St George Illawarra’s incumbent fullback Josh Dugan is in line for a permanent move to the centres.
But is that really what the Dragons need, if it’s going to be someone like Kurt Mann who takes over at fullback?
Would they get more thrust from Dugan at the back playing as a genuine ball runner and slotting Mann, move of a playmaker, elsewhere?
According to captain for this week’s Charity Shield against the Rabbitohs, winger Jason Nightingale, the moves at the Dragons are to play Dugan on the edge and get a playmaker into fullback.
“At the moment the plan is to play him in the centres. He’ll be playing in the centres next week in Nelson,” Nightingale told Sky Sports Radio.
In response to talk of revitalising the Dragons’ much-maligned attack, Nightingale said the following.
“A big part of that change is Duges to the centres.
“We get a lot of points when he plays in the centres and can finish off plays.
“If I’m outside him I’m sure he will be able to provide a lot of spark and an attacking flair that we’ve been lacking a little bit.”
The Dragons have certainly done a good job of recruiting in the backs, with Mann and Tim Lafai both joining the club. They are both quality players, and can fill a hole for any team in the league.
However, Dugan’s always been a fullback. He has played arguably his best football at fullback, though he did score nine tries in 2014 playing in the centres with Brett Morris in the 1 shirt.
With the Dragons copping a lot of criticism for their stilted attack in 2015, it remains to be seen whether Dugan to centre is really the solution they need.
What do you think Roarers? Is this the right call for the Dragons in 2016?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good points Ken, but what you're forgetting is that moving Mann to fullback and Dugan to centre strengthens two positions. I'm not sure exactly why but I'm silly and lack intelligence to work it out...
Charles NSW
Guest
It is good that you are a massive fan of the Dragons Like all of us we want to see the Dragons in with their best team It is true we need to improve our attack and putting Dugan in the centres may be an answer Mann has skills in being a centre,1/2 back, 5/8 and fullback If we can utilise those skills at fullback we may be able to add a new dimension in our attack Dugan excelled as a centre and will continue to improve there Like all changes you have to hope everything falls in place and for the Dragons it will be great that it does
Ken
Guest
My thoughts exactly.
Ken
Guest
I'm a massive Dragons fan, and would love for this to go right, but my concerns are two-fold: 1. Aitken and Lafai, both worthy centres who have shown more at first grade level than Mann - one of them is missing out on a spot and either going to wing (knocking out Mata'utai who also is more credentialled than Mann) or being dropped. 2. Dugan at centre will be less influential than he would be at fullback. He'll touch the ball less, get fewer opportunities in broken field play and his great cover defence will be unimportant. There's a big % of salary cap now going to a position with relatively low impact. To make dropping other players and diminishing Dugan's role worthwhile, Mann has to hit the ground running as a superstar - I just don't see it but I hope I'm wrong. He looked good at the nines for what that's worth, my memory of him at the Storm is a serviceable, but unremarkable, outside back - I don't remember anything about silky ball-skills or a potent play-making ability.
Burgs
Guest
You can have the best of both worlds. Play him at Fullback in defence, that way he still does what he does best- saving tries and putting on those awesome kick returns. In attack, he switches with Kurt Mann, in that he goes out to right centre, and Mann roves the field like an extra five-eighth. I see no reason why this wouldn't work, Mann seemed an able defender in the centres playing for Melbourne. So in other words, they can both play fullback.
Muzz
Guest
This is better than the bold and the beautiful.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Is that the last, last time
up in the north
Roar Rookie
HA
The Barry
Roar Guru
Why can't you just explain what you mean instead of insulting me? It's pretty simple - why do you think Kurt Mann is a better fullback than Dugan?
Muzz
Guest
So if this works, you can give Duges permission to move on next year freeing up 700k. Combine that with Marshall's salary and you can afford Cronk.
The eye
Guest
Dont touch anything Dragons..just shunt Lafai straight in next to Aitken and give free rein to Duges to get himself into the line every second he can.. Mann is yet to prove anything..certainly no where near the ability apparent of the other 3..at this stage..
Charles NSW
Guest
Sorry that you do not posses the intelligence needed to understand comments Barry! Never mind I will not hold it against you Last time I will comment on this
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Yep. Deja vu all over again
Muzz
Guest
Round 2
The Barry
Roar Guru
Here we go again... Charles I'm not interpreting anything you said. Last week you literally wrote : "Dugan at centre and Mann at fullback strengthens two positions". Clearly that suggests that Mann is a better fullback than Dugan - who is the incumbent NSW no.1. I'm not trying to spin anything or even argue with you, I've just asked you to explain on what basis you rate Mann better than Dugan. That's all. Every time I ask you to explain your rationale you bang on about "silly comments" from me. To cloud the picture further this morning you wrote "if Mann is the right fullback?" suggesting you're not sure he's the best player for the job. This afternoon you're back to it strengthening two positions. My personal view is that Dugan is the Dragons best fullback but to be honest I don't care at all what they do...all I've asked is for you to articulate why you think Mann is a better fullback than Dugan which you've stated several times. The clearest explanation of your opinion I've read came from someone else (Dean) and was predicated on points you've never raised.
Heich
Guest
Kurt Mann is a similar player to Garet Widop. So I will be certain the Club with Kurt Mann at fukllback will be a one to watch in 2016. Garet Widop is classic asa a football player, and so I believe Kurt Mann will show the same quality
Charles NSW
Guest
Thanks for your comments Dean, my thoughts exactly!
Charles NSW
Guest
You need to read what was said which was repeated a number of times Do not put in your interpretation Barry, very silly comments from you! To repeat what I had said for the last time if Mann can take on the fullback role it will strengthen both positions Mann has played 5/8 and maybe able to thrust some added attack from fullback
Dean- Surry Hills
Guest
Dugan was at his absolute best playing for the Kangaroos at centre, with Brett Morris playing outside him. The two scored a raft of long distance tries. Each laid on tries for the other. The combination was one of the best that I've ever witnessed at Test level. Dugan last year had two try assists at fullback. This is ordinary to say the least. Kurt Mann in my opinion is a real playmaker, and his deft touches are what the Dragons require to score more points.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
I like what I have seen of Mann so far. He looks like he can inject himself in the backline and either pass or kick the ball. He has the potential to be an extra ball player for Benji and Widdop, so hopefully must do the attack so good. On the otherhand I do not like Dugan's defence in the centres and I would prefer him as a second rower a bit tighter in. Pity Souths have named such a useless team for the Charity Shield.