Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[Dragon David]

Spot on mate. How long have we waited for one. Was hoped Klemmer w'd be the man but no dice. Surprised tho we didnt give him another yr as he improved as season went on. Vili Fifita had the size and hunger but not the engine. Sorry we had to lose him, hope he comes good now he is back home with the Eagles. So unless we pick up someone after Nov 1, we will have to rely on either Kerr, Guler or Sele to play that role.

Next to no chance of us snaring Campbell as talk is the Titans are set to offer him a new deal. Them or the Perth Bears are now favorites.

DD who is gonna lead us round the paddock next season???

Mate, your guess would be better than mine. Of course we have the dual captaincy of Gutho and Cook for the overall leadership, however, as an individual enforcer and one that plays in the middle, I don't see anyone that we already have and therefore we need to sign one. Most of our young crop are honest and play the game in the right manner but they haven't been toughened up enough to take punishment every time they take the ball up or in their tackles. Without his problems of giving away penalties and being sin binned and suspended often, I would love a 29 year old JWH, the former Rooster forward. He is the type of forward we need.

 

[Morgan]

Mate, your guess would be better than mine. Of course we have the dual captaincy of Gutho and Cook for the overall leadership, however, as an individual enforcer and one that plays in the middle, I don't see anyone that we already have and therefore we need to sign one. Most of our young crop are honest and play the game in the right manner but they haven't been toughened up enough to take punishment every time they take the ball up or in their tackles. Without his problems of giving away penalties and being sin binned and suspended often, I would love a 29 year old JWH, the former Rooster forward. He is the type of forward we need.

I guess you have a point but I think our crop of young forwards together with Su'A can do that. Just need to fire up and gang tackle. Problem with that is now, our backs are so slow or so unable to tackle (Sloan), 2 passes clear of the ruck and we are in trouble.

 

[Dragon David]

I guess you have a point but I think our crop of young forwards together with Su'A can do that. Just need to fire up and gang tackle. Problem with that is now, our backs are so slow or so unable to tackle (Sloan), 2 passes clear of the ruck and we are in trouble.

Just as Justa said in his previous post Morgan, until we see who we will sign up in the next one to two months to almost fill our Top 30 quota, we won't be able to truly figure out who we would still need to help in the backs who have speed. Speed is the essence to finish off a break by the forwards.

 

[blacksafake]

Buchanan might very well be good enough to move Holmes to fullback next year but no, I think the job has to be Gutherson's for another year. Because he is on big money for another 2 years. Holmes onto the wing to accommodate Buchanan is not the worst idea. But I feel Holmes skills are wasted a bit on the wing. Maybe just drop Suli period to make way for Buchanan would be better.

Suli is needed for carries out of our end

 

[No Surrender]

Dragons agree to release Ilias from final year of deal

The Dragons have agreed to release Lachlan Ilias from the final year of his deal with the club to pursue an opportunity at another club.

www.dragons.com.au

 

[redv4life]

we are goin in hard for jc

 

[GCRV]

Fa'asuamaleaui was good again. Not a standout but not bad. I can't believe Titans paid him more than 1 million.
It wouldn't surprise me if Stewart and both Couchman's are both better than Fa'asuamaleaui by the end of 2026. It's hard to judge for middle forwards unless they really standout the way Payne Haas does but it wouldn't surprise me if next year Stewart and the Couchman's:

• Consistently run for more metres.
• Tackle as much or more and just as effective.
• Have fewer mistakes.
• Give away fewer penalties .
• Offload as much or with as many quality offloads. Fa'asuamaleaui has a habit of just dumping the ball out the back. It might look good on a stats sheet but doesn't lead to many positive results on the field.

To be clear, I'm not saying he's not good. Just not close to as good as media figures like to say. I'd definitely prefer the Dragons to recruit Koloamatangi.

 

[GCRV]

we are goin in hard for jc

Jesus Christ?

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

DD who is gonna lead us round the paddock next season???

I mean in the halves mate as we cant afford to roll into '27 with the same pairing, specially KF at half. His old man keeps him there hoping he'll come good, but he never will, cant he see that. Sporting News says we should throw big money at Jayden Campbell, pay him overs of both Titans and Perth as he can cover 1/2, 5/8 and fullback plus prob other positions too. I believe our ace up the sleeve may be if we promise him a start in one position full time as he may not like constantly playing the utility role. I think half is our most pressing spot that needs attention.

 

[redv4life]

Jesus Christ?

we need it

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Just as Justa said in his previous post Morgan, until we see who we will sign up in the next one to two months to almost fill our Top 30 quota, we won't be able to truly figure out who we would still need to help in the backs who have speed. Speed is the essence to finish off a break by the forwards.

So more of the waiting game and when we dont land who we want, then the crying game.

 

[Dragon David]

DD who is gonna lead us round the paddock next season???

I mean in the halves mate as we cant afford to roll into '27 with the same pairing, specially KF at half. His old man keeps him there hoping he'll come good, but he never will, cant he see that. Sporting News says we should throw big money at Jayden Campbell, pay him overs of both Titans and Perth as he can cover 1/2, 5/8 and fullback plus prob other positions too.

RVH - we have Atkinson (who is virtually an unknown quality because of the lack of playing time at the Sharks since he signed with us in Dec 2024. However, he has got a good turn of speed, can outpace rivals once in the clear, a good kicking game, and playing under Fitzy I'd say he has good defence). https://www.google.com/search?q=dan...ate=ive&vld=cid:6e07f204,vid:6BT2PpbDFcw,st:0

So for 2026, I'm going for Atkinson to lead us around the paddocks next season. But I tell you what, if by lucky chance and I mean lucky, we manage to sign Jayden Campbell, he and Atkinson will really set us alight on the field.

How we can convince JC to join us rather than re-signing with the Titans, who have offered him a good contract, and the Perth Bears with Meninga trying to get him as a marquee and they know each other well, Daniel Anderson would win negotiator of the year if he can swing the pendulum to the Dragons.

JC would be a great Captain one day.

Time will tell.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

RVH - we have Atkinson (who is virtually an unknown quality because of the lack of playing time at the Sharks since he signed with us in Dec 2024. However, he has got a good turn of speed, can outpace rivals once in the clear, a good kicking game, and playing under Fitzy I'd say he has good defence). https://www.google.com/search?q=dan...ate=ive&vld=cid:6e07f204,vid:6BT2PpbDFcw,st:0

So for 2026, I'm going for Atkinson to lead us around the paddocks next season. But I tell you what, if by lucky chance and I mean lucky, we manage to sign Jayden Campbell, he and Atkinson will really set us alight on the field.

How we can convince JC to join us rather than re-signing with the Titans, who have offered him a good contract, and the Perth Bears with Meninga trying to get him as a marquee and they know each other well, Daniel Anderson would win negotiator of the year if he can swing the pendulum to the Dragons.

JC would be a great Captain one day.

Time will tell.

Atkinson is a 5/8 mate. I am talking about someone that can organize or orchestrate our plays. He does not look the man to lead us round the paddock, going on the footage. I'd prefer Nick Quinn to play that role if we cant land Campbell. That is if we are still getting him as still no confirmation on our website.

 

[GCRV]

Atkinson is a 5/8 mate. I am talking about someone that can organize or orchestrate our plays. He does not look the man to lead us round the paddock, going on the footage. I'd prefer Nick Quinn to play that role if we cant land Campbell. That is if we are still getting him as still no confirmation on our website.

I think the plan is for Atkinson to play 1/2.

 

[Dragon David]

Atkinson is a 5/8 mate. I am talking about someone that can organize or orchestrate our plays. He does not look the man to lead us round the paddock, going on the footage. I'd prefer Nick Quinn to play that role if we cant land Campbell. That is if we are still getting him as still no confirmation on our website.

Yes that's right RVH. It takes two to tango in the halves. But if the pacesetter is a halfback, we will have Kyle I'm sure and daylight second until possibly Reed comes good in the second half of the year. Flanno will definitely have Kyle playing in the halfback spot if no-one of any higher standing is signed.

So it doesn't look that good at this stage and if no-one else comes, to the fore, in my opinion next year will be just a bit better than the last season just passed if we do not suffer long term injuries.

 

[Dragons Chris]

Yes that's right RVH. It takes two to tango in the halves. But if the pacesetter is a halfback, we will have Kyle I'm sure and daylight second until possibly Reed comes good in the second half of the year. Flanno will definitely have Kyle playing in the halfback spot if no-one of any higher standing is signed.

So it doesn't look that good at this stage and if no-one else comes, to the fore, in my opinion next year will be just a bit better than the last season just passed if we do not suffer long term injuries.

Seems like a bit of a power struggle going on. CEO said Kyle was only a temporary fill in due to Hunt leaving and he won't be in the halves next year. Then Flanno said he will be partner Atkinson. I think it will take the CEO telling Flanno he either drops Kyle or he gets sacked and the new coach drops Kyle.

 

[George Sancti]

I am still hopeful that Tim Watsford is going to be the CEO that takes SGI from being a struggling club to one of the leading clubs. However, looking at his CV, his strengths are in promotions and taking a good product to the next level. I do not see anywhere that he has had to make hard decisions including identification and replacement of perennial under achievers. I was hoping his first order of business would be to replace Ben Haran with a tough and experienced administrator who would wield the axe (when necessary) on his behalf.

 

[Morgan]

I am still hopeful that Tim Watsford is going to be the CEO that takes SGI from being a struggling club to one of the leading clubs. However, looking at his CV, his strengths are in promotions and taking a good product to the next level. I do not see anywhere that he has had to make hard decisions including identification and replacement of perennial under achievers. I was hoping his first order of business would be to replace Ben Haran with a tough and experienced administrator who would wield the axe (when necessary) on his behalf.

I don't know if he is the one behind the signing of Daniel Anderson but I think he's going to be really good for us. I think he's the one who is going to turn the team around by signing the right players for the right money.

 

[Eric]

I don't know if he is the one behind the signing of Daniel Anderson but I think he's going to be really good for us. I think he's the one who is going to turn the team around by signing the right players for the right money.

And more importantly, keeping the right players on the right money. I like to think some of those blokes like Couchmans, Nick T, Stewart and soon Reed will stay for a bit less than they could get elsewhere.

 

[Justadragon]

we are goin in hard for jc

It has to be a huge offer, but if its needed then its needed. Dont know if DA will see it that way but who knows, we'll find out soon enough.