To put it mildly, 2020 has been a disappointing year, and not the least for the Brisbane Broncos.
The premier Queensland team have quite rightfully been lambasted for their woefully disappointing season.
However, while watching last Sunday’s game between the Dragons and the Knights, it occurred to me that St George Illawarra could possibly challenge the Broncos in terms of disappointment. It struck me while watching the Dragons miss tackles just how many good players the Dragons have but seem ineffectual in the Red V.
Judging how disappointing a team has been is always a bit subjective, but ultimately it stems from expectation, and a key driver of expectation is the perceived quality of players. One of the easiest ways to assess player quality is rep history, so I thought a brief comparison of the Broncos’ and Dragons’ rep players could help decide who has been more disappointing this year.
Historically the Brisbane Broncos have had an unusually high percentage of rep players. To an extent, this trend continues. Of Brisbane’s current squad, at least six players represented either their state or a top-five nation last year.
They include David Fifita (Queensland), Payne Haas (Australia, NSW), Corey Oates (Queensland), Joe Ofahengaue (Queensland), Tevita Pangai Jr (Tonga) and Kotoni Staggs (Tonga).
Having this number of recent rep players in the Broncos’ squad adds to the disappointment that has been their 2020 season. However, if we use recent representative history as a metric for disappointment, St George Illawarra certainly give Brisbane a run for their money.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Of the current Dragons squad, nine represented their state or nation in 2019, three more than the Broncos. They are Tyson Frizell (Australia, NSW), Ben Hunt (Australia, Queensland), Joe Lovodua (Fiji), Corey Norman (Queensland), Mikaele Ravalawa (Fiji), Korbin Sims (Fiji), Tariq Sims (NSW), Paul Vaughan (Australia, NSW) and Brayden Wiliame (Fiji).
But more interestingly, among these nine rep players, St George Illawarra have three recent Australian players and five recent State of Origin players. Brisbane have only one and four respectively.
Also, while Brisbane may lament the absence of quality and experienced halves, the Dragons’ playmakers Ben Hunt and Corey Norman both represented their state last year.
Brisbane have been a huge disappointment, but this is nothing if not well documented. However, considering their stock of rep players, more could be made of the poor results accrued by the Dragons this season. Much attention was put on the club earlier this year due to their troubles with coach Paul McGregor. But regardless of their coaching troubles, they have a roster that in another team might ensure a top-eight finish.
Of course, when assessing overall disappointment, factors such as previous results, facilities and club power also play a part. On these metrics Brisbane ranks far higher than St George Illawarra, and can rightfully be crowned the most disappointing team of 2020.
However, with the players available to the Dragons, their efforts in 2020 are almost as disappointing. Six wins in 19 games with the Storm left to play is grim reading for a team of their theoretical talent.
Justin
Roar Rookie
ah nope, came up twice, showin my age :laughing:
Justin
Roar Rookie
Ah bugger just wrote a long reply and I don't think I hit send. It was a good and honest article mate, the truth hurts a little but you stated the facts. I remember playing footy back in the day and felt stronger in my 30's then I did my 20's, at least I thought I was. So I don't think the forward pack should struggle too much because of their age. But you may be in your early 20's so they may seem like seniors to you, they are all spring chickens to me. Good discussion from the article. :happy:
Justin
Roar Rookie
I agree. Nothing daft about stating the facts.
Justin
Roar Rookie
I think this a good and honest article in my humble opinion. Although the truth hurts sometimes, I'm pretty disappointed with this year all round. Though I never really thought of the forward pack as being 'old' being in their mid 30's, that's probably because I'm a great deal older and they're all spring chickens to me. I would think the would have a lot more strength built up at that age. But you are probably in your early 20's yourself I'm guessing? So I guess they would seem more senior in that perspective. Your article did generate some great discussion here. :thumbup:
Andrew
Roar Pro
The Dragons were as bad as they had to be so Paul McGregor could finally get axed. Dragons won 15 games from 44 matches over the past 2 years which is 34% pretty sad but then again we’re rolling into 2021 with increased enthusiasm because of the change in the coaching ranks.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Comparing Fiji internationals to Origin Players is very disingenuous, one of names you mentioned Joe Lovodua I’ve never even heard of. He’s certainly not a first grader at Saints
Andrew
Roar Pro
With Jacob Host not being retained plus Frizell off to Newcastle expect a new second row next year. T Sims played lock against Melbourne & I thought he was very effective in securing the middle. It’ll be a new looking pack next year and not before time.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Tristan leaving indicates that Norman will be at the Dragons next year. I know he’s been shopped around everywhere but there’s been no takers, similar to Foran. Dragons need two 5/8’s a starter & a backup, there’s no room for 3. So the question is, who’s going to be the starter & who’s the backup?
Tony
Roar Guru
You're probably right but it may just come down to who's available
johnno 2
Roar Rookie
BB, I've been an Oates fan for a long time but the continuous run of injuries and to include the demeanour of THE CLUB seems to have put paid to his career, I think he is past his due date, there is no coming back, he'll be subjected to more injuries by continuing
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
But surely sometimes it is in the players best interest to move on if they are not getting the development they need. Sailor needs time at half, and with Hunt, Norman and Clune is he going to get that under Griffin? I have a suspicion that Griffin will play Norman and Hunt in the halves anyway. I think Sailor is better of getting some good money at the Dogs and signing for a few years in a team that is clearly rebuilding.
Brads_Dragons
Roar Rookie
Being a long time loyal Dragons fan I can wholeheartedly agree that the 2020 season has been a huge disappointment. With the roster they had they should have been in the top 8. In 2017 & 2018 the Dragons had a roster that should have made the top 4 and you could argue a Grand Final appearance. Poor coaching and poor player attitude were the main reasons why the Dragons sadly never got anywhere near where they should have in the past 4 or 5 years. Let's hope that Anthony Griffin can build something special there over the next couple of years or so.
Derek Ohlston
Guest
I understand the reason behind your comment regarding Sailor but I certainly can't agree with it. I don't believe that there can be any reason for a club to deny a junior player that shows enormous promise the opportunity to improve their game within the ambit of their senior ranks. In my opinion Sailor has an abundance of raw talent, it just needs to be polished by good coaching and a demonstrable faith in their ability. The best example of the latter is Lomax, always a great talent but a bit hit and miss, sign him to a reasonable long term contract and his game improves to the point of being the find of the season. In saying the above I would reiterate that I am very disappointed that Sailor has not been given further opportunity within the club because it is young players like he that will be needed to drag St George out of the mire the club finds itself in.
Swissdragon
Roar Rookie
SC, I agree either Hunt performs at half of cut him. Dragons have a good hooker in McInnes, but playing him at lock and Hunt at hooker compromises the size of the pack. Clune is a good half and worth sticking with. But he needs a pack going forward and a 5/8 that can produce any attack, not just be a catch and pass link. Maybe the dragons are doing Sailor a favour by letting him go where he may get more of an opportunity.
Swissdragon
Roar Rookie
For me the biggest failure of the dragons in 2020 and before was their continuing selection of underperforming players. Norman has been a total waste all year and Hunt as number 7 has underachieved. There have been few players that can hold their heads high. Dufty, Lomax, Clune, McInnes and Frizell have had good seasons. The rest have mixed report cards. Too many errors, too many missed tackles. I don’t know what Tristan Sailor has done wrong to get offside with Mary and the dragons. He got little time to show what he could do yet never got to start, even though Norman continued to underperform. And the dragons play under Mary was too predictable. First 4 tackles invariable were one-off hit ups. Fifth tackle try to spread the ball and sixth tackle kick. Every team in the competition knows what the dragons will do on almost every play. I am looking forward to 2021 and watching Lomax continue to improve, Cody Ramsey and the Feagai brothers learning and growing as future stars. But I urged the dragons to keep the young forwards and develop more.
Greg
Roar Pro
I heard Holmes is out game 1 ( not sure if it's true). I think Gagai probably needed in the centres. I'd consider Edrick Lee for a wing spot
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
I really don't think Milford and Boyd deserve to be in this conversation, or Bird who has been injured for two years. Anyway, look, I like the dragons, that's why I wrote the article. I think they have a better team than Brisbane (something backed by results). In fact, I think they have a better team than most of the bottom 8. I don't know about you, but to me says that suggests they had a disappointing year. I just tried to find an interesting way to demonstrate that which would also generate some discussion - which I think this did.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Fainu was developing as the possible heart and soul of the team and was a massive loss. I didn't know much about Levi and although he tried hard he doesn't have any of Fainus ability to work in with the team and keep the opposition guessing. A good run with injuries and we could be a decent chance soon I reckon.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Agreed but the injuries this year were all to key personnel. Not excusing some of the performances but I do understand that it was a massive factor. For people to suggest it was all about Turbos absence neglects the raft of others sitting most of the season out. I take heart in the fact that Manly have a long tradition of being written off and coming back from the ashes. Those two seasons you mention were the beginning of great things. Next season, if they can keep healthy, I see far more positive results on the way.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I think 2003 was our worst year. This, along with 2004, is our second worse.