Recruitment and Retention for 2026

D

Dragon David

SGI Jersey Flegg
Justadragon said:
Gutho got found out as the season went on unfortunately, it will be the same next year if not worse.
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Whatever happened to Clint Gutherson in 2025? At the start of the year, he came first in the time trial up Mt Keira on the first day of pre-season training and I thought we have a beauty signed. He did prove to be what we wanted as a fullback in place of Sloan in many of the earlier games of the competition but mid way and towards the end he tapered off. There were several times when it seemed like it took him forever to stop a try but he was just too slow to get to the player before the try was scored. Gutho has many good attributes but because he has now slowed down that affects his attack and cover defence. I think he would be good as the 5/8th and for him to combine with Atkinson in the halves and we go for another fullback - not Sloan again though.
 
Dragons Chris

Dragons Chris

SGI NSW Cup
Dragon David said:
Whatever happened to Clint Gutherson in 2025? At the start of the year, he came first in the time trial up Mt Keira on the first day of pre-season training and I thought we have a beauty signed. He did prove to be what we wanted as a fullback in place of Sloan in many of the earlier games of the competition but mid way and towards the end he tapered off. There were several times when it seemed like it took him forever to stop a try but he was just too slow to get to the player before the try was scored. Gutho has many good attributes but because he has now slowed down that affects his attack and cover defence. I think he would be good as the 5/8th and for him to combine with Atkinson in the halves and we go for another fullback - not Sloan again though.
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I was thinking his second half of the season was very ordinary as well. I was surprised more people weren't talking about it.
 
RedV01

RedV01

SGI NSW Cup
Justadragon said:
Jye Gray is a great player , I would love to have someone like that in the side.
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He's good but Dragons have had such a horrid run with small but talented fullbacks.

Glad I'm not the only one talking about Gutho these days. I was shocked he was given a 3 year big money contract. I said as much and copped it big time! I never criticised as a player. It just seemed to me Ryles was making the right call getting rid of him. Ryles might have been doing it a season early. As it turned out, he was doing it half a season early.

But stuck with him now for another 2 years. Unless the ESL picks him up but I'd guess he will see out the next two seasons and then retire with his nice pension from the Dragons after giving his best years to Parra.
 
GCRV

GCRV

SGI NSW Cup

Off-contract:​

Blake Lawrie, Christian Tuipulotu, Damien Cook, Emre Guler, Hame Sele, Hamish Stewart, Jaydn Su’A, Luciano Leilua, Mathew Feagai, Tyrell Sloan

Analysis:​

Not a bad spot for the Dragons given a host of players who have had their futures questioned at the club on the market including Lawrie, Sloan and Leilua. The trio are on inflated deals so it will create some cap space for the Dragons. Stewart and Su’A are the priorities with Su’A having an option in his favour. The likes of Tuipulotu, Guler, Sele and Feagai are playing for their futures with no rush to lock them down. Cook has expressed an interest in playing beyond next season.

Danger rating: 4/10​

  • Blake Lawrie (Gone)
  • Christian Tuipulotu (Flanno loves him. Not sure why. I wouldn't re-sign him.)
  • Damien Cook (Still good but definitely not another year after 2026.)
  • Emre Guler (Gone)
  • Hame Sele (Too many injuries. Gone.)
  • Hamish Stewart (Must be an absolute priority.)
  • Jaydn Su’A (Undecided. A good player but have a lot of very talented backrowers coming up from lower grades.)
  • Luciano Leilua (If he could turn himself into a prop like Kaloamatangi at Souths, might give his career a second wind. Gone otherwise.)
  • Mathew Feagai (Gone)
  • Tyrell Sloan (Gone)
 
Edward

Edward

SGI NSW Cup
GCRV said:

Off-contract:​

Blake Lawrie, Christian Tuipulotu, Damien Cook, Emre Guler, Hame Sele, Hamish Stewart, Jaydn Su’A, Luciano Leilua, Mathew Feagai, Tyrell Sloan

Analysis:​

Not a bad spot for the Dragons given a host of players who have had their futures questioned at the club on the market including Lawrie, Sloan and Leilua. The trio are on inflated deals so it will create some cap space for the Dragons. Stewart and Su’A are the priorities with Su’A having an option in his favour. The likes of Tuipulotu, Guler, Sele and Feagai are playing for their futures with no rush to lock them down. Cook has expressed an interest in playing beyond next season.

Danger rating: 4/10​

  • Blake Lawrie (Gone)
  • Christian Tuipulotu (Flanno loves him. Not sure why. I wouldn't re-sign him.)
  • Damien Cook (Still good but definitely not another year after 2026.)
  • Emre Guler (Gone)
  • Hame Sele (Too many injuries. Gone.)
  • Hamish Stewart (Must be an absolute priority.)
  • Jaydn Su’A (Undecided. A good player but have a lot of very talented backrowers coming up from lower grades.)
  • Luciano Leilua (If he could turn himself into a prop like Kaloamatangi at Souths, might give his career a second wind. Gone otherwise.)
  • Mathew Feagai (Gone)
  • Tyrell Sloan (Gone)
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So many players who won't be offered a new deal. Doesn't paint a flattering picture for our recruitment for the past few years.
 
RedV01

RedV01

SGI NSW Cup
This dude is no longer flying under the radar.

10 stars set for biggest pay rises​

HAMISH STEWART​

Hamish Stewart's one of an exciting crop of Dragons young guns who stamped their mark on the competition this season.

Alongside Dylan Egan, who was handed a fresh deal until the end of 2027 in March, Stewart found regular minutes under Shane Flanagan.

Both players had their seasons ended prematurely due to a knee injury and head knocks respectively, but Stewart now looks likely to earn a hefty pay rise.

The 21-year-old has a player option for the 2027 season, and it looks incredibly unlikely he will take that up considering his emergence.

Stewart’s current salary would sit close to the NRL minimum wage, and he could be set to earn a hefty pay rise even to remain with the Dragons.

But should he hit the open market, rivals will circle for the talented lock who could be a key figure moving forward for the Red V for years to come.
 
Mug Fan

Mug Fan

SGI NSW Cup
RedV01 said:
This dude is no longer flying under the radar.

10 stars set for biggest pay rises​

HAMISH STEWART​

Hamish Stewart's one of an exciting crop of Dragons young guns who stamped their mark on the competition this season.

Alongside Dylan Egan, who was handed a fresh deal until the end of 2027 in March, Stewart found regular minutes under Shane Flanagan.

Both players had their seasons ended prematurely due to a knee injury and head knocks respectively, but Stewart now looks likely to earn a hefty pay rise.

The 21-year-old has a player option for the 2027 season, and it looks incredibly unlikely he will take that up considering his emergence.

Stewart’s current salary would sit close to the NRL minimum wage, and he could be set to earn a hefty pay rise even to remain with the Dragons.

But should he hit the open market, rivals will circle for the talented lock who could be a key figure moving forward for the Red V for years to come.
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He won't go to market, we've been in extension talks.
I expect an announcement soon, we have also signed pathways manager and Flegg coach.
 
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