Charity Shield 2026 Thread

TheRev

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
We can't really predict how things will play out with coaches.. the trial will be meaningless if we win in vegas.. or if we beat the storm in Rd2.. but it has certainly narrowed the spotlight bigtime... and probably hurt our confidence... certainly all eyes will be on the squad now in the early season, we need to beat some of these teams from Rd3 onwards, I'm alright to start the season with 2W/4L or 3W/3L would be outstanding... but if it was 0W/6L alarm bells would be ringing and then were having the conversation.

This next 2 weeks cant go quick enough.. rly nothing constructive can come out of any conversations on here in that time... bar talking about the junior games we have in the meantime... oh.. and the signings we have to make before then...
 
T

The Word

SGI Jersey Flegg
RedVHeartbeat said:
Did I read that our giant LPT is contracted only to the end of this yr. Then am I correct in assuming that the reason is a chronic knee injury the big fellar has, recall he has had that knee strapped from his first yr with us. He pulled up once in the game clutching it then limped back into the play. Shortly after he was replaced still with a visible limp. Jeez it'd be a travesty if we lost him because he is being seen as a probable liability going forward.
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No he's contracted to end of 2027.
 
Eric

Eric

Staff
TheRev said:
We can't really predict how things will play out with coaches.. the trial will be meaningless if we win in vegas.. or if we beat the storm in Rd2.. but it has certainly narrowed the spotlight bigtime... and probably hurt our confidence... certainly all eyes will be on the squad now in the early season, we need to beat some of these teams from Rd3 onwards, I'm alright to start the season with 2W/4L or 3W/3L would be outstanding... but if it was 0W/6L alarm bells would be ringing and then were having the conversation.

This next 2 weeks cant go quick enough.. rly nothing constructive can come out of any conversations on here in that time... bar talking about the junior games we have in the meantime... oh.. and the signings we have to make before then...
Click to expand...
Seems fair to me. The Des Hasler comparison keeps coming up. Until this game I didn't take it seriously but it wasn't only the loss. It was how ordinary the team played. Forwards did their job but even Cook who I thought should've beaten Gutho for player of the year last year was really ordinary.

On the subject of Gutho, is he supposed to be a fullback or 5/8? Fullback chiming in is certainly a good thing but if it happens every set, it becomes predictable and easy to defend against. As Souths reserve graders showed.

Atkinson might well and I think does have a good running game but based on this game, I have doubts about his ability as a playmaker and game manager. There were a few mistakes but when Reed came on, I thought the attack immediately looked more organised and dangerous. But as a disclaimer, I watched it live and haven't watched any replay. Not even highlights. I might be way off the mark.

I think we are by now justified in asking questions about Flanno. If he starts the season 2 wins, 4 losses, pressure will be on. Worse than that, he might have the CEO making public statements about how his position is safe, "at this time". Better than that and I think he'll at least see out the season.
 
J

Justadragon

SGI NSW Cup
TheRev said:
We can't really predict how things will play out with coaches.. the trial will be meaningless if we win in vegas.. or if we beat the storm in Rd2.. but it has certainly narrowed the spotlight bigtime... and probably hurt our confidence... certainly all eyes will be on the squad now in the early season, we need to beat some of these teams from Rd3 onwards, I'm alright to start the season with 2W/4L or 3W/3L would be outstanding... but if it was 0W/6L alarm bells would be ringing and then were having the conversation.

This next 2 weeks cant go quick enough.. rly nothing constructive can come out of any conversations on here in that time... bar talking about the junior games we have in the meantime... oh.. and the signings we have to make before then...
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Yep I cant understand it Rev, every year we seem to be fine mid way through the off season then just before we start its complete chaos. Look at this year, unknown halves combo, who our wingers will be, our injuries and what that that means for our 9 and 14. I know some things are out of our control but jesus lets just get our shit together for once.
 
J

Justadragon

SGI NSW Cup
Eric said:
Seems fair to me. The Des Hasler comparison keeps coming up. Until this game I didn't take it seriously but it wasn't only the loss. It was how ordinary the team played. Forwards did their job but even Cook who I thought should've beaten Gutho for player of the year last year was really ordinary.

On the subject of Gutho, is he supposed to be a fullback or 5/8? Fullback chiming in is certainly a good thing but if it happens every set, it becomes predictable and easy to defend against. As Souths reserve graders showed.

Atkinson might well and I think does have a good running game but based on this game, I have doubts about his ability as a playmaker and game manager. There were a few mistakes but when Reed came on, I thought the attack immediately looked more organised and dangerous. But as a disclaimer, I watched it live and haven't watched any replay. Not even highlights. I might be way off the mark.

I think we are by now justified in asking questions about Flanno. If he starts the season 2 wins, 4 losses, pressure will be on. Worse than that, he might have the CEO making public statements about how his position is safe, "at this time". Better than that and I think he'll at least see out the season.
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Which 2 games do you think we will win Eric ?
 
D

Dragon David

SGI Jersey Flegg
While the Charity Shield was a "trial" game, there was a Shield up for grabs - either for the Dragons to retain it or the Bunnies to reclaim it so there was that material matter that was dangling in front of both teams to play for. The Charity Shield has been played between the Dragons and Rabbitohs since 1982 as a precursor to the start of the full competition. I think the Rabbitohs are in front on the win table with 21 to 18 after last weekends match.

To me this annual pre-season match has lost the aim of what the Shield was about and that is to have the best players on the field for both teams to win this Shield and share out the gate between the Wollongong and St George Hospitals and Souths Cares. However for many years now, players are rested and lower grade players used to test their skills in this annual event which is good for fans to see how they play which... (I'll leave this up to you guys to complete).

Anyway, putting the above aside, we should have won that game by many points because on paper we had more experienced players than they did. But lo and behold we looked like we didn't plan well for the match and our energy levels were not at peak level. A lot of hesitancy and uncertainty and overall not working as a team and lacking a lot of strong and fast go forward. I thought that from looking at the video of Atkinson being mic'd up showing him yelling and telling guys where to be etc would have been transitioned into the game. To me Atkinson did not show leadership nor playmaking skills that we need to win games. That's all I want to say.
 
D

Dragon David

SGI Jersey Flegg
I'm predicting that we will win only 1 of the first 6 games of the comp. That will be against the Sea Eagles. A poor start and there will be a couple of serious injuries to frustrate Shane Flanagan and us fans. (Please note that I am very good at reverse psychology).:ROFLMAO::LOL:;)
 
J

Justadragon

SGI NSW Cup
Dragon David said:
While the Charity Shield was a "trial" game, there was a Shield up for grabs - either for the Dragons to retain it or the Bunnies to reclaim it so there was that material matter that was dangling in front of both teams to play for. The Charity Shield has been played between the Dragons and Rabbitohs since 1982 as a precursor to the start of the full competition. I think the Rabbitohs are in front on the win table with 21 to 18 after last weekends match.

To me this annual pre-season match has lost the aim of what the Shield was about and that is to have the best players on the field for both teams to win this Shield and share out the gate between the Wollongong and St George Hospitals and Souths Cares. However for many years now, players are rested and lower grade players used to test their skills in this annual event which is good for fans to see how they play which... (I'll leave this up to you guys to complete).

Anyway, putting the above aside, we should have won that game by many points because on paper we had more experienced players than they did. But lo and behold we looked like we didn't plan well for the match and our energy levels were not at peak level. A lot of hesitancy and uncertainty and overall not working as a team and lacking a lot of strong and fast go forward. I thought that from looking at the video of Atkinson being mic'd up showing him yelling and telling guys where to be etc would have been transitioned into the game. To me Atkinson did not show leadership nor playmaking skills that we need to win games. That's all I want to say.
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I think nowadays Dave there is too much at risk to have your high profile players get injured in the CS. We were in a different situation having to sort a few things out before Vegas, alas in a previous post I did mention what do we do all pre-season in training. All that we witnessed via video etc did not eventuate into that game. So I hope I'm wrong but presently I cant see them winning any game in the first 6 rounds, as I said I hope I'm wrong.
 
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