I tend to believe Richo & I very much doubt we will be adding a great deal to the current roster for next year, certainly doubt any major signings anyway. If that’s the case how does the team improve besides the obvious natural improvement of young players? I just heard on the Jimmy Smith program that the Dogs have improved their defence from the worst last year to 4th best at present & they’re obviously doing well, competing at a good level each week. And nobody here or elsewhere would’ve rated their pack before the season started. So how have they had such a great improvement? Pretty obvious Ciraldo wanted a very mobile, fit pack ala Panthers. It’s also obvious he wanted people to lead the line speed, to lead with energy, to lead with passion hence Mahoney doing what he does. As opposition fans we hate what Mahoney is doing but I guarantee every Dogs player & almost all Dogs fans would be loving it. Defence & line speed in particular are certainly a big focus for the Dogs. Not sure how long it will be maintained but right now I’d be happy to be in their position as opposed to ours. The Tigers attack is struggling but our defence has shown little improvement as well from last year. With Luai coming next year my hope is that he will be that Mahoney type player, perhaps not quite as annoying but if he turns out to be so be it as long as he remains on the field & leads the team well in that regard. Obviously anything he can do to improve the attack would gladly be appreciated. If the Tigers can replicate what the Dogs are doing right now, and you don’t need a David Fifita or a Fonua-Blake to do it, then they will improve, and maybe enough to trouble the top 8.
I was never keen on Fifita or AFB, I still dont know why Panthers went so hard for Fifita, perhaps they knew the roosters were after him and wanted to make sure they paid a bit extra. I would also argue that Api is the bundle of energy, Mahoney type player (more inspirational and way less niggle) in our team, problem is he is our main point of attack and captain...very hard for him to maintain the energy for 80mins. Dogs have had a pretty favorable draw so far this season, yes they beat the roosters but the roosters played like a busted arse in the first 40 and then almost beat them in the second 40 with 2 players in the bin, lets see where they are in 4 weeks time, not saying they have not improved, however not as much as some people think. Yes the inclusion of Turuva and Luai will make a big difference and bring that extra energy and options in attack that we are lacking so we will look alot better in 25.I tend to believe Richo & I very much doubt we will be adding a great deal to the current roster for next year, certainly doubt any major signings anyway. If that’s the case how does the team improve besides the obvious natural improvement of young players? I just heard on the Jimmy Smith program that the Dogs have improved their defence from the worst last year to 4th best at present & they’re obviously doing well, competing at a good level each week. And nobody here or elsewhere would’ve rated their pack before the season started. So how have they had such a great improvement? Pretty obvious Ciraldo wanted a very mobile, fit pack ala Panthers. It’s also obvious he wanted people to lead the line speed, to lead with energy, to lead with passion hence Mahoney doing what he does. As opposition fans we hate what Mahoney is doing but I guarantee every Dogs player & almost all Dogs fans would be loving it. Defence & line speed in particular are certainly a big focus for the Dogs. Not sure how long it will be maintained but right now I’d be happy to be in their position as opposed to ours. The Tigers attack is struggling but our defence has shown little improvement as well from last year. With Luai coming next year my hope is that he will be that Mahoney type player, perhaps not quite as annoying but if he turns out to be so be it as long as he remains on the field & leads the team well in that regard. Obviously anything he can do to improve the attack would gladly be appreciated. If the Tigers can replicate what the Dogs are doing right now, and you don’t need a David Fifita or a Fonua-Blake to do it, then they will improve, and maybe enough to trouble the top 8.
I was never keen on Fifita or AFB, I still dont know why Panthers went so hard for Fifita, perhaps they knew the roosters were after him and wanted to make sure they paid a bit extra. I would also argue that Api is the bundle of energy, Mahoney type player (more inspirational and way less niggle) in our team, problem is he is our main point of attack and captain...very hard for him to maintain the energy for 80mins. Dogs have had a pretty favorable draw so far this season, yes they beat the roosters but the roosters played like a busted arse in the first 40 and then almost beat them in the second 40 with 2 players in the bin, lets see where they are in 4 weeks time, not saying they have not improved, however not as much as some people think. Yes the inclusion of Turuva and Luai will make a big difference and bring that extra energy and options in attack that we are lacking so we will look alot better in 25.I tend to believe Richo & I very much doubt we will be adding a great deal to the current roster for next year, certainly doubt any major signings anyway. If that’s the case how does the team improve besides the obvious natural improvement of young players? I just heard on the Jimmy Smith program that the Dogs have improved their defence from the worst last year to 4th best at present & they’re obviously doing well, competing at a good level each week. And nobody here or elsewhere would’ve rated their pack before the season started. So how have they had such a great improvement? Pretty obvious Ciraldo wanted a very mobile, fit pack ala Panthers. It’s also obvious he wanted people to lead the line speed, to lead with energy, to lead with passion hence Mahoney doing what he does. As opposition fans we hate what Mahoney is doing but I guarantee every Dogs player & almost all Dogs fans would be loving it. Defence & line speed in particular are certainly a big focus for the Dogs. Not sure how long it will be maintained but right now I’d be happy to be in their position as opposed to ours. The Tigers attack is struggling but our defence has shown little improvement as well from last year. With Luai coming next year my hope is that he will be that Mahoney type player, perhaps not quite as annoying but if he turns out to be so be it as long as he remains on the field & leads the team well in that regard. Obviously anything he can do to improve the attack would gladly be appreciated. If the Tigers can replicate what the Dogs are doing right now, and you don’t need a David Fifita or a Fonua-Blake to do it, then they will improve, and maybe enough to trouble the top 8.
I think my main point was a team can improve with a squad, or in the Dogs case, a pack that was rated not all that high by almost everyone. Outside of Kikau & Mahoney it was ok at best & everyone agreed they were light on middles, when you have Kurt Mann filling in at lock it tells a story. But they’ve matched almost all packs they’ve played mainly because the style of footy Ciraldo wants is high energy & needs a very fit, mobile pack. It’s a model that will only take you so far until young players come through or one or two “Ferraris” are added. But in terms of a team wanting to get themselves out of the cellar & perhaps competing for a finals position it’s as good a model as any. As you point out we have Api but we cannot rely only on him & it is my hope that Luai will help him a lot next 2 years. Lachie will improve too if course & I think he’ll enjoy playing & learning from Luai. For me there’s this thought of enough there next year to compete at a higher level than we currently are without additions to the roster but it remains to be seen.
I do think Galvin is the type of player so very suited to the modern game, physically not so big now but you’d think he’ll develop in that regard, can defend well, is skillful, high energy & eager to learn. Not sure if we all realise just how good he could be.
The way the NSW halves are getting injured, Galvin might be playing SOO… 😂😂😂😂😂I do think Galvin is the type of player so very suited to the modern game, physically not so big now but you’d think he’ll develop in that regard, can defend well, is skillful, high energy & eager to learn. Not sure if we all realise just how good he could be.
I'm probably most impressed with his defence, has helped lock up that left side...when he has played.I do think Galvin is the type of player so very suited to the modern game, physically not so big now but you’d think he’ll develop in that regard, can defend well, is skillful, high energy & eager to learn. Not sure if we all realise just how good he could be.
The way the NSW halves are getting injured, Galvin might be playing SOO… 😂😂😂😂😂I do think Galvin is the type of player so very suited to the modern game, physically not so big now but you’d think he’ll develop in that regard, can defend well, is skillful, high energy & eager to learn. Not sure if we all realise just how good he could be.
Brooks might make the squad yet
The way the NSW halves are getting injured, Galvin might be playing SOO… 😂😂😂😂😂I do think Galvin is the type of player so very suited to the modern game, physically not so big now but you’d think he’ll develop in that regard, can defend well, is skillful, high energy & eager to learn. Not sure if we all realise just how good he could be.
Brooks might make the squad yet
Fox had a list of 5 or 6 possible replacements last night and I was expecting Brooks to be on there but he didn’t make the cut.
The way the NSW halves are getting injured, Galvin might be playing SOO… 😂😂😂😂😂I do think Galvin is the type of player so very suited to the modern game, physically not so big now but you’d think he’ll develop in that regard, can defend well, is skillful, high energy & eager to learn. Not sure if we all realise just how good he could be.
Brooks might make the squad yet
Fox had a list of 5 or 6 possible replacements last night and I was expecting Brooks to be on there but he didn’t make the cut.
thought they go with luai and hynes and maybe Moses if fit. Thought Brooks might have been a rough chance but manly have dripped the ball last few games
I think if we can improve our attack that will actually help our defence by taking pressure off and improve our overall performance.
One of the commentators mentioned on TV the other night "points gives energy". That is very true.
The arrival of two quality attacking players next season will help a lot, whether that will be enough only time will tell but it will be an improvement, along with our young players maturing further.
The way the NSW halves are getting injured, Galvin might be playing SOO… 😂😂😂😂😂I do think Galvin is the type of player so very suited to the modern game, physically not so big now but you’d think he’ll develop in that regard, can defend well, is skillful, high energy & eager to learn. Not sure if we all realise just how good he could be.
Brooks might make the squad yet
Fox had a list of 5 or 6 possible replacements last night and I was expecting Brooks to be on there but he didn’t make the cut.
thought they go with luai and hynes and maybe Moses if fit. Thought Brooks might have been a rough chance but manly have dripped the ball last few games
After the last 10 years Brooks would need to put together a massive 2 years to even be in the conversation. He’d need to play finals at least. I’d go Haynes and Luai as well.
