I thought the game against Canberra last week was hard to watch but this week’s game against Newcastle was one of the worst performances in the joint venture era.
Newcastle have their own deficiencies which is why they didn’t put on 50+ points. The Dragons have never lost the McKinnon Cup before, which is a very telling statistic.
A few things became obvious to me on Sunday.
When the rumour broke last week of the Dragons interest in Josh McGuire, there were some in the Dragon faithful who said no.
But the Dragons desperately need some mongrel up the middle. Teams know the Dragons are soft so they keep charging up the middle and they keep scoring tries.
Our pack doesn’t have a leader. Paul Vaughan has disengaged at a time when we really need him the most. I’m genuinely concerned about Blake Lawrie and Jackson Ford – maybe they are just not up to it? Perhaps we’ve over hyped them?
Anthony Griffin needs to recruit at least two or three new hard nut forwards to toughen us up. The current pack is a joke. Perhaps we will get Jack de Belin back which would be awesome but otherwise Griffin needs to recruit forwards, which should be his number one priority.
Kalyn Ponga will not have a long career in the NRL. He’s going to get bashed out of the game by continued concussions. He’s brave and takes on the line but he’s targeted.
Over time it’ll catch up with him. Newcastle’s premiership window is smaller than what people think.
All the hype around the Dragons youth coming through is real. All faith has to be placed in Griffin to develop them in 2021. Cody Ramsey is an obvious fire cracker. Max Feagai looked right at home in first grade. Hopefully Max gets a longer run next week against Melbourne.
Brayden Williame and Tyrell Fuimaono are jokes. They are total duds. This is what happens when Ian Millward is left unsupervised with money to spend.
Hopefully Griffin will stop these antics. Thankfully both are out of contract next year, so all parties can move on.
Ben Hunt had an opportunity to make a statement at 7 but he failed. I only remember him taking on the line once in the first half otherwise he was only catching and passing.
Even under Griffin, surely Adam Clune deserves to be the starting 7? We need a bigger body at 13 so that puts McInnes to 9 and Hunt at 14 or out the team.
Just because Hunt is on so much money that shouldn’t guarantee him a starting spot in the side regardless of form.
Norman looked better against Newcastle. His passing and running game was an improvement. Perhaps Griffin can get something out of him next year.
Will Tony Griffin turn the Dragons around? (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
With Ben Hunt being such a bust it’d be great to get more production out of Norman in 2021 while Jayden Sullivan spends time developing in Canterbury Cup.
Zac Lomax is absolute class. Our best players in 2020 and one of the better players in the NRL. He is still so young with his best years ahead of him. Future Origin rep without doubt. If Lomax misses out on Origin this year I hope he at least gets brought in to the extended squad for experience.
Matt Dufty must be feeling some pressure from Ramsey, which is causing him to lift his game. Ramsey I think is quicker and more rounded than Dufty it’ll be fun watching those two fight it out next year.
Any lingering doubts fans might have had about Dean Young missing out on the top job to Anthony Griffin should now be put to rest.
The Dragons were a rabble against the Raiders and worse against the Knights and other than changes necessitated by injury the team selections were uninspired. Blood the youth, Dean, leave a coaching legacy behind you.
We all know the Dragons are going to get smashed next week against Melbourne so at least take some positives from it and blood more youth. If Williame and Fuimaono are picked again next week, I’ll refuse to watch the game.
In Hook we trust.
Gus O
Roar Rookie
Thanks Max, I didn’t know they had cap relief for Debelin
Centre
Roar Rookie
Goodbye Sailor! If Melbourne is interested in him. I’m thinking he might be a decent player and if he does get a contract there, we will here great things about him in the near future.
Andrew
Roar Pro
The finals will be the goal for the Dragons in 2021. When you consider Penrith have gone from 10th to Minor Premieres in one season you’d have to say anything is possible right? But for the Dragons to win 16 or 17 games to make 7th or 8th a few things need to go their way; – Jack de Belin needs to beat his rape charges & make a successful comeback after a full off-seasons training – Corey Norman needs to be moved on & off the 2021 roster regardless of the cost. The Dragons can’t win enough games with Norman in the side. – Dragons need to obviously recruit well they need; a mobile prop Jack Hetherington is top of my wish list. a quality second rower Joe Ofahengaue looks likely with the club in talks with him. Should this deal fall through John Asiata’s name has also been mentioned a seasoned veteran with a tough edge that can set an example for our younger forwards Josh McGuire is my choice – Ben Hunt needs to return to halfback & play like the player we thought we were getting. With JdB back in the team McInnes returns to 9 & unfortunately Clune misses out. Perhaps Clune might get a chance during the rep season or if Hunt’s form collapses. In any case with Tristan Sailor not retained Clune is a very handy backup. – Cody Ramsey needs to be transitioned to fullback, it’s his best position & he’ll be a more complete player than Dufty. I don’t think we’re a semi final team with Dufty at 1. – James Schiller will begin to emerge in 2021, James is another talented young Fullback so I’d like to see Dufty get a run at 6 in Canterbury Cup. – Finally the Dragons need to get off to a good start to the season, something like 5 from 7 including a win over the chooks on ANZAC Day. We need to get some confidence early & build momentum. If the Dragons are chasing wins late in the season I don’t think we’ll make it. I rate our chances 60/40 in our favour. Hook is only signed for two years so he’ll be looking for success early he can’t afford 2021 to be a throw away otherwise the calls will come to hook Hook.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yes, Dufty probably would have made a terrific winger back in the day, like Steve Morris
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Passes like it! Gee he reminds me of a young Steve Mortimer or Slippery Morris.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Another update on the Norman rumour, apparently part of the deal was that Norman was to be rested in the final game of the season. The team just came out & Norman is out & Sullivan is in. The plot thickens
Paul
Roar Guru
In fairness, both guys form dropped since moving under the tutelage of one Mary McGregor. I'm really on the fence about what to do with Norman and I suspect Hook is as well. At his best, the guy is a genuine SOO quality player, but he's rarely produced his best since joining the red V. Is that reason enough to try and offload him assuming we don't have to pick up too much of the tab, or does Hook try and see what he can do with him? If Griffin does keep him and Norman ( and Hunt) significantly improves, one things for sure - Hook will have the caoch of the year award sewn up. :happy:
Andrew
Roar Pro
Yes he has but he hasn’t signed anywhere yet
Andrew
Roar Pro
Kurt Mann is one of those versatile players that suffers from being constantly moved around. It was the same when he was with us
Andrew
Roar Pro
Well they let Blake Green go to Canterbury so they are looking for a replacement
Andrew
Roar Pro
True but that’s the risk isn’t it. But if it meant moving on Norman a year early it might be worth the risk. Also I don’t think it’s a no coincidence that Hunt’s form has dropped since Norman has arrived.
Paul
Roar Guru
certainly seems that way. I guess we'll know in the next day or so.
Centre
Roar Rookie
Isn’t Foran linked to Manly?
Centre
Roar Rookie
Clune and Sullivan in the halves could also be aN alternative shot. At least Clune thinks like a footy player. And without Norman and Hunt, Clune would look much better.
andrew
Roar Rookie
If Norman goes to Newcastle, that's 2 ex Saints players, Mann being the other 1, vyiing for the same spot, five eighth? The mind boggles.
Andrew
Roar Pro
From what I know he was released from the bubble when Sullivan was brought in. Sailor is off contract & looking elsewhere for a gig with more playing time. It’s a shame but you can’t blame him. Being stuck behind Norman must be frustrating given that Norman is a automatic pick every week.
Paul
Roar Guru
what if we only got one or two games out of him?
Andrew
Roar Pro
Have a look at the comments above about Norman staying behind after the game on Sunday to meet with Adam O’Brien.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Sure, but if we got 15-16 games out of him for $350-$400k I think that’s pretty good value. Also who’d you prefer mentoring Sullivan, Foran or Norman? The tepid attitude the team has at the moment is due to lazy players like Norman setting a bad example. Say what you what want about Foran but he is a professional.
Paul
Roar Guru
Hunt & Sailor in the halves? I guess it might be worth a shot.