Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[TheRev]

your right, some of the best work that can be done is locking down the most talented players we have long term even if they still have 2 years left eg. Couchman x 2

Id just like to see a big change up in pathways R&R, it’s too hard to compete with soon to be 18 other teams for the occasional star that comes available on the market

You HAVE to produce most of them within and occasionally sign a star like the Panthers did with Koroisau and produced Cleary/Yeo/To’o within their system

I wonder if Anderson has been watching our Flegg/Cup games for the last month since he knew he was taking the job? Hope so.. cant think of a better way to get your head across the younger talent.. cant rly just take the coaches word for it.

They said on 100% Footy that the NRL are meeting to discuss bumping the dispensation for bringing through your own talent by a signaificant number.. its currently 10% of a juniors salary, but its capped @ 300k.. but the pessimist in me wonders where they will set the age bar for the definition of junior.. will the roosters get to claim all the 16-17yr olds they steal from other nurseries? Gus said he didnt want to be part of it as its not even scratching the surface in what needs to be restructured in terms of young players, player managers, the pathways systems, contracts and so forth.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

I wonder if Anderson has been watching our Flegg/Cup games for the last month since he knew he was taking the job? Hope so.. cant think of a better way to get your head across the younger talent.. cant rly just take the coaches word for it.

They said on 100% Footy that the NRL are meeting to discuss bumping the dispensation for bringing through your own talent by a signaificant number.. its currently 10% of a juniors salary, but its capped @ 300k.. but the pessimist in me wonders where they will set the age bar for the definition of junior.. will the roosters get to claim all the 16-17yr olds they steal from other nurseries? Gus said he didnt want to be part of it as its not even scratching the surface in what needs to be restructured in terms of young players, player managers, the pathways systems, contracts and so forth.

Whatever the NRL decide to do with that I can guarantee you it will not be to the detriment of the roosters.

 

[Aonikz]

Brailey just rejected an extension offer from the Sharks. If Cook retires at the end of this season he would be an amazing buy to rotate with Liddle.

 

[Eric]

Brailey just rejected an extension offer from the Sharks. If Cook retires at the end of this season he would be an amazing buy to rotate with Liddle.

Good player but I think hooker is one of the few positions we aren't lacking in.

 

[Dave03]

Good player but I think hooker is one of the few positions we aren't lacking in.

Imo you don't really need to overspend at hooker either, apart from Storm no other top 4 team is carrying top $ hooker.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Cooks last year is 2026, our hooker depth is pretty average currently, wouldn't surprise if we sign some up and comer to complement Liddle, will also depend on what Flano does with Kyle, would love the young quick Canberra kid Pattie, looks very fast over the initial10m.

 

[TheRev]

I feel like there is a chance Cook could do 2027 as a 14, but its too early to judge and it depends if we have other options.. Kyle yeah could be it.. but im still not convinced hes an impact player, nor could he cover centre or fullback like Cook can.. I see Kyle more like Muhleissen.. steady as u go hooker with decent tackle technique... but you usually want a bit more for 1st grade... hopefully we get to see his potential early next year in that role in NSW Cup, which will help with decisions moving forward..

Dont think we can pull a player like Pattie.. not until we've established ourselves as a team with genuine Top8 potential.. hes signed till end of 2028 also, god knows what the raiders r doing with 3 hookers..

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

I feel like there is a chance Cook could do 2027 as a 14, but its too early to judge and it depends if we have other options.. Kyle yeah could be it.. but im still not convinced hes an impact player, nor could he cover centre or fullback like Cook can.. I see Kyle more like Muhleissen.. steady as u go hooker with decent tackle technique... but you usually want a bit more for 1st grade... hopefully we get to see his potential early next year in that role in NSW Cup, which will help with decisions moving forward..

Dont think we can pull a player like Pattie.. not until we've established ourselves as a team with genuine Top8 potential.. hes signed till end of 2028 also, god knows what the raiders r doing with 3 hookers..

I can't see Cook playing on in 2027 either as a 9 or 14, we will need to either develop or bring in an up and comer, I know Pattie is signed but he would be the type I'd love to get to the club, need to look around the storm, rooster etc lower grades see if there is something similar we can entice to come.
Kyle is the roadblock signed till end of 27, if SFlano insists on giving him a top 17 spot it causes issues, he is too slow, isn't an attacking threat from #9 and as you said doesn't really cover a whole range of positions, will Flano try and convert him into a 13, will someone step in and say he is KOE cup depth player.

 

[TheRev]

I can't see Cook playing on in 2027 either as a 9 or 14, we will need to either develop or bring in an up and comer

I agree with most of what you said, but I do feel like im the only one who still rly likes what Cook brings to the table.. hes only just turned 34, I mean maybe by 35.5 (2027) he is on the downhill..... but I cant think of many in the game that are as lethal in attack (raw speed off the mark) + can cover positions + still seems decent defensively at hooker with decent service.. I dont rly get the hate so many fans have over him.. but different story if there was a young gun in the system we were retaining instead.. and of course maybe 1yr of hooker Kyle in 2027 wouldn't be the worst outcome either... its probably a decision for 12mths time.

The other part for me is can we actually sign the upandcomers.. as im not sure internally that Hjaltason or Fagalilo are the ones.. maybe they are.. but at this stage I dont see anything magical in either.. but they arent fully formed yet and they need to be tested against men.. and Hjaltason needs to stay on the field.

 

[Morgan]

I agree with most of what you said, but I do feel like im the only one who still rly likes what Cook brings to the table.. hes only just turned 34, I mean maybe by 35.5 (2027) he is on the downhill..... but I cant think of many in the game that are as lethal in attack (raw speed off the mark) + can cover positions + still seems decent defensively at hooker with decent service.. I dont rly get the hate so many fans have over him.. but different story if there was a young gun in the system we were retaining instead.. and of course maybe 1yr of hooker Kyle in 2027 wouldn't be the worst outcome either... its probably a decision for 12mths time.

The other part for me is can we actually sign the upandcomers.. as im not sure internally that Hjaltason or Fagalilo are the ones.. maybe they are.. but at this stage I dont see anything magical in either.. but they arent fully formed yet and they need to be tested against men.. and Hjaltason needs to stay on the field.

I thought Cook was older than that. If we can't unearth a very good young hooker or the ones already in the system don't progress, I like the idea of signing him for another year. He's been one of the best even behind a pack on the back-foot most weeks.

 

[Dave03]

I think the days of cook covering multiple positions is over. Hooker or lock only. We've moved sua to ctr instead of cook lately. Sua at ctr has been surprisingly good

 

[Dave03]

We've also got Nick t who can cover backrow & ctr. I wouldn't be extending cook on his potential utility value. More on his experience for our younger players. Would love for him to play nsw cup for one year to give guidance to those youngsters and odd games of nrl.

 

[Gippsy]

Or, get him into coaching with us.

 

[Eric]

I can't see Cook playing on in 2027 either as a 9 or 14, we will need to either develop or bring in an up and comer, I know Pattie is signed but he would be the type I'd love to get to the club, need to look around the storm, rooster etc lower grades see if there is something similar we can entice to come.
Kyle is the roadblock signed till end of 27, if SFlano insists on giving him a top 17 spot it causes issues, he is too slow, isn't an attacking threat from #9 and as you said doesn't really cover a whole range of positions, will Flano try and convert him into a 13, will someone step in and say he is KOE cup depth player.

Cam Smith wasn't really quick out of dummy half either. But yeah, it'll be better for everyone including Flanno if Kyle leaves or is relegated to NSW Cup as a depth player at best. If Flanno tries to turn him into a hooker now, this whole circus will begin again unless he absolutely nails it from game 1.

 

[TheRev]

Hearing Chevy Stewart's name being thrown up around the place.. has anyone watched him play since those NSW games in 23/24?

These are his stats for NSW Cup (mostly fullback, couple @centre), not sure if he also played SG/Flegg in previous years:



Probably as good a prospect as the Faulalo/Votano type names.. but a bit less experienced.. just turned 20.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

He looked like he was going to be a star 3 years ago, hasn’t really kicked on mostly due to physical limitations, isn’t lightning quick and isn’t very strong

Talented no doubt, development isn’t linear though so who knows where he could be 2 years from now

I think a 2 year deal wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, similar to what Canberra offered tamale. If it works then happy days. If it doesn’t then it’s only 2 years and Burton potentially takes the FB role

The issue is the 750k question. What happens to Gutho if we sign Chevy? I won’t hear centre because he would be a liability there

 

[Ryan]

He looked like he was going to be a star 3 years ago, hasn’t really kicked on mostly due to physical limitations, isn’t lightning quick and isn’t very strong

Talented no doubt, development isn’t linear though so who knows where he could be 2 years from now

I think a 2 year deal wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, similar to what Canberra offered tamale. If it works then happy days. If it doesn’t then it’s only 2 years and Burton potentially takes the FB role

The issue is the 750k question. What happens to Gutho if we sign Chevy? I won’t hear centre because he would be a liability there

Gutho not a centre. No way. Could this guy Chevy play wing?

 

[TheRev]

Meanwhile SFinau touring the raiders facilities.. how can Ricky be signing 2 wingers in front of Savage and his own son >.>

Id like to see Gutho @ctr, im not convinved he couldnt thrive.. otherwise a 5/8 perhaps or a 14, but im also happy with him @1 right now.. its just at some point he would need to change..

I dont really understand the Chevy signing though cause we never back 19-20yr old backs.. why would we start now with someone elses? Granted he has had 3yrs in cup.. which is similar to SFinau I guess.

 

[Ryan]

how can Ricky be signing 2 wingers in front of Savage and his own son >.>

The difference between them and us. Flanno could have recruited a young team like Stuart has.

 

[Dragons Chris]

The difference between them and us. Flanno could have recruited a young team like Stuart has.

I saw him play against us. Not the worst winger but his Dad clearly recognises he's not NRL standard but for some kind of emergency injury cover. I bet his son recognises that and is comfortable with it. What a shame our coach isn't as professional.