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.
Charles NSW
Guest
Based on the team he has now the coach has to deliver, it is as simple as that! He has added the extra thrust with Benji and now the forwards know that they have to perform if they want to retain their position. If he does not have them firing within three weeks he should look for another position.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Price still has the capability to destroy benji, who knows I think it will be close but the Dragons can win this one and Souths lost against the storm so maybe there is hope.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Latest news is Peter Mata'Utai on the wing in place of Nightingale and.............. The former New Zealand Test captain will take the place of Sam Williams, who was named to wear the No 7 jersey earlier this week but did not train with the team at WIN Stadium on Friday before the clash with the Eels. Marshall trained in his spot on the right side in defence and Price later confirmed that he would play halfback in place of Williams.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Jamie, I think that there is certainly something that the Cutters NSW Cup players have to offer particulary Runciman and Mata'Utai in the centres which would help greatly defensively. Other people have made good suggestions such as playing Frizell in the second row rather than at Prop, Putting Mike Cooper in the starting team and maybe try him at prop, etc but the real question to be resolved is how will Benji go today and when will they get rid of Price?
Jamie Finch-Penninger
Roar Rookie
A coach's main job is deciding how a team will play and setting up the structures and discipline to get it done. Has Price done that? Probably not, but I doubt whether bringing in player X from the U20s or NSW Cup will solve the problem that the Dragons have, which is consistently gaining metres. Against the weaker sides, they'll rack up some wins with the talent in their backline, but against a solid defensive outfit, they'll struggle to get a foothold in the game.
justin
Guest
Steve price has no idea we played a giant forward pack on the weekend and the four biggest guys in our squad all started on the bench.Mike cooper should be in the starting side and now he has dropped him. Steve price knows how to destroy a young players career tyson frizzell should not be playing in the front row he is a second rower and how peter mata utai is not in that team has got me stuffed. I think Benji will be a good buy but he's not going to fix our problems if our forwards don't go forward our 6 and 7 will be useless. who ever our defensive coach should also be sacked we defend going backwards every week, opposing teams don't need to watch video on the dragons every team knows how play us straight up the middle. i keep hearing Joel Thompson wants to go back to canberra let hime go and throw that money at Kevin Proctor we need at least two big boys, but most importantly we need a new coach who will attract good players. Im with you danwain a part of me wants the dragons to miss the eight because if they scrape in that idiot Peter doust will probably give him a contract extension. i would like to see Nathan Brown come back to coach the dragons the time is right if not Neil Henry
danwain
Guest
I don't know why I was shocked when Price announced his side yesterday. After alluding to big changes he dropped Cooper, not moving Thompson back to the 2nd row and moving a centre into centre. There are some glaring issues in the team, namely second rowers at centre and Green (who is not a centre, winger or even a first grade player) on the wing. Runciman was impressive in his short stint last year, bring him in! I can't believe I'm saying this but I almost hope we lose every game between now and the end if the season, just to finally shake things up. Change is evidently required and it seems that not coming last is considered a success at Kogarah these days.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Runciman is certainly a good player coming through. He should be given a run at some point, a more prolonged run. Beale has been in good form and I have heard from numerous sources Farrell is out for the season anyway. This leaves Stanley, Green and Runciman for that centre spot
Scott Pryde
Expert
You have to be joking on Kyle Stanley right? The others I can agree with, but Stanley is a gun, how he belongs in NSW cup is beyond me mate
Charles NSW
Guest
Walter, it is really great that you are thinking outside the square, well done. Some of those suggestions I have thought about myself. Dugan would be great as a centre and he also needs that to work on his defence more. Brett Morris in the centres would be great he is so good he can fit anywhere. This would give you two great attacking players, hard to stop. As you say they can fill in the fullback and wingers with a few to choose from. I think Nightingale would be best at fullback or he could go centre and Dugan as fullback. As you say it is time Price fixes the problems before another season is gone. I worry about how he will he will use Benji. The Dragons need someone to direct the forwards to go forward.
Julian King
Roar Guru
Witt is my prefered option at half. As Price finally has the "team he wants", there is nowwhere for him to hide. The commone theory is you don't weaken a strength to strengthen a weakness. The back 3 stay put. I'm a big fan of Runciman. His limited experience at the back end of last season I thought would groom him well for 2014. I wasn't sold on Farrell. The only problem is, Runciman tends to play on the left, and although Beale had an unhappy day out against Lafai, his form has otherwise been good. The most frustrating thing is the lack of support play, particularly off Merrin. Quinlan in the best support player in the club, but can't find a way in. Widdop needs more room to work with. Although somewhat a crowd favourite, Dan Hunt hasn't played well for 2 seasons. We're lacking another genuine prop forward.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Price is a terrible coach. He doesn't know how to use interchange. On the weekend we're getting rolled by the Bulldogs forwards and Leeson Ah Mau (Dragons' biggest forward) doesn't see any game time till after halftime. Not to mention both Trent Merrin and Tyson Frizell (2 of our most powerful forwards) having lengthy stints on the bench against the Dogs too. He plays players out of position (what is his obsession with turning back rowers into centres????? last year it was Matt Prior now it's Joel Thompson) and weakens one position to strengthen another. Same goes for Tyson Frizell. He's an edge forward, not a middle forward. He's so much more explosive with room to move. Leave him out wide. And what does Nathan Green have on Steve Price?? Does he have nude photos of him or something? Charly Runciman and Peter Mata'utia are both better players than Green yet he keeps getting picked and does nothing all game. Finally, decide once and for all who your halfback is. Enough chopping and changing. Is it Witt, Williams, Quinlan or Benji (the correct answer is Benji)? 1. Dugan 2. Morris 3. Runciman 4. Beale 5. Nightingale (Quinlan when Nightingale is injured) 6. Widdop 7. Marshall 8. Hunt 9. Rein 10. Cooper 11. Thompson 12. Creagh (C) 13. Merrin 14. Frizell 15. De Belin 16. Stockwell 17. Ah Mau Bronson Harrison, Kyle Stanley, Sam Williams and Nathan Green all belong in NSW Cup!
Scott Pryde
Expert
On Paper the Dragons should be going so much better than they are. Steve Price is a joke. Why arent people like Kyle Stanley and Adam Quinaln getting a go? Why is Mike Cooper on the bench? Why does Dan Hunt keep getting named on the bench? So many questions so few answers. I have heard that Price has got till rd 12. Can't come quick enough. This would be my new dragons team once Benji is right to go: 1. Dugan 2. B.Morris 3. K.Stanley 4. Beale 5. Nightingale 6. Widdop 7. Marshall 8. Hunt 9. Rein 10. Matt Cooper 11. Frizell 12. Creagh 13. Merrin 14. De Belin 15. Stockwell 16. Ah Mau 17. Bronson Harrison Steve Price, maybe grow a brain to save your job? I dont know but that team on paper is a lot better than sitting below top 8
Jim
Guest
Price is an absolutely awful coach. The team has gone backwards big time, and there is no upwards trend in sight. Get Nathan Brown back for goodness sake - at least his teams were competitive at the right end of the ladder.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Well it seems that Price has once again led by indecision will he use Benji or not? Expect Benji to be used from the bench at least, I would have him in with a utility back on the bench, say Stanley, if he needs a break. Price will do his last minute announcement on the day.