Dragons Season Thread 2017/18 - New Beginnings

by munkian Thu Nov 30, 2017 1:58 pm

First topic message reminder :

RiscaGame wrote:Their backs. Wow.

Jackman really can't settle on a hooker mind.

Just saw Simon Thomas tweet Leon Brown has suffered a second concussion. If that's so, I wonder if that means the first wasn't really dealt with properly?

Are you sure ? I've read it that he suffered a concussion so he hasn't been picked INCASE he suffers another.

by Welshmushroom Fri Dec 15, 2017 8:53 am

mikey_dragon wrote:Rhodri Williams and Rhodri Davies, two 9's that I rate are set to join us, which can only mean that Knoyle and Charlie are on their way out.

It said in the papers they are cutting 12 players from the Dragons roster to replace the incoming signings. Any ideas on the 12 players likely to be released to make way for all the signings? I've not heard of anyone as confirmed as leaving. Any ideas mikey?

by mikey_dragon Fri Dec 15, 2017 5:50 pm

I don't but most people can guess who it will be. Some of which will be a tight call I imagine, and as far as I can tell we won't be cutting many from the forward pack which is where we need strengthening.

by Geordie Fri Dec 15, 2017 6:01 pm

Are you putting a strong squad out tonight?

by Cardiff Dave Fri Dec 15, 2017 8:31 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Are you putting a strong squad out tonight?

Their strongest available no doubt. Putting out the fire too apparently.
Loving the BBC Newcastle radio commentary.

by mikey_dragon Fri Dec 15, 2017 8:46 pm

It's the best available, we're struggling with injuries a lot this season. The available internationals and Hobbs being reintroduced whilst the 17 year old at scrum half seems to be the form pick.

by mikey_dragon Fri Dec 15, 2017 8:53 pm

It seems like quite a game... We need 5 points from this. I'm assuming Rosser is injured?

by Cardiff Dave Fri Dec 15, 2017 9:03 pm

This is surreal. Seems the commentating duo haven't been told that it aint Newport that Newcastle are playing against.

by mikey_dragon Fri Dec 15, 2017 9:15 pm

Oh well.

by **RiscaGame** Sat Dec 16, 2017 12:57 am

Took them long enough to announce Pinky leaving mind.

by mikey_dragon Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:43 am

Anyone else feeling positive about the future? When our youngsters aren't injured and playing together our team looks pretty good. Some more new signings and a couple more promising talents from the academy, and next year I think we'll be the best we've been since 2003! I still think our boiler room would benefit from having a monster there to partner Hill. Landman could be one of the ones on his way out...

by Welshmushroom Mon Dec 18, 2017 4:05 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:Anyone else feeling positive about the future? When our youngsters aren't injured and playing together our team looks pretty good. Some more new signings and a couple more promising talents from the academy, and next year I think we'll be the best we've been since 2003! I still think our boiler room would benefit from having a monster there to partner Hill. Landman could be one of the ones on his way out...

Well the starting 23 looks solid to me for next year:

1. B Harris
2. E Dee
3. L. Brown
4. C Hill
5. R Landman (No news so far to say he is one of the 12)
6. R. Moriarty
7. O Griffiths
8. H Keddie
9. R Williams
10. G Henson
11. H Amos
12. J Dixon
13. T Morgan
14. A Hewitt
15. J Williams

16. S Hobbs
17. L Fairbrother
18. G Ellis
19. J Davies
20. J Benjamin
21. R Davies
22. A O'Brien
23. J Rosser

I always thought Jordan Williams was class and for me he is our best bit of business yet. He will no doubt add something to our attacking game. My only concern is can we get enough games out of Henson and will Keddie come through at 8. Hopefully Jackman still brings people like Rosser through by them getting enough game time next year to develop. No reason to think he wont though as lots of players have had opportunities. So if there is room in the budget for a quality 8 and 10 I would be extremely confident. Although I must admit that both Falatau and Quade Cooper rumours seem a bit far off and never going to happen.

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon Dec 18, 2017 4:56 pm

Hibbard then.

by mikey_dragon Mon Dec 18, 2017 6:52 pm

Mushroom I imagine Ellis is one of the ones to go before next season, especially with Hibbard incoming. It'll also probably be Kirchner at full back.

by mikey_dragon Mon Dec 18, 2017 7:13 pm

PS - bloody hilarious to read all the comments from triggered turks. It's like they've forgotten their WRU bail-out as well as their gift from Carmarthen Council Laugh

#triggered.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue Dec 19, 2017 12:00 pm

They're trying to get Ellis to play loosehead, so he might be staying (if he's any good).

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue Dec 19, 2017 2:56 pm

Chris Kirwan wrote:Dragons duo Harri Keddie and Sam Beard are eyeing comebacks from injury in the upcoming Guinness PRO14 derby tussles.

Back row forward Keddie has been out of action since undergoing shoulder surgery in September, while centre Beard tore a pectoral muscle in the opening stages of his sole appearance this season in Edinburgh in week two.

“Harrison Keddie and Sam Beard are back training but not doing contact, they’ve got some return-to-contact protocols to finalise,” said head coach Bernard Jackman.

“The Blues will be a bit tight and if not the Ospreys then definitely by the first week of January we should have at least one of them back.”

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/15780265.Dragons__39__Keddie_and_Beard_set_to_return_for_derby_action/

by **RiscaGame** Tue Dec 19, 2017 4:41 pm

Great news.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue Dec 19, 2017 5:06 pm

If we can take one or both of them to Parc y Scarlets, that's a real boost.

by **RiscaGame** Tue Dec 19, 2017 8:15 pm

Certainly Keddie for me. I am a huge Sam Beard fan, but I feel I’d rather a stronger backrow.

by mikey_dragon Wed Dec 20, 2017 1:19 am

Dragons next season will be a good place for young guys like Keddie, Griffiths, etc. Maybe Dee but I feel he's at that level already and doesn't need to learn much from Hibbard. I don't really rate Ellis, I imagine it's him or Garrett, (or both) to be on their way. We could do with a big LH signed up for next season too - I'm still hopeful that Bevington isn't the one.

by Stone Motif Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:16 am

Charteris next apparently...

Jackman likes a 2-4-2 formation and between Griffiths, Keddie, Benjamin, Dee and Hibbard (our best signing yet) we have the wide pods covered. I still want to see a bulldozer of a second row which I'm not sure Charteris is, no matter how much he is still arguably Wales second best lock.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:39 am

I'm sure I read somewhere that Charteris was (this was a few years ago) the heaviest lock in the Wales squad. He looks all arms and legs but evidently there's a fair bit of heft there. But I do know what you mean.

by TightHEAD Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:03 am

Just saw Kieran Read by Millennium Walk!!!!! w t f?

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:08 am

Well that's not much of a surprise, he's got a house in Usk after all. Didn't you know?

by Stone Motif Wed Dec 20, 2017 12:56 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I'm sure I read somewhere that Charteris was (this was a few years ago) the heaviest lock in the Wales squad. He looks all arms and legs but evidently there's a fair bit of heft there. But I do know what you mean.

He's feckin massive up close, got to be 20 stone? Adds ballast in the scrum and his defensive and maul-wrecking qualities are well documented, but an explosive carrier? Nah

by BamBam Wed Dec 20, 2017 1:05 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Well that's not much of a surprise, he's got a house in Usk after all. Didn't you know?

Don't we all?

by **RiscaGame** Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:02 pm

Great to see Cory Hill re-sign. Very underrated player.

Just need to confirm Nakarawa alongside him now and Long Dog can play back up.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu Dec 21, 2017 5:55 pm

No Leon Brown for the Blouse game, Dixon a doubt:

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/15787930.Dragons_suffer_Blues_blow_with_Wales_prop_Brown_set_to_miss_out/

by mikey_dragon Fri Dec 22, 2017 2:20 am

I'm not sure about Charteris as well mind. He's a good addition but he's too old and our squad is at risk of becoming like Cardiff if we keep up with these signings. Scarlets signed Australian lump Cummings from Rebels - that's the signing I'd prefer for us. Maybe we can buy Kleyn out of Munster...

by Cardiff Dave Fri Dec 22, 2017 10:56 am

mikey_dragon wrote:I'm not sure about Charteris as well mind. He's a good addition but he's too old and our squad is at risk of becoming like Cardiff if we keep up with these signings. Scarlets signed Australian lump Cummings from Rebels - that's the signing I'd prefer for us. Maybe we can buy Kleyn out of Munster...

In your dreams Mikey boy.
Hope you're prepared to get stuffed btw. Well it is Xmas.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri Dec 22, 2017 12:18 pm

It's meant to hammer down Boxing Day afternooon. How's your pack these days, Dave?

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri Dec 22, 2017 2:49 pm

The officials:

Tuesday, December 26, 2017
DRAGONS V CARDIFF BLUES – KO 2PM
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 30th competition game)
AR1: Dan Jones (WRU). AR2: Adam Jones (WRU)
TMO: Jon Mason (WRU).

by Stone Motif Fri Dec 22, 2017 3:58 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:It's meant to hammer down Boxing Day afternooon. How's your pack these days, Dave?

Better than ours if we're not doing subs again this time

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri Dec 22, 2017 4:02 pm

Yeah that wasn't clever.

by mikey_dragon Fri Dec 22, 2017 5:23 pm

Not an open game then, both teams like to play that way. Personally I'd put someone bigger at 6, a lock forward if we have to.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri Dec 22, 2017 5:26 pm

I keep thinking about that game where we led 17 - 3 with about 10 minutes left, and managed to lose 18 - 17....

by Cardiff Dave Fri Dec 22, 2017 7:22 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:It's meant to hammer down Boxing Day afternooon. How's your pack these days, Dave?

Dunno. Haven't seen that much of 'em really.
Suspect though that Drags will use the driving maul tactic a bit.

by **RiscaGame** Sat Dec 23, 2017 2:03 pm

Pretty much the team I expected from us, bar I didn’t know who would play one backrow and I expected Rosser over Howard.

Not looking forward to a soaking on Boxing Day mind. No wonder the covered stands have sold out.

by **RiscaGame** Tue Dec 26, 2017 8:44 am

Dragons changing kit sponsors to Under Armour next season? Was told that was the case yesterday. If that came true, I’d be delighted as I love Under Armour products.

by Cardiff Dave Tue Dec 26, 2017 9:27 am

Yurs a stocking filler. Quite literally.
Or shove it down your pants.
Feel the Dave vibe!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Security-Battery-Powered-Vibration-Detector/dp/B00554MLPI

by dragon4life Tue Dec 26, 2017 6:54 pm

Only positive today was scrum. Henson had a poor game and can’t be relied on to play week in week out we need to recruit another quality fly half, possibly bring back Tovey as been playing well lately. I also think back row injuries had a big impact today we really missed Griffiths and Keddie will be a different team when they are back. Also Davies shouldn’t have started ahead of Sarel as he’s more of a tactical player who relies mainly on kicking game and doesn’t allow us to play with tempo. I can see us getting rid of Knoyle and Davies for next season and having Sarel, Williams and Babos as the 9’s. Next season I think our first choice team being:
Harris
Dee
Brown
Hill
Davies
Moriarty
Griffiths
Keddie
Williams
Henson?
Amos
Beard
Morgan
Hewitt
Kirchner/Williams

Then have Hibbard, Sarel, etc to come on when game breaks up. Recruitment wise I think we could do with signing Thomas the TH up, another LH to compete for first choice and a big enforcer of a lock although they are hard to find and cost a lot.

by **RiscaGame** Tue Dec 26, 2017 9:05 pm

We aren’t keeping Sarel, if we’ve signed Davies for me. He played well today, but he’s also erratic 7/10 times. I could’ve played 9 today and sped the game up more than Charlie Davies.

by dragon4life Wed Dec 27, 2017 10:12 am

Ah yes forgot we had signed the other 9, haven’t seen him play what’s he like?

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed Dec 27, 2017 10:23 am

We'll lose to the Ospreys now, I just know it. Blydi Blues.

I was standing next to a load of them on the North Terrace. They were very loud, except for the last ten minutes, when they were very quiet. Then they were very loud again. Blydi Blues.

Fair play to them.

by **RiscaGame** Wed Dec 27, 2017 10:28 am

Can’t tell much from the YouTube clips, bar he has a good step haha. I still feel it will be him or Babos backing up Rhodri though.

I definitely feel we will lose to Ospreys. Yesterday was a kick in the teeth really and Jackman has to take responsibility with some of his selections. At least he fronted up and didn’t blame the refereee.

I expect Barrel, Sarel, AOB and Rosser to start. If Amos is out, I wonder if Meyer might be brought back in at 15.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed Dec 27, 2017 10:32 am

What's happened to Dan Babos? I'm sure I'd seen him named in the starting XV for yesterday, but there was no sign of him.

by Stone Motif Wed Dec 27, 2017 10:33 am

RiscaGame wrote:Can’t tell much from the YouTube clips, bar he has a good step haha. I still feel it will be him or Babos backing up Rhodri though.

I definitely feel we will lose to Ospreys. Yesterday was a kick in the teeth really and Jackman has to take responsibility with some of his selections. At least he fronted up and didn’t blame the refereee.

I expect Barrel, Sarel, AOB and Rosser to start. If Amos is out, I wonder if Meyer might be brought back in at 15.

I don't think our problems can be fixed by selection. You can tinker with the backs but we cannot put out a front five of any configuration that allows us to win games. Our only hope is teams switch off and let us play for patches.

by **RiscaGame** Wed Dec 27, 2017 12:47 pm

He pulled out late. I’m sure Fairbrother and Thomas swapped late too.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed Dec 27, 2017 12:50 pm

Yeah the Barrel was definitely meant to start. Then again, he's had other things on!

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed Dec 27, 2017 2:49 pm

DRAGONS V OSPREYS – KO 17:35
Referee: Dan Jones (WRU, 13th competition game)
AR1: Craig Evans (WRU). AR2: Mike English (WRU)
TMO: Neil Hennessey (WRU)
S4C: 17:15

Read more at https://www.pro14rugby.org/referee-appointments/#UAlHdPtw86ULiOjL.99

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