2026

RedV01

RedV01

SGI NSW Cup
redv4life said:
not likely . keaon tried . bunnies said f no
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D

Dragon David

SGI Jersey Flegg
2026 will be a pivotal year for Dean Young as to whether or not he can bring success to the Dragons with his "expertise" in defence. I doubt it because his "expertise" is not much. Yes he was able to get the team defending well in a few games especially the one against the Storm and the Sharks last year but overall he was poor. Our Against was 628 points and our For was 498 last season. He needs to reverse those numbers to be F 628, A 498 or better for this year and in that regard we should sit better on the ladder.
 
jodragon40

jodragon40

Staff
Dragon David said:
2026 will be a pivotal year for Dean Young as to whether or not he can bring success to the Dragons with his "expertise" in defence. I doubt it because his "expertise" is not much. Yes he was able to get the team defending well in a few games especially the one against the Storm and the Sharks last year but overall he was poor. Our Against was 628 points and our For was 498 last season. He needs to reverse those numbers to be F 628, A 498 or better for this year and in that regard we should sit better on the ladder.
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Agree Im not sold on him as a defensive coach . The reality is to my eye he priorities were to improve our missed tackle count for defensive line speed, and he did that successfully.

So believe this or not in the last 2 seasons we have had the least missed tackles in the competition. Yet we have finished 11th in 24 and 15th in 25.
 
Dragons Chris

Dragons Chris

SGI NSW Cup

DRAGONS — Loko Pasifiki Tonga​

The hulking prop scored one try in 10 games in his rookie season in 2025 and will only get better with another pre-season under his belt.

The knock on Pasifiki Tonga is that he was found out in defence at times last season, but he will improve with increased fitness and more time in the saddle for the Dragons.

And the club needs him amid their lean front row stocks, after the departures of Francis Molo and David Klemmer last season, so now is Pasifiki Tonga’s time to step up.

The 20-year-old has all the physical attributes to be a cornerstone of the Dragons’ pack for the next decade and he can provide plenty of X-factor off the bench for Shane Flanagan in 2026 and a starting spot is also within reach.
 
jodragon40

jodragon40

Staff
Dragons Chris said:

DRAGONS — Loko Pasifiki Tonga​

The hulking prop scored one try in 10 games in his rookie season in 2025 and will only get better with another pre-season under his belt.

The knock on Pasifiki Tonga is that he was found out in defence at times last season, but he will improve with increased fitness and more time in the saddle for the Dragons.

And the club needs him amid their lean front row stocks, after the departures of Francis Molo and David Klemmer last season, so now is Pasifiki Tonga’s time to step up.

The 20-year-old has all the physical attributes to be a cornerstone of the Dragons’ pack for the next decade and he can provide plenty of X-factor off the bench for Shane Flanagan in 2026 and a starting spot is also within reach.
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Certainly has the physical attributes, the question is how big is that engine under the bonnet.? He is a big kid still growing into his body.

They are a bit harsh on him, yes he was caught out a couple of times, very slow to get up after completing a tackle but he played 12 games last year and only missed the 4 tackles. He's a big unit who will improve his fitness levels and techniques.

Next season we will have this kid and his new mentor KK. Watch him grow then. As long as he stays injury free which isn't easy in today's games.

My guess if I was coaching him, this year and next hes the 1st rotation off the bench. I'd be starting young Couchman if injury free . Pretty bloody exciting if you ask me.

The idea of that is, if you have KK and Couchman starting both can easily play 25/30 minute stints then replace either with LPT there would be no respite for the opposition.

This season we will see a precursor to our 27 season with Couchman starting with id suggest Kerr or Guler.

Can you just imagine just for one moment like I am imagining our 2027 prop rotation. KK, Kerr, Couchman and LPT. Wow just wow. Watch the mighty Dragons roll up the middle of the park then.

You never as a coach get too excited like I have here but if I was in Flanagan shoes I know with that engine room there would be no excuses for not playing semi finals football in 2027.
 
Dragons Chris

Dragons Chris

SGI NSW Cup
jodragon40 said:
Certainly has the physical attributes, the question is how big is that engine under the bonnet.? He is a big kid still growing into his body.

They are a bit harsh on him, yes he was caught out a couple of times, very slow to get up after completing a tackle but he played 12 games last year and only missed the 4 tackles. He's a big unit who will improve his fitness levels and techniques.

Next season we will have this kid and his new mentor KK. Watch him grow then. As long as he stays injury free which isn't easy in today's games.

My guess if I was coaching him, this year and next hes the 1st rotation off the bench. I'd be starting young Couchman if injury free . Pretty bloody exciting if you ask me.

The idea of that is, if you have KK and Couchman starting both can easily play 25/30 minute stints then replace either with LPT there would be no respite for the opposition.

This season we will see a precursor to our 27 season with Couchman starting with id suggest Kerr or Guler.

Can you just imagine just for one moment like I am imagining our 2027 prop rotation. KK, Kerr, Couchman and LPT. Wow just wow. Watch the mighty Dragons roll up the middle of the park then.

You never as a coach get too excited like I have here but if I was in Flanagan shoes I know with that engine room there would be no excuses for not playing semi finals football in 2027.
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I wasn't aware he had been found out in defence but for a 20 year-old prop, not surprising.
 
Frank Facer

Frank Facer

SGI Jersey Flegg
jodragon40 said:
Certainly has the physical attributes, the question is how big is that engine under the bonnet.? He is a big kid still growing into his body.

They are a bit harsh on him, yes he was caught out a couple of times, very slow to get up after completing a tackle but he played 12 games last year and only missed the 4 tackles. He's a big unit who will improve his fitness levels and techniques.

Next season we will have this kid and his new mentor KK. Watch him grow then. As long as he stays injury free which isn't easy in today's games.

My guess if I was coaching him, this year and next hes the 1st rotation off the bench. I'd be starting young Couchman if injury free . Pretty bloody exciting if you ask me.

The idea of that is, if you have KK and Couchman starting both can easily play 25/30 minute stints then replace either with LPT there would be no respite for the opposition.

This season we will see a precursor to our 27 season with Couchman starting with id suggest Kerr or Guler.

Can you just imagine just for one moment like I am imagining our 2027 prop rotation. KK, Kerr, Couchman and LPT. Wow just wow. Watch the mighty Dragons roll up the middle of the park then.

You never as a coach get too excited like I have here but if I was in Flanagan shoes I know with that engine room there would be no excuses for not playing semi finals football in 2027.
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I agree on all parts.
 
N

No Surrender

SGI Jersey Flegg
jodragon40 said:
Lawrie has been around a long time. Back in my day props with his height and build were very hard to handle ONCE they were taught to lower their centre of gravity and modify their running styles.

He reminded me of for those who can remember that far back, Barry Beath a prop in the late 60s - 77 .

Now Barry was hard to tackle and actually won 2 premiership rings in 2 different decades with the Dragons.

Physically Barry was 6 foot tall playing weight around 95kg, whereas Lawrie is 6 foot 1 but avg playing weight was 117 kg.

To my eye Lawrie has been playing the last few seasons at the very least 10 to 15kg overweight.

Just my views.
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My recollection is that Beath was a second rower

I remember him catching the ball from the kickoff at Sydney Sports Ground against Easts, braking the first tackle and running diagonally past Alan McKean the Easts fullback to score in the corner.

Damaging runner.

Accidentally cut a toe off cutting his lawn.

Great player.
 
N

No Surrender

SGI Jersey Flegg
jodragon40 said:
Lawrie has been around a long time. Back in my day props with his height and build were very hard to handle ONCE they were taught to lower their centre of gravity and modify their running styles.

He reminded me of for those who can remember that far back, Barry Beath a prop in the late 60s - 77 .

Now Barry was hard to tackle and actually won 2 premiership rings in 2 different decades with the Dragons.

Physically Barry was 6 foot tall playing weight around 95kg, whereas Lawrie is 6 foot 1 but avg playing weight was 117 kg.

To my eye Lawrie has been playing the last few seasons at the very least 10 to 15kg overweight.

Just my views.
Click to expand...
My recollection is that Beath was a second rower

I remember him catching the ball from the kickoff at Sydney Sports Ground against Easts, braking the first tackle and running diagonally past Alan McKean the Easts fullback to score in the corner.

Damaging runner.

Accidentally cut a toe off cutting his lawn.

Great player.
 
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