Exactly what I want to know because we are missing about $1.4m because the coach has stated we have $1.5m to spend on 5 spots when it should be $2.4m because of the salary cap increase. My guess is that a few other 1st graders from last year have back ended contracts and our rising stars are also on increased salaries.
But the "rising stars" were already in the top 30 last year or not on a top 30 contract yet which means not subject to the salary cap.
It was an educated guess and I meant the rising stars already in our top 30 from last season, so, Amone, Sloan, Feigai bros just to name 4 who's contracts would have increased from last season automatically.
I though one of the Feigai's didn't play any first grade last year. His salary wouldn't have risen, would it? The others also are already signed. I don't think a few first grade games would be enough for the club to extend their contracts on more money. But what would I know?
Just chewing the fat here and it was only my own educated guess the alternative was that the club was banking on a substantial salary cap increase to pay for contracts already signed off on which wouldn't surprise me with this mob.
Jo Dragon should copyright his favourite phrases. Just my opinion.
It was interesting to read his comments on his coaching, he wants to coach for another 10 yrs. My suggestion, acknowledging that coaching is a very tough gig made even tougher if you really don't have the financial support, board room support and lastly player support would perhaps utilising his skill set in the newly formed USA RL competition. When a coach loses the dressing room then its nearly impossible to come back from that. I wish him the best but elsewhere. If he would like to also take some of our inept board room members with him to keep him company, I don't think that would be a bad thing.
It's going to come to a head soon enough. If they start the season poorly, he's gone.
You have the memory of a gold fish. How many times were McGregor and Price extended despite mediocre results at best?
My memory is about average. I remember that. I said, 'if they start poorly'. Not, 'If they start mediocre.' If they start mediocre, I'll be nervously waiting for an announcement of a 3 year extension and then when results are mediocre at best for next year and half, we will be told the club can't afford to pay out the coach.
I'm going to be optimistic and say the Knights are easily going to save the Dragons from the spoon.This is very negative but interesting.
Once magic Dragons have run out of puff
When the St George Dragons entered the joint venture with Illawarra Steelers way back in 1999, most fans were optimistic about the future. The joint venture would now have access to a much larger junior talent pool, they were financially secure, at least in the short term, and success looked imminent, particularly after they played in the grand final in their first season – but perhaps the less said about that game the better.
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The question on the lips of Dragons fans these days is: when will things improve, and when will they see the team once again challenging for a premiership – or even make the finals, for that matter?
The answer, I’m afraid to say, is no time soon, and certainly not in 2023 based on all the evidence. In fact, the way things are shaping up, 2023 could be the joint venture’s worst season yet, and a wooden spoon finish is more than just a possibility.
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the perhaps permanent loss of first-choice fullback Cody Ramsey, yet another knee injury for utility star Jack Bird, recurring injury doubts surrounding young gun half/hooker Jayden Sullivan, and the real possibility that boom five-eighth Talatau ‘The Hammer’ Amone could be gone for a substantial period of time if not for good.
That leaves the four key spine positions to be filled by captain Ben Hunt, who’ll be 33 years of age any tick of the clock:
The once magic Dragons have run out of puff
When the St George Dragons entered the joint venture with Illawarra Steelers way back in 1999, most fans were optimistic about the future. The…www.theroar.com.au
I think I agree with you. Tigers and Warriors apparently have a number of young players coming through but not quite ready for first grade yet. I can't see St George finishing the season ahead of any other teams. The Grubs outbid other clubs for a few big names but they must have some pretty large gaps in the roster. Halfback and fullback for example.
Bennett might work some magic and have the Dolphins finish mid table.
I agree, one of the things you learn when you are coaching is that the weight of expectation can take a heavy mental toll on any player or team. So in the Dolphins inaugural year there is no expectation other than the wooden spoon and how many can they actually win if any. I think that is a dangerous mindset to have and definitely works in their favour. Now this is their perceived starting 17
That's not a bad forward pack at all. But I don't have a high opinion of the back line.
Not the centres but the wingers can finish and that fullback is very quick
Fullback is quick but his star faded very quickly. Probably end up on the wing or in the centres.
Could definitely use his speed in our backline.
I disagree the kids got talent but you need the right environment to shine. He just couldn't get a 1st grade spot at the Cowboys but under Bennett don't be surprised if he is selected for the cane toads either this year or next.