Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[Mailroomsgi]

Sandon Smith off to the knights on a four year deal

I’d say Ponga is as good as gone when his contract is up at Newy.

Shift Sharpe to fullback and Brown/Sandon halves

One less Half on the market albeit he’s not a Marquee guy that we’ve spoken about wanting

 

[Edward]

Reckon Nick T is good enough to be a 1st grade centre next year? We have a ton of fwds coming through but he's the only one who can play ctr effectively at nsw cup level. It would be a way to get him into the side to build his 1st grade experience.

Perfect for the bench.

 

[GCRV]

Sandon Smith off to the knights on a four year deal

I’d say Ponga is as good as gone when his contract is up at Newy.

Shift Sharpe to fullback and Brown/Sandon halves

One less Half on the market albeit he’s not a Marquee guy that we’ve spoken about wanting

Is he any better than Kyle or Ilias?

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Quite clearly yes.

 

[Dragon David]

Reckon Nick T is good enough to be a 1st grade centre next year? We have a ton of fwds coming through but he's the only one who can play ctr effectively at nsw cup level. It would be a way to get him into the side to build his 1st grade experience.

What about Holmes and Suli?

 

[RedV01]

Quite clearly yes.

I could understand Flanno not wanting him but why do you think Anderson didn't? Kade Reed being fast-tracked?

 

[RedV01]

Perfect for the bench.

Best teams typically don't go with a second rower in the bench but maybe Nick T can make it work. But remember Luciano is still signed for next year. Could he be turned into a prop? He's big enough.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

I could understand Flanno not wanting him but why do you think Anderson didn't? Kade Reed being fast-tracked?

He’s had a look at what’s coming underneath and said we’ll keep our powder dry

LKT and Sandon smith are in the same tier (Remember LKT is 3 years younger and playing behind a bad pack)

Reed and Ah Kee are elite talents as well and should be prioritised over Sandon Smith so I don’t have a problem with us not signing him

 

[RedV01]

He’s had a look at what’s coming underneath and said we’ll keep our powder dry

LKT and Sandon smith are in the same tier (Remember LKT is 3 years younger and playing behind a bad pack)

Reed and Ah Kee are elite talents as well and should be prioritised over Sandon Smith so I don’t have a problem with us not signing him

 

[redv13]

Best teams typically don't go with a second rower in the bench but maybe Nick T can make it work. But remember Luciano is still signed for next year. Could he be turned into a prop? He's big enough.

I think it’s time Luc is pushed into the front row rotation. I like him as a player but he just can’t get his weight down. Maybe a 40-50 min front rower is his spot for 2026. Plenty of young bulls coming through that can cover 2nd row and lock

 

[Dave03]

What about Holmes and Suli?

Could push Holmes to the wing, don't have any good wingers atm. CT is probs our best & his hammies are a ticking time bomb.

 

[Dragon David]

So Sandon Smith to the Knights and Kobe Hetherington to the Sea Eagles. We still have just 2 who aren't wanted by the Sharks and Dolphins.

We will end up with a load or rejects?

 

[Edward]

So Sandon Smith to the Knights and Kobe Hetherington to the Sea Eagles. We still have just 2 who aren't wanted by the Sharks and Dolphins.

We we end up with a ;oad or rejects?

Not as if either of them are marquee players. DA probably thinks we have too many average players like those 2 already.

 

[TheRev]

I get why we didnt go after Sandon, he was probably a stop gap 7.. wouldnt have minded him for 2yrs.. but he is tbf quite similar to Atkinson and LKT.

Still.. even though is an absolute footy player in Atkinson, starting 7 is a 'lot' of responsibility to pick up in an off season.. its all the position that cops all the heat if we arent winning.. but hopefully we have a plan..but 2026 could be tough.

 

[Justadragon]

Reckon Nick T is good enough to be a 1st grade centre next year? We have a ton of fwds coming through but he's the only one who can play ctr effectively at nsw cup level. It would be a way to get him into the side to build his 1st grade experience.

Tend to agree with you mate, just his speed at ctr that worries me at NRL level.

 

[Dragon David]

On another issue involving the Bulldogs signings, Ciraldo and Gould have been re-signed to until 2031, Stephen Crichton to the end of 2031 and Jacob Kiraz to the end of 2028. That Club don't muck around. I can see that Club in the top4/8 for years to come and it pisses me off.

Waiting for the good news for the Dragons. Will we get any?

 

[Justadragon]

He’s had a look at what’s coming underneath and said we’ll keep our powder dry

LKT and Sandon smith are in the same tier (Remember LKT is 3 years younger and playing behind a bad pack)

Reed and Ah Kee are elite talents as well and should be prioritised over Sandon Smith so I don’t have a problem with us not signing him

Didn't Smith tear us a new one on Anzac Day, I think we made him look like an immortal.

 

[Justadragon]

On another issue involving the Bulldogs signings, Ciraldo and Gould have been re-signed to until 2031, Stephen Crichton to the end of 2031 and Jacob Kiraz to the end of 2028. That Club don't muck around. I can see that Club in the top4/8 for years to come and it pisses me off.

Waiting for the good news for the Dragons. Will we get any?

Something tells me you dont like the Dogs Dave

 

[Ryan]

He’s had a look at what’s coming underneath and said we’ll keep our powder dry

LKT and Sandon smith are in the same tier (Remember LKT is 3 years younger and playing behind a bad pack)

Reed and Ah Kee are elite talents as well and should be prioritised over Sandon Smith so I don’t have a problem with us not signing him

This is the kind of forward thinking that was needed 10 years ago. Why did it take the recruitment of Daniel Anderson to realize this? I guess every coach wanted almost instant success even that "success" meant sneaking into the top 8.

 

[Ryan]

On another issue involving the Bulldogs signings, Ciraldo and Gould have been re-signed to until 2031, Stephen Crichton to the end of 2031 and Jacob Kiraz to the end of 2028. That Club don't muck around. I can see that Club in the top4/8 for years to come and it pisses me off.

Waiting for the good news for the Dragons. Will we get any?

I don't see why signing Phil Gould was a good move or Ciraldo for that matter. Crighton is a good centre but I think the Dogs would have been better strengthening their halfback, hooker and fullback. Galvin looks like a 5/8 to me. They'll probably let Burton go unless he takes a pay cut to play centre.