Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Rock Hopper Steve]

St G are starting to look like we used to,Talking 2day to some smart diehards ,Their confused about direction of the club

Feel their pain but hard not to have a chuckle about it after all we went through.

 

[Kaito]

Yep can't tackle a wet paper towel. Worst defender I've seen and there are few out there.

It really is interesting I thought about this the other day, not many defensive minded players in the game anymore that pride themselves on the other side of the ball. Your Billy Moore's, Gillespie's, Matai etc... Maybe just a sign of the times but there isn't anymore hitmen in the game

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Here's a fantasy post for you with all the trouble at the dragons wouldn't be nice if Jaydn Su'A wanted out.

 

[tiger_one]

It really is interesting I thought about this the other day, not many defensive minded players in the game anymore that pride themselves on the other side of the ball. Your Billy Moore's, Gillespie's, Matai etc... Maybe just a sign of the times but there isn't anymore hitmen in the game

I'm hoping Justin Olam returns to his best for us.

 

[rugbygoated]

Fair call. I haven’t kept up with his recent performances, just really commenting from what he seemed like when here.

tbf Andrew Webster was an assistant here and was coach of the year in 2023 IIRC

 

[rugbygoated]

I totally agree re Gardiner and feel it more then most that we could have had Flanno here instead!

I actually see this as the major miss-step from Lee/Sheens/etc that they appointed Gardiner instead of Flanno. They should have had a "Madge is failing option" and Flanno would have been it*.


That said, coaching is weird.
I could see Gardiner laying groundwork that he can't capitalize on. I also see Stuart coming last at Parra and Sharks but leading Canberra to a finals appearance. The difference between being a good assistant like say Trent Barrett and a good NRL coach is:

As an assistant it's about what you do Right. If you can train up halves really well then you are valuable. Or maybe you can get the Front row tacking and firing OR maybe you can improve and tighten your backline defense.

As a head coach it's about whats done wrong. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses while managing the ego's in the team. With us we seem to identify that we are soft, but never could put enough training structures to make up for that.

I don't get the excitement re Gardiner, but one day he may make a good NRL coach. Webster IMHO seems better, but I reckon he is going to struggle recapturing NZ success, particularly working out how to replace Johnson.


This is so telling for Benji... He hired Hodgson who I don't think is going to improve on the team weaknesses.

*ok Flanno would have white-anted Sheens like ANYTHING! He did that at the Dogs and elsewhere.

the excitement around Gardiner is that he is a panthers assistant coach therefore he must be good. The reality is I'd much prefer Peter Wallace but I doubt he leaves

 

[cqtiger]

I can’t wait for winter up here in Central Queensland to get some relief from the scorching heat.

Last year winter was on a Thursday

 

[king_sirro]

the excitement around Gardiner is that he is a panthers assistant coach therefore he must be good. The reality is I'd much prefer Peter Wallace but I doubt he leaves

I don't think that's the case. The excitement with Gardiner originates from his performances with our reserve grade squad and the feedback players had about him. His intelligence and communication was very highly regarded. The fact he has now spent time at Penrith is the icing on the cake.

 

[Kaito]

I'm hoping Justin Olam returns to his best for us.

Tim johannssan Gary Larson 2.0 😝

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Tim johannssan Gary Larson 2.0 😝

High hopes for him Kaito would like him to fill out a bit will be knocking on the door round 11

 

[Buttface]

Tell me about B here it's the north easter the absolute scourge of summer, beach activities a no no.

Blowing here right now. I built a shed to protect the pool a bit. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Blowing here right now. I built a shed to protect the pool a bit. 🤷‍♂️

Good thinking there's only one spot I can throw a line in when it's up needs to be around top of the tide wait for March when the wind calms down and is a bit cooler.

 

[TurnStyle]

A player with defensive issues thrown green into the centre position is a recipe for disaster.
He's great with the ball and runs like lightning, excitement machine... But defense was a huge issue for us had been for years... We don't need another arm grabber

Yeh it's all about his defensive deficiencies isn't it?

The two players I initially mentioned (Lawrence and Brooks) started out very poor defenders but imo became very good, but it's simply not something that happens overnight.

And you're exactly right: the team really can't afford to carry a poor defender - especially in the centres and especially especially (yes, twice as especial! 😂) a guy who isn't even a centre to begin with....

I see now the error of my ways and have brought great shame to my family.... 😔

 

[mikey]

Good thinking there's only one spot I can throw a line in when it's up needs to be around top of the tide wait for March when the wind calms down and is a bit cooler.

Reserve my fishing for the cooler months.

 

[TurnStyle]

Well I do put it down to attitude mate, thats what defence is. I took a bit of notice in him last year when he was having issues, and I have to say it really looked like he was afraid of contact. That is not what our team needs and certainly not in a position he doesn't normally play.

Yeh I didn't have a clear memory and didn't want to assume.

Post I've just replied to I agree with exactly what your last sentence says.

Shame it's not nfl, because he's great at half the game! 😂

 

[Buttface]

A player with defensive issues thrown green into the centre position is a recipe for disaster.
He's great with the ball and runs like lightning, excitement machine... But defense was a huge issue for us had been for years... We don't need another arm grabber

Gotta be better than Doobie? Or at least good enough to keep him out of the team.
I would prefer a better centre option than both those two and prefer Latu played full games at 5/8.

 

[upthetigers]

St G are starting to look like we used to,Talking 2day to some smart diehards ,Their confused about direction of the club

They think Gutho and Cook will be their attacking threats lol contendors for the spoon

 

[Kaito]

Gotta be better than Doobie? Or at least good enough to keep him out of the team.
I would prefer a better centre option than both those two and prefer Latu played full games at 5/8.

Doueihi a chance at right centre ..

 

[Buttface]

Doueihi a chance at right centre ..

I will never like this post.

 

[upthetigers]

I will never like this post.

I rated him early on because he was a big body and attacking threat but his lateral defense after an ACL and tackling he should be depth and nothing more