The Dragons were very disappointing last year.
To get back into the finals conversation the team needs to spend their off-season working on their defence. However, within the realms of possibility is a chance to go to a new level altogether.
The defence will allow the team to get into more attacking situations and likely beat the other teams at the bottom of the ladder. This will not be enough to challenge the might of the Panthers, Roosters or Storm, though – they’ll need more firepower to get through the better defences.
In a previous article some other Dragons fans pointed out that they believed the main problem was with the attack more than the defence. In any case both need serious work.
Perhaps there is a player on the market who could help the attack.
(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
It has long been said there is no substitute for speed. It must have been exciting when Reg ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ Gasnier was going around, or Ken Irvine or Steve Renouf. Watching Josh Addo-Carr and Ryan Papenhuyzen this year has been fantastic.
Speed gives players an ability to pounce on any opportunity that presents itself or create something out of nothing.
James Roberts is looking for a fresh start and is one of the more prodigious talents the game has seen. Apart from his speed, ‘Jimmy the Jet’ is an Origin-quality centre who has had Wayne Bennett as a mentor for some time.
If he wants to, and if it is in his best interests – his mental wellbeing is the most important – it would be an intriguing gamble for the Dragons. He may also come cheap either with Souths chipping in or Roberts keen for a fresh start. Of course he may quit the game altogether.
I heard during the grand final broadcast that Melbourne had scored the most tries out of their own half of any team. That was largely due to the speed of Papenhuyzen and Addo-Carr. Melbourne just won the premiership.
Can you imagine Matthew Dufty linking with Roberts linking with Cody Ramsay? It could be one of the quickest edges ever seen. It will be an edge that needs extraordinarily little space to capitalise.
Dufty has speed to burn, but his passing game went to an elite level last year. Ramsay is similarly quick, and I really like his energy, which more than makes for his size. Any defence would need to be on their toes regardless of the state of the game. An early quick shift to Dufty, Roberts or Ramsay could pay dividends.
Zac Lomax will ensure the right side remains potent, and his combination with Dufty is impressive. Mikaele Ravalawa outside him has shown great finishing ability and will combat a lack of size and yardage metres from Ramsay and Dufty.
Many other issues with the Dragons team seen of 2019 and 2020 will need to be solved, but it would certainly be exciting to see that amount of speed and the Dragons having such potency on both sides of the field.
CostaG
Roar Rookie
Putting my Bluebags hat on, I'd like to see the Sharks sign both Benji and Jimmy the Jet. If they struggle at Endeavour Field, then they'd be a welcome experienced lot at Henson Park. They'd complement the young guns already there. Be a great highlight reel with the Jet scoring a try off a Billy Magoulias kick.
CostaG
Roar Rookie
All good points. But in the post Bennett years under Price / Mary and Young the Dragons although good players on paper have been scatter brained. Hot and cold. Relying too much on their club history rather than ability. Like the Wests Magpies of old, produce great players but not a consistent team. Paying huge amount of money for lemons from other clubs. With a new coach that has no playing ties with the club, it could be a fresh start with a change of culture to meet the demands of the modern game. As for Roberts, Griffin has first to fix the headspace of the current roster and mold them into a team. The sooner they also drop the dragging anchor that is the de Belin saga the better they can start the rebuild process.
Tony
Roar Guru
Welcome to the Roar Costa Yes, Field is a player that was let go too easily by the Dragons
CostaG
Roar Rookie
Another cheap option is get Jai Field back and utilize his speed, youth and flexibility.
Hairy
Roar Rookie
Yes. Many things are unlikely but are still worth exploring.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
And yet you dedicate an entire article to a premise you admit is unlikely to happen?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
But are we desperate though? Got a SOO centre and a bunch of young guns coming through. Need a couple of impact forwards before a centre.
Celtic Bandaid
Guest
Doesn't quite has his act together ? You mean a spouse bashing substance abusing loser Don't particularly care about SG Illawarra, only Care about RL As the father of a few daughters who loves RL can we start ridding the game of these half witted, inarticulate, self absorbed bums "Yeah life was tough when I was young blah blah blah " It wasn't for me and other people ??? Grow up !!! Get outside RL into the real world I'm sick of reading about how later on when you turned 40 and "realise you've buggered your life up etc etc" Go to a support group AA etc They'll listen to you I wont Meantime the real world has to work and indirectly pay your wages If Souths don't want you get a real job and shut up If you couldn't catch a ball and run fast you'd be a nobody like all of us James
Hairy
Roar Rookie
Probably the only other team as desperate as the Dragons. If you were Roberts though and given the choice, would you prefer to play at the Dragons or the Tigers?
Hairy
Roar Rookie
I fear you may be oversimplifying his situation, but I agree he hasn't quite lived up to the early hype.
Hairy
Roar Rookie
I hoped the Dragons would have thrown the kitchen sink at Welch, but alas, here we are.
Hairy
Roar Rookie
Thanks Cameron. I agree Roberts can turn things around, and it unlikely to be at the Saints. He is keen to play on now though, so who knows. Could end up a great story.
Hairy
Roar Rookie
I agree with the risk, but not sure about saying Roberts has no upside. He is only 27.
Hairy
Roar Rookie
Souths have just released him and he has said is interested to keep playing. What other club is desperate enough?
Gun Dog
Roar Rookie
No..
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Souths have just announced that Roberts has been released. We'll find out soon where he's going
Wayne Turner
Guest
Wests Tigers should - At the right price for them. They are a slow team,that lack pace in the backs.Especially if they miss out on JAC.
johnno 2
Roar Rookie
I feel particularly sorry for Jimmy and his career but it seems the time has come to give it away. Apart from the dreaded dog ,injuries have taken the toll and he'll not achieve the level he has previously displayed , for many reasons. It's a matter of what could have been and I really feel sorry for him there Unfortunately a very sad story but I'd be the first to wish him the utmost best in the future. Thanks for the special thrills James
terrykidd
Roar Pro
As Barry Beath said ..... The Dragons do not need or want Roberts. I don't care if he comes cheap because he is a half baked talent that isn't backed up by personal drive and resilience. Some other club can have him.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
We live in hope