Sounds Promising

Morgan

SGI NSW Cup
I have an opinion. Let them go for their lives with gambling and send them all to the James Graham school of head knocks until it negatively affects performance. At that time, cut them loose in favour of the next gen.

BTW that's a joke. Even I'm not that ruthless but I think Craig Bellamy might be.
That's probably how it is for at least 50% of the top 30 in every club now.
 

jodragon40

SGI NSW Cup
Does jodragon40 jodragon40 have any opinion on the delayed effects of concussion, gambling and idiotic nonsense like nudie runs and Mad Monday dress up parties?
Concussion is a terrible thing look at poor old Royce Simmons he has onset of alzheimers whether all those high hits had anything to do with it time will tell. Love a punt but not if I was playing done nudie runs in my heyday also in my time back in the 80s Monday madness was more refined just got drunk. Hope this helps
 

Eric

Staff
I'm a stats man I usually look at a website called zero tackle its very good been using it for years recommend it if your interested in that type of stuff
Sounds good but I'm afraid I don't have the patience to analyze it carefully.
 

Eric

Staff
Concussion is a terrible thing look at poor old Royce Simmons he has onset of alzheimers whether all those high hits had anything to do with it time will tell. Love a punt but not if I was playing done nudie runs in my heyday also in my time back in the 80s Monday madness was more refined just got drunk. Hope this helps
It would be interesting to compare the % of conditions such as that Royce Simmons is afflicted with in NRL players with the general population. As far as I know, there is no evidence it's in a higher rate in NRL players but that's just as far as I know.
 

GCRV

SGI NSW Cup
As soon as I turned 18, I went to the casino. Didn't have much money. The first 2 or 3 times I came out slightly ahead. The last time, 3rd or 4th, I lost all the money I entered with in a very short time. One losing bet after another. I was angry and never went back. So my gambling career ended there. From what I see and hear from people including casino staff, it's a good thing my gambling ended there.

Repeated concussion is almost certainly the cause of early onset cognitive decline if not outright sickness like that afflicting Simmons.
 

Chris M

SGI NSW Cup
As soon as I turned 18, I went to the casino. Didn't have much money. The first 2 or 3 times I came out slightly ahead. The last time, 3rd or 4th, I lost all the money I entered with in a very short time. One losing bet after another. I was angry and never went back. So my gambling career ended there. From what I see and hear from people including casino staff, it's a good thing my gambling ended there.

Repeated concussion is almost certainly the cause of early onset cognitive decline if not outright sickness like that afflicting Simmons.
Betting in the horses or greyhounds is certainly sociable and just a bit of fun unless you are putting your house on races. Casino's and pokies are available almost anytime and can take your money just as quick as you can pull it out of your wallet.
 

Morgan

SGI NSW Cup
Betting in the horses or greyhounds is certainly sociable and just a bit of fun unless you are putting your house on races. Casino's and pokies are available almost anytime and can take your money just as quick as you can pull it out of your wallet.
Yeah that's a fair point. But it would be good if the club were known to endeavor to keep young players away from the pokies. I know for a fact it's a huge problem within the NRL player ranks.
 

Eric

Staff
The media is all over these three. Walking back their earlier commentary about the Dragons being destined, or at least a very good chance for the spoon.

‘Take it to the big stage’: St George Illawarra Dragons’ rookie trio of mates are set to light up NRL in 2022​

St George Illawarra Dragons may have missed the finals last season but a young gun trio of exciting rookies burst onto the scene to give the Red V plenty of optimism for a bright future.

19-year-old’s Tyrell Sloan and Talatau Amone and Jayden Sullivan, 20, showed glimpses of their prodigious talent with a series of eye-catching displays that had many experts tipping them as players to watch over the next couple of seasons.

Amone scored three tries in 11 games last year, while Sullivan has scored two tries in six games, but it was Sloan with six tries in just five matches in his rookie season that really turned some heads.

Personally I think Amone was just as impressive and Sullivan just a little behind even though he was playing out of position.

The trio have been close friends since their days in the Dragons junior teams, while Sloan and Amone have been playing together since their were the age of just six. “We all played junior reps together,” Sloan said today. “I played with and against Junior since I was six years old. Then we started playing Harold Mathews and SG Ball together the last couple of years and I think that is where it comes from. “We have always played together and so now we are just trying to take it to the big stage.”

Amone revealed the trio first learned how good the other two were and the intricacies of each others’ games while playing in opposing teams in club footy. “We grew up together and were always close mates,” Amone said. “But we only started playing all three of us together in Harold Matthews and SG Ball because Sully was one age above us. “But we always played against each other in club footy and we knew that the others were players to watch.

“Then once we started playing together it just clicked. We knew how each other played and we just bounced off each other. I love playing with those boys.” As the oldest of the three, Sullivan could be forgiven for feeling a tinge of jealousy at Amone and Sloan’s rapid rise to NRL starters, but he enjoys in sharing in the success of his two close friends as much as anyone. “We have some good banter,” Sullivan said. “They keep me on my toes. Just seeing how well they have progressed into first grade and took it with both hands it puts a smile on my face.

It's really promising that they are friends and local juniors. Hopefully and in theory it means they may stay together for a little less money than they could get elsewhere and probably won't be enthusiastic to another region or state or country.


And it's the length of a small book. I can't possibly comment on the entire thing or I'll be here all day.
 

Chris M

SGI NSW Cup
Reading I got the impression Ramsey will be fullback (which he won't be unless Sloan is injured) or not in the team.
 

Eric

Staff

NRL 2022: Tautau Moga chasing success at the Dragons, his sixth club​

Tautau Moga almost felt like the forgotten man of the NRL until St George Illawarra Dragons called. Now, lining up at his sixth club, he wants to prove he still has what it takes to make an impact.

The St George Illawarra Dragons recruit was restricted to just one appearance for South Sydney last year in the final match of the regular season. At least this time it wasn't injury that sidelined Moga. Like a host of players, the cancellation of lower grades also hampered Moga’s efforts to crack a top-grade spot in his only season at the Rabbitohs.

Still the Dragons came knocking, offering him a one-year deal and a chance to play at his sixth club. Covid-19 restrictions meant Moga’s negotiations with the Dragons were done via Zoom. “I just want to play footy,” Moga said. “That’s all I want. I can’t say anything more. I had the opportunity to stay at Souths but, playing-wise, I wanted to see how I could go here. “Not playing that much footy or getting exposure, I’m grateful for another opportunity.”

Injuries have cruelled Moga’s career, having had four — three to his right — knee reconstructions. He made his debut for the Roosters a decade ago but has netted just 74 top-grade games since. Despite the setbacks, Moga, 28, has remained steadfast in his desire to return to the NRL. “It’s the million-dollar question but (the body is) going good,” he said. “It’s the fittest I’ve been in a while. I’m feeling solid. Retirement was never an option. I just want to play footy and see how I go.

“I’ve done everything in the pre-season. It’s been a bit different; a lot more running but it’s been good. I just want to get out and play footy. I only played one game last year. It’s about going out there and trying to practise what we did in the off-season.” Moga’s only appearance for the Rabbitohs saw him slot into the forward pack. “I got told I might have to fill in the middle,” Moga said. “I don’t think I’ll play in the middle again. It just happened. The team needed me to play there.”

He will line up on the wing for St George Illawarra against Parramatta on Sunday night. The Dragons side is sprinkled with NRL players, including fellow recruits Moses Suli, Moses Mbye, Francis Molo, Jack Gosiewski and George Burgess. The Dragons are yet to decide who will play fullback or five-eighth for their round-one game against the Warriors.

If he sees any NRL time, it will mean we have an injury crisis or guys are performing way below what we want and expect but good luck to him anyway. I want all our guys to do well.
 

Chris M

SGI NSW Cup

NRL 2022: Tautau Moga chasing success at St George Illawarra Dragons, his sixth club​

Tautau Moga almost felt like the forgotten man of the NRL until St George Illawarra Dragons called. Now, lining up at his sixth club, he wants to prove to the Dragons and everyone else he still has what it takes to make an impact.

The St George Illawarra Dragons recruit was restricted to just one appearance for South Sydney last year in the final match of the regular season. At least this time it wasn't injury that sidelined Moga. Like a host of players, the cancellation of lower grades also hampered Moga’s efforts to crack a top-grade spot in his only season at the Rabbitohs.

Still the Dragons came knocking, offering him a one-year deal and a chance to play at his sixth club. Covid-19 restrictions meant Moga’s negotiations with the Dragons were done via Zoom. “I just want to play footy,” Moga said. “That’s all I want. I can’t say anything more. I had the opportunity to stay at Souths but, playing-wise, I wanted to see how I could go here. “Not playing that much footy or getting exposure, I’m grateful for another opportunity.”

Injuries have cruelled Moga’s career, having had four — three to his right — knee reconstructions. He made his debut for the Roosters a decade ago but has netted just 74 top-grade games since. Despite the setbacks, Moga, 28, has remained steadfast in his desire to return to the NRL. “It’s the million-dollar question but (the body is) going good,” he said. “It’s the fittest I’ve been in a while. I’m feeling solid. Retirement was never an option. I just want to play footy and see how I go.

“I’ve done everything in the pre-season. It’s been a bit different; a lot more running but it’s been good. I just want to get out and play footy. I only played one game last year. It’s about going out there and trying to practise what we did in the off-season.” Moga’s only appearance for the Rabbitohs saw him slot into the forward pack. “I got told I might have to fill in the middle,” Moga said. “I don’t think I’ll play in the middle again. It just happened. The team needed me to play there.”

He will line up on the wing for St George Illawarra against Parramatta on Sunday night. The Dragons side is sprinkled with NRL players, including fellow recruits Moses Suli, Moses Mbye, Francis Molo, Jack Gosiewski and George Burgess. The Dragons are yet to decide who will play fullback or five-eighth for their round-one game against the Warriors.

If he sees any NRL time, it will mean we have an injury crisis or guys are performing way below what we want and expect but good luck to him anyway. I want all our guys to do well.
He is huge. Might be worth giving him some minutes as a prop or backrower. He might go very well as a forward. Stranger things have happened(y).
 

RedV01

SGI NSW Cup

Ravalawa's stunning start​

We’ve had some great Fijian wingers in our game over the last 20 or so years - and Mikaele Ravalawa is putting his name right up their with the best of them.

The powerhouse flanker had a magnificent start to the new season, with his hat-trick the difference between the Dragons and a determined Warriors outfit on Saturday afternoon.

But the three tries weren't Ravalawa's only contribution to the Dragons' 28-16 win.

He also produced a try-saving tackle on fellow Fijian Marcello Montoya and ran for 173 metres - more than any player on the field.

It was a somewhat shaky start to a new era for the Dragons, with six new recruits - Jaydn Su'A, Aaron Woods, Moses Suli, Francis Molo, Moses Mbye and Jack Gosiewski - but they got the job done to end a run of nine straight losses in Queensland.

He shoulda gotten 3 Dally M points.
 

Morgan

SGI NSW Cup
We need a few forwards for next year, or even after round 10 this year but I guess this is something.

St George Illawarra Dragons lock up promising youngsters​

The Dragons' recruitment has long been criticised but the club is working hard at grass roots level and has signed three promising teenagers from well known league nursery Edmund Rice College in Wollongong.

Daniel Meafou, a lock, fullback Tom Kirk and prop Letham Manago have all come into the Dragons' system and are signed until the end of 2024.

Club officials are confident all three have what it takes and will bring them slowly through the grades in coming years.
 

GCRV

SGI NSW Cup
This is true. I was never against Amone or Sloan getting dropped or demoted. My only concern is that there should have been a better player replacing them. I still think Sloan over Mbye but Bird has worked out ok at 5/8.

Why a stint on the bench could be the best thing for Dragons young gun Talatau Amone​

The Dragons faithful were up in arms when rising five-eighth Talatau Amone was benched​

It could be the best thing that ever happened to the Red V prodigy. Amone lost the number six jersey after the 36-12 loss to Cronulla in Round 3 and has been riding the pine ever since and an arm injury to Jack Bird in the Anzac Day upset of the Roosters may have opened the door for one of the club's brightest young talents to return to the starting side.

Bird has been named to play against the Tigers on Sunday but will go for further scans during the week. Should Bird withdraw, coach Anthony Griffin has several options at his disposal. Moses Mbye could move to the halves with either Cody Ramsey or Tyrell Sloan to come in at fullback, or Jayden Sullivan could slot in at five-eighth. But Amone shapes as the natural replacement should Bird not be passed fit.

Griffin copped plenty of heat for benching Amone and dropping fellow young gun Sloan given the duo are tipped to be the future of the joint venture. But player development is not always a linear process. Regardless of when Amone does return to the starting side, he'll likely be a better player for it. Plenty of young talents bounce in and out of sides as they find their feet at the top level, which is what St George Illawarra's senior players such as Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough have helped Amone understand over the past month.

I get people want Junior in the side for whatever reason, but you have to understand he's a young bloke and it's a long year. Being able to spread that year out properly, a lot of teams do it," McCullough said. "Birdy has been playing there for a particular reason. "It comes back to opportunity. "We're in Round 8, there's 18 or 19 rounds to go, there's a long time to go and a young kid developing in a pressure situation in a tough sport is going to get his chance."

Amone could bounce back into the five-eighth jersey in good form after he produced some fine touches in the second half against the Roosters, including a line break via his sharp left- foot step. If the 20-year old can stay the course, he's every chance to continue on as Hunt's halves partner as the Dragons look to continue breathing life into their resurrected season. But even if Amone stays on the bench, the experience can still be a positive one in the long run.

"The experience of it all doesn't need to be a strain," McCullough said. "He got a good chance at the back end of the game against the Roosters to show what he can do. "We've all been through those tough periods. "I've been in and out of teams, starting or off the bench, but you have to take that on even if you don't enjoy it. "It's never going to be easy. It's never going to be smooth. "There's always going to be dips in form.
 

RedV01

SGI NSW Cup
This is true. I was never against Amone or Sloan getting dropped or demoted. My only concern is that there should have been a better player replacing them. I still think Sloan over Mbye but Bird has worked out ok at 5/8.

Why a stint on the bench could be the best thing for Dragons young gun Talatau Amone​

The Dragons faithful were up in arms when rising five-eighth Talatau Amone was benched​

It could be the best thing that ever happened to the Red V prodigy. Amone lost the number six jersey after the 36-12 loss to Cronulla in Round 3 and has been riding the pine ever since and an arm injury to Jack Bird in the Anzac Day upset of the Roosters may have opened the door for one of the club's brightest young talents to return to the starting side.

Bird has been named to play against the Tigers on Sunday but will go for further scans during the week. Should Bird withdraw, coach Anthony Griffin has several options at his disposal. Moses Mbye could move to the halves with either Cody Ramsey or Tyrell Sloan to come in at fullback, or Jayden Sullivan could slot in at five-eighth. But Amone shapes as the natural replacement should Bird not be passed fit.

Griffin copped plenty of heat for benching Amone and dropping fellow young gun Sloan given the duo are tipped to be the future of the joint venture. But player development is not always a linear process. Regardless of when Amone does return to the starting side, he'll likely be a better player for it. Plenty of young talents bounce in and out of sides as they find their feet at the top level, which is what St George Illawarra's senior players such as Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough have helped Amone understand over the past month.

I get people want Junior in the side for whatever reason, but you have to understand he's a young bloke and it's a long year. Being able to spread that year out properly, a lot of teams do it," McCullough said. "Birdy has been playing there for a particular reason. "It comes back to opportunity. "We're in Round 8, there's 18 or 19 rounds to go, there's a long time to go and a young kid developing in a pressure situation in a tough sport is going to get his chance."

Amone could bounce back into the five-eighth jersey in good form after he produced some fine touches in the second half against the Roosters, including a line break via his sharp left- foot step. If the 20-year old can stay the course, he's every chance to continue on as Hunt's halves partner as the Dragons look to continue breathing life into their resurrected season. But even if Amone stays on the bench, the experience can still be a positive one in the long run.

"The experience of it all doesn't need to be a strain," McCullough said. "He got a good chance at the back end of the game against the Roosters to show what he can do. "We've all been through those tough periods. "I've been in and out of teams, starting or off the bench, but you have to take that on even if you don't enjoy it. "It's never going to be easy. It's never going to be smooth. "There's always going to be dips in form.
When the team is winning, no one has anything to say. When losing, pandemonium. I don't know why it hasn't been suggested Amone play fullback if Sloan isn't yet ready for first grade every week.
 

RedV01

SGI NSW Cup
The media is all over these three. Walking back their earlier commentary about the Dragons being destined, or at least a very good chance for the spoon.

‘Take it to the big stage’: St George Illawarra Dragons’ rookie trio of mates are set to light up NRL in 2022​

St George Illawarra Dragons may have missed the finals last season but a young gun trio of exciting rookies burst onto the scene to give the Red V plenty of optimism for a bright future.

19-year-old’s Tyrell Sloan and Talatau Amone and Jayden Sullivan, 20, showed glimpses of their prodigious talent with a series of eye-catching displays that had many experts tipping them as players to watch over the next couple of seasons.

Amone scored three tries in 11 games last year, while Sullivan has scored two tries in six games, but it was Sloan with six tries in just five matches in his rookie season that really turned some heads.

Personally I think Amone was just as impressive and Sullivan just a little behind even though he was playing out of position.

The trio have been close friends since their days in the Dragons junior teams, while Sloan and Amone have been playing together since their were the age of just six. “We all played junior reps together,” Sloan said today. “I played with and against Junior since I was six years old. Then we started playing Harold Mathews and SG Ball together the last couple of years and I think that is where it comes from. “We have always played together and so now we are just trying to take it to the big stage.”

Amone revealed the trio first learned how good the other two were and the intricacies of each others’ games while playing in opposing teams in club footy. “We grew up together and were always close mates,” Amone said. “But we only started playing all three of us together in Harold Matthews and SG Ball because Sully was one age above us. “But we always played against each other in club footy and we knew that the others were players to watch.

“Then once we started playing together it just clicked. We knew how each other played and we just bounced off each other. I love playing with those boys.” As the oldest of the three, Sullivan could be forgiven for feeling a tinge of jealousy at Amone and Sloan’s rapid rise to NRL starters, but he enjoys in sharing in the success of his two close friends as much as anyone. “We have some good banter,” Sullivan said. “They keep me on my toes. Just seeing how well they have progressed into first grade and took it with both hands it puts a smile on my face.

It's really promising that they are friends and local juniors. Hopefully and in theory it means they may stay together for a little less money than they could get elsewhere and probably won't be enthusiastic to another region or state or country.


And it's the length of a small book. I can't possibly comment on the entire thing or I'll be here all day.
Quiet here today. Was just looking at some old comments to see how they have stood the test of time.

It's too early to say the above was way off but at least according to the coach, They aren't ready for first grade every week.
 

Eric

Staff
Quiet here today. Was just looking at some old comments to see how they have stood the test of time.

It's too early to say the above was way off but at least according to the coach, They aren't ready for first grade every week.
I wouldn't go so far as to say I was wrong. Still quite a ways to go in the season. Maybe in about 10 weeks we can say one way or another.
 
Top