New coach

[Espo]

The Dragons have to start taking about a new coach. Also be prepared to pay top dollar .
They did it with uncle Wayne and the results came to fruition..
Bellamy would be fantastic at the Dragons.
Forget employing x students
Really not too many good swimming schools around.

 

[Justadragon]

The Dragons have to start taking about a new coach. Also be prepared to pay top dollar .
They did it with uncle Wayne and the results came to fruition..
Bellamy would be fantastic at the Dragons.
Forget employing x students
Really not too many good swimming schools around.

I dont know if that will happen any time soon, he has another year to run and I cant see the Dragons paying him out.

 

[Ryan]

The Dragons have to start taking about a new coach. Also be prepared to pay top dollar .
They did it with uncle Wayne and the results came to fruition..
Bellamy would be fantastic at the Dragons.
Forget employing x students
Really not too many good swimming schools around.

So far he's been a failure. I think he can make if he finds the strength to drop his son. But I don't think he can do it.

 

[Dragon David]

Since the Joint Venture's "good years" with Wayne Bennett as the Head Coach, the bevy of Head Coaches after him, as we all know, have been on average in my opinion C Grade going from the overall results we have witnessed and endured. Wayne as we know is unique and a coach that always gets the best out of the players he has in the squads that he has coached at 5 different clubs. Oh for another Wayne.

Our misfortunes from 2012 to today have largely been due to mismanagement by the Management of the Club through lack of foresight into the best way to keep the Club at Top 4 level by having another great coach to take over from Bennett and retaining the best players and getting other good players to maintain optimum results. Our Club has failed miserably in this regard.

Shane Flanagan was a good coach for the Sharks and he inherited a low standard bunch of players in the main at the Dragons, in my opinion, and brought his son to the club more or less to save his future in playing league - maybe as a condition of him signing to be the coach which made Peter Doust balk at agreeing to sign him initially but I guess the overall Board consensus won out. The Roosters and Dogs knew that he was lacking in several areas of his game and they had no choice but to pay him out and as his father, Shane thought a good opportunity to have Kyle at the Dragons - probably one of the reasons why Hunt wanted out as well.

Like several others have said, unless ex-Sharks Shane does what he should do and take Kyle out of the halves and put him as #14 or back to Ressies, he will flounder and maybe his contract not renewed or worse still, sacked next year.

I still firmly believe that our BOD together with the dreaded two areas have had a massive bearing on our poor overall results as well as the not so good previous coaching by you all know.

 

[Morgan]

Shane Flanagan was a good coach for the Sharks and he inherited a low standard bunch of players in the main at the Dragons, in my opinion, and brought his son to the club more or less to save his future in playing league - maybe as a condition of him signing to be the coach which made Peter Doust balk at agreeing to sign him

I don't think that is the case. No way! Flanno was signed after Billy Walters breakout season. And Flanno himself said Kyle was signed to play HOOKER! He might have been ok being a bench utility and coming on to give Liddle a break for 15 to 20min (max) a game. I can see the thinking behind this. But he is not a first grade standard half or 5/8. As a mater of fact, when he is dropped, by Flanno or an interim coach, I can't see him him being in the halves in reserve grade for very long at all.

 

[Justadragon]

Whats gets me is, have a look at Flannos body language in PC's from the start of the season to now, there is something seriously going on there, the pressure is mounting and we are running out of answers. We are rapidly heading down the bottom of the table and our season which promised so much it wilting away with every game. We need spark in the middle and KF is not it. I would put Illias and LKT in the halves until Atkinson arrives, KF goes back to ressies until either Cook or Liddle is injured. We really need to do something, but listening to Flanno saying KF is just about the best player every week is starting to wear thin.

 

[Eric]

Whats gets me is, have a look at Flannos body language in PC's from the start of the season to now, there is something seriously going on there, the pressure is mounting and we are running out of answers. We are rapidly heading down the bottom of the table and our season which promised so much it wilting away with every game. We need spark in the middle and KF is not it. I would put Illias and LKT in the halves until Atkinson arrives, KF goes back to ressies until either Cook or Liddle is injured. We really need to do something, but listening to Flanno saying KF is just about the best player every week is starting to wear thin.

I just think he needs to drop Kyle for his own mental well-being. Imagine how uncomfortable it will be for Kyle if Flanno is sacked which will bring about Kyle being dropped the same day. Even if it's not because of Kyle, that is how it will seem.

I've been saying for a long time, I think Kyle might make a pretty decent hooker. Good passing without threatening the other team, legs tackling, a bit of kicking, a bit of running. But then the question will be why did he recruit Cook. There is no way he can drop Liddle. He's so much better than Cook now.

 

[Justadragon]

I just think he needs to drop Kyle for his own mental well-being. Imagine how uncomfortable it will be for Kyle if Flanno is sacked which will bring about Kyle being dropped the same day. Even if it's not because of Kyle, that is how it will seem.

I've been saying for a long time, I think Kyle might make a pretty decent hooker. Good passing without threatening the other team, legs tackling, a bit of kicking, a bit of running. But then the question will be why did he recruit Cook. There is no way he can drop Liddle. He's so much better than Cook now.

Agree Eric, a lot of things are starting to unravel and the master plan is not working. The saving grace is we are not getting flogged apart from ANZAC day, but we are not winning the close games, it's game management that will win you the tight ones, so who's fault is it ? It's got to be the halves that bring the game home. As soon as we are put under pressure to do something, its out of control, why didn't we kick the first field goal after drawing level, we were back down there straight away. Instead we fumbled and bumbled until the Warriors put on a FG with 10 to go, and we went to pieces trying to figure out what to do. Simple word, pathetic !!! Who's at fault here the Coach, the halves or both ??

 

[Chris M]

Shane Flanagan was a good coach for the Sharks and he inherited a low standard bunch of players in the main at the Dragons, in my opinion, and brought his son to the club more or less to save his future in playing league - maybe as a condition of him signing to be the coach which made Peter Doust balk at agreeing to sign him initially but I guess the overall Board consensus won out.

Interesting theory. I wouldn't rule it out.

The Roosters and Dogs knew that he was lacking in several areas of his game and they had no choice but to pay him out and as his father, Shane thought a good opportunity to have Kyle at the Dragons - probably one of the reasons why Hunt wanted out as well.

Without any good word for Hunt, I've never heard a player, pretty much publicly call out a teammate like Hunt did regarding Kyle shortly before he was let go. I figured it was Hunt saying publicly what a lot of teammates were saying privately.

 

[Dragon David]

Agree Eric, a lot of things are starting to unravel and the master plan is not working. The saving grace is we are not getting flogged apart from ANZAC day, but we are not winning the close games, it's game management that will win you the tight ones, so who's fault is it ? It's got to be the halves that bring the game home. As soon as we are put under pressure to do something, its out of control, why didn't we kick the first field goal after drawing level, we were back down there straight away. Instead we fumbled and bumbled until the Warriors put on a FG with 10 to go, and we went to pieces trying to figure out what to do. Simple word, pathetic !!! Who's at fault here the Coach, the halves or both ??

I think the captain is at fault justa (we had two on the field Gutho all of the time and Cook came back on about 10 minutes or so from the end). Cook is nearer the action and should have called for the field goal earlier than when Holmes tried a couple of times a reasonable distance out from the goal posts. We had a chance much closer to the posts with about a couple or so minutes left on the clock but our guys were too slow to react and the Warriors darted at our players quickly to stop any kick so our players had to swing the ball back and to the side and I think the Warriors got the ball back and that was that.

We need someone to be smarter with clutch ad lib plays and a good on the spot thinker to manage tight games. Always for at least 4-5 tackles we go one out to gain territory upfield so that we can get close to the opposition goal post before a field goal attempt. Why don't they vary it and pass the ball out quickly to the extremities and run the ball as quickly as possible with then a couple of charges further up to be at least no more than 20 metres away from the posts so that when the ball is passed back to the kicker it would be around 30 metres from the posts which is a good kickable distance.

Flanno and the coaches need to practise this every training day without fail because I think these close games will happen several more times this year.

 

[Justadragon]

I think the captain is at fault justa (we had two on the field Gutho all of the time and Cook came back on about 10 minutes or so from the end). Cook is nearer the action and should have called for the field goal earlier than when Holmes tried a couple of times a reasonable distance out from the goal posts. We had a chance much closer to the posts with about a couple or so minutes left on the clock but our guys were too slow to react and the Warriors darted at our players quickly to stop any kick so our players had to swing the ball back and to the side and I think the Warriors got the ball back and that was that.

We need someone to be smarter with clutch ad lib plays and a good on the spot thinker to manage tight games. Always for at least 4-5 tackles we go one out to gain territory upfield so that we can get close to the opposition goal post before a field goal attempt. Why don't they vary it and pass the ball out quickly to the extremities and run the ball as quickly as possible with then a couple of charges further up to be at least no more than 20 metres away from the posts so that when the ball is passed back to the kicker it would be around 30 metres from the posts which is a good kickable distance.

Flanno and the coaches need to practise this every training day without fail because I think these close games will happen several more times this year.

A good time to kick the FG was when they didn't expect us to kick it, not when we had to, as I said I would have kicked it straight after we leveled and we were in position.

 

[Edward]

I think the captain is at fault justa (we had two on the field Gutho all of the time and Cook came back on about 10 minutes or so from the end). Cook is nearer the action and should have called for the field goal earlier than when Holmes tried a couple of times a reasonable distance out from the goal posts. We had a chance much closer to the posts with about a couple or so minutes left on the clock but our guys were too slow to react and the Warriors darted at our players quickly to stop any kick so our players had to swing the ball back and to the side and I think the Warriors got the ball back and that was that.

We need someone to be smarter with clutch ad lib plays and a good on the spot thinker to manage tight games. Always for at least 4-5 tackles we go one out to gain territory upfield so that we can get close to the opposition goal post before a field goal attempt. Why don't they vary it and pass the ball out quickly to the extremities and run the ball as quickly as possible with then a couple of charges further up to be at least no more than 20 metres away from the posts so that when the ball is passed back to the kicker it would be around 30 metres from the posts which is a good kickable distance.

Flanno and the coaches need to practise this every training day without fail because I think these close games will happen several more times this year.

Cook has gone about his business of not playing well very quietly. He's not bad but team is much better when Liddle is on.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Don't think sacking the coach is the answer, people are wanting instant results, aint going to happen, unless we buy quality players to surround the youngsters coming through, take a look at the Dogs, before Ciraldo came on board,they brought in a host of players, they finished bottom 4 in his first year of coaching, if Gould listened to the fans, Ciraldo would have gotten the boot, following year they move on the less desirable players and bring in another lot of players, they move up the ladder and make the 8, again same scenario end of the year and now they're coming first and looking good, but still Gould is signing players for next year bringing in Leo Thompson and Finau Latu and i can guarantee that's not the end of their signings, year on year bringing in players who are better quality and suit the team and replacing the others, people wanting to replace Flano, will be disappointed when next coach comes in and he wants to start again, will just be a repeat for the next 2 or 3 years, until fans want to replace him.
Is Flano perfect no, am i happy with all his decisions, nope, but if we have a plan to be number 1 it wont happen in a year will take time..

 

[Eric]

Don't think sacking the coach is the answer, people are wanting instant results, aint going to happen, unless we buy quality players to surround the youngsters coming through, take a look at the Dogs, before Ciraldo came on board,they brought in a host of players, they finished bottom 4 in his first year of coaching, if Gould listened to the fans, Ciraldo would have gotten the boot, following year they move on the less desirable players and bring in another lot of players, they move up the ladder and make the 8, again same scenario end of the year and now they're coming first and looking good, but still Gould is signing players for next year bringing in Leo Thompson and Finau Latu and i can guarantee that's not the end of their signings, year on year bringing in players who are better quality and suit the team and replacing the others, people wanting to replace Flano, will be disappointed when next coach comes in and he wants to start again, will just be a repeat for the next 2 or 3 years, until fans want to replace him.
Is Flano perfect no, am i happy with all his decisions, nope, but if we have a plan to be number 1 it wont happen in a year will take time..

I just think having Kyle in the team isn't doing either of them any good. Both will be much better if the pressure is lifted. Kyle will probably have to seek life in the ESL. Or retire and use his dads contacts and knowledge to seek a career in the game off the field. The status quo will only ruin it for both of them. In my view anyway.

 

[Justadragon]

Don't think sacking the coach is the answer, people are wanting instant results, aint going to happen, unless we buy quality players to surround the youngsters coming through, take a look at the Dogs, before Ciraldo came on board,they brought in a host of players, they finished bottom 4 in his first year of coaching, if Gould listened to the fans, Ciraldo would have gotten the boot, following year they move on the less desirable players and bring in another lot of players, they move up the ladder and make the 8, again same scenario end of the year and now they're coming first and looking good, but still Gould is signing players for next year bringing in Leo Thompson and Finau Latu and i can guarantee that's not the end of their signings, year on year bringing in players who are better quality and suit the team and replacing the others, people wanting to replace Flano, will be disappointed when next coach comes in and he wants to start again, will just be a repeat for the next 2 or 3 years, until fans want to replace him.
Is Flano perfect no, am i happy with all his decisions, nope, but if we have a plan to be number 1 it wont happen in a year will take time..

Totally agree with your post mate, no I dont want Flanno sacked but I do want some action on KF, surely its there for everyone to see what is going on. It has been mentioned to Flanno and his response was he would treat Kyle the same as anyone, but has he ? As a matter of fact he was quoted as saying his son has been consistently the best in the team, and he doesn't believe there is anything wrong in the halves. That I cant take. He drops Finau and Illias for poor performances, yet KF is untouchable. In any of our 1 point losses what has KF done to get us the win ?

 

[Dragon David]

Totally agree with your post mate, no I dont want Flanno sacked but I do want some action on KF, surely its there for everyone to see what is going on. It has been mentioned to Flanno and his response was he would treat Kyle the same as anyone, but has he ? As a matter of fact he was quoted as saying his son has been consistently the best in the team, and he doesn't believe there is anything wrong in the halves. That I cant take. He drops Finau and Illias for poor performances, yet KF is untouchable. In any of our 1 point losses what has KF done to get us the win ?

Agree justa. KF in our 1 point losses has not done anything to get us the wins. He kicks in general play and he can kick for penalty/try goals but as yet I have not seen him go for field goal. So maybe not a good drop kicker? I honestly don't think that he is a good reader of play in attack and he doesn't have any long cut out passes in his repertoire as well I don't think?

 

[Ryan]

Agree justa. KF in our 1 point losses has not done anything to get us the wins. He kicks in general play and he can kick for penalty/try goals but as yet I have not seen him go for field goal. So maybe not a good drop kicker? I honestly don't think that he is a good reader of play in attack and he doesn't have any long cut out passes in his repertoire as well I don't think?

In a year and 10 games KF has shown nothing but why 3 clubs before the Dragons didn't want his services, why he was on the RL scrapheap when his dad was appointed coach of the Dragons and why he was signed to play hooker for the Dragons according to his dad. I haven't seen any reason to think he would be a good hooker but at this stage anything to get him out of the halves!

 

[Dave03]

Totally agree with your post mate, no I dont want Flanno sacked but I do want some action on KF, surely its there for everyone to see what is going on. It has been mentioned to Flanno and his response was he would treat Kyle the same as anyone, but has he ? As a matter of fact he was quoted as saying his son has been consistently the best in the team, and he doesn't believe there is anything wrong in the halves. That I cant take. He drops Finau and Illias for poor performances, yet KF is untouchable. In any of our 1 point losses what has KF done to get us the win ?

Illias had plenty of chances & finau defence was a shocker, he's also been injury prone. All of our halves options bar LKT suck, that's the bottom line. Kyle finds himself in support play on multiple occasions & his defence is solid compared to Illias. Even in NSW cup illias was making poor decisions, I'm happy to give Glover a go but Illias being demoted to NSW cup was justified. Finau was harsh but he gave Flanno reasons to drop him. Kyle has also given him reasons to drop him. Our halves options atm aren't good.

 

[Ryan]

Illias had plenty of chances & finau defence was a shocker, he's also been injury prone. All of our halves options bar LKT suck, that's the bottom line. Kyle finds himself in support play on multiple occasions & his defence is solid compared to Illias. Even in NSW cup illias was making poor decisions, I'm happy to give Glover a go but Illias being demoted to NSW cup was justified. Finau was harsh but he gave Flanno reasons to drop him. Kyle has also given him reasons to drop him. Our halves options atm aren't good.

Kyle has had two games with LKT and proved a failure. Now lets give Ilias a chance. Been playing well in reserve grade. Finau's defence was bad but better than Sloans.

 

[TheRev]

Ilias is not killing it in reserves... hes a yard slow and getting swallowed up easily when he runs, and when he passes its often too late in traffic and the pass is being fumbled by either us or sometimes the opponent they are so close.. I wish we had the magical 7 everyone wants, but I dont think that player exists right now, so we have to make the most of what we have.

Note that we actually were the better team on the weekend and lost.. twice now we have scored more tries than our opponents and lost.... mistakes have been made in the selection room of course and yes those close losses will cost us any chance of finals, but i think the side is performing pretty well considering the pieces we have to work with... just hope dont cop any more injuries to our props in particular.