Dragons Season Thread 2017/18 - New Beginnings

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

Too early?!  Never mind.

So, big changes are afoot at Dave Parade.  There's been loads of arguments about the best way forward, the pros and cons of regional v club rugby, and I'm sure there'll be many more to come.  But what's done is done and, for now, we have a pro team at Dave Parade to support next year.  A few weeks ago even that was in jeopardy.  So moving forward...

Ownership:
So the WRU has taken over the reigns.  I'll add updates here as and when we know them, but the formal split from Newport RFC should mean 'cleaner' or more straightforward to understand revenue streams.  

Pitch:
A new one is being laid as we speak.  This original pitch has been part and parcel of the problems at RP for a number of years.  A BBC report showed it to be up there as the most used pitch pro pitch in the UK.  Something had to be done.  A fully synthetic pitch was mooted and preferred by some, a al Blues, Saracens, Glasgow, et al.  However, FA rules state that football clubs cannot play on these surfaces (probably since the AstroTurf days of Luton Town, etc.).  So it looks like a compromise has been agreed with a 4g semi-synthetic pitch, like those used by many football clubs, Swansea City/Ospreys, Millennium Stadium, Aviva Stadium, Twickenham, Murrayfield, Cardiff City stadium, etc.  A weave of synthetic fibres and real grass meaning it's easier to maintain, less prone to weather damage, but still sort of like the real thing.  This will be a real move forward and should improve the product on the field.  A bit.

Personnel:
New coach - Huw Jackman.  Comes with a good reputation for hard work and attacking rugby.  Good stuff.
Gavin Henson - I'm happy with this.  Despite his knockers, so to speak, he is still a classy club player and performed well in the English Prem with Bristol, when not injured.  Which is the crux of the issue.  Hopefully we can keep him fit for an extended run of games.
Zane Kirchner - On paper a quality player but as with a lot of good players, when they are in the twighlight of their careers and join a 'lesser' club more often than not they do not perform as expected.  Let's hope he is an exception to the rule.  Did Jackman and Kirchner play together at Leinster?


Transfers In:

Bernard 'No Pudding' Jackman - coach
Gavin Henson
Zane Kirchner

Transfers Out:
Shaun Knight
Nick Crosswell
Tom Prydie
Geraint Rhys Jones
Darren Harris
Craig Mitchell


New Badge:

[mikey_dragon]

So the dragon's tactic to improve their fortunes is to sign players that are no better than the quality they already have?

Wasting the little (legitimate) money they have.

Yeah, we should do exactly what the Blues are doing

Which is?

Keep signing old players who are ready to retire and be on the verge of crashing and burning.

Like Kirschner?

Haaa, nice try but you've probably got the oldest front row in world rugby in Jenkins, Rees, Filise.

And yet they have contributed more to our cause this year than Henson and Kirschner combined to yours, correct?

Bit of a closed question, can you explain how and why they've done that, at least from your point of view?

[mikey_dragon]

THE Dragons have bolstered their midfield by signing Welsh-qualified centre Jarryd Sage from the Southern Kings.

The 22-year-old from Cape Town earned a shot at the new South African Guinness PRO14 outfit after impressing with the Golden Lions.

But now Sage, who came off the bench in last weekend’s encounter with Ulster, is heading for Europe on a permanent basis.

The Dragons are yet to confirm the signing or when the centre will make the switch but the Kings state that he will make the switch on December 1.

If he's meant to be one of the 12 seasoned pro's coming in then I'm a little underwhelmed.

[Stone Motif]

THE Dragons have bolstered their midfield by signing Welsh-qualified centre Jarryd Sage from the Southern Kings.

The 22-year-old from Cape Town earned a shot at the new South African Guinness PRO14 outfit after impressing with the Golden Lions.

But now Sage, who came off the bench in last weekend’s encounter with Ulster, is heading for Europe on a permanent basis.

The Dragons are yet to confirm the signing or when the centre will make the switch but the Kings state that he will make the switch on December 1.

If he's meant to be one of the 12 seasoned pro's coming in then I'm a little underwhelmed.

Why the hell we are stockpiling centre/wings is anyone's guess. Lunacy unless they expect Tyler to be Ashley Beck snappy.

[mikey_dragon]

Yeah centre/wing is usually where we have a fair amount of good prospects anyway. I I think I can see the reasoning behind it with Hewitt and Morgan's recent injury record, and if BJ plans on easing in guys like Rosser so they don't also snap. I'm still a little underwhelmed with him and the RL boy, unless they're just stop gaps.

[Stone Motif]

Yeah centre/wing is usually where we have a fair amount of good prospects anyway. I I think I can see the reasoning behind it with Hewitt and Morgan's recent injury record, and if BJ plans on easing in guys like Rosser so they don't also snap. I'm still a little underwhelmed with him and the RL boy, unless they're just stop gaps.

This unknown and the Rugby League reject are project players, not stop gaps. Thretton Palamo and Joe Davies (?) are stop gaps. The only thing I can guess given Warren G's man love for BJ is that he's trying to assemble a squad with a good athletic ceiling that can bosh teams to death in a few years. With Jordan Fing Williams and Ryan Bevington doing their parodies of Shane and Melon in a peak era Cement ball type set up

[Guest]

"Warren G's man love for BJ". Now available on DVD from the dark web!

[Stone Motif]

"Warren G's man love for BJ". Now available on DVD from the dark web!

Ban this sick filth

[munkian]

I reckon Adam Hughes is for the chop then.

Rugby League 'reject' is a bit harsh.

[Stone Motif]

I reckon Adam Hughes is for the chop then.

Rugby League 'reject' is a bit harsh.

Really? How many top flight games did he play again?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Northampton: H Mallinder, JP Estelles, R Hutchinson, T Stephenson, K Pisi, S Myler, C Reinach, F van Wyk, R Marshall, J Ford-Robinson, M Paterson, S Dickinson (captain), T Wood, B Nutely, M Eadie. Replacements: M Haywood, M Beesley, P Hill, A Moon, T Harrison, A Mitchell, J Grayson, B Foden.

Dragons: J Goodchild, J Rosser, J Thomas, P Howard, A Hewitt (captain), A Robson, C Davies, L Garrett, L Belcher, L Fairbrother, M Screech, R Landman, A Wainwright, B Roach, H Worthington. Replacements: G Ellis, T Davies, B Harris, S Andrews, L Greggains, O Leonard, A O’Brien, A Warren.


Quite why Hewitt's captain when Landman's in the starting XV is anyone's guess.

[RiscaGame]

I questioned the Hewitt captaincy on FB. Guess it’s because he's our best player available, but I wouldn’t even be risking him.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Great news that he's back early - not so great that they're throwing him in for an Anglo-Welsh game

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/15660579.Dragons_get_massive_injury_boost_as_Ollie_Griffiths_makes_rapid_return_from_jaw_surgery/

[RiscaGame]

I assume they’re trying to get him to prove his fitness, in case Team Wales come calling.

[Stone Motif]

Mark of a solid athlete, good recovery.

[munkian]

Jack Dixon extends contract at the Dragons - good to see we are finally managing to keep our young home grown talent.

[Guest]

Dragons beat Scarlets in Anglo Welsh cup on Friday. Didn't even realise we were playing! Whoops.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

*Prays that Griff doesn't know we're playing Leinster on Friday*

[Stone Motif]

*Prays that Griff doesn't know we're playing Leinster on Friday*

If you're going to block a game out of your memory, it's arguably the one on Friday. It's gonna be dark web stuff.

[Guest]

*Prays that Griff doesn't know we're playing Leinster on Friday*

Could be a good superstition to keep hold off going forward - keep the fixture list away from me and we'll win.  It's been effective 100% of the time so far!  Except I know about the Leinster game now.  Thanks very much.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

*Prays that Griff doesn't know we're playing Leinster on Friday*

If you're going to block a game out of your memory, it's arguably the one on Friday. It's gonna be dark web stuff.

It'll be interesting to see what kind of side we put out. Jackman's been away on a recruitment drive and it won't look great to potential signings if we can't be arsed with another away game.

[RiscaGame]

Heard a whisper Stuart Davies has left Dragons.

Jackman needs to go as strong as possible for Friday. It’ll be interesting to see then how far we have come, in comparison to the game earlier in the season.

[munkian]

Heard a whisper Stuart Davies has left Dragons.

Jackman needs to go as strong as possible for Friday. It’ll be interesting to see then how far we have come, in comparison to the game earlier in the season.

Thats a huge lump of dead wood cleared out if true.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Heard a whisper Stuart Davies has left Dragons.

Jackman needs to go as strong as possible for Friday. It’ll be interesting to see then how far we have come, in comparison to the game earlier in the season.

Thats a huge lump of dead wood cleared out if true.

Presumably this means he'll go back to being a pundit on Scrum V, replacing the Blues-bound Sean Holley.

[munkian]

Heard a whisper Stuart Davies has left Dragons.

Jackman needs to go as strong as possible for Friday. It’ll be interesting to see then how far we have come, in comparison to the game earlier in the season.

Thats a huge lump of dead wood cleared out if true.

Presumably this means he'll go back to being a pundit on Scrum V, replacing the Blues-bound Sean Holley.

[mikey_dragon]

When are we announcing the signature of Moriarty?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I'm still not confident he'll sign. If he does then fair play to him, it's a huge leap of faith.

Decent stat here:

After ticking off his pre-season long-term goal of a Wales cap in quick time, Dragons hooker Elliot Dee is hungry for more Test action this autumn.

The front rower earned his chance thanks to a superb, energetic start to the campaign at Rodney Parade and he took that form onto the Test stage, making 10 tackles in 12 minutes on the field.

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/rugby/latest/15670306.Dragons_hooker_Dee_hungry_for_more_after_making_Wales_debut/

[RiscaGame]

Very good stat indeed.

[carpet baboon]

10 tackles in 12 minutes? Is that correct?
Impressive

[Guest]

10 tackles in 12 minutes? Is that correct?
Impressive

Georgia were pretty poor overall until the last 10 minutes when they brought some fresh legs on and suddenly came alive and started to run it a bit and do some pick and drives. Just as Dee came on the field, so he had his work cut out!

[munkian]

Still baffles me how Dacey is ahead of Dee.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

It's his hair. He turns up at the Vale like he's just stepped out of a salon and the coaches are dazzled.

[munkian]

It's his hair. He turns up at the Vale like he's just stepped out of a salon and the coaches are dazzled.

If that'd the case Hibbard should be starting. He should certainly be in the mix to be honest - playing well at Glos still.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Hibbard's hair isn't as lustrous as Dacey's.

[Guest]

Hibbard's hair isn't as lustrous as Dacey's.

Greasy I would have said for Dacey. Hibbard's hair looks much.... dryer?


What have we become...

[Guest]

Anyway, agree on Dacey. Commented during the game that Dacey was not having a good one. Why wait so long to bring Dee on?

[munkian]

Anyway, agree on Dacey.  Commented during the game that Dacey was not having a good one.  Why wait so long to bring Dee on?

To keep the Cardiff fans happy. They are very important. Very busy

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Hibbard's hair isn't as lustrous as Dacey's.

Greasy I would have said for Dacey.  Hibbard's hair looks much.... dryer?


What have we become...

Dacey's hair is lank as hell. He looks awful. I wouldn't tell him so, naturally.

[mikey_dragon]

I thought Dacey was okay, nothing spectacular. I think Dee is playing better, or am I just biased? I said Hibbard should have come in for Baldwin almost two seasons ago. Hibbard would be a very good impact sub.

[ScarletSpiderman]

When it comes down to Dacey and Dee (and Elias) there is not much to differ between them. However, I would say that Dee has the edge over Dacey and the fact he is younger, so still got room to improve, should be in his favour if it is a 50-50 call.

[munkian]

When it comes down to Dacey and Dee (and Elias) there is not much to differ between them.  However, I would say that Dee has the edge over Dacey and the fact he is younger, so still got room to improve, should be in his favour if it is a 50-50 call.

Exactly. I'm sure is a tidier scrummager than Dacey though.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Elias had a good season last season, but am I right in thinking he's missed some games this season? I suppose it might count against him too that he's not first choice.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Elias had a good season last season, but am I right in thinking he's missed some games this season? I suppose it might count against him too that he's not first choice.

Elias is in a similar boat to the one Ken found himself in 8 years ago. He has all the atributes to be in the battle for the Welsh spot, however he is behind the welsh first choice at the region. Given a year or two he can really push for it, but at the moment it is more just taking his chances when the come at the region.

I think going into the RWC we will have Dee and Ken competing for the starters shirt, and Ellias as the filler.

[munkian]

Elias had a good season last season, but am I right in thinking he's missed some games this season? I suppose it might count against him too that he's not first choice.

Elias is in a similar boat to the one Ken found himself in 8 years ago.  He has all the atributes to be in the battle for the Welsh spot, however he is behind the welsh first choice at the region.  Given a year or two he can really push for it, but at the moment it is more just taking his chances when the come at the region.

I think going into the RWC we will have Dee and Ken competing for the starters shirt, and Ellias as the filler.

Give him to the spreys !

[Stone Motif]

Elias had a good season last season, but am I right in thinking he's missed some games this season? I suppose it might count against him too that he's not first choice.

Elias is in a similar boat to the one Ken found himself in 8 years ago.  He has all the atributes to be in the battle for the Welsh spot, however he is behind the welsh first choice at the region.  Given a year or two he can really push for it, but at the moment it is more just taking his chances when the come at the region.

I think going into the RWC we will have Dee and Ken competing for the starters shirt, and Ellias as the filler.

Give him to the spreys !

I'd rather they kept the tamer of lions

[munkian]

Elias had a good season last season, but am I right in thinking he's missed some games this season? I suppose it might count against him too that he's not first choice.

Elias is in a similar boat to the one Ken found himself in 8 years ago.  He has all the atributes to be in the battle for the Welsh spot, however he is behind the welsh first choice at the region.  Given a year or two he can really push for it, but at the moment it is more just taking his chances when the come at the region.

I think going into the RWC we will have Dee and Ken competing for the starters shirt, and Ellias as the filler.

Give him to the spreys !

I'd rather they kept the tamer of lions

Howley ?

[Stone Motif]

Elias had a good season last season, but am I right in thinking he's missed some games this season? I suppose it might count against him too that he's not first choice.

Elias is in a similar boat to the one Ken found himself in 8 years ago.  He has all the atributes to be in the battle for the Welsh spot, however he is behind the welsh first choice at the region.  Given a year or two he can really push for it, but at the moment it is more just taking his chances when the come at the region.

I think going into the RWC we will have Dee and Ken competing for the starters shirt, and Ellias as the filler.

Give him to the spreys !

I'd rather they kept the tamer of lions

Howley ?

No not Howler. Feeder of Lions I should have said

[mikey_dragon]

When are we signing Moriarty, North and Faletau?

[Stone Motif]

When are we signing Moriarty, North and Faletau?

When it makes sense to have two thirds of our back row and back three play a max of about 8 games a season maybe?

[mikey_dragon]

When are we signing Moriarty, North and Faletau?

When it makes sense to have two thirds of our back row and back three play a max of about 8 games a season maybe?

Back row players - potentially Moriarty, Faletau; and then Griffiths, Cudd , Keddie, Benjamin, Shanks, Blake, Thomas, Sweet. Looks like enough cover to me. Thankfully you aren't coach, we'd probably end up with zero internationals.

[Stone Motif]

When are we signing Moriarty, North and Faletau?

When it makes sense to have two thirds of our back row and back three play a max of about 8 games a season maybe?

Back row players - potentially Moriarty, Faletau; and then Griffiths, Cudd , Keddie, Benjamin, Shanks, Blake, Thomas, Sweet. Looks like enough cover to me. Thankfully you aren't coach, we'd probably end up with zero internationals.

We won't be able to keep all of that lot if we are spunking funds on even 60% of those three players' wages. Which I assume Jackman also understands, unless he has an extraordinarily simplistic view of finance, like the one you've shown in the post above.

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