The well is running dry for the St George Illawarra Dragons. It’s time for the hierarchy to rehydrate the player stocks or risk seeing the merger club become a regular face amongst the NRL also-rans.
If the Dragons fail to enter – and enter successfully – the player market in the months ahead, I cannot see them as a serious title threat in 2013 and quite possibly beyond.
It is imperative that CEO Peter Doust, head coach Steve Price and leagues club supremo Danny Robinson loosen the purse strings and sign some quality players to rebuild an aging, flagging line-up.
It is not good enough pointing to a premiership win in 2010. The champagne bubbles have long gone flat and the current outfit is in desperate need of a destructive back-rower, a top shelf halfback and a centre who can penetrate consistently, and rack up some tries.
Coach Price has a team which struggles in attack and looking back on the miserable first half against Canterbury at WIN Stadium last week, there are some serious defensive flaws surfacing as well.
New talent can overcome these deficiencies and breathe much-needed fire into the Dragons. As I see it, the red and whites have no excuses. Other clubs’ recruitment drives are already in overdrive for next season.
The Bulldogs, Panthers and Eels, for example, have made a number of significant player announcements yet there has hardly been a peep out of Kogarah.
The Dragons appear to have the funds available to snare some prime football flesh. Hamstrung by the salary cap? I don’t think that’s an issue.
They reportedly had 800,000 carrots to lure Cooper Cronk away from Melbourne but the brilliant No 7 decided to stick with his mates in Melbourne.
Will the Dragons have a crack at the likes of Manly’s Stewart brothers, Brett and Glenn? Would they consider chasing the out-of- favour centre Michael Jennings from Penrith? Can they do anything to woo Sam Tompkins away from the UK Super League offering him a shot at NRL glory?
The Dragons Army is among the most loyal in the game and deserves to hear about some big name signings. Aside from (coach) Wayne Bennett, fullback Darius Boyd has been pretty much the only top shelf recruit in five or six seasons.
The fabled Illawarra junior league nursery continues to pump exciting young talent through the ranks but many are too green to fire salvos at the competition’s heavy artillery in the near future. Their time will undoubtedly come, but it won’t be next year.
The worm has turned. The old guard that served the club so well had faded away. I believe the time is ripe for Saints to seek out and sign top class, established personnel – and plenty of it.
If they fail to do so, the joint venture club might be dragging the chain and find themselves lumbered with a new nickname.
C’arn the mighty Draggings.
Devout Saint
Guest
All Soward was doing was passing and kicking the ball and far enough away from the defensive line to make sure he didn't get hit after he kicked or passed it. When we were in the oppositions 20m zone all we had was our left side play (Hornby's side) or the barge over. Soward was the reason that Gasnier nerver got back to his best. Go and run into a brick wall and you will get an idea of what it is like to run off someone who is AFFRAID to draw and commit defenders. It is good to know that there are others who can see that he is affraid to draw and commit defenders, but they often seem to be fans of other clubs. lol
Devout Saint
Guest
Great artical Tim. I agree with you that our recruitment is abysmal and I can see us struggling in the next few years if our recruitment doesn't improve, I actually think Doust and Young( our recruitment officer) should be sacked, they are looking like incompitent fools. Soward definently has to go and put Stanley to 5/8. You cant have a 5/8 who is AFFRAID to draw and commit defenders, this is one of the most basic fundermentals of rugby league and his defence is still terrible.
Devout Saint
Guest
If Soward was going to take the ball to the line he would already be doing it, but he is obviously too affraid/scared to. He is 27 now and has never done it, what makes you think he is going to start now. Foran is 21 or 22 and does it very well, he isn't affraid. Watch him closely and you will see for your self that he is scared.
Devout Saint
Guest
You think Soward is our best player? lol You have no idea what so ever. Soward is our worst player, he is a liability in attack and defense. Put simply he is AFFRAID, but how most Saints fans fail to see this is the mystery. Go to the V Bulliton forum site and see how I have picked his game apart.
Devout Saint
Guest
Pot Stirer, you have hit the nail on the head. I am am a very passionate Saints fan, but I can't stand Soward. He is the biggest reason that our attack is lacking, he will not draw and commit defenders because he is too scared, how can you run off someone who will not draw defenders? He won't even throw a dummy because if the defense doesn't fall for it he will get hit, and you have to be close to the defensive line to throw a dummy. Everything he does (kick and pass) is far enough away from the defensive line to make sure he doesn't get hit after he passes or kick the ball, he is even too afraid to put a grubber in goal for a repete set as you have to be close to the defensive line and maybe get hit after you kick it On the rare ocasion that he does get tackled he just submits, he never even tries to offload in a tackle. I have been on the V Bulliton rugby league forum trying to explain this to all the Saints fans, but they all love him and fail to see what you and I are talking about, they all want him to be there next year 100%? Love is blind. I want Kyle Stanley to be our 5/8.
john thirsk
Guest
Are u in fact John Blanch???
Charles
Guest
Good comments Rob C! I also have concern with Hornby going across field, he is at his best when going straight and taking the line on. That is why I would be tempted to swap roles with Soward and see what that brings. I believe Hornby has announced he will go on for another year. I disagree when people say he is too old or no good anymore, he is well experienced but may need an adjustment to the way he is playing. I also see it as a problem to keep changing hookers, have one good hooker for the entire game! Sure a fresh hooker can lift the side but often it changes the way they play and can become unsettling. The loss of Weyman was huge blow, we need the young front rowers to take his place in making metres, they will improve. Overall a few adjustments is needed but keep the team we have!
Rob C
Guest
The Dragons are my team so I admit I have a vested interest here. The main problem the Dragons have at the moment is Hornby. He is lacking significant confidence and is playing across field too much. This is reducing the ability of our strike players to hit holes and is making our attack very one dimensional and predictable. When the attack straightens up (like the 2nd half last week), we score points and our forwards (which are not the biggest in the comp) can better get over the advantage line. If we want to improve next year we need to tap Hornby on the sholder and tell him to retire. I am not fussed about going to market to recruit a big name half back if we have a good junior, but his time has come. With Young retiring (good move), I also think that Fien needs to be moved on to bring Cameron King into first grade. The Dragons are desperate for a damaging backrower and I was really hoping that they would sign TRex. Mind you I would be happy with G Stewart if he is off contract (good local junior). I also think that the Dragons lack a good big mongrel front rower and would like to see them go after some experience in this area. As for centre, I think Beale will do an excellent job there and we have so many quality fringe first graders that this area is well covered. Overall 2-3 quality signings in key areas will make all the difference and have this team back at the top in no time.
hazz
Guest
Saints need a game breaker someone who can change a game.I agree with tim we need quality attacking players.Need mungral in the pack A half back which they havent had for a long time.Hornby has been a make shift half back that is retiring soon.Need a centre Jennings wouid be the one id be chasing.As i have said before fien copper young hornby have to moove on young blokes like king de blin need to be playing now. Maybe Soward to half King to 5/8 Morris back to The wing Hornby to fullback ,Got nothing to loose by trying.
Whites
Guest
It's a Friday game.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
@ Whites, Is it not on ? i only live in the gong on the weekends as i work away, My stepson called and asked if i wanted to go the footy with him, He is a Dragons supporter and is of the same opinion as you and charles but for me if you watch soward closley, ul see what im talking about.
Dan
Guest
Im not a dragons supporter but I don't think there is that much wrong with their roster It hasn't changed much from last year apart from Boyd. If you look at all the good playmakers in the nrl they all take the ball to the line and engage defenders (foran is the best at this) thats all soward needs to do and I think the dragons will come good again, they certainly have the side. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Whites
Guest
As others have said Soward's defence is not the issue it once may have been. He just needs to take the line on more and draw a defender. @Pot Stirrer I hope you don't go to Saturday night's game. You'll miss a lot of the action.
Charles
Guest
I disagree Pot Stirrer and suggest you have another look at his game. He does so many good things in both attack and defense which no one else can do! He covers very well and save a lot of tries just by being there at the right time. He took on Inglis on his own no problem so he cannot be that scared in defense. He reads the game well and yes his kicking game is exceptional. I would have in my team any time. Good to see you living in the Gong, best city in Australia!
NickF
Guest
Ben Creagh's lack of form is a big problem as well. He doesn't seem to find the gap any more. Maybe is a matter of all the other teams know how to read him, or he's just lost the punch, I don't know.
NickF
Guest
I think the Dragons fans are looking at more like 6 months.
Charles
Guest
Spot on about Soward and if he can improve in taking on the line he would be the complete footballer as he has all the skills. True Hornby may be slower but then again he does not have to run as much just get the backline running off him. He can read the play quite well and occasionally take on the line himself when the opportunity presents itself is all he has to do! He has a good step on him that can wrong foot players and he has too much experience to write him off just yet. I think swapping these two players may just be the spark that is needed!
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Im not a Dragons supporter but i have a flat in the gong and will be going to sat nights game, I dont follow the Titans either. I like the Dragons and have enjoyed watching them play over the last few years but i have always thought their is a problem in Sowards game. He doesnt commit in defence and gives up extra metres by dropping of once a teammate is thier to finish the tackle. He only runs when forced and its usually sideways till he can pass to someone else. He wont try to bust a tackle and if i was a team mate of his he would be pissing me of becuase he doesnt play tough at any stage in a game. All he has got is his kicking game. Sure he has speed but he iether doesnt know how to use it, thinks hes to important to the team to get tackled or is just plain scared. As a neutral veiwer who likes the Dragons as a second team hes just not prepared to do the hard yards for his team. I often see Dragons players out and about in the gong and soward is never with them.
NickF
Guest
And if the Dragons lose to the Titans, they play the week later in Canberra, and we all know what happens to the Dragons in Canberra.
NickF
Guest
I agree Charles. Soward and the Dragons might benefit from him going to half. His defence is not a problem, Potstirrer I think you are looking at videos from 2009. I am a member and have watched him closely. Any critisism should be aimed at the fact he won't take on te line enough. He seems too happy to just pass the ball on without drawing any defence, thus making room to attack. Hornby is getting slow. he has been a great player, but needs to know when his time is up. Like Dean Young, I think it's time to go. St George Illawarra lost a lot when they let go Neville Costigan and Jeremy Smith, all because they had to pay Gasnier, who quit the next year.