Mug Fan
SGI NSW Cup
Unless it's a marquee signing, most fans won't notice much of what he does.
Recruitment and Retention for 2026
- Thread starter Dragons Chris
- Start date
Unless it's a marquee signing, most fans won't notice much of what he does.
Mug Fan
SGI NSW Cup
Lower grade and assistant coaches might have an opinion but save no say in it.
Pathways is basically separate unless it involves a gun junior or a junior moving into NRL. Everything will pass over his desk thou so he gets the final say in all signings.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
DT reporting now he has informed the Roosters he is leaving to take up a deal with the Dragons.
Shane Flanagan is still hunting quality middle forwards and with St George Illawarra’s 1470 run metres a game ranking 15th in the NRL, it’s no surprise.
The Dragons have eight backs who have averaged more than 100 metres a game this season. But excluding Michael Molo’s one game against Canberra for 115 metres, only back-rower Jaydn Su’A is churning out triple figures each week among their forwards.
No wonder we're target elite middles.
The Dragons have eight backs who have averaged more than 100 metres a game this season. But excluding Michael Molo’s one game against Canberra for 115 metres, only back-rower Jaydn Su’A is churning out triple figures each week among their forwards.
No wonder we're target elite middles.
One of, if not the most crucial, aspects of the game is being able to consistently lay that platform. If we could just get 1 big alpha to lead the way and lead our young guns the difference will be night and day.
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
Thank christ we have finally filled this position, who knows how much we missed out on by not having anyone in R+R for such a long time. hopefully some quality signings on the horizon.
RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
Ok we have a R M, yeh bout time Jd. So is he planning on targeting any marquees, a half and a prop are most needed plus someone of the calibre and inspiration of Jack. Tino may just fit the bill in both cases.
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RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
Even without Tino or similar we long suffering fans can feel confident in our current crop of home grown juniors, some having been fast tracked while others wait their turn.Thankfully we have several tied to longish contracts, but need to do same with a few more. Ok, being practical, not all will be long termers, so we have had to identify our best prospects to nurture. Among those are LPT, Jake H, Hamish Stewart, LKT, Ryan Hutchinson, Charlie Heidke. Have to add Kade Reed, Lyric CT and the Meafou bros. A fit Corey Ackers also.You guys can add others.
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Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
As always RVH the Dragons have placed him in a difficult position by staying out of the market or should I say not capable of managing the market for a long time. Will be tough for him to compete with the new team as well.
Edward
SGI NSW Cup
Phil Rothfield reporting DCE is a done deal at the Roosters. Just hasn't been announced yet.
Go after savala
Edward
SGI NSW Cup
Can't agree. Already have 2 average halfbacks and another half or 5/8 on the way. Have to stick with what we have and pin our hopes on Kade Reed.
He's defs not average. Already has a great kicking game. Great defence & game management. Typical dragons not to chase talent that's already done well at nrl level. Pinning our hopes on Reed would mean we haven't learned anything from our previous recruitment failures. Putting all your eggs in one basket is fraught with danger.
George Sancti
SGI Jersey Flegg
That means that the elite/very good pool of 7s available for 2027 is becoming smaller.
George Sancti
SGI Jersey Flegg
I'm not wanting to sound cynical Justadragon, but after such a long period of poor recruitment, even a moderate recruitment performance will be well received.
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
Yep I'm with you GS, lets hope something can happen, but I really think its a tough gig now. I think there will be more on the retention side than recruitment. As for the new CEO talking it up big we shall see. I look back on all these years that the Gordons have been the owners, they look at the Dragons as a tax write off for their elite lifestyle in the Bahamas, nothing more. How often have they opened up the purse strings, let alone attended a game.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Newcastle fans demanded the club re-sign Gagai and Frizell and club relented. I just can still hardly believe they let go of JDB. It must have something to do other than form.
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
Watsford explained why in the Dragons Den podcast, basically we have a lot of juniors coming through, we have to give them a pathway or they are gone. I would have liked them to pay JDB out for another year and retain him as a defensive / tackling coach
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Sounds like a good plan but who? Who are the props going to be? Stewart and who is going to be the bench lock? A few people talking in facebook groups about something to do with off field issues and the club not wanting him to hold the record for most games.
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
Yes mate I have heard that too, but I'm struggling to really believe it. Parra just gave him one more year than the Dragons were willing to offer. FB sometimes comes up with a lot of conspiracy theories. I couldn't see the club stoop to that level.