Dragons fans must now be shifting their default setting from ‘continued disappointed’ to ‘very confused’, based on what’s occurred and what’s been rumoured since the appointment of Anthony Griffin as coach to replace the increasingly unpopular Paul McGregor after nearly seven seasons of mediocrity.
Here’s a quick rundown on some of the stuff supporters have had to deal with since Griffin was appointed in September last year.
I apologise in advance if I’ve missed anything significant, I’m probably just trying to block it out for my own mental wellbeing.
Try these on for size.
A complete cleanout of the coaching staff, and the appointment of good ol’ boys Matthew Elliott and Peter Gentle as assistant coaches. Gentle’s work as interim coach with the Broncos towards to end of last season where they wrapped up the wooden spoon might stand him in good stead over the next couple of years.
Despite the cleanout mentioned above, they’ve somehow retained Ian Millward as recruitment manager. Surely this is an oversight. Is there a recruitment manager in the game with a worse track record than Millward?
Then there was the recruitment of Jack Bird. This is a great deal for the Broncos, but what will he bring to the Red V? Griffin has been quoted as being concerned to manage Bird’s reintroduction to the game carefully, so let’s hope that goes well. After all, Bird’s 17 appearances over three seasons with the Broncos hardly inspires confidence.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Daniel Alvaro was recruited as a big body and is a nice guy by all reports, but his 156 minutes off the bench last year for the Eels and the Warriors across just eight games is hardly the stuff that dreams are made of. Maybe the Dragons are making a play for the reserve grade premiership?
There was rumoured interest in Josh Mansour, thankfully now signed by Souths. I am not sure if they were serious with this one, but if they were, what were they thinking? St George Illawarra look pretty well off for wingers who can run the length of the field, something Mansour hasn’t done for a while.
Cameron McInnes will head to the Sharks in 2022. The Saints’ inspirational captain has easily been their best player for the last couple of seasons, and his strong consistent form was rewarded by selection in the NSW Origin squad last year. Without McInnes, I have no doubt that the Dragons would have picked up back-to-back wooden spoons in 2019 and 2020. How Millward didn’t do everything in his power to retain him is beyond me and his loss is bound to have a flow-on effect on the rest of the squad.
There are ongoing rumours of Andrew McCullough coming – although with McInnes’ impending departure, it’s no doubt soon to become more than a rumour. McCullough has been a great player over the years for the Broncos, but now entering his 14th season and coming off a fairly major hamstring injury that limited him to just eight games last year, his best performances are behind him. Also, in McInnes, Ben Hunt and Billy Brittain, St George Illawarra had enough depth in the number nine position this year.
Finally we have the push to sign Israel Folau. I’m not even going to bite on this one. It couldn’t possibly happen. Could it?
I need to have a lie down now before I check the news feeds again.
Luke
Guest
Titans stormed home last season.
Luke
Guest
https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/04/11/dragons-knock-eels-out-of-top-four-with-fourth-straight-win/
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Yeah I am mystified
Sham
Roar Rookie
McInnes offers almost nothing in attack - all the top sides have attacking hookers. Not only that he is just too small to play lock. He is a great clubman but I don't see why other clubs were chasing him. Probably not a surprise that the clubs after him are not travelling too well
Rossi
Roar Rookie
That'd cheer me up!
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Pretty sure it was '98, when the GST was first introduced, and the Dragons weren't half Illawarra. Could've worked, kinda, as Great Steelers Team, Great Sharks Team, etc, but instead it's GSGT.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
well, simply put; Does St George know what is going on at St George, strange happenings. Why you would let Mc Innes go is beyond me regardless of anything else
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I love that sign. It must have come out at the same time as when the GST was introduced which makes it around mid 2000 Great St George Team Brilliant If they stuck it on eBay I'd buy it en though I'm not a Dragons fan - its a collectors item Should be in the Dragons glass cabinets in the clubrooms sometime in the future
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Maybe you could start a saying - "Its like having a Millward round you neck"
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I take that back. Nothing's lamer than that sign.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Mill the Dill? Silly Milly? They's be even lamer crowd signs than Great St George Team
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Both, if Millward's organizing it.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Instant Karma if they sign Folau
JGK
Roar Guru
Is there a level below amateur? Kindergartenish? Because that what the Dragons management are.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Maybe you could start supporting the Roosters Matt. Take one for the team.
matth
Roar Guru
Well the Broncs are heading into 15 years without a title. Before that I followed Canterbury who soent over 40 years in the wilderness before 1980 (I think). And I QLD I followed Redcliffe who specialized in coming second. I never saw them win a premiership until after the competition became 2nd tier.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Now that the Folau crap is done and dusted the next media release from Saints is the great hoax revealed. McInnes is staying.
Tony
Roar Guru
Millward is a very confused man
Succhi
Roar Rookie
The recruitment strategies of the Dragons has been confusing to say the least.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Looks like the Dragons board had a sudden attack of sanity.. hope for Dragons fans it’s not a short term condition