2025 Round 1 vs Canterbury

[Ryan]

They might go really well in the trials but at this stage, I'd say picking Tom E and RFM in the round 1 team would be a really negative move by Flanno. Stewart, Latu, Tonga, Egan let alone the Couchmans are in the top 30 not just to make up the numbers.

 

[GCRV]

In the Daily Telegraph Flanno says Molo is out on sick leave and has no idea what will happen when his sick leave runs out. I guess the only reason he hasn't been cut loose is because the club wants the salary cap money. If it means extending Halangahu and Latu, it will be a big win for the club, IMO.

 

[jodragon40]

In the Daily Telegraph Flanno says Molo is out on sick leave and has no idea what will happen when his sick leave runs out. I guess the only reason he hasn't been cut loose is because the club wants the salary cap money. If it means extending Halangahu and Latu, it will be a big win for the club, IMO.

It has to be unsettling for the coaching staff and the rest of the team and club. It would appear to me that he has his mental health mind set on not returning no matter what.

 

[Dave03]

It has to be unsettling for the coaching staff and the rest of the team and club. It would appear to me that he has his mental health mind set on not returning no matter what.

In the article it mentioned molo said to the club he won't return but told team mates he might return. Basically Flanno has no idea but upset about it occurring soo close to season start, left it to the nrl/rlpa/club to figure it out.

 

[Chris M]

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS​

Can Tyrell Sloan wrestle his way back into the starting side?

Named in the reserves, Sloan will need to find the physicality that has eluded him at times and that which is needed from the modern day winger to make the big carries out of yardage when injected into the game against the Rabbitohs. Boom rookie Sione Finau, who impressed against the Bulldogs, has been named on the wing, leaving Sloan in a battle to keep his NRL spot come round 1.

 

[Chris M]

Update. This isn't necessarily the team I'd pick but what I think it will be:

1. Gutho
2. CT
3. Holmes
4. Suli
5. Finau
6. Kyle
7. Illias
8. Klemmar
9. Cook
10. Gular
11. Leilua
12. Su'A
13. JDB
    
    
14. Toby Couchman
15. Ryan Couchman
16. Liddle
17. RFM

This is a very decent team! Only one player I don't have much confidence in. I'd also have Egan or Stewart in for RFM but RFM is a bit more versatile so it makes sense he is in. Stewart, Egan, Tonga, Latu, LKT, Lawson waiting ready for anyone to slip up in form, get injured or suspended.

 

[jodragon40]

Update. This isn't necessarily the team I'd pick but what I think it will be:

1. Gutho
2. CT
3. Holmes
4. Suli
5. Finau
6. Kyle
7. Illias
8. Klemmar
9. Cook
10. Gular
11. Leilua
12. Su'A
13. JDB
    
    
14. Toby Couchman
15. Ryan Couchman
16. Liddle
17. RFM

This is a very decent team! Only one player I don't have much confidence in. I'd also have Egan or Stewart in for RFM but RFM is a bit more versatile so it makes sense he is in. Stewart, Egan, Tonga, Latu, LKT, Lawson waiting ready for anyone to slip up in form, get injured or suspended.

If we manage to sign Klemmer it would bolster our bookend stocks last season he avg 10 runs a game for 100m per game. In the twilight of his career but allows Tonga more time to develop and learn with another season in KOE.

 

[Dave03]

If we manage to sign Klemmer it would bolster our bookend stocks last season he avg 10 runs a game for 100m per game. In the twilight of his career but allows Tonga more time to develop and learn with another season in KOE.

Also another rep player who can pass on his teachings to our young gun fwds. That's the one area lacking genuine rep experience. Rep exp players...

Backs- Gutho
Hooker- Cook
Fwd- Klemmer
2rf- Sua
Lock- JDB

Halves...well we had hunt

 

[Chris M]

Update. Seems Eisenhuth is on the outer. RFM is probably still in and I'm hoping Klemmer is signed this week. CT has a hamstring injury. Will probably struggle to be ready for round 1.

1. Gutho
2. Fegai
3. Suli
4. Holmes
5. Finau
6. Flanagan
7. Illias
8. Gular
9. Cook
10. Klemmer
11. Su'A
12. Leilua
13. JDB
14. Liddle
15. R Couchman
16. T Couchman
17. RFM (But I hope Stewart, Tonga or Latu)

 

[TheRev]

Any idea where the Eisenhuth on the outer rumour might have come from? It could be that he is the lowest hanging fruit in terms of moving someone else on to get Klemmer in (him or Fifita probably)... but I think we would have seen him in trials if not for his injury..

 

[Mailroomsgi]

No clue but logically it makes sense, he definitely won’t be here past 2025 and it was announced very very recently that he had extended for a year which makes me think he wasn’t really in the plans until we missed out on Terrell May and co.

 

[Chris M]

Any idea where the Eisenhuth on the outer rumour might have come from? It could be that he is the lowest hanging fruit in terms of moving someone else on to get Klemmer in (him or Fifita probably)... but I think we would have seen him in trials if not for his injury..

Apparently had a shocker in the trial against Manly. Did he even play agaist the Roosters? Didn't in the CS. RFM playing decent minutes in both. Coach talking up the Couchmans. Connecting the dots I assumed he was on the outer.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Update. Seems Eisenhuth is on the outer. RFM is probably still in and I'm hoping Klemmer is signed this week. CT has a hamstring injury. Will probably struggle to be ready for round 1.

1. Gutho
2. Fegai
3. Suli
4. Holmes
5. Finau
6. Flanagan
7. Illias
8. Gular
9. Cook
10. Klemmer
11. Su'A
12. Leilua
13. JDB
14. Liddle
15. R Couchman
16. T Couchman
17. RFM (But I hope Stewart, Tonga or Latu)

Sele will be there instead of RyanC

 

[Chris M]

Sele will be there instead of RyanC

Really?? Do you have insider info? I can't understand that all.

 

[jodragon40]

Sele will be there instead of RyanC

Agree both Couchmans will be down the track probably 2026

 

[TheRev]

Interesting re: Eisenhuth..

In terms of Sele I think it comes back to fitness.. that was his first hit out and I think he struggled a bit.. I wouldnt be surprised if he got a week or 2 in cup just to get his fitness up.. but ive no onsider knowledge.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Really?? Do you have insider info? I can't understand that all.

No insider info just my opinion

 

[Dave03]

Imo Flanno will have a short leash with players not putting in good defensive efforts. A few moments from Su'a & Illias on the weekend were really bad. Last year he was returning to head coaching, finding his feet a bit. Blowing out the cobwebs & learning about our players. This season it's well & truly Flannos way.

I think our defence for the most part has been good in the trials to be fair.

 

[jodragon40]

Interesting re: Eisenhuth..

In terms of Sele I think it comes back to fitness.. that was his first hit out and I think he struggled a bit.. I wouldnt be surprised if he got a week or 2 in cup just to get his fitness up.. but ive no onsider knowledge.

He hasn't been 1st grade quality for sometime now because of injuries and illness unfortunately

 

[jodragon40]

Imo Flanno will have a short leash with players not putting in good defensive efforts. A few moments from Su'a & Illias on the weekend were really bad. Last year he was returning to head coaching, finding his feet a bit. Blowing out the cobwebs & learning about our players. This season it's well & truly Flannos way.

I think our defence for the most part has been good in the trials to be fair.

Su'a tries hard runs hard but in my view has always been is a bit of a defensive liability. His stat's are poor in missed tackles, last season avg 3.23 missed tackles per game played which ranked him at 23 out of 460 players not good. In 2023 avg the same missed tackles 3.23 tackles a game as well. So no improvement. In attack he went ok on the weekend nothing flash though 10 runs for 75m, 21 p.c.m. in a team well on top. Hopefully he's going to come good on that edge this season defensive wise.