Recruitment and Retention for 2025

[jodragon40]

What's with not rating Toby or Ryan to be very good props? They are far from the smallest props. I know jodragon40 likes to bang on about a big prop and I've come around to that too but not every prop needs to be like that. In the 4 man rotation most teams only have 1 big prop and Penrith haven't even had that for a few years. Toby and Ryan are both heavier than Penriths starting props from the last 4 years.

Just my old views you need that big bodied prop to hurt the opposition, lay the platform, or at the very least an enforcer in your pack. In the last 4 yrs who have we had after we got rid of Vaughan because of BBQ.? And haven't we suffered as a result. By the way I have given big wraps to those Couchman brothers they will be in our pack for many years to come if we look after them

 

[GCRV]

Just my old views you need that big bodied prop to hurt the opposition, lay the platform, or at the very least an enforcer in your pack. In the last 4 yrs who have we had after we got rid of Vaughan because of BBQ.? And haven't we suffered as a result. By the way I have given big wraps to those Couchman brothers they will be in our pack for many years to come if we look after them

You sold it to me a while ago. I just think no need for more than one and I think that one is going to be LPT.

 

[TheRev]

Guy called BigRig on another forum is sort of a 50/50 with his rumours, Justa might argue a 5/95 kind of accuracy , but im sure a lot of the dump he just gave us will be based on something (most of it seems obvious, but couple are interesting):

• Flanno looking at bringing another forward in before June 30 , heard Marty Taupau is who he is after for 6 months also interested in Kenny Bromwich but Taupau more likely
• Club still negotiations to release Finau Latu to Doggies in either player swap or for a fee
• Club currently In talks with Souths regarding keeping Ravalawa there for the final year of his contract
• Club was briefly interested in bringing in Daniel Atkinson early but that now won’t happen
• Jacob Halangahu a chance to upgraded to top 30 immediately
• Club had Informed Michael Molo , RFM and Villiami Fifita that they will not be re-signed
• Club to decide to keep 1 of either Sione Finau or Corey Allan on a 1 yr deal
• JDB to re-sign on 1 yr deal
• Club yet to decide whether to re-sign David Klemmer
• Jacob Liddle to re-sign until 2028
• Club is extremely cashed up for 26 and is attempting to be very active in the market for forwards
• Also heard the club is set to offer a 2 yr deal to Titans Prop Josiah Pahulu

 

[GCRV]

Guy called BigRig on another forum is sort of a 50/50 with his rumours, Justa might argue a 5/95 kind of accuracy , but im sure a lot of the dump he just gave us will be based on something (most of it seems obvious, but couple are interesting):

• Flanno looking at bringing another forward in before June 30 , heard Marty Taupau is who he is after for 6 months also interested in Kenny Bromwich but Taupau more likely
• Club still negotiations to release Finau Latu to Doggies in either player swap or for a fee
• Club currently In talks with Souths regarding keeping Ravalawa there for the final year of his contract
• Club was briefly interested in bringing in Daniel Atkinson early but that now won’t happen
• Jacob Halangahu a chance to upgraded to top 30 immediately
• Club had Informed Michael Molo , RFM and Villiami Fifita that they will not be re-signed
• Club to decide to keep 1 of either Sione Finau or Corey Allan on a 1 yr deal
• JDB to re-sign on 1 yr deal
• Club yet to decide whether to re-sign David Klemmer
• Jacob Liddle to re-sign until 2028
• Club is extremely cashed up for 26 and is attempting to be very active in the market for forwards
• Also heard the club is set to offer a 2 yr deal to Titans Prop Josiah Pahulu

Thanks for the info though I don't like all of it.
Why would the club want Tapau??? He's ok for about 10min a game.
Too bad about Atkinson.

I hope Halangahu is upgraded immediately, JDB and Liddle are re-signed.

I don't know why the club would want more forwards. A tsunami of good young forwards is ready to engulf first grade.

 

[Morgan]

Guy called BigRig on another forum is sort of a 50/50 with his rumours, Justa might argue a 5/95 kind of accuracy , but im sure a lot of the dump he just gave us will be based on something (most of it seems obvious, but couple are interesting):

• Flanno looking at bringing another forward in before June 30 , heard Marty Taupau is who he is after for 6 months also interested in Kenny Bromwich but Taupau more likely
• Club still negotiations to release Finau Latu to Doggies in either player swap or for a fee
• Club currently In talks with Souths regarding keeping Ravalawa there for the final year of his contract
• Club was briefly interested in bringing in Daniel Atkinson early but that now won’t happen
• Jacob Halangahu a chance to upgraded to top 30 immediately
• Club had Informed Michael Molo , RFM and Villiami Fifita that they will not be re-signed
• Club to decide to keep 1 of either Sione Finau or Corey Allan on a 1 yr deal
• JDB to re-sign on 1 yr deal
• Club yet to decide whether to re-sign David Klemmer
• Jacob Liddle to re-sign until 2028
• Club is extremely cashed up for 26 and is attempting to be very active in the market for forwards
• Also heard the club is set to offer a 2 yr deal to Titans Prop Josiah Pahulu

Upgrading Halangahu so soon would be a huge vote of confidence in him. I hope it happens.

 

[Justadragon]

Guy called BigRig on another forum is sort of a 50/50 with his rumours, Justa might argue a 5/95 kind of accuracy , but im sure a lot of the dump he just gave us will be based on something (most of it seems obvious, but couple are interesting):

• Flanno looking at bringing another forward in before June 30 , heard Marty Taupau is who he is after for 6 months also interested in Kenny Bromwich but Taupau more likely
• Club still negotiations to release Finau Latu to Doggies in either player swap or for a fee
• Club currently In talks with Souths regarding keeping Ravalawa there for the final year of his contract
• Club was briefly interested in bringing in Daniel Atkinson early but that now won’t happen
• Jacob Halangahu a chance to upgraded to top 30 immediately
• Club had Informed Michael Molo , RFM and Villiami Fifita that they will not be re-signed
• Club to decide to keep 1 of either Sione Finau or Corey Allan on a 1 yr deal
• JDB to re-sign on 1 yr deal
• Club yet to decide whether to re-sign David Klemmer
• Jacob Liddle to re-sign until 2028
• Club is extremely cashed up for 26 and is attempting to be very active in the market for forwards
• Also heard the club is set to offer a 2 yr deal to Titans Prop Josiah Pahulu

A lot to take in Rev, my only wish out of that lot is that Liddle gets resigned, the Finau - Allen is a toss up, speed vs defence, young vs old, the rest I really dont know.

 

[Ryan]

A lot to take in Rev, my only wish out of that lot is that Liddle gets resigned, the Finau - Allen is a toss up, speed vs defence, young vs old, the rest I really dont know.

It's no toss up. Allen is really ok but even Thurston or Johns at some stage played a season too long. He's not first grade quality winger now. I know Flanno picks him ahead of Finau but in a good team well coached, Allan wouldn't have a hope of being in first grade.

 

[Dave03]

Guy called BigRig on another forum is sort of a 50/50 with his rumours, Justa might argue a 5/95 kind of accuracy , but im sure a lot of the dump he just gave us will be based on something (most of it seems obvious, but couple are interesting):

• Flanno looking at bringing another forward in before June 30 , heard Marty Taupau is who he is after for 6 months also interested in Kenny Bromwich but Taupau more likely
• Club still negotiations to release Finau Latu to Doggies in either player swap or for a fee
• Club currently In talks with Souths regarding keeping Ravalawa there for the final year of his contract
• Club was briefly interested in bringing in Daniel Atkinson early but that now won’t happen
• Jacob Halangahu a chance to upgraded to top 30 immediately
• Club had Informed Michael Molo , RFM and Villiami Fifita that they will not be re-signed
• Club to decide to keep 1 of either Sione Finau or Corey Allan on a 1 yr deal
• JDB to re-sign on 1 yr deal
• Club yet to decide whether to re-sign David Klemmer
• Jacob Liddle to re-sign until 2028
• Club is extremely cashed up for 26 and is attempting to be very active in the market for forwards
• Also heard the club is set to offer a 2 yr deal to Titans Prop Josiah Pahulu

Allan is meh tbh. Only re-sign him for centre depth. I hope Lawson overtakes him in the wing depth chart.

 

[GCRV]

Allan is meh tbh. Only re-sign him for centre depth. I hope Lawson overtakes him in the wing depth chart.

Lawson has already overtaken him.

 

[dragonheart]

Big Rig has a habit of adding 2 and 2 and getting 1 and this is only because he reads around all the rumour web sites and 1 is bound to stick.

 

[Eric]

Guy called BigRig on another forum is sort of a 50/50 with his rumours, Justa might argue a 5/95 kind of accuracy , but im sure a lot of the dump he just gave us will be based on something (most of it seems obvious, but couple are interesting):

• Flanno looking at bringing another forward in before June 30 , heard Marty Taupau is who he is after for 6 months also interested in Kenny Bromwich but Taupau more likely
• Club still negotiations to release Finau Latu to Doggies in either player swap or for a fee
• Club currently In talks with Souths regarding keeping Ravalawa there for the final year of his contract
• Club was briefly interested in bringing in Daniel Atkinson early but that now won’t happen
• Jacob Halangahu a chance to upgraded to top 30 immediately
• Club had Informed Michael Molo , RFM and Villiami Fifita that they will not be re-signed
• Club to decide to keep 1 of either Sione Finau or Corey Allan on a 1 yr deal
• JDB to re-sign on 1 yr deal
• Club yet to decide whether to re-sign David Klemmer
• Jacob Liddle to re-sign until 2028
• Club is extremely cashed up for 26 and is attempting to be very active in the market for forwards
• Also heard the club is set to offer a 2 yr deal to Titans Prop Josiah Pahulu

Big Rig has a habit of adding 2 and 2 and getting 1 and this is only because he reads around all the rumour web sites and 1 is bound to stick.

I don't use any other social media in regard to sport but I feel some of this is highly questionable or just common sense guesswork.

• Point one: I think the club probably is after another prop for 6 months. Allow LPT to go back to NSW Cup for the time being. I just don't think the club is interested in either of those.
• Point 2: regarding Latu, makes sense.
• Point 3: regarding Rava, makes sense.
• Point 4: regarding Atkinson, this was confirmed by Atkinson some time ago, wasn't it?
• Point 5: regarding Halangahu, the way he's been playing in NSW Cup, makes sense.
• Point 6: regarding Molo, RFM, Fifita, obviously.
• Point 7: regarding Allan or Finau, I'd be surprised if either is re-signed. Flanno obviously doesn't rate Finau and Allan needs to retire.
• Point 8: regarding JDB, makes sense.
• Point 9: regarding Klemmer, makes sense.
• Point 10: regarding being cashed up and in the market for a forward, makes sense.
• Point 11: Don't think I've seen him play but Titans aren't traveling too well and he's not in their 17, is he?

I don't think this info requires any special insider knowledge.

 

[Edward]

I don't use any other social media in regard to sport but I feel some of this is highly questionable or just common sense guesswork.

• Point one: I think the club probably is after another prop for 6 months. Allow LPT to go back to NSW Cup for the time being. I just don't think the club is interested in either of those.
• Point 2: regarding Latu, makes sense.
• Point 3: regarding Rava, makes sense.
• Point 4: regarding Atkinson, this was confirmed by Atkinson some time ago, wasn't it?
• Point 5: regarding Halangahu, the way he's been playing in NSW Cup, makes sense.
• Point 6: regarding Molo, RFM, Fifita, obviously.
• Point 7: regarding Allan or Finau, I'd be surprised if either is re-signed. Flanno obviously doesn't rate Finau and Allan needs to retire.
• Point 8: regarding JDB, makes sense.
• Point 9: regarding Klemmer, makes sense.
• Point 10: regarding being cashed up and in the market for a forward, makes sense.
• Point 11: Don't think I've seen him play but Titans aren't traveling too well and he's not in their 17, is he?

I don't think this info requires any special insider knowledge.

Probably a good idea to wait and see if JustaMugFan confirms or denies.

 

[dragonheart]

Big Rig use to say "I have it on good authority" now it's "a few whispers I've heard" .... must be a fan of Bridgerton.

 

[TheRev]

don't over-think it.... just take it as some interesting whispers in an otherwise dull year with our lack of 25/26 recruitment... anything internal hopefully will get done though, anything involving external parties take with a large grain of salt.. we only land a few of the targets we go after.

 

[Edward]

don't over-think it.... just take it as some interesting whispers in an otherwise dull year with our lack of 25/26 recruitment... anything internal hopefully will get done though, anything involving external parties take with a large grain of salt.. we only land a few of the targets we go after.

 

[Edward]

don't over-think it.... just take it as some interesting whispers in an otherwise dull year with our lack of 25/26 recruitment... anything internal hopefully will get done though, anything involving external parties take with a large grain of salt.. we only land a few of the targets we go after.

There are whispers Ponga is unhappy at Newcastle. And their salary cap must be extremely tight. But probably not feasible for the Dragons because we have Gutho for 2 more years after this and even though Ponga is a superstar, I don't think he's worth 1.3 or 1.5 million a year.

 

[Edward]

don't over-think it.... just take it as some interesting whispers in an otherwise dull year with our lack of 25/26 recruitment... anything internal hopefully will get done though, anything involving external parties take with a large grain of salt.. we only land a few of the targets we go after.

In a slow week such as this, I want to praise TheRev for his very insightful analysis and summaries and content generally.

 

[TheRev]

There are whispers Ponga is unhappy at Newcastle. And their salary cap must be extremely tight. But probably not feasible for the Dragons because we have Gutho for 2 more years after this and even though Ponga is a superstar, I don't think he's worth 1.3 or 1.5 million a year.

Gotta say Sharpe is such a good fullback, so much in common with Ponga, almost dont need the 1million dollar man.. they are hoping to make Sharpe work as a 6 or 7 I guess.. but not sure it will...

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Just my old views you need that big bodied prop to hurt the opposition, lay the platform, or at the very least an enforcer in your pack

Agree mate. It was hoped Klemmer would be that enforcer, but he has been a powder puff compared with what we need.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

In a slow week such as this, I want to praise @

TheRev for his very insightful analysis and summaries and content generally.

​

Sucker upper. Yeh seriously, appreciate your input.

TheRev​