The St George Illawarra Dragons had a close look at Jarryd Hayne until he faced criminal charges last year. Now they have signed Corey Norman, so it is clear that the Dragons were after a playmaker to cover the uncertainty regarding Gareth Widdop continuing with the club.
But now they have another playmaker on the books what do they do with Corey Norman?
If Widdop is leaving in 2020 then the Dragons clearly need to play Corey Norman in the Halves, which presumably means that Widdop will go to fullback forcing the incumbent Dufty out of that position.
Norman did not have a good year by his standards in 2018, but he clearly has an attacking spark which could lift the Dragons in 2019. Dufty showed great speed from fullback last year and for a small player was able to demonstrate substantial durability over the season.
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
At the very least, it is clear that Dragons have great depth now in the halves, but they also have the ability to switch and swap players from fullback into the halves during a game which should give them a depth of attacking options.
But all this leaves Dufty either playing in the ISP, on the wing like ex-Dragons great slippery Morris or coming off the bench as an impact player with his acceleration against tiring opponents.
Apart from height – or rather lack of it, I fancy Dufty as a winger who can come in-field during the game to try to make a break when the opportunity arises. Putting Dufty on the bench is in my view – not the preferred alternative.
Otherwise, the Dragons are essentially the same team as last year but one year wiser and perhaps stronger and more confident, but the sexual assault charges hanging over Dragons forward De Belin will obviously be a major distraction during the season, which they tried to avoid by not hiring Hayne.
With Widdop currently a captain, I would suggest that the Dragons will give consideration to a dual captaincy this year with a view to Widdop possibly leaving in 2020.
I expect Dragons to make the top four in the NRL this year, with their forwards being slightly stronger and their backs having more attacking options with Corey Norman in the halves.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
and I guess they didn't https://twitter.com/vaggchris/status/1070403663644917760 https://twitter.com/vaggchris/status/1073368914787061761
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Mate, Let it go - it was several years ago. If that story matters then these more recent ones matter more (if the links work).
steveng
Roar Rookie
My only doubt are these sorts of incidents with Norman? E.g. overnight, a video was widely circulated on social media showing an elderly man appearing to snort something off a dinner plate while three men, including St George Dragons player Corey Norman and Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale, watch on, yes, this is old but Norman has been caught with other incidents like these at the Eels. The Dragons will have to really be strict with Norman as these sorts of things don't just go away and in most cases reoccur. Lets see what happens? As I hope that Norman pulls his head in, he's a good footballer and should do very well at the Dragons if he has a 100% go like he use to in 2015-16!
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Norman is a good football player, whether the Dragons needed him, I am not sure. Although it is a good point (I think) that DP made, that so often if Widdop was out, the Dragons seemed totally void of any form of attack. So bringing in an attack minded player can't hurt. I think Dufty is okay and has potential to be very good, but the Dragons best option is Hunt/Norman halves with Widdop at fullback. I think that is pretty clear cut. Will Dufty work on the wing? Well the Eels played an 83kg player with limitless potential on the wing last year and he was flat out busting a tackle. 15 busted tackles in 13 games on the wing for French. Compare that with Macdonald, who the Dragons need to replace, and Nene was breaking tackles of just over 3 per game. Can 83kg Dufty do that? Not sure... I wouldn't be surprised if they try to use Dufty in the Kurt Mann role - which is a random one and one that they rarely got benefit from.
Ghost Crayfish
Roar Pro
I think it might be Widdop to 7 and Hunt to 9, with Norman slotting in at five-eighth. The Dragons play best when they go direct through the middle, and this mix would be the best way to go about it.The other option would be shifting Widdop to fullback, and while that would give the Dragons more playmaking from no. 1 and some width to their game, they're better off with Dufty's speed sniffing around the rucks. I think in part this recruitment is designed to give the Dragons another fullback option in case Dufty gets a bit lazy and goes off the boil, but ideally he'd respond well and lock himself in at 1.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
I agree that Dufty has been stuffed around by the Dragons saying that he had the fullback position and then the Dragons hiring Norman a week or two later throwing everything up in the air again. Jai Field and Darren Nicholls look like spending the year as halves in the ISP.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm totally confused by Norman's signing. We have a quality player who's told the Club he'll walk at the end of the season, so the Dragons buy a potential replacement at the start of the season??? Why not sign Norman now for the 2020 season? I reckon this move could spell the end for Mary. This article summarises the confusion it's caused with player selection and that has to be reflected within the Dragons camp.
Craig
Guest
Norman is immensely over rated. Is he better than Widdop? No. Better than hunt? No. Better than Dufty at fullback? No. So he doesn’t get a run except for injury.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
As much as I, a Dragons man from way back, am delighted by what Widdop has brought to the club there has been an over-reliance on his input. If he is out the team struggles and given he is on the move it's time their game revolved around other people - and more than one. Widdop might start in the halves while Norman gets settled then he can take fullback and Dufty on the wing or bench. Not convinced that Norman was the best option... we'll see.
Jock the sock
Guest
He’s got tickets on himself but only gets spoons. So overrated and will see dragons in bottom 4
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Signing Norman didn’t make sense to me - unless Widdop is busted, which could be the case. He may not last the year.
AngryEagle47
Roar Rookie
Not much , he needs the guidance of a real coach