Forwards are doing well considering their age and game experience. Backs, same old crap bar the broncos game. Line speed is better but certain issues are still there.
Good to see a few plodders have had their game time taken away, but the 3 amigos need to go and let’s get some game experience into a few up and comers.
My gut says they will given DY the opportunity in 2027/28 with the new cattle coming in. Do I agree, no I don’t but it’s the dragons way isn’t it.
Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
I agree with you Eric that the team has improved marginally since Flanno was sacked, only a small margin though based on that lucky win against the Broncos (not that great that they allowed the Broncos to get to within 4 points of our score). Had we beaten the Sharks (albeit without Hynes and Brailey) then I would be giving Deano a bit of a fingers up to advance up the appointment ladder.
Yes, same here redv13 with Young getting 2 years, with many caveats. He could end up like McGregor and Flanno and get extended and then sacked based on the trend we have had with the past coaches. New players coming hopefully will improve things but I hope not like we thought would happen with the previous signings like Gutho, Cook and Holmes under Flanno and the rubbish under Griffin etc. Build up our hopes but nothing great happens. I do think that with Anderson and Creagh having more say in player signings and terminations will play a big part in how the next few years will pan out.
Morgan
SGI NSW Cup
Who are the 3 amigos? I can only think of 7 or 8.
- Kyle
- Kerr
- Blocka
- Gular
- Tu
- Sloan
- Lawson
- CT
- Gutho
- Suli
- Su'A
Haha sorry, should have clarified as you say, there’s quite a few more than 3. My 3 are Lawrie, Guler and Kerr. My patience with Tu is just about done. They’d be the 4 that really shouldn’t be in first grade anymore. I’d rather play Sloan on the wing in front of Tu, but he can be just as bad. So sad.
I know the old chest nut of playing so many kids all at the same time but this is the perfect opportunity to get a few games of first grade into Halangahu, Tsougranis, Hutchinson and Webster. They’re in the plans for 2027 where as the others aren’t so why keep playing them??
Let’s get a run of games under the belt for the youngsters. There’s 11 games left in the season, let’s get a block of say 4-5 games into them, back to cup for 1-2, then finish off with another 3-4.
The old player x can’t play cup cause he’s being paid y $$ doesn’t fly with me especially when they are on the way out. What are we achieving by playing the same old dead shits week after week whilst the young blokes bust their guts in cup?? Those games now will put them in a great spot for pre season and having them hungry for a big off season leading into 2027. Jacob and Nick should be in the 19 now, Hutchinson and Webster towards the end of the season. That’s my thoughts
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Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
I think that Deano and possibly Creagh might be wanting more wins in first grade to give Deano more of a chance to win and then get the full-time coaching gig - maybe Deano doesn't think that the younger players are good enough yet to actually get those wins, even though we feel that it would be good to give these young ones more time in firsts to gain experience.
I hear ya mate. We are kidding if we think we’re winning games with Lawrie, Kerr etc
etc.
Hame Sele killing it in cup, same as Jacob. Nick just returned from injury, played half a game at Centre and was solid. Hutchinson and Webster consistently good each week.
Lawrie, horrible on the weekend, Kerr, consistently garbage, Guler, the best of those 3 but he’s usually off more than on. Tu, hands like feet, good for a Clanger or 2 each game. Suli, his miss on Iro started the 2nd half crumble but I’m willing to give him some more grace. Val?? Move him to the wing if need be. Flanno?? Like vanilla ice cream, very plain BUT LKT isn’t exactly breaking the door down to be selected in 1st grade, was ordinary in cup vs Newtown
dragonheart
SGI Jersey Flegg
I fear other coaches are running out. Brad Arthur extends at Leeds and im sure i read Michael Cheika has said No? Peter Wallace to be Panthers coach
I really dont want to see Hornby or Deano there. Dean has been assistant defensive coach for so long now and not once has he improved any team.He seems void of ideas, his mantra here was to take everyone back to the basics and it clearly shows as it did under Flanno a team with no imagination other than plod through the plays and keep it very simple which of course every team out there can read so easily.
So who is left hopefully from outside to coach us in 2027?
I really dont want to see Hornby or Deano there. Dean has been assistant defensive coach for so long now and not once has he improved any team.He seems void of ideas, his mantra here was to take everyone back to the basics and it clearly shows as it did under Flanno a team with no imagination other than plod through the plays and keep it very simple which of course every team out there can read so easily.
So who is left hopefully from outside to coach us in 2027?
They’ve already decided mate. Just a matter of when it’s announced in my eyes. I’d be stunned if it isn’t DY in 2027.
dragonheart
SGI Jersey Flegg
On what grounds should Deano be coach, he has shown nothing.
Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
Agreed dragonheart. There doesn't appear to be anyone else to choose from, for reasons you mentioned such as for Arthur, Cheika and Wallace, which is so bad. I reckon we will be pretty useless next year even with new signings if we don't get a better coach than what we had and currently have.
Agree 100%. Not disagreeing mate, just the way the brass do things at headquarters
jodragon40
Staff
I watched that game against the Jets we were in it up to our ears for 65 minutes but when the game was there to be won both our halves failed us. LKT is playing to his maximum ability, should never pull on another 1sts jersey.
Lawrie is also a waste in 1sts, add Kerr to that list, Guler a bitter disappointment as well, Su'a wont play 1sts again.
In the backline TU is far too inconsistent for 1sts, Holmes passed his best, Feigai not 1sts standard.
Leaves us pretty thin unless you give Sloan a run on the wing, Lawson was named on the extended squad and just hasn't performed
Young is not the answer to our head coaching job.
We are more likely than not about to collect our very first wooden spoon as a joint venture which should preclude Young from getting the job in 27 no matter how many social media likes he has.