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 Luckless Pedestrian Wed May 16, 2018 4:50 pm

He was never given a fair crack of the whip this season. Kirchner a better ten, apparently.

by Guest Wed May 16, 2018 7:01 pm

Stone Motif wrote:http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/16227782.O_Brien_earns_Scarlets_move_after_Dragons_exit/

We can add AoB to the official list of players good enough to play for much better teams but not good enough for Banned Snackman. Shame, good player.

Superb

Made me chuckle!

But on a serious note, yes I was thinking the same. And I expect he’ll do quite well down there. Bet he gets a good bit of game time.

by **RiscaGame** Wed May 16, 2018 9:01 pm

Just another thing that makes me doubt Jackman. Being reminded of that Kirchner decision (that nobody at the Dragons has really explained) makes me sad.

Then tonight I saw (thanks to another tweeter mentioning who follows him) he follows Owen Robins on twitter. Now I’ve realised I’m never going to like him, even if he sweeps the league etc next season. To be fair, he didn’t totally start too well thanks to what he did to Ryan Jones (Ireland v Wales 08), but I did try and give him a chance Wink

by Stone Motif Wed May 16, 2018 11:03 pm

RiscaGame wrote:Just another thing that makes me doubt Jackman. Being reminded of that Kirchner decision (that nobody at the Dragons has really explained) makes me sad.

Then tonight I saw (thanks to another tweeter mentioning who follows him) he follows Owen Robins on twitter. Now I’ve realised I’m never going to like him, even if he sweeps the league etc next season. To be fair, he didn’t totally start too well thanks to what he did to Ryan Jones (Ireland v Wales 08), but I did try and give him a chance

Have a listen to Ryan Jones doing his corporate motivational speaking gig these days and the prescience of Bernie's cheap shot will be revealed

by Stone Motif Thu May 17, 2018 7:57 am

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/16231721.CHRIS_KIRWAN__Dragons_can_reflect_on_a_promising_recruitment_window/

Not too often I disagree with this guy but he's trying to tout for season tickets here. However:

Chris Kirwan wrote: as ever, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating

Bravo Chris.

by munkian Thu May 17, 2018 8:39 am

Wales call for Dragons duo Hewitt and Wainwright

Well deserved, even if it is on the back of Gatland's mindgames with the English prem

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu May 17, 2018 10:19 am

RiscaGame wrote:Then tonight I saw (thanks to another tweeter mentioning who follows him) he follows Owen Robins on twitter. Now I’ve realised I’m never going to like him, even if he sweeps the league etc next season.

I'm going to put that down to Jackman wanting to have a full understanding of Welsh rugby. But Owen Robins is beyond all human understanding.

by **RiscaGame** Thu May 17, 2018 12:45 pm

Stone Motif wrote:
RiscaGame wrote:Just another thing that makes me doubt Jackman. Being reminded of that Kirchner decision (that nobody at the Dragons has really explained) makes me sad.

Then tonight I saw (thanks to another tweeter mentioning who follows him) he follows Owen Robins on twitter. Now I’ve realised I’m never going to like him, even if he sweeps the league etc next season. To be fair, he didn’t totally start too well thanks to what he did to Ryan Jones (Ireland v Wales 08), but I did try and give him a chance
Have a listen to Ryan Jones doing his corporate motivational speaking gig these days and the prescience of Bernie's cheap shot will be revealed

I’m surprised I’ve never heard it before.

by **RiscaGame** Thu May 17, 2018 12:47 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
RiscaGame wrote:Then tonight I saw (thanks to another tweeter mentioning who follows him) he follows Owen Robins on twitter. Now I’ve realised I’m never going to like him, even if he sweeps the league etc next season.

I'm going to put that down to Jackman wanting to have a full understanding of Welsh rugby. But Owen Robins is beyond all human understanding.

I’d have hoped he might’ve realised his mistake by now Very Happy

. Then again, that would be admitting to a mistake, which doesn’t usually happen.

by **RiscaGame** Thu May 17, 2018 12:48 pm

Delighted for Hewitt and Wainwright, though I suspect they won’t play much/at all. Hopefully they train well and make future squads now. Plus we might as well sling in a bid for Adams and get him home to maintain his international ambitions ha.

by Stone Motif Thu May 17, 2018 3:14 pm

RiscaGame wrote:Delighted for Hewitt and Wainwright, though I suspect they won’t play much/at all. Hopefully they train well and make future squads now. Plus we might as well sling in a bid for Adams and get him home to maintain his international ambitions ha.

Good idea what with our shortage of back three players

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri May 18, 2018 10:27 am

Hewitt's been called up before once but had to pull out (I'm sure that's right), so hopefully as you say he takes the chance to show them what he can do. Wainwright's been tireless this season so it's great for him that he's been called up, even it's not ideal how it's come about.

by munkian Fri May 18, 2018 10:28 am

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Hewitt's been called up before once but had to pull out (I'm sure that's right), so hopefully as you say he takes the chance to show them what he can do. Wainwright's been tireless this season so it's great for him that he's been called up, even it's not ideal how it's come about.

Aye, think Hewitt finally got a call up last November but went down with an injury.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri May 18, 2018 10:38 am

I really hope we put him in space more often next season. He doesn't need much!

by munkian Fri May 18, 2018 10:58 am

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I really hope we put him in space more often next season. He doesn't need much!

Very true, lad has gas.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri May 18, 2018 11:02 am

He's like an eel the way he gets out of tackles.

by Stone Motif Mon May 21, 2018 8:53 pm

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-dragons-ready-fight-14687454

Don't you fckin dare Bernard

by VinceWLB Tue May 22, 2018 10:08 am

This is hilarious and sad at the same time. If the Dragons can outbid the Blues to sign a reject like Ashley, no doubt it would be seen as a success.

by PhilBB Tue May 22, 2018 10:12 am

VinceWLB wrote:This is hilarious and sad at the same time. If the Dragons can outbid the Blues to sign a reject like Ashley, no doubt it would be seen as a success.

The Dragons outbid their owners to sign Moriarty, all without any money in the bank to yet pay for it.

by **RiscaGame** Tue May 22, 2018 5:47 pm

Stone Motif wrote:https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-dragons-ready-fight-14687454

Don't you fckin dare Bernard

We don’t need him. We only need to play one lock next season, with Nansen covering both lock positions easily. Hill can have a well earned rest too.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri May 25, 2018 10:42 am

Renewed my season ticket this morning. It's an illness.

by Stone Motif Fri May 25, 2018 12:25 pm

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/16250382.Fly-half_Jones_leaves_Dragons_for_France/

My hopes that even we wouldn't have let TBFHTCOOGSDW take a big money move to France in-contract without some sort of transfer fee have been sobered by the thought that we would just go and spend it on Gashley

by **RiscaGame** Fri May 25, 2018 6:19 pm

It’s all for the new hotel etc.

by Cardiff Dave Sat May 26, 2018 6:02 am

6 wins is the target then.

by **RiscaGame** Sat May 26, 2018 12:35 pm

If you believe Andy Howell, as some like to yes.

by Stone Motif Sun May 27, 2018 10:12 am

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/16252808.Unlucky_Hewitt_suffers_another_Wales_injury_blow/

Bad luck, or are unnecessary beastings still de rigeur in Team Wales these days? Hope this doesn't knock into next season.

by munkian Tue May 29, 2018 9:43 am

Looks like we are getting Shaun Edwards in an advisory coaching role next season, massive boost if it goes through.

by **RiscaGame** Tue May 29, 2018 2:50 pm

Good news. We certainly needed to do something, as our defence wasn't great last season.

Just hope Howley doesn't follow part time too Wink

Shame for Hewitt. Sounded like he probably would've started on Saturday from what Howley was saying about 15 carries (or whatever it was).

by munkian Tue May 29, 2018 3:01 pm

RiscaGame wrote:Good news. We certainly needed to do something, as our defence wasn't great last season.

Just hope Howley doesn't follow part time too

Shame for Hewitt. Sounded like he probably would've started on Saturday from what Howley was saying about 15 carries (or whatever it was).

Rubbish isn't it ? Kid can't catch a break.

by mikey_dragon Wed May 30, 2018 4:34 am

If Edwards defence drills weren’t so out of date I’m almost certain Wales would concede less tries. I’ll wait and see.

by munkian Wed May 30, 2018 8:14 am

We conceded 10 tries last six nations - is that comparatively poor ?

He did a lot of good for Cardiff.

by Guest Wed May 30, 2018 9:12 am

I think there was that 6N where Wales only conceded like 2 tries or something and then I guess everything after that is going to be poorer by those standards. But the game has evolved since then too and it’s much more open now. 10 tries conceded doesn’t seem excessive to me for 5 games. 2 per game, with oppositions trying to score 4 for the BP.

by munkian Wed May 30, 2018 9:27 am

The Oracle wrote:I think there was that 6N where Wales only conceded like 2 tries or something and then I guess everything after that is going to be poorer by those standards. But the game has evolved since then too and it’s much more open now. 10 tries conceded doesn’t seem excessive to me for 5 games. 2 per game, with oppositions trying to score 4 for the BP.

Four of those were conceded against Ireland including an interception - but then we score 3 or 4 in response.

One was Scotland's consolation try after we'd smashed them.

2 were against England away.

It's not our weakest area.

by Guest Wed May 30, 2018 9:41 am

This headline won't go down well outside Dragon-landia:

"Dragons plotting next recruitment drive as boss Jackman is given more spending power"

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/16257567.Dragons_plotting_next_recruitment_drive_as_boss_Jackman_is_given_more_spending_power/

This bit is interesting. The bit in bold. What does he mean by the 'distribution model for Welsh rugby'? Seems to be implying that we've always got less funding???

""What shocked me coming into Welsh rugby was the difference between the Dragons' budget and everybody else's," he said.

"[Our] supporters and other teams' supporters are judging us by the same standards but looking at the numbers it was like comparing a Championship team's budget to one in the Premier League.

"I was genuinely shocked how far we were behind the other regions, and we continue to be behind.

"That is largely driven by the fact that the distribution model for Welsh rugby meant the Dragons were the poor relation and were that over a long period of time. That created a self-fulfilling prophecy that we invested the least in the playing squad over a long period of time"

by munkian Wed May 30, 2018 10:12 am

It's great news, CF10 will lose their poopie demanding transparency though.

by **RiscaGame** Wed May 30, 2018 11:02 am

Meant to read that on my lunch. Very interesting, particularly the distribution model.

by Stone Motif Wed May 30, 2018 11:12 am

The Oracle wrote:This headline won't go down well outside Dragon-landia:

"Dragons plotting next recruitment drive as boss Jackman is given more spending power"

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/16257567.Dragons_plotting_next_recruitment_drive_as_boss_Jackman_is_given_more_spending_power/

This bit is interesting. The bit in bold. What does he mean by the 'distribution model for Welsh rugby'? Seems to be implying that we've always got less funding???

""What shocked me coming into Welsh rugby was the difference between the Dragons' budget and everybody else's," he said.

"[Our] supporters and other teams' supporters are judging us by the same standards but looking at the numbers it was like comparing a Championship team's budget to one in the Premier League.

"I was genuinely shocked how far we were behind the other regions, and we continue to be behind.

"That is largely driven by the fact that the distribution model for Welsh rugby meant the Dragons were the poor relation and were that over a long period of time. That created a self-fulfilling prophecy that we invested the least in the playing squad over a long period of time"

He's obfuscating a little, by distribution model he means payment for players supplied to Team Wales. So, the distribution model ultimately hasn't favoured us because we haven't invested in the team. Whose fault that is is up for debate.

by Guest Wed May 30, 2018 11:18 am

I thought we always received the same money for that as I remember the other regions kicking off about us getting the same money for only supplying 1 or 2 players (or none sometimes) a season.

by Stone Motif Wed May 30, 2018 12:13 pm

The Oracle wrote:I thought we always received the same money for that as I remember the other regions kicking off about us getting the same money for only supplying 1 or 2 players (or none sometimes) a season.

Yeah for the access you're right, sorry should have been clearer, I meant we were disadvantaged in terms of salary savings via the NDCs which were effectively a subsidy for having international players on your books. We had basically a percentage of Amos and Tyler Morgan plus some under 20s I think and that's it

by Guest Wed May 30, 2018 1:23 pm

Ah ok, gotcha. Makes sense.

by mikey_dragon Thu May 31, 2018 4:05 am

munkian wrote:We conceded 10 tries last six nations - is that comparatively poor ?

He did a lot of good for Cardiff.

Conceding 5 against Ireland is poor, and there’s also the matter of the AI where we conceded many. You’re also forgetting all the previous years where it hasn’t been good enough. I’m assuming your expectations are pretty low.

by munkian Thu May 31, 2018 8:05 am

mikey_dragon wrote:
munkian wrote:We conceded 10 tries last six nations - is that comparatively poor ?

He did a lot of good for Cardiff.

Conceding 5 against Ireland is poor, and there’s also the matter of the AI where we conceded many. You’re also forgetting all the previous years where it hasn’t been good enough. I’m assuming your expectations are pretty low.

Conceding tries against the Grand Slam champions, European champions and League champions is poor ? Gotcha.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu May 31, 2018 11:02 am

We conceded 94 tries in 21 games this season. Anything's an improvement after that.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu May 31, 2018 11:04 am

Some good performances by Dragons players for the under-20s yesterday, Taine Basham and Max Williams in particular.

by munkian Thu May 31, 2018 11:19 am

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Some good performances by Dragons players for the under-20s yesterday, Taine Basham and Max Williams in particular.

Yeah, both very good prospects, we'll need a back up 8 if Moriarty gets called up or injured.

Who was our replacement prop ? He was an absolute unit

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu May 31, 2018 11:32 am

Oh I don't know. I think the starting tighthead was a Dragons player.

by **RiscaGame** Thu May 31, 2018 1:36 pm

Cai Evans (Ospreys); Rio Dyer (Dragons), Corey Baldwin, Ioan Nicholas, Ryan Conbeer (all Scarlets); Ben Jones, Dane Blacker; Rhys Carre, Iestyn Harris (all Cardiff Blues), Rhys Henry (Ospreys), Rhys Davies (Bath), Max Williams (Dragons), Tommy Reffell (capt, Leicester Tigers), Taine Basham (Dragons), Dan Davis (Scarlets)

Subs : Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Rhys Davies (Scarlets), Will Davies-King (Blues), Lewis Ellis-Jones (Scarlets), Lennon Greggains (Dragons), Harri Morgan (Ospreys), Ben Thomas (Blues), Joe Goodchild (Dragons)

Was apparently the U20 team.

by munkian Thu May 31, 2018 2:07 pm

Diolch

by mikey_dragon Thu May 31, 2018 7:47 pm

munkian wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:
munkian wrote:We conceded 10 tries last six nations - is that comparatively poor ?

He did a lot of good for Cardiff.

Conceding 5 against Ireland is poor, and there’s also the matter of the AI where we conceded many. You’re also forgetting all the previous years where it hasn’t been good enough. I’m assuming your expectations are pretty low.

Conceding tries against the Grand Slam champions, European champions and League champions is poor ? Gotcha.

League champions? I’m not saying Ireland aren’t good but your expectations are low and this other post reiterates that. Life’s good at the top where I am by the way, but you wouldn’t know about that Wink

.

by mikey_dragon Thu May 31, 2018 7:55 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Some good performances by Dragons players for the under-20s yesterday, Taine Basham and Max Williams in particular.

Did you watch the whole game? I only caught the highlights, I thought Williams stood out by looking disinterested and lazy. The backs looked good which and an improvement upon previous years, with the forwards seeming to be solid enough.

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