At a time of the season when many teams have settled combinations and are just fine tuning their squads, other teams such as the Dragons are facing a need for radical team changes to save their season.
But apparently Dragons coach Steve Price does not agree, despite describing the Dragons’ performance last weekend as soft.
This is however, not the time for any more tinkering around the edges.
After spending big, Mr Indecision is still not sure whether Benji Marshall should be left to develop in the NSW Cup for a few weeks or play NRL on the weekend.
At the Dragons, many have suggested that radical action is needed at the top and that coach Steve Price must go if the Dragons are to have any hope of redeeming their season. Warriors coach Matthew Elliott has already faced the chop and Canberra coach Ricky Stuart is also currently under the knife, but what about Price?
The acquisition of Benji Marshall has probably bought Price some time, but how will he use Benji and restructure the Dragons? Price has probably banked all his faith in Benji, but more basic changes are needed.
There is no doubt that many unemployed coaches are asking the question of what they would do with the squad. Furthermore, they will be working out what to do with that squad if they were appointed coach.
Conventional wisdom has it that the Dragons have one of the best back three in the competition, with fullback Josh Dugan and international wingers Brett Morris and Jason Nightingale, so why mess with that?
The centres have been a problem for the Dragons, and Price seems committed to using second rowers to plug the gap. But to a greater extent the back three are wasted in their current positions and have more to contribute to the team than just waiting for the ball.
Brett Morris’ twin is playing centre for the Bulldogs and the move of Brett to centre would certainly strengthen both attack and defence in that area. Peter Mata’utia would be a good replacement.
Fullback Dugan could take the other centre position, similar to Hayne in the Australian team, with Gerard Beale, who should be somewhere in the team, dropping back to fullback or rotating at fullback like the Roosters fullback. Adam Quinlan at fullback would be another possibility. Dugan would again strengthen the centre position in attack and defence with only minimal weakening at fullback.
Jason Nightingale could slip back at wing or fullback on return from injury. This leaves Gareth Widdop at five-eighth and Benji slotting in at half.
Now that looks like a backline that has the ability to defend and pose serious questions in attack, but what about the Dragons forwards?
The Dragons forwards are thought to be too light, although Price does not share this view, and it may be that they just need a kick in the pants that Price has been unable to deliver.
The failure of Price to name Mike Cooper in the starting side is surprising. Instead Cooper has apparently been dropped. Both the Dragons Under-20s and NSW Cup teams have been performing well, and it is hard to see why some of those forwards cannot put pressure on the first team.
Price has simply been rotating the same bunch of forwards all year and apparently has no time for his new recruit Matt Groat, who has yet to play NRL this year. Captain Ben Creach and Trent Merrin need to take a lead role in getting his forwards into shape, and Benji and Widdop need to provide some structure for the forwards in attack if the Dragons are to have a hope this year.
It may be that a number of small changes can turn the Dragons forwards around, but they certainly need something.
Benji’s arrival will have fans hoping for a revival, but without radical surgery Benji will soon be questioning whether he has gone too far outside his comfort zone. A lack of results will result in fans questioning the price of Benji, as well as the price of Price.
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