The cyclical nature of salary cap sport

[Guest]

It hurts to lose a Grand Final, it hurts even more to lose three in a row, but isnt it fantastic to see it, when that team comes up on the screen before the game and see ages 20...21, 22. To see us dominate the first half, and to be hit by the realisation that we are leading the GF. Then we fall away and cant stay with the benchmark team in the comp. Im devastated, but I realise that several players in the dragons team have played there last game, they wont be there again. This makes me realise, we are the team of the next 5 years, we will be the team winning on anzac day, dominating competitions, all on the back of a young and super attacking football team. I realise that football moves in contractual cycles, and that we are 2 years away from hitting the peak of ours.

Its this realisation thats made me refuse to trade positions with any NRL fan in the country at the moment.

[Chris]

One of the best ive read mate! Good stuff . Agreed.

[redwhiteandbluester]

I agree with the sentiment but the club can't rest on the average age of players, nor take anything for granted.

2011 will be a tough year and this group shouldn't rest on its laurels.

But it is a promising era moving forward.

[BUDDY]

Couldn't agree more. Bennett also sounded like he won't be around next year which means Boyd may follow. I think the Dragons will have to keep this feeling going for a while.

We have an off season to get even better with the likes of Cherro, Symonds, Masoe, Justin Carney, Tasi and Watts to improve what we have. Looking forward to the next few years.

[Rocky Rhodes]

It hurts to lose a Grand Final, it hurts even more to lose three in a row, but isnt it fantastic to see it, when that team comes up on the screen before the game and see ages 20...21, 22. To see us dominate the first half, and to be hit by the realisation that we are leading the GF. Then we fall away and cant stay with the benchmark team in the comp. Im devastated, but I realise that several players in the dragons team have played there last game, they wont be there again. This makes me realise, we are the team of the next 5 years, we will be the team winning on anzac day, dominating competitions, all on the back of a young and super attacking football team. I realise that football moves in contractual cycles, and that we are 2 years away from hitting the peak of ours.

Its this realisation thats made me refuse to trade positions with any NRL fan in the country at the moment.

I admire your optimism but unfortunately league is about taking your chances when they arise.

They are no guarantees in league, sure we have some good young players but so do many other clubs. The raiders, the panthers, the titans, the bulldogs, the broncs etc etc will also improve so i don't know if we will ever win a comp.

[Guest]

Couldn't agree more. Bennett also sounded like he won't be around next year which means Boyd may follow. I think the Dragons will have to keep this feeling going for a while.

We have an off season to get even better with the likes of Cherro, Symonds, Masoe, Justin Carney, Tasi and Watts to improve what we have. Looking forward to the next few years.

Watts? God I hope he doesn't take Friends' spot.

[BUDDY]

Watts? God I hope he doesn't take Friends' spot.

No. He is taking Koups' spot

[Guest]

Watts? God I hope he doesn't take Friends' spot.

Would love to see him come off the bench.

[Kramer]

Agree with you here.

The Roosters have the making of a good footy team going forward.

Their inexperience showed tonight against a team with seasoned playes.

We can look forward to some good years ahead.

[Guest]

No. He is taking Koups' spot

For Newtown, haha. He gives me the shits. When Robbie Farrah flogged him I fell of the couch laughing.

[Guest]

Watts? God I hope he doesn't take Friends' spot.

Watts is a better player, at least for now, superior out of dummy and open field running, his defence is also more physical, so they should share plenty of time on the field. I feel sure Watts can teach a lot to the young and improving Friend.