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I don't know whether to laugh or cry.NRL 2023: Deciding on the St George-Illawarra Dragons new-look spine
To say I’m excited to watch St George-Illawarra this season is probably a stretch too far (sorry, Dragons fans) but there’s certainly some intrigue around the team makeup of the Red V in 2023.
What a spine, will strike fear into any NSW Cup team but most definitely not in 1st grade.
I'm crying into my beer
Couldn't you wait until lunch?
No half measures for JoDragon.....
More good news coming. Coaches interview with journo
Well according to the experts who reviewed the pre season spines of every team we received a C. That will place us finishing no higher than my predicted 12th. The current top 5 would be Storm, Roosters, Panthers, Cowboys, South's. We are in the same category as Warriors and Knights. If correct another very long season actually finishing 14th. Time will tell.
Practicising for a very long season
No use putting off the inevitable
Which is worse than ours?
I'd guess Bulldogs, Tigers, Newcastle.
Dolphins
Bulldogs and Tigers are tipped to improve enough to climb above us on the ladder
That may be the case but I think their spines are still very poor.
Titans spine is a huge improvement over last year. Unbelievable they got Sam Verrills and Dragons got Jacob Liddle!
You can usually gauge by the new recruitments how the players are thinking in regards in how that club is either going or respected. If this is any indication of those current issues we are pretty well stuffed.
Did the Dragons even have a go at Verrills? It's hard to say all these players are rejecting the Dragons because it seems other than David Fifita, the Dragons aren't or weren't in the market for any of the good players who were off contract.
I didn't watch many of the Roosters games but from the games I saw, I think they might be ruing letting Verrills go for Brandon Smith. No doubt the latter is a better player but I'm not so sure he is a better hooker.
We recruited 2 players from the wooden spooners and 1 from the team that ran 2nd last. I rest my case your honour. PS To top it off in an interview over the weekend Griffin says our club culture has improved and denies there being any cultural or player issues within the club or team. Again I rest my case.
He also suggested they were on a minimum wage. So who is taking up all the Dragons salary cap?
I don't want to defend the recruitment decisions but Verrills probably wanted a long-term deal. Liddle could only get what was offered which was one year. Saints must have a young player coming though they see as a long-term hooker but needs another year in lower grades.