Round 21 vs North QLD

[Mailroomsgi]

One elite prop and a quality 7 won’t completely change our results.

Coaching is unequivocally the most important thing in rugby league

Craig Bellamy has had hard working forwards for 20 years down in Melbourne, no absolute elite prop for any stretch of time and yet they win the field position battle and have had elite defence/attack all that time

Hate to say it but look at Canterbury, Ciraldo looks to be a generationally great coach in the making, before the 2024 season most people thought they’d miss the 8 with the lack of Quality spine players/props being a serious issue

To reiterate, Coaching/tactics is WAY more critical to success than any 2-3 star players

 

[TheRev]

Doesnt have to be marquee as such (I mean it wont be..).. but need upgrades in a few slots.. a halfback, a kicking game and really 1-2 props since were letting Jack go.. you can build a team around players of Jacks quality/effort.. but its the way we have to keep selecting Sloan and Lawrie and co.. plus a few more that should be under pressure for their position but never are..... thats where the losses come from.. chinks in the armour... we dont have the roster to overcome that... the more we win the more confident we would become as a team too...

Ciraldo has exceeded expectations for sure, I dont think we would find a coach that clever in terms of reinventing the wheel.. but he also had a steady stream of talent being shoved his way, improvement after improvement by Gus in pathways and first grade.. hopefully we can pull a couple of atkinson level players.. we might need to take a risk on an older prop also..

 

[TheRev]

must say the silence on the recruitment front has been pretty deafening.. assume we missed all our targets thus far and are moving onto new ones.. not sure if we are waiting on Anderson or not..

NAS must be more likely an option after another suspension... but the guy has 2-3yrs left on his contract, Storm couldnt make him go anywhere unless he agrees.. Kamikamica would be an easier get but wonder if there is reason hes not being snapped up.. prob not the alpha either.. I dunno what other options we have, bar going for younger, but cant be too young.. then there is Fifita.. does seem more and more likely that he does end up staying even though I that was a crazy concept a while back..

 

[jodragon40]

We have structures and variety in attack this season that we have been missing for years and a team that, for the most part, has worked hard to stay in games. What we are missing, as you so rightly say, is a big man to put us consistently on the front foot, and a smart 7 to ice the close ones.

Agree

 

[Eric]

must say the silence on the recruitment front has been pretty deafening.. assume we missed all our targets thus far and are moving onto new ones.. not sure if we are waiting on Anderson or not..

NAS must be more likely an option after another suspension... but the guy has 2-3yrs left on his contract, Storm couldnt make him go anywhere unless he agrees.. Kamikamica would be an easier get but wonder if there is reason hes not being snapped up.. prob not the alpha either.. I dunno what other options we have, bar going for younger, but cant be too young.. then there is Fifita.. does seem more and more likely that he does end up staying even though I that was a crazy concept a while back..

Do people not think LPT can and will be the big bodied prop?

 

[Justadragon]

I did hear Flanno say he was still focused on this season, so the old we can still make it mathematically excuse rears its head again for the Dragons. I suppose as coach what else could he say, sure the injuries haven't helped but to me the season was over a few weeks ago, I'm just hoping that KOE can do something, at least we see a Dragons team on GF Day. Better than seeing no red and white in any grade on grand final day for how many years now.

 

[TheRev]

Do people not think LPT can and will be the big bodied prop?

Maybe in 3yrs time.... will be happy next year if he can hold his own, but wont be every week.

In terms of a genuine enforcer who can bash the other teams enforcers.. there was only Jack.. would rly love there to be a replacement.. understand we could play it more like the dogs with lots of more agile props.. but they also had burtons boot to even the score.

 

[Justadragon]

Do people not think LPT can and will be the big bodied prop?

I dont know Eric, to me he started off like a house on fire and then tapered off. He really was starting to get belted, his time back in ressies should do him a world of good.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

must say the silence on the recruitment front has been pretty deafening.. assume we missed all our targets thus far and are moving onto new ones.. not sure if we are waiting on Anderson or not..

NAS must be more likely an option after another suspension... but the guy has 2-3yrs left on his contract, Storm couldnt make him go anywhere unless he agrees.. Kamikamica would be an easier get but wonder if there is reason hes not being snapped up.. prob not the alpha either.. I dunno what other options we have, bar going for younger, but cant be too young.. then there is Fifita.. does seem more and more likely that he does end up staying even though I that was a crazy concept a while back..

Kamikamica hasn’t been snapped up because he’s a soon to be 32 year old asking for 600k and a multi year deal

I have to admit I’m not keen on signing NAS at all, I think that’s something the 2013-2024 dragons would have done, doesn’t play big mins. Old now and very reliant on his physicality which is waning.

We have a similar profile of player in Loko who while he’s not at NAS level now he could be in 12-18 months


I would rather sign no one and promote from within than make a rash signing which could block a pathway or burn a top 30 spot.

I’m sure they’ll make a play for Braden Hamlin Uele who 2 years ago was great, now he’s washed.
That’ll be the sort of player we might be signing to fill out the top 30 as the quality of props available is very low

 

[Justadragon]

Kamikamica hasn’t been snapped up because he’s a soon to be 32 year old asking for 600k and a multi year deal

I have to admit I’m not keen on signing NAS at all, I think that’s something the 2013-2024 dragons would have done, doesn’t play big mins. Old now and very reliant on his physicality which is waning.

We have a similar profile of player in Loko who while he’s not at NAS level now he could be in 12-18 months


I would rather sign no one and promote from within than make a rash signing which could block a pathway or burn a top 30 spot.

I’m sure they’ll make a play for Braden Hamlin Uele who 2 years ago was great, now he’s washed.
That’ll be the sort of player we might be signing to fill out the top 30 as the quality of props available is very low

I'll be waiting for Watsford to sign this marquee halfback !!!

 

[TheRev]

Curious what were gonna spend our money on.. I can see we will need to forecast for wage growth for all of our younger stars in 2yrs time.. but until that point we need to spend the cap.. no point pi**ing it up against a wall.. not to mention Flanno is yet to secure a 2027 gig yet.. he needs wins/talent asap... and as a club we need to figure out what were doing if we want to sign players... its not often you go into a coaches final year without a plan.

Finally the Titans seem to have realised they need to move 1 of AJ/Campbell/Kini on.. pi$$es me off because im pretty sure we would have taken any of those 3 at any point during the Ben Hunt saga.. but they wouldnt let anyone go.. even extending Brimson for 6yrs ffs.. any of those could have been game changers for us.. if its true that Campbell is the one they r most likely to move on.. he would be a great fit for us as a Sloan replacement.. and perhaps let us move Gutho into another position at some stage.

 

[Eric]

Maybe in 3yrs time.... will be happy next year if he can hold his own, but wont be every week.

In terms of a genuine enforcer who can bash the other teams enforcers.. there was only Jack.. would rly love there to be a replacement.. understand we could play it more like the dogs with lots of more agile props.. but they also had burtons boot to even the score.

I dont know Eric, to me he started off like a house on fire and then tapered off. He really was starting to get belted, his time back in ressies should do him a world of good.

I think this is exactly right. After another off season, I think he'll be ready to go every week.

 

[TheRev]

The Couchmans were out and out freaks.. but @19.5yrs of age... they had that first year (2023) in 1st grade... that was a bit like LPT's, where we really carried them and it was for only half a season... the next year they were dominating NSW CUP and just holding their own in 1sts.. and this year Toby was completely a 1st grader.. Ryan would have been imo if not for the ACL.

But the Couchmans are FREAKS.. I think that would be best case for LPT if he could stay healthy and match their trajectory.. the good news for LPT is he has the size, he has looked much better in cup these last few weeks after his 1st grade experience.. he rly doesnt need to be pulling crazy minutes either, but he needs to use that frame of his in anger.. and I guess as long as he is making his tackles also.. but I dont feel like we can carry LPT & Fifita at the same time in 1st grade.. need longer minutes out of 1 of em.. esp if there are injuries.

 

[Eric]

I'll be waiting for Watsford to sign this marquee halfback !!!

Remember that English halfback who used to play for Canberra..... What was his name? He was very good but had a falling out with Ricky Stuart or something. He must be getting on a bit now but that's ok if he is still going alright for next year and then slowly making way for Reed the year after.

 

[Ryan]

Remember that English halfback who used to play for Canberra..... What was his name? He was very good but had a falling out with Ricky Stuart or something. He must be getting on a bit now but that's ok if he is still going alright for next year and then slowly making way for Reed the year after.

George Williams

 

[jodragon40]

One elite prop and a quality 7 won’t completely change our results.

Coaching is unequivocally the most important thing in rugby league

Craig Bellamy has had hard working forwards for 20 years down in Melbourne, no absolute elite prop for any stretch of time and yet they win the field position battle and have had elite defence/attack all that time

Hate to say it but look at Canterbury, Ciraldo looks to be a generationally great coach in the making, before the 2024 season most people thought they’d miss the 8 with the lack of Quality spine players/props being a serious issue

To reiterate, Coaching/tactics is WAY more critical to success than any 2-3 star players

I disagree . There is an old saying, 'The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry and leave us nothing but grief and pain for promised joy'.

In other words you can have the best game plans and are confident that if you execute them the outcome on the field of battle will be victory. But if you don't have the talent or ability to do so you can snatch defeat out of the mouth of victory.

Yes, having a good coach is important but he is not the one making the try saving tackles or scoring a try off a rehearsed attacking structure.

 

[jodragon40]

The Couchmans were out and out freaks.. but @19.5yrs of age... they had that first year (2023) in 1st grade... that was a bit like LPT's, where we really carried them and it was for only half a season... the next year they were dominating NSW CUP and just holding their own in 1sts.. and this year Toby was completely a 1st grader.. Ryan would have been imo if not for the ACL.

But the Couchmans are FREAKS.. I think that would be best case for LPT if he could stay healthy and match their trajectory.. the good news for LPT is he has the size, he has looked much better in cup these last few weeks after his 1st grade experience.. he rly doesnt need to be pulling crazy minutes either, but he needs to use that frame of his in anger.. and I guess as long as he is making his tackles also.. but I dont feel like we can carry LPT & Fifita at the same time in 1st grade.. need longer minutes out of 1 of em.. esp if there are injuries.

Agree but imagine if both could realise their potential, problem solved

 

[Dragon David]

Curious what were gonna spend our money on.. I can see we will need to forecast for wage growth for all of our younger stars in 2yrs time.. but until that point we need to spend the cap.. no point pi**ing it up against a wall.. not to mention Flanno is yet to secure a 2027 gig yet.. he needs wins/talent asap... and as a club we need to figure out what were doing if we want to sign players... its not often you go into a coaches final year without a plan.

Finally the Titans seem to have realised they need to move 1 of AJ/Campbell/Kini on.. pi$$es me off because im pretty sure we would have taken any of those 3 at any point during the Ben Hunt saga.. but they wouldnt let anyone go.. even extending Brimson for 6yrs ffs.. any of those could have been game changers for us.. if its true that Campbell is the one they r most likely to move on.. he would be a great fit for us as a Sloan replacement.. and perhaps let us move Gutho into another position at some stage.

Yes I agree TheRev with Campbell. He is a creative player with plenty of skills and pace and a very good goal kicker and kicker in general play. Tries his guts out in all of his games. A bit injury prone which is due to his high work rate. He would be good as our fullback and Gutherson moved to centre I guess. I would love to have a fast winger in the side though but one who can take the ball up hard and tackle with power.

Yes and Flanno needs wins and those new guys that will swing games in our favour. Anderson to work hard in this regard to get "what we need".

A much better side I can see for next year looms.

 

[Dragons Chris]

Yes I agree TheRev with Campbell. He is a creative player with plenty of skills and pace and a very good goal kicker and kicker in general play. Tries his guts out in all of his games. A bit injury prone which is due to his high work rate. He would be good as our fullback and Gutherson moved to centre I guess. I would love to have a fast winger in the side though but one who can take the ball up hard and tackle with power.

Yes and Flanno needs wins and those new guys that will swing games in our favour. Anderson to work hard in this regard to get "what we need".

A much better side I can see for next year looms.

Couchman's, LPT, Egan, Stewart will all be better as well in theory. Maybe so much so that we have a decent pack. But still need to be coached to drastically improve line speed in defence.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

those that show tons of ability and possess strength and power, speed and endurance and have a footy brain - do we have anybody?

DD on the last point, Kade Reed, natural footy brain, reads play well and seems to enjoy being the orchestra leader. Is he ready for the top grade, well we wont know until he plays. Am sure grub fans asked the same of Lachlan Galvin before his debut and he did not look out of place.