Roar Guru
Joined February 2014
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My usual position in a football team whether league, soccer or AFL was left right out, but I did try. I will also take this opportunity to apologise to you in advance because my views are bound to offend someone or everyone sooner or later. For the record I am a long time Dragons fan.
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Long-suffering Dragons fans are yet to be enlightened by the club or the Dragons' coach as to the strategy behind the acquisition program in…
The Dragons need to consider the way forward now that Origin second rower Jack de Belin has been suspended on full pay for the…
Statistically, two or three teams that finished in the top eight in the previous season usually drop out of the top eight in the…
Injuries in trial matches are always a possibility prior to the beginning of the season, and with burnout and fatigue an increasing factor at…
In a period of speculation before the Dragons signed Corey Norman and Gareth Widdop announced his 2020 departure to England, Matt Dufty is reported…
Usually, depth is something that coaches welcome, but for St George Illawarra Dragons coach Paul McGregor managing that playing depth during the season to…
The world of rugby league never stands still, and there'll be several clubs looking for a new coach for 2020 before the 2019 season's…
No, it’s not Luciano Pavarotti singing When the Saints Go Marching In; it's the 22-year-old Dragons second rower Luciano Leilua. The younger brother of…
The Dragons need to finalise their Gareth Widdop exit - i.e. Brexit - strategy now that the St George Illawarra skipper and five-eighth has…
The bookmakers have installed the Roosters as favourites to win the premiership again in 2019, but it's a long season and a lot can…
Jack Bird was Wayne Bennett’s prize signing for 2018, but after a dismal first season in Brisbane – thanks in large part to shoulder…
In 2018 the Dragons led the premiership for much of the year but only just managed to make the NRL finals despite their usual…
Despite denials by Wayne Bennett during the 2018 season, it was clear that his coaching career at the Broncos was over. As far as…
Rumours of discontent at Souths have probably been greatly exaggerated, but questions remain as to whether Wayne Bennett’s coaching style will fit in at…
The St George Illawarra Dragons had a close look at Jarryd Hayne until he faced criminal charges last year. Now they have signed Corey…
Anthony Seibold faces a daunting task taking over from Wayne Bennett at the Broncos. After losing three experienced forwards in Josh McGuire, Sam Thaiday…
Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett attacked the press last week, which of course is nothing new, but this time the media has struck a…
Well, it was an extraordinary performance by the Broncos after their first-up loss to the Dragons. Whatever coach Wayne Bennett said during the week…
The Broncos face the Cowboys at home on Friday night and although it is too early in the season to suggest this is a…
After playing with the new NRL Fantasy format in Round 1, having only 21 players in each squad is going to make the 2018…
Craig,
I agree with a lot you have to say but nothing matches experience in pressure games.
The Brisbane halves had a big question mark over them last year but I thought that in the end event they did a good job. Jack Bird was just not the Jack Bird of 2017 for even one game in 2018.
Attack can be up to individual skills, but defense is more of a team effort and that is where the problem lies for the Broncos forwards.
Can the Brisbane Broncos make the finals in 2019?
De Belin situation is not good for the club and at the very least this will be a giant distraction for De Belin and the Dragons.
That said there are plenty of forwards such as Lawrie who can fill the gap.
Corey Norman will provide additional attacking options and can always swap with Widdop during the game.
Thoughts of a pessimistic Red V fan
Broncos forwards are too inexperienced and crumbled under pressure from the Dragons forwards.
Souths will be hard and it will come down to who has the best attack, and Leilua is vital and needs more time from McGregor.
Six talking points from Brisbane Broncos vs St George Illawarra Dragons NRL elimination final
The Dragons were extraordinary against the Broncos but have a lesser axe to grind against Souths.
The Broncos young forward pack also fell apart under the Dragons pressure and we cannot expect Souths to do the same.
The bookies are tipping an easy win for Souths but while I do not expect a repeat performance from the Dragons I believe they are in with a chance assuming that Hunt can lift his game to make up for the absence of Widdop.
I expect Frizzell to lead the way in the forwards and hope that Leilua will be given more game time to make a real difference in attack.
The Dragons are back and they’re a real chance
I think you are right about the experience and confidence gained playing for Tonga against the big name teams and I think he scored 1 try.
Pangai Junior is the rabbit that Bennett pulls out of his hat
At least there are only 2 byes this year only one of which Round 17 Broncos have to play in, so the real issue is injuries that may come out of origin. So no origin excuses really until round 17.
Pangai Junior is the rabbit that Bennett pulls out of his hat
Every Dragon fan is happy with the start of the season, but next week we play the Titans away, a game against one of the less fancied teams, which are usually the games that the Dragons do not show up for and lose.
James Graham appears to be showing his age a bit, but he is certainly a good addition. I would like to see Luciana Leilua get a decent chance in the forwards and McGregor’s reliance on Lattimore I believe is misplaced.
Lafai has also been a bit disappointing in the centres.
Dragons heating up
I like Murray too but Warriors Papalii is too cheap too leave out.
NRL Fantasy 2018: First impressions
I had more urgent changes to make such as Katoa out with his broken jaw but I also plan to get rid of Leilua next week unless things change.
NRL Fantasy 2018: First impressions
The Dragons forwards are a bit expensive and the cheaper players for the Dragons such as Leilia are no guarantee of seeing decent time so I’d be careful. Another reason for avoiding the Dragons players is that they do have a bye around 13.
I think the strategy of starting with cheapies is a good one but everything has to be balanced because you do not want to get too far behind the leaders. As it was for me most of the reliable players I chose scored lowly and it was lucky I had Damien Cook at hooker, Ponga at fullback, Kikau in reserves and Slade Griffin in the second row. But I still came nowhere near 900.
Good front row forwards are hard to find this year.
NRL Fantasy 2018: First impressions
All you Bronco fans you say it is too early to judge the Broncos on one match are of course correct, and you’ll presumably say the same if they lose to the Cowboys in round two.
But what will you say if they lose again to the Tigers at home in round 3.
The facts are even if they win those matches the Broncos are going nowhere this year with limited grant in the forwards (Pangai excepted), no halfback, an old fullback but can’t run and struggles to stay in the field and an even older coach who has no answers.
My Broncos are no chance for the 2018 NRL premiership
The potential candidates included Tigers who have shown enough against Rooster to indicate that they are not wooden spooners and coach Cleary and some offseason acquisitions have helped in this regard. There is a lot to like about their forwards and backline and coach Cleary worked them hard in the offseason.
The Roosters chose to buy Cronk and Tedesco in the off-season and have neglected the forwards, which is where they lost against the Tigers. If it had not been for a fantastic performance from Ferguson the Roosters would have faced a very embarrassing scoreline. The Roosters are weak in the forwards and lack the depth which will be challenged in the event of injuries.
Warriors and Titans are more of an enigma and it’s a matter of whether they can maintain consistency throughout the season, but they are certainly not easy beats.
The wooden spoon, is more likely to come from a surprise candidate such as the Broncoswho like the Roosters are weak in the forwards and lacked depth, but if I said anything like that in the article I would have had the Broncos fans screaming.
The NRL off-season halves shuffle
Sorry about that, wonder how Ma’afoaeata Hingano will go if he can break into the current 3 halves playing at the Raiders?
The NRL off-season halves shuffle
Charles,
I prefer the Louis Armstrong version (the reference to food to eat used to mention ANZ standium pricing but that has been edited out):
Louis Armstrong – When The Saints Go Marching In Lyrics
We are traveling in the footsteps
Of those who’ve gone before
But we’ll all be reunited (but if we stand reunited)
On a new and sunlit shore (then a new world is in store)
Oh when the saints go marching in
When the saints go marching in
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
And when the sun refuse (begins) to shine
And when the sun refuse (begins) to shine
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
When the moon turns red with blood
When the moon turns red with blood
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
On that hallelujah day
On that hallelujah day
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
Oh when the trumpet sounds the call
Oh when the trumpet sounds the call
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
Some say this world of trouble
Is the only one we need
But I’m waiting for that morning
When the new world is revealed
When the revelation (revolution) comes
When the revelation (revolution) comes
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
When the rich go out and work
When the rich go out and work
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
When the air is pure and clean
When the air is pure and clean
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
When we all have food to eat
When we all have food to eat
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
When our leaders learn to cry
When our leaders learn to cry
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
Finals are not good enough this year
it will be the saints go marching in…….
Round 1 will determine the Broncos and Dragons' seasons
I agree with you entirely, the point of the article before editing, was that I thought the Broncos were too short on forwards to last the season.
Round 1 will determine the Broncos and Dragons' seasons
The daily Telegraph,as well as being controllers of super coach NRL are now also putting out dozens of headlines each week related to NRL which have almost no editorial content or substance.
Fans get attracted to the headlines and must then pay for the privilege of reading rubbish.
It's time fantasy football started paying out
The charges and that is all they are, would never have made it to court.
Langlands and Billy Smith built there names on the field and any later problems do not sour their reputation.
Changa dies at 76
Graham will add something to the Dragons Pack but another year under the belt is not a positive for Graham and I doubt that he will see as much time on the field as he did at the Bulldogs.
The real undecided is how Hunt will fit in to the Dragons team. He has to be a big positive, but I doubt he will get as much support as he did at the Broncos.
Finally, for all Dragons fans the big question is will Leilua be given a chance?
The Dragons will breathe fire in 2018
I think that all who got their opportunity did so through injury, rather than being selected on form.
McGregor ignored Drew Hutchison last year and now there is no Drew Hutchison arround. Leilau saw no game time in NRL despite stellar performances with more “defensive players” being preferred, will he get a chance this year?
Is Paul McGregor the right man to coach the Dragons?
Do not be surprised if Bennett has some tricks up his sleeve so far as halfback is concerned.
Bennett also knows that you cannot just take a champion halfback and put him into a team and expect the team to know exactly what the halfback is about to do and support that move.
Whether and how long it takes Ben Hunt to work out for the Dragons and Pearce for the Knights remains to be seen.
Wayne Bennett has stuffed Brisbane for 2018
I agree the Titans will be in a battle to avoid the bottom three.
Cowboys hot, Knights not: My 2018 NRL predictions
To make an impactLuciano Leilau has to be used by McGregor, which he was not last year. Is that going to happen?
Cowboys hot, Knights not: My 2018 NRL predictions
I guess will have a good indication when the young Broncos forwards face the Titans big pack in their last trial match.
Can the Brisbane Broncos make the finals in 2019?