Club definitely has money to spend but more and more it looks like the coach simply doesn't rate the current generation of local juniors. I mean not only Sullivan, Amone, Sloan but also Coric, Shereb and others which haven't made their debut yet but whom are 20 or older.
He did. He stated that's what he does and will do when he joined the club. But so far, it doesn't look like he's doing that.
We need a full back, I'd say Sloan will earn that spot but not sure when. We need a hooker to replace McCullough and we need a 1st grade 5/8 Amone is in there but still developing. If he could get Munster I'd take him. Our 2nds got flogged again yesterday scored in the last 10 minutes otherwise would have been beaten 26 to zip. The completion rate was 65% seriously? and the run on team had a heap of 1st grade hopefuls including Sloan, Burgess, Mogo, Hunt, Kerr and Ford. We might believe that our juniors are good enough but they may be further away from 1sts than we had hoped
I think that's likely but let's say Munster is signed for at least 2 years and Hunt is not only kept for next year but extended, will Sullivan and Amone hang around to finish "developing"?
Most probably not. But what I learnt in my day is that you can't substitute experience and other clubs will always chase your up and coming stars to replenish their own stocks. Money has a very loud voice. All you can do is tell the youngsters straight that they are part of the plan but patience is a virtue and if your plan goes the course if they stay they could be playing for a premiership in a few years time.
Yes to Crichton no to Munster.
Munster is a superstar but Dragons need to spend the money elsewhere. Like replacing the Dads Army forward pack.
Agree I believe we have some talent in the 2nds Molo jnr Hunt I like what I saw when he played. These blokes would be training with the likes of Woods Burgess and Mcguire so there may be some coming through in the next season. I can see a mix of experience and young forwards for next season that's why I believe we will be a top 8 competitive team in 24 and 25.
That game made it painfully obvious. Forward pack needs a complete overhaul. Only JDB, McGuire and Molo should be safe.
Molo jnr and Hunt need to be brought in this year. Hopefully next round. Bird and Woods out.
If you look at the actual stats the only one that actually makes my grading policy is McGuire. The rest wouldn't be playing in my 1sts team based on that.
I think de Belin is told to pass often. Today the entire forward pack was more interested in passing than running.
Obviously the game plan was to match the storm in the middle third of the field by passing between the forwards. That held us in good stead for the first 40 min but it really doesn't matter what your game plan is if you fail the basic fundamentals of the game then you will end up getting flogged. We simply cannot afford to continue to miss 50 tackles a game and only complete 70 - 75% of our attacking sets. The worst offensive player who misses the most tackles is Hunt. In saying that he doesn't shirk his task its the obvious game of the opposition is to direct your big men at your playmaker he needs help and our current defensive set-up leaves him vulnerable. Currently we have 4 players in the top 25 for missed tackles you simply cannot afford to have 25% of your 17 in this bracket. In attack we only have 2 players who make the top 25 in line breaks and therein lies the teams problems
Who are they? Hunt, Bird, Lawrie and ........? I would say Woods but he hasn't been in the team for several rounds.
I'm afraid to say Amone so you did pick the 1st 3 correctly. The issue here is the defensive line setup every man and his dog knows to run at the playmakers Hunt and Amone but we allow that to happen. Remember Soward? Well Bennett being a smart coach put him in the defensive line with a minder it was Beau Scott and Nev Costigan job to ensure that they shielded him and we won a comp. But we have not changed ours. I personally would move JDB next to him as he is our best defensive forward and ask the other non tacklers to pick up the slack left by moving him to protect our playmaker
In the second half, when the game was gone Amone started running and taking on the line. And looked by far the most likely to break their defence as of course he ended up doing. I know you think he's playing to the coaches directions but don't understand why that would be. Why would the coach take away the strongest part of his game?
Its called development. A big part of a coaches job in my view is dissecting each players strengths and weaknesses. To develop those players to be the best that they can be for not only personal gain but also to assist the team and club in achieving their goals and reaching the pinnacle goal that of winning a premiership. Amone has always shown attacking prowess its his strength, he has a great step but his weaknesses are passing from his weak side, communicating and linking with the backline and his defence. Just my observations.
That makes sense. Of course he shouldn't run it every time he gets the ball but why would he run so little when it's the best part of his game?