Morgan
SGI NSW Cup
Stars aligning for Metcalf to Parra. Good. I think both he and Pezet are overrated. I'd be backing Reed to be better than both in 16 months from now.
Recruitment and Retention for 2026
- Thread starter Dragons Chris
- Start date
RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
Still no confirmation on Nick Quinn. Has the deal gone sour?
Dragon David
SGI Jersey Flegg
Clint Gutherson tipped for position switch as Dragons linked with two rival players
Doubts have been raised about the veteran fullback's role at the Dragons. Details here.
Take it or leave it. I can agree about Gutho needing to be moved from fullback but I doubt us getting both Campbell and Metcalf. It would be a miracle but money does talk. Dragons have to do their due diligence on the fitness of Metcalf though with his ACL injury which will see him miss the early rounds of 2026 - likely return in April 2026. I have always liked Campbell as he has been groomed well through his Dad, Preston, and can play in many positions - Flanno would use him at #1 if he does sign with us for 2027. Out of the two I would lean towards Campbell coming to us. We should have Reed in first grade in 2027 and I think we would have some halves back ups as well in 2026 into 2027.
But for sure I would be happy if we sign both.
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GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Preston Campbell has the potential to be a superstar 5/8 or a very good fullback.
Clint Gutherson tipped for position switch as Dragons linked with two rival players
Doubts have been raised about the veteran fullback's role at the Dragons. Details here.au.news.yahoo.com
??? we’ve missed a bunch. sami was the most recent.
RedVictory
SGI Jersey Flegg
Don’t think you’ll see any confirmation as it’s only a nsw cup contract right?
Dragon David
SGI Jersey Flegg
Yes, Preston Campbell was proficient in the 5/8th position as well as fullback. He also played on the wing, half back and occasionally as the hooker for the Gold Coast Chargers. He is related to Nathan Blacklock, Bevan French and Greg Inglis. His son is Jayden Campbell and as we all know plays for the Gold Coast Titans.
Dragon David
SGI Jersey Flegg
I think all signings for NRL, KOE Cup and lower grades are confirmed on the Dragons website. There have been many reports from Zero Tackle, Instagram and Facebook etc stating that Nicholas Quinn has signed with the Dragons - dating back to 13 October 2025 - and it could be that there is the 10 business days cooling off period involved to allow Quinn to reconsider his decision after signing with the Dragons, based on his existing clubs offer or subsequent offer. A club signing a player is prohibited from making an announcement until the cooling-off period has expired or the player has waived their right to it. So, if his decision is to join the Dragons after the cooling off period, the date that it might be confirmed will be on Friday 24 October 2025 if my reckoning is right.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Jayden, got it
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
I note Ben Hunt is free to negotiate as of Nov 1, surely he must be worth more now as a premiership winner, I'm thinking something along the lines of a elite marquee half. Why dont we sign him for 1.5 Mil per year for the next 6 years so he can mentor our young halves and take the Dragons to the next level !!! Maybe get the band together with Amone.
Dragon David
SGI Jersey Flegg
I was waiting for you to post something like this Justa. I've just looked at Hunt's highlights. I could only get his highlights for 2025 as details of any former clubs seem to have been redacted for some reason. Those 2025 highlights of him playing for the Broncos shows that he still has plenty left in the engine to play either as an elite premiership winning half back or hooker. He might be a goodun from 2027 for 6 years @ $1.5 mil for sure. Anderson should sign him up - he will solve our halves and hooker problem.
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
Ah yes Dave, my love for BH is ever enduring, I'm not surprised you couldn't find any highlights, I dont believe he had any. His only highlights would be purely financial totally supplemented by the Dragons for those magnificent 6 years !!!
I've just looked at Hunt's highlights. I could only get his highlights for 2025 as details of any former clubs seem to have been redacted for some reason. Those 2025 highlights of him playing for the Broncos shows that he still has plenty left in the engine to play either as an elite premiership winning half back or hooker. He might be a goodun from 2027 for 6 years @ $1.5 mil for sure. Anderson should sign him up - he will solve our halves and hooker problem.
Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
According to Sami's manager he was never given and never asked for permission to negotiate with other teams.
Doesn't mean there weren't some discussions but not count as missing out on his signature.
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
My only concern with that Ryan, is where did the swap deal come from between Illias and Sami ? Why didn't the Dragons come out and say it's not on ? Sami's manager did a lot of back peddling once the Titans dug their heels in. How can a manager deal with others and not know he didn't have permission to do it ?
RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
Ditto DD. Campbell specially as he can cover both full back and the halves. So where does the 'ageing legged and lack of speed' Gutho move to, the pack obviously, but which position. Does his defense have the required starch needed for a ball playing lock, too slow for the edge and too small for the middle. Bit of a dilemma.
RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
That explains the delay.
Dragon David
SGI Jersey Flegg
Yes a bit of a dilemma RVH. I think the halves should have speed and Gutho doesn't now. He can break a tackle and make a dash and so maybe lock but I'm sure we have better options and his defence may not be capable for the full game in that position. He might be OK on the edge but again we have plenty of edge players who specialise in that position. Ryles couldn't fit Gutho in the Eels team. The Eels have a very good full back in Ilongi so Ryles' decision not to keep Gutho was the right decision going forward.
Caryannis speculates a lot and it hasn't come from the horses mouth so to speak regarding what he has written. But Gutho just doesn't fit the bill for me for the next couple of years.
Illusion
SGI NSW Cup
Gutho can not play at fullback next year a year slower , as I have mentioned before he will get shown up even more ......... Even if we sign no one , Holmes to fullback move Gutho to 5/8 or lock cant stay the same , every team has an explosive fullback , if we did manage to snag Campbell and Metcalf it will be a big step in moving forward , if not another year wasted ........Clint Gutherson tipped for position switch as Dragons linked with two rival players
Doubts have been raised about the veteran fullback's role at the Dragons. Details here.
Take it or leave it. I can agree about Gutho needing to be moved from fullback but I doubt us getting both Campbell and Metcalf. It would be a miracle but money does talk. Dragons have to do their due diligence on the fitness of Metcalf though with his ACL injury which will see him miss the early rounds of 2026 - likely return in April 2026. I have always liked Campbell as he has been groomed well through his Dad, Preston, and can play in many positions - Flanno would use him at #1 if he does sign with us for 2027. Out of the two I would lean towards Campbell coming to us. We should have Reed in first grade in 2027 and I think we would have some halves back ups as well in 2026 into 2027.
But for sure I would be happy if we sign both.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Gutho has gone from our player of the year to falling out of favour at record speed! I'm not disagreeing. Need more speed in the backs but there is also Suli and CT. Not criticising them but they do lack speed like Gutho.
AyiosYiorgos
SGI Jersey Flegg
Dragons are not going to come out every time there is a rumour concerning player signings whether to confirm or deny.. There are player managers, people in the media who have agenda's and spread rumours, also not to forget the world of social media who love to spread fake and BS stories on Facebook and the like, to get a like or followers, gone are the days where journalist had integrity and reported the facts