On the surface, it would appear that perhaps the Dragons season has already peaked.
A thrilling win in a hard-fought contest away from home against the Broncos, but the big downside is losing Gareth Widdop to a serious injury.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor said he had the side that would contend this year, and rightly so.
Look at the players every other team would want in their side: Tyson Frizell, Gareth Widdop, Paul Vaughan and Corey Norman.
Gareth Widdop has made a tremendous contribution to the Dragons team since he’s been there.
The belief he brings the side and his control of the game in pressure moments has been outstanding.
In the semi-final against Souths last year, if he was on the field, the Dragons win.
However, the most important signing the Dragons have made in the last five years is Corey Norman.
And it will be Norman’s influence that will bring the Dragons a premiership this year, or at least go very close.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Many people will stop reading at this point and will go to the comments section to start roaring.
I would’ve been doing the same if someone said that to me even two months ago.
Most Dragons fans were wondering why on earth ‘Mary’ McGregor signed Corey Norman.
Sure, he had talent, but the baggage he brings in off-field dramas and inconsistent form surely should’ve made any team want him to stay at Parramattta, except Parramatta.
Do you remember the off-field headlines about Norman during the off-season this year?
There wasn’t any that related to recent times.
Do you remember the on-field headlines about the talent he showed in the first two games this year?
There wasn’t any.
Do you remember the headlines about the on-field blunders he made in the first two rounds?
There wasn’t any.
Do you remember what he did in the game against Broncos before the clock hit 79 minutes and 50 seconds?
Probably not, as he was solid but not outstanding.
The point is that he’s a changed player. Norman is no longer doing it all himself but is playing the team game.
It would appear that off the field he’s got it together as well.
If you watch the footage when he kicks the field goal to win the game, you see the reaction.
He wasn’t celebrating alone like he won the game.
The look in his eyes said it meant something for the team.
A player with natural ability who knows how to the play team game is an awesome prospect.
Norman maybe believes this is his last chance to do something with his career and this will benefit the Dragons.
Also, in the absence of Widdop, the spine will get Matt Dufty back!
Can you imagine what an attacking machine the Dragons will be?
Every other NRL coach will be nervous.
An old quote comes to mind: “A champion team will always beat a team champions”.
The Dragons proved that at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night, and it will proved throughout the year.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
I'm not about to pre order my premiers t shirt but it was a step in the right direction. I though the Broncos really blew two chances to win, both by Isaako. First he drops the ball with the line open, then fluffs an easy field goal attempt. Sad way for Mary's experiment to end, but it had to happen
Pedro the Saint
Roar Rookie
I think if Lafai keeps form he will be the kicker...
db
Guest
He was also good in the first half, last week. It probably wasn't a coincidence that things went pear shaped on their right edge when he was replaced.
Rob
Guest
You don’t need an untrained eye because blind Freddy can see Milf and Kodi N. are very similar ball runners. The Broncos lack leadership and game management especially under pressure. Cronk, Smith, Maloney, DCE and even Ash Taylor would be killing it with this teams talent at their disposal.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agree..Host had the best game I’ve seen him play
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Oh,I’m far from a Korbin fan but he grunted harder and dirtier than anyone last night, carrying three Broncos over the line was all the ‘good luck’ the club needed..
peeeko
Roar Guru
cant be much worse?
Paul
Roar Guru
As a Dragons fan, I'm happy they're not but as a lover of Rugby League, it does my head in to watch a clearly talented side going around without a clear on field leader to guide them. If Cronk was in this side, they'd be Premiership favourites I suspect
Nat
Roar Guru
I tend to agree. It would appear that Kodi has been given control and Milford is running the Seibold-vaunted left-side sweep. However, that control doesn't seem to be evident. The forwards are rolling up the middle but there doesn't seem to be a plan as to where they want to get too. Either that or Kodi is not enacting it. Mate, no one wants them to gel more than I but I fear the Broncos are missing an on-field more than anything.
Paul
Roar Guru
I just don't see them gelling as a unit. I know the games moved on, but I remember Lewis & Langer, Daley & Stuart, etc. There was a guy running the side, especially the pack and the other providing the spark. Even in recent times Cronk & Munster, JT & Morgan (when were both were fit), did this well. Maybe I'm expecting to much but given the time they've now played together, I thought they'd be more like the combinations I've mentioned. To my untrained eye, they seem way too similar in style with neither taking total responsibility.
Nat
Roar Guru
Milford needs defensive work in a hurry. It's one thing to get isolated by edge forward and struggle but to get run over by Hunt... Between him, Glenn and Bird they need to be more vocal with each other. Attacking wise, he was ok. I made mention in another thread that their wide shifts ended flat and slightly bunched. Milford is very elusive and can get the ball away so I think Bird may be better suited standing back another 2m and hit top speed when Milford straightens into the line. That .5 of a second is the difference between crowding the player and hitting a hole. Milfs short kicking game was on point but their chase was ordinary. Kodi was quiet and his runs were forced by lack of options. If anything Staggs could have been brought on earlier for Jet when he pulled up lame. Kodi needs to find his voice in attack and demand his players get where he needs them. Forwards are like robots, give them very basic instructions (aka Melb) and they will excel. This young pack needs to be lead and that's his job.
Wayne Turner
Guest
And I thought Host had a good game too. The young winger was a worry,bar that try,he was terrible again.Surely Maranta or Pearson are better options,a shame Lomax is terrible on the wing.
Wayne Turner
Guest
YAY! My Dragons win our first game of the season,in round 3,and now we are going to win the comp. Amazing hahaha... Way too early to tell.
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Marcus, as a Dragons supporter I love your optimism but I have a few questions? Who is going to step up and be the leader this side needs? Hunt really needs to come into his own now and completely take over on field management, leaving Norman to do good things on the left side of the field. Ditto for McInnes taking a leaf from Cam Smith and being far more influential in the game in attack. How quickly can the Hunt/Norman combination gel? There were some good signs last night but I'm not sure everyone's in the same page at present and this needs to be fixed quickly. Who will take over the goal kicking full time?
Paul
Roar Guru
Nat, what did you make of Milford & Nikorima? I thought they were underwhelming again.
Paul
Roar Guru
I can think of at least a half dozen Clubs who would be envious of the Red V's last "5 years of failure", Mordac.
Larry1950
Guest
Broncos were awful & could still have won. Good luck with Korbin, 3 dumb penalties in 25 minutes, par for the course
Jack Colwill
Roar Rookie
I really want Norman to succeed at the Dragons - I love them as a team and I’ve always thought he was such a talented player. But consistency has always been his issue and that is what I need to see from him to be convinced, especially with Widdop now out. Winning clutch moments is one thing, but in the Broncos game it was Widdop that had them even still level come 79 minutes. It’s not that Norman can’t, but that I’m yet to see him do it week in, week out.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
You can be as euphoric as you want but truth is that was only a poor field goal attempt away from a tragic ending for the Dragons..Broncos tries essentially were all against the grain..a Bird strip,a Jet pluck,a Milf dribble and the Widdop wrangle..yet still,were a heartbeat away from a win.. Big shout out to the grunters in the Dragon pack,Vaughan,Latimore,Lawrie,James G. and especially Korbin Sims who laid the foundations..well done..
Nat
Roar Guru
Go easy mate, the Broncos were terrible and by their own hand. Hard to put a yardstick for the Saints based on that game. Broncos had no right to be anywhere near them on the score board.