Nothing surprises me anymore. God help us if it’s Chad and his immaculate hairIt’s a weird spot for LKT as well if we sign a half
Like if it does end up being Sandon Smith then he’s a long term option- He’s 23 in december
Atkinson is 25 in january so you pair them together and it’s 2 halves that haven’t even entered their peak years yet
Maybe they say to LKT just keep grinding away and working on your game in cup
Because let’s not forget he’s only just turned 20
I’d be pro signing Sandon Smith as he’s obviously talented and just a better player than both Flanagan and LKT right now
In saying all this, imagine the half we met with was Chad Townsend
Recruitment and Retention for 2026
- Thread starter Dragons Chris
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TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
Fark I hadn't thought about Townsend lol.. that also fits lol..It’s a weird spot for LKT as well if we sign a half
Like if it does end up being Sandon Smith then he’s a long term option- He’s 23 in december
Atkinson is 25 in january so you pair them together and it’s 2 halves that haven’t even entered their peak years yet
Maybe they say to LKT just keep grinding away and working on your game in cup
Because let’s not forget he’s only just turned 20
I’d be pro signing Sandon Smith as he’s obviously talented and just a better player than both Flanagan and LKT right now
In saying all this, imagine the half we met with was Chad Townsend
Yes the thing is we desperately need 3+ halves in our system, like all good clubs have atleast that.. we have had a lot of good luck with injuries with Kyle and Hunt, where as our #3 last year Marshke was always injured.. but most clubs have periods without their preffered halves. Even Amone before these guys never got injured.. couldnt believe Sullivan was doing so well in NSW Cup but never got his chance..
I'm sure LKT wont love it, particularly because Sandon and Atko are both probably 'better as 6's' which LKT is I think a pure 6.. but hes got as much chance here as any other club.. I know he signed with Newcastle but was that before they landed Brown? Regardless one of em is going to need to turn into a proper 7.. I dunno which.. but atleast there are some options there... oh.. and the other thing is Atkinson might well end up a gun fullback.. like I think he can solve a lot of problems for us, even if its not as a 6 or 7.. but one of them actually has to play the damn 7 role lol.. and kick.
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Yep, has attributes that suit fullback too. One silver lining about him playing as a utility is he gets experience in other positions. Imo Savala has more upside than Smith & a better kicking game but doubt Roosters would let him go. Then again if DCE signs with Chooks, it blocks Savala as they have Sam walker too. There are halves available but we just need to land the right one to compliment LKT & Atko imo. Better to have too many options than being stuck with what we have this season. There's also Sexton who is off-contract for next year...
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
Ai Id much rather a big kicking 7, if they can most of the tackles were most of the way there.. but Sandon is the one they are getting rid of.. he hasnt done a great job of taking control when Walker has been out.
Sexton is another interesting one agreed.. curious to see what the dogs r doing there.
Mailroomsgi
SGI Jersey Flegg
Sexton’s a very interesting one, I’d never knock back a half who’s been leading around a team that’s 9-1
He’s also in the last year of his deal and the dogs have been very political when asked about sextons future, you’d think Gus or Ciraldo would say ‘yeah we’re keen to extend him’ but there’s been nothing of the sort
He’s also in the last year of his deal and the dogs have been very political when asked about sextons future, you’d think Gus or Ciraldo would say ‘yeah we’re keen to extend him’ but there’s been nothing of the sort
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
I assume that Sexton is on peanuts, and a) the dogs are going to keep paying him peanuts and b) they are still trying to find a rep level replacement to replace him with... Gus is huge on rep level 7s for finals campaigns.
They would probably prefer he stays on for 2026 even in reserve grade.. but im sure he will want more than that.. as he should.. but this may not be resolved for some time if DCE or Galvin is one of their targets... and the Dogs have other halves if it came to it.. not sure if that Hayward kid could also play 7...
They would probably prefer he stays on for 2026 even in reserve grade.. but im sure he will want more than that.. as he should.. but this may not be resolved for some time if DCE or Galvin is one of their targets... and the Dogs have other halves if it came to it.. not sure if that Hayward kid could also play 7...
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
This is good but I also hope we are on the lookout for good quality middles.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Don't think there are any. Maybe in the ESL.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
Riccio did mention on the radio today (sounded like he had chatted with Flanno) because he mentioned the dragons injury list in detail.. but he also mentioned that the Dragons still have a large amount of cash free for another signing before June 30... I assume Flanno wanted that message out there which makes sense.
Spending it assumes we can actually land someone ofcourse.. its also possible (I think) that perhaps we could use it to pay out some players to make more room for some other lesser 'non marquee' signings.. again though not sure how much we can get done prior to June 30 though, we tend to move pretty slowly with this stuff.. but bye week is when Flanno gets his best work done.. so we shall see..
Spending it assumes we can actually land someone ofcourse.. its also possible (I think) that perhaps we could use it to pay out some players to make more room for some other lesser 'non marquee' signings.. again though not sure how much we can get done prior to June 30 though, we tend to move pretty slowly with this stuff.. but bye week is when Flanno gets his best work done.. so we shall see..
Mailroomsgi
SGI Jersey Flegg
They absolutely should be looking to pay off as much for the deadwood as possible
Ravalawa and Lawrie’s money for 2026 we should be trying to erase as much of that as possible with the cap space for 2025
Ravalawa and Lawrie’s money for 2026 we should be trying to erase as much of that as possible with the cap space for 2025
Dragons Chris
SGI NSW Cup
Hook had a thing for the Broncos U21s premiership winning team which made him. Hunt, McGuire, Macca, Alvaro. Maybe Flanno has something similar for the drug and salary cap tainted premiership but still, I think signing Chad is taking it a bit far.
RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
Our coach does not have a very good record when it comes to R & R. Hand the job to the experts mate.
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RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
One of his best games, his 150th, did more running and less attempted play making which is not his bag. Was good in defense too. But I do think his days on the edge are over. Need someone more mobile, say Nick T or Suli whose days at centre also look to be over. I'd have Allan play there.
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RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
Jd. He is one of few players that can conjure something from nothing with his uncanny eyes up footy. But by moving him to the flank he is back to basic wing footy, catch ball and finish. Our coach has a annoying habit of bringing dead wood here but shoving genuine try scorers out the door. So aint holding out much hope that another of those, Sione Finau will be upgraded either.
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GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
I don't think Finau is going to be upgraded as long as Flanno is coach. I guess Flanno has a lower grade winger or centre penciled in to play wing next year.
RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
After dropping him Flanagan said he believed he'd be back. So to have that on record he must think he can be one of our long term halves. Personally, rather see him at 5/8, as with less scrutiny he may back his short kicking and running game. Some of which he has been showing in Ressies. Was impressive again on Sun.
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Eric
Staff
The way halfbacks and 5/8s have become interchangeable, I don't rule it out. Though to sign another half is going overboard, isn't it? Unless one of those in the top 30 now wants out.
Whatever happens with him will cause a reshuffle in the league with Sexton still not signed long term at the dogs and how heavily linked he is there.