Promising Juniors Thread.

TheRev

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
100%.. the Ollie Burton signing also.. ppl on here r super excited cause we follow this stuff.. but its definitely an indication (I think) that the club is aware that they have missed all their 1st grade names so far.. and missing finals also.. we need to be showcasing our pathways and some of the positivity that might be in years to come.
 
Ryan

Ryan

SGI NSW Cup
TheRev said:
100%.. the Ollie Burton signing also.. ppl on here r super excited cause we follow this stuff.. but its definitely an indication (I think) that the club is aware that they have missed all their 1st grade names so far.. and missing finals also.. we need to be showcasing our pathways and some of the positivity that might be in years to come.
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Good observation. The only way to get back on track will be to do what Canberra have done. Put faith in youth. Though the inability of clubs to sign big names is usually a reflection on the coach as far as I know. Any idea what Flanno has done to get on the nose of so many? I have an idea but just a guess.
 
Mailroomsgi

Mailroomsgi

SGI Jersey Flegg
I’ve heard he’s unwilling to accept Kyle isn’t in the best 17 next szn

Weidler and Chammas both reported the same mail about some players being off Shane for Kyle not being dropped for bad performances but others have (All our halfback options are poor anyway)

It’s a make or break year for Flanno as an NRL coach next year so I think he may make some short term decisions that many won’t like personally
 
Ryan

Ryan

SGI NSW Cup
Mailroomsgi said:
I’ve heard he’s unwilling to accept Kyle isn’t in the best 17 next szn

Weidler and Chammas both reported the same mail about some players being off Shane for Kyle not being dropped for bad performances but others have (All our halfback options are poor anyway)
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Me too. It's become a mental illness.
Mailroomsgi said:
It’s a make or break year for Flanno as an NRL coach next year so I think he may make some short term decisions that many won’t like personally
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In the interview posted on here a couple of weeks ago, it sounded like the CEO is thinking long-term and Flanno had better get on board with that or retire as a NRL coach.
 
TheRev

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
I think Kyle is our 7 for 2025.. especially without Vals goalkicking... I don't want Ilias anywhere near the team unless through injury... hopefully that will encourage him to leave early also.

2026 is a whole different story, Atkinson/Gutho/LKT fight it out for 1/6/7, Liddle/Cook are the 9/14, Kyle can compete against LKT but really his role would be in reserve grade for injury cover.. thats an important job, you need a backup.. and he covers so many positions... 1 injury and hes back.... but you cant play him as first choice 14 over Liddle/Cook.. those guys are gun hookers.. Kyle doesnt bring threat off the bench at all.. thats not his thing.. but if 1 of those hookers gets injured then fantastic...

This is without including a halves signing which the CEO confirmed we are after.. but if Flanno is fighting the club on this one.. hard to see how we would land someone decent if he isnt on board... the topic will come up in negotiations. Thats probably why Douiehe is a maybe.. because Flanno is looking at him as a 13.
 
RedV01

RedV01

SGI NSW Cup
TheRev said:
I think Kyle is our 7 for 2025.. especially without Vals goalkicking... I don't want Ilias anywhere near the team unless through injury... hopefully that will encourage him to leave early also.

2026 is a whole different story, Atkinson/Gutho/LKT fight it out for 1/6/7, Liddle/Cook are the 9/14, Kyle can compete against LKT but really his role would be in reserve grade for injury cover.. thats an important job, you need a backup.. and he covers so many positions... 1 injury and hes back.... but you cant play him as first choice 14 over Liddle/Cook.. those guys are gun hookers.. Kyle doesnt bring threat off the bench at all.. thats not his thing.. but if 1 of those hookers gets injured then fantastic...

This is without including a halves signing which the CEO confirmed we are after.. but if Flanno is fighting the club on this one.. hard to see how we would land someone decent if he isnt on board... the topic will come up in negotiations. Thats probably why Douiehe is a maybe.. because Flanno is looking at him as a 13.
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Kyle drags down the whole team. The way he has no creativity, no running game, rubbish kicking, telegraphs whatever he is going do about 20min before he does it.

The two things he has going for him is Ilias not playing well enough in ressies to demand a recall and goal kicking. So he'll last until the end of the season unless he bites someone but hopefully this farce comes to a head in the offseason. CEO tells Flanno, Kyle must move on or he and Kyle must move on. With the arrival of Atkinson and re-signing of Liddle, there is no place for Kyle. Ilias or Hammond in the halves and Connor Muhleisen as hooker injury cover.

As for promising juniors, a couple need to be fast tracked. Like Reed. Lots of clubs have been forced to throw young halves in a year early.
 
Edward

Edward

SGI NSW Cup
Ryan said:
Good observation. The only way to get back on track will be to do what Canberra have done. Put faith in youth. Though the inability of clubs to sign big names is usually a reflection on the coach as far as I know. Any idea what Flanno has done to get on the nose of so many? I have an idea but just a guess.
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Next year these guys are locked in for first grade all year barring injury or....... rep games.
  • Toby Couchman
  • Ryan Couchman
  • Pasifiki Tonga
  • Stewart
  • Egan
These guys will play a lot of first grade.
  • Halangahu
  • CST
  • Tsougranis
I hope some of all of these guys at least get development contracts so they are every chance after the first few rounds.
  • Buchanan
  • Reed
  • Heidke
  • Williams
  • Craft-Te Moananui
  • Kirk. Is that the name of the big Illawarra fullback or winger who did his ACL early in the season but is highly rated?
Then one or two who seemingly come from nowhere into first grade. A bit like Stewart this year or LKT at the end of last year.

Building a very young squad. With a few old timers like Cook, Holmes, Gutho setting standards, I think next year will be much improved.

But yeah, this is the first time I've mentioned it because more than enough is already said. But Kyle Flanagan has gotta go.
 
GCRV

GCRV

SGI NSW Cup
Edward said:
Next year these guys are locked in for first grade all year barring injury or....... rep games.
  • Toby Couchman
  • Ryan Couchman
  • Pasifiki Tonga
  • Stewart
  • Egan
These guys will play a lot of first grade.
  • Halangahu
  • CST
  • Tsougranis
I hope some of all of these guys at least get development contracts so they are every chance after the first few rounds.
  • Buchanan
  • Reed
  • Heidke
  • Williams
  • Craft-Te Moananui
  • Kirk. Is that the name of the big Illawarra fullback or winger who did his ACL early in the season but is highly rated?
Then one or two who seemingly come from nowhere into first grade. A bit like Stewart this year or LKT at the end of last year.

Building a very young squad. With a few old timers like Cook, Holmes, Gutho setting standards, I think next year will be much improved.

But yeah, this is the first time I've mentioned it because more than enough is already said. But Kyle Flanagan has gotta go.
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To merely know the first 5 of them aren't just hype is a big bonus. But still some gaps to be filled. One or more of those backs has to be in serious consideration for first grade next year. Because who are the wingers going to be?
 
GCRV

GCRV

SGI NSW Cup
I don't know about this well compared to a lot of others but I think it's not wise to look at the rating, only to look at who is on the list. I mean, they rate Roosters 5/8 Jeziah Papa 6 places above Jasias Ah Kee but say: he overtook the highly rated Jeziah Papa for playing time as the week progressed.

It's not bad for the Dragons to have one outside back, one half and on forward in the list. Though Roosters have 10 including 2 halfbacks in the top 20.

50. Oliver Burton​

Previous rank: 32​

State: NSW CHS
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Dragons
School: Illawarra Sports High School
The Dragons junior showed the pace and finishing ability that convinced the club to extend his contract until 2028. Burton's game time was limited, but his performances during NSW CHS's campaign demonstrated his potential despite the team's fourth-place finish.

33. Creighton Meafou​

Previous rank: 11​

State: NSW CCC
Position: Back row
Affiliation: Dragons
School: Edmund Rice
The dual-code star was a handful in NSW CCC's run to the final and it was clear to see why the athletic back-rower is rated so highly.

30. Jasias Ah Kee​

Previous rank: 45​

State: NSW CCC
Position: Five-eighth
Affiliation: Dragons
School: Patrician Brothers College Blacktown
The playmaker who won the Dragons' Harold Matthews Cup player of the year showed his electrifying ability throughout NSW CCC's run to the final. A dangerous runner of the football and a nightmare for opposition defences to contain, he overtook the highly rated Jeziah Papa for playing time as the week progressed.
 
RedVHeartbeat

RedVHeartbeat

SGI NSW Cup
Mailroomsgi said:
View attachment 669Love to see it and yes everybody who’s been following this thread would have knows this weeks ago

I’m posting it here more because it’s unusual that young pathways signings get announced on the clubs official page

I wonder why these 2 in particular got this compared to previous ones
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They are twins but Alexander the back rower must like pumping iron more than Cornelius, the centre. Hope they are playing for Saints Ball Cup, badly need an injection of power and talent. Above all we need good #7 play makers in both grades so hope our recruiters have a pleasant surprise for next season.

Seem to recall Jake, Loko and Latu were also announced on the official page.
 
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D

Dragon David

SGI Jersey Flegg
jodragon40 said:
So its reported that we pinched two brothers that have come through the Panthers juniors, the Pupualli twins 16 yrs of age. 1 is a centre the other a 2nd rower both for our SG Ball 26 team. If true that is very forward thinking
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www.dragons.com.au

Dragons sign teenage Pupualii twins

The Dragons are pleased to confirm that talented teenagers Alexander and Cornelius Pupualii have agreed to deals with the club.
www.dragons.com.au www.dragons.com.au
 
TheRev

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
You have to imagine the penrith catchment is so big, they cant possibly be enough opportunity for all the talent.. not to mention if they come to us, we have 2 U17s and 2 U19 squads to showcase themselves..

We have a little bit of that overflow too though, i.e. a few steelers have fallen out of the system and into other squads over the years.. but tbf thats happening a bit later on uin the development cycle usually...
 
Mailroomsgi

Mailroomsgi

SGI Jersey Flegg
RedVHeartbeat said:
They are twins but Alexander the back rower must like pumping iron more than Cornelius, the centre. Hope they are playing for Saints Ball Cup, badly need an injection of power and talent. Above all we need good #7 play makers in both grades so hope our recruiters have a pleasant surprise for next season.

Seem to recall Jake, Loko and Latu were also announced on the official page.
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They signed NRL deals off the back of making the AUS schoolboys side a week earlier. It was pretty standard. I expected that to be announced. Same with Ollie Burton. The twins from Penrith were a bit of a surprise as most if not all pathways signings are kept quiet
 
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