Basket Cases

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

There was suggestions of my hero going to Dogs - no idea.

 

[jrtiger]

Rounds 1-5: Us
Rounds 6-20: Dogs
Rounds 21-26: Titans, Dogs, Warriors

Thankfully Ivan & Justin were able to turn the Queen Mary II of ships around and put us on the right track otherwise we'd probably take the cake.

 

[Spud_Murphy]

I don't expect The Dogs to stay down.

Me neither, they finished the season well and showed what they are capable of. They have shed who they needed to shed and bought well for next year. I don't think they will be as 'down' as some on here are hoping they will be. Time will tell, but let's focus on our own backyard instead of death riding other teams.

Not sure what you are basing this off. Just because historically they are a strong side, it does not change they have an average, ageing roster, with a tired coach whose out of ideas and is turning into the new Tim Sheens. They have no established halfback or hooker, an average (im being kind) fullback, and no real strike out wide. Plus the two players who epitomise their club the most are now both gone. Where is the improvement coming from? Answering by saying the Dogs always bounce back does not wash, becsuse all the times in the past that they have, have they ever had a roster as average as this and a coach who is losing it?

Well, Woods and Forun will help. Lichaa will be kept at DH I would think after his last few performances - that should all help to keep them up a bit.

They will, despite what people think. Woods is younger than Graham, has more go forward, plays more minutes and can still improve as a player. Foran will be great again once he is back playing in Sydney - the culture at the Warriors is terrible, it can ruin even the best of them - just ask Tui.

The Dogs finished very well this year, smashing a top 8 team and knocking a desperate St George out of finals contention. They can still play, no bones about it. Losing Graham and Reynolds isn't as bad as their supporters seem to think - they were getting stale and their replacements will be better.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

There was suggestions of my hero going to Dogs - no idea.

You would have had to buy 3 different club memberships in 3 years.

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

There was suggestions of my hero going to Dogs - no idea.

You would have had to buy 3 different club memberships in 3 years.

I was part of Bulldogs chess team about 18 years ago when we won all Sydney. I have my pride.

 

[Tigerdon]

There was suggestions of my hero going to Dogs - no idea.

You would have had to buy 3 different club memberships in 3 years.

I was part of Bulldogs chess team about 18 years ago when we won all Sydney. I have my pride.

Do you still have the physique for chess ? Sometimes my posture slouches these days. Over long games I've been known to unintentionally let one rip, through bad posture

 

[Russell]

Me neither, they finished the season well and showed what they are capable of. They have shed who they needed to shed and bought well for next year. I don't think they will be as 'down' as some on here are hoping they will be. Time will tell, but let's focus on our own backyard instead of death riding other teams.

Not sure what you are basing this off. Just because historically they are a strong side, it does not change they have an average, ageing roster, with a tired coach whose out of ideas and is turning into the new Tim Sheens. They have no established halfback or hooker, an average (im being kind) fullback, and no real strike out wide. Plus the two players who epitomise their club the most are now both gone. Where is the improvement coming from? Answering by saying the Dogs always bounce back does not wash, becsuse all the times in the past that they have, have they ever had a roster as average as this and a coach who is losing it?

Well, Woods and Forun will help. Lichaa will be kept at DH I would think after his last few performances - that should all help to keep them up a bit.

They will, despite what people think. Woods is younger than Graham, has more go forward, plays more minutes and can still improve as a player. Foran will be great again once he is back playing in Sydney - the culture at the Warriors is terrible, it can ruin even the best of them - just ask Tui.

The Dogs finished very well this year, smashing a top 8 team and knocking a desperate St George out of finals contention. They can still play, no bones about it. Losing Graham and Reynolds isn't as bad as their supporters seem to think - they were getting stale and their replacements will be better.

Agree with what you say Spud, except I don't think it was the culture at the Warriors that ruined Tui - it was that no talent coach - Kearney.

 

[Spud_Murphy]

Not sure what you are basing this off. Just because historically they are a strong side, it does not change they have an average, ageing roster, with a tired coach whose out of ideas and is turning into the new Tim Sheens. They have no established halfback or hooker, an average (im being kind) fullback, and no real strike out wide. Plus the two players who epitomise their club the most are now both gone. Where is the improvement coming from? Answering by saying the Dogs always bounce back does not wash, becsuse all the times in the past that they have, have they ever had a roster as average as this and a coach who is losing it?

Well, Woods and Forun will help. Lichaa will be kept at DH I would think after his last few performances - that should all help to keep them up a bit.

They will, despite what people think. Woods is younger than Graham, has more go forward, plays more minutes and can still improve as a player. Foran will be great again once he is back playing in Sydney - the culture at the Warriors is terrible, it can ruin even the best of them - just ask Tui.

The Dogs finished very well this year, smashing a top 8 team and knocking a desperate St George out of finals contention. They can still play, no bones about it. Losing Graham and Reynolds isn't as bad as their supporters seem to think - they were getting stale and their replacements will be better.

Agree with what you say Spud, except I don't think it was the culture at the Warriors that ruined Tui - it was that no talent coach - Kearney.

Yeah too true, but I reckon he is the one who has created the culture.

 

[PrattenParkMagpie]

I don't expect The Dogs to stay down.

Me neither, they finished the season well and showed what they are capable of. They have shed who they needed to shed and bought well for next year. I don't think they will be as 'down' as some on here are hoping they will be. Time will tell, but let's focus on our own backyard instead of death riding other teams.

Not sure what you are basing this off. Just because historically they are a strong side, it does not change they have an average, ageing roster, with a tired coach whose out of ideas and is turning into the new Tim Sheens. They have no established halfback or hooker, an average (im being kind) fullback, and no real strike out wide. Plus the two players who epitomise their club the most are now both gone. Where is the improvement coming from? Answering by saying the Dogs always bounce back does not wash, becsuse all the times in the past that they have, have they ever had a roster as average as this and a coach who is losing it?

Well, Woods and Forun will help. Lichaa will be kept at DH I would think after his last few performances - that should all help to keep them up a bit.

Lichaa is off contract and considering their cap position it is very doubtful he will be there.

 

[Tigerdon]

Gordon Tallis has said he is on the Titians selection committee for a new coach. Without being asked he also said "the Titian are not a Basket case." I disagree .

 

[WT2K]

Gordon Tallis has said he is on the Titians selection committee for a new coach. Without being asked he also said "the Titian are not a Basket case." I disagree .

Indeed they are. Latest rumour from MMM is that Laurie Daley will be their new coach

 

[Marshall_magic]

Us

Not any more after this year,

2014 to mid 2017 along with Newcastle we were right towards the top of the Basket Case list.
However, right now.
We are out of the Top5 Basket Cases (iMO).
Other teams have leap frogged us.

To be honest 2011 was the year the damage was done. Penrith approached Sheens to be head coach as he was off contract, and our board panicked and signed him up for 3 years on a lucrative deal. We also upset key players by signing Blair and letting go of "popular characters." In 2012 our board decided Sheens was not up to it but couldn't agree on a payout and had to keep him around and pay peanuts for a new head coach. Blair was also a flop and killed us on the field. From then on we have been a punchline and have struggled to get any momentum at all.

 

[steve-o]

1\. Warriors - lost their last 9 games and finished in the bottom 4 with arguably the club's strongest ever roster. Their coach is one of the worst of all time.
2\. Titans - the club sold their soul to buy a marquee player (Hayne), and now the club is in disarray. It's as much the club's fault as it is Hayne's.
3\. Knights - won their third consecutive wooden spoon.
4\. Bulldogs - lost two of their club favourites, and replaced them with an overrated prop and a 5/8 past his best. Fans and former club greats want the coach sacked and the board over thrown.
5\. Tigers - Have missed the 8 for 6 consecutive seasons.

 

[Tiger_Steve]

1\. Warriors - lost their last 9 games and finished in the bottom 4 with arguably the club's strongest ever roster. Their coach is one of the worst of all time.
2\. Titans - the club sold their soul to buy a marquee player (Hayne), and now the club is in disarray. It's as much the club's fault as it is Hayne's.
3\. Knights - won their third consecutive wooden spoon.
4\. Bulldogs - lost two of their club favourites, and replaced them with an overrated prop and a 5/8 past his best. Fans and former club greats want the coach sacked and the board over thrown.
5\. Tigers - Have missed the 8 for 6 consecutive seasons.

Fair call Steve-o. Tigers must make the 8 next year.

 

[tig_prmz]

1\. Warriors - lost their last 9 games and finished in the bottom 4 with arguably the club's strongest ever roster. Their coach is one of the worst of all time.
2\. Titans - the club sold their soul to buy a marquee player (Hayne), and now the club is in disarray. It's as much the club's fault as it is Hayne's.
3\. Knights - won their third consecutive wooden spoon.
4\. Bulldogs - lost two of their club favourites, and replaced them with an overrated prop and a 5/8 past his best. Fans and former club greats want the coach sacked and the board over thrown.
5\. Tigers - Have missed the 8 for 6 consecutive seasons.

agree with all except bulldogs.. i see them as being basket cases next year but this is the first time thye've missed finals in years and have a decent supporter base, good crowds still etc.

people also forget that this is the first time eels made it to top 8 since 2009, got done for salary cap last year and had their 9s taken off them. they'd be in the top 6 imo.

 

[steve-o]

1\. Warriors - lost their last 9 games and finished in the bottom 4 with arguably the club's strongest ever roster. Their coach is one of the worst of all time.
2\. Titans - the club sold their soul to buy a marquee player (Hayne), and now the club is in disarray. It's as much the club's fault as it is Hayne's.
3\. Knights - won their third consecutive wooden spoon.
4\. Bulldogs - lost two of their club favourites, and replaced them with an overrated prop and a 5/8 past his best. Fans and former club greats want the coach sacked and the board over thrown.
5\. Tigers - Have missed the 8 for 6 consecutive seasons.

agree with all except bulldogs.. i see them as being basket cases next year but this is the first time thye've missed finals in years and have a decent supporter base, good crowds still etc.

people also forget that this is the first time eels made it to top 8 since 2009, got done for salary cap last year and had their 9s taken off them. they'd be in the top 6 imo.

Yeah I can accept calling the dogs a basketcase is probably a bit harsh. Before this year they were in the finals for 5 consecutive years and the fact that they've had so much focus on their bad year shows that the Bulldogs club does not accept failure or even mediocrity. It's somewhat admirable how much they demand success.

 

[gallagher]

1\. Warriors - lost their last 9 games and finished in the bottom 4 with arguably the club's strongest ever roster. Their coach is one of the worst of all time.
2\. Titans - the club sold their soul to buy a marquee player (Hayne), and now the club is in disarray. It's as much the club's fault as it is Hayne's.
3\. Knights - won their third consecutive wooden spoon.
4\. Bulldogs - lost two of their club favourites, and replaced them with an overrated prop and a 5/8 past his best. Fans and former club greats want the coach sacked and the board over thrown.
5\. Tigers - Have missed the 8 for 6 consecutive seasons.

agree with all except bulldogs.. i see them as being basket cases next year but this is the first time thye've missed finals in years and have a decent supporter base, good crowds still etc.

people also forget that this is the first time eels made it to top 8 since 2009, got done for salary cap last year and had their 9s taken off them. they'd be in the top 6 imo.

You're spot on about Parra. When you consider their wealth, supporter base and junior numbers their results over decades is embarrassing.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

If you're look at straight results over the last few years, us and Newcastle are probably the worst, I'd have included the Eels in that if they didn't make the finals this year as well.

This year the Warriors are my pick as a basket case purely because they have the Kiwi international spine and still never looked like making the 8\. They have secured quality players over the years and brought on many talented players of their own and have routinely missed out. They are the epitome of underachievement, especially if NZ goes on to do well at the RL World Cup.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

If you're look at straight results over the last few years, us and Newcastle are probably the worst, I'd have included the Eels in that if they didn't make the finals this year as well.

This year the Warriors are my pick as a basket case purely because they have the Kiwi international spine and still never looked like making the 8\. They have secured quality players over the years and brought on many talented players of their own and have routinely missed out. They are the epitome of underachievement, especially if NZ goes on to do well at the RL World Cup.

Their management are pretty inept as well hiring Kearney. By far the worst NRL coach of the last 5 years, maybe the last decade. I honestly don't know what it will take for them to realise if they had a marquee coach, like a Bennett or Bellamy, that is when they would become a force. Even Maguire. I reckon he would be a great fit for them. Souths had been a joke for 20+ years, he comes in and wins a premiership within 3 years. The Warriors need someone who can come in and instill a new culture, because the one they have now is rotten and has been ever since Cleary left. Kearney is not the answer and never will be.

 

[Tigerdon]

Shane Flanagan help turned the Sharks into a Basket Case in 2014 with Pedtides.
In 2017 they are strong club but cracks are starting to emerge. The culture he has built has flaws. He has upset a lot of people in Rugby League with his attack on refs and the current attacks on junior refs. Someone said on Fox that 500 refs quit a year. This maybe an exaggerated but The Media are turning against Flan. If the cracks start widening and Flans mentoring will draw more heat.