Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[DragonsTragic]

I think it would be the absolute best thing for the game...it would "for real" even up the competition across all 17+ teams... and not just this year.. but "every year".

The argument against it from journos and big clubs is 'why should we prop up crap teams', but its rubbish imo.... if you believe your clubs pathways/admin/coaching is the best.. then why would you be afraid of evening out player talent? Surely your superior club will give you the advantage that you think you deserve.

But because the results have been more even than usual, there is even less of an argument for the draft to take place.. but its a little deceiving.. the Top teams are still heads and shoulders in front of the rest in player talent.. rep players... junior stocks.. its the same old teams at the pointy end of the year... that said I cant argue that despite all the positive stuff going on for us, we're still the only team who really cant seem to sign anyone even on overs.. Newcastle the only other team struggling.. but that Brown signing may yet prove to be a very clever one yet... TBD.

I would expect the greatest resistance from players and RLPA. As per the previous court ruling, it represents a restriction of trade.

 

[Mug Fan]

We offered Cup he wants top 30, we will only do that if we offload a top 30 player.

Look like we have agreed on Sup contract

 

[Dragons Chris]

Look like we have agreed on Sup contract

That seems like a good result. With the number of young outside backs still a year or 2 away from first grade.

 

[Eric]

Unless Hiroti has some off-field issues.. yeah he would have been a good pickup.. also genuinely covers fullback and probably centre.. there are quite a few blokes like him in the NRL who dont have starting 17 positions.. its why im surprised by the Tu signing.. but.. still early.. still trying to keep some optimism that there are signings to come yet that will help it all make sense.

TBH from what I've seen of Hiroti, he's a younger but not quite as good Corey Allen. We've had too many of those kinds of backs. At least this bloke from NZ has speed. So it seems from his highlights anyway.

 

[Dragon David]

TBH from what I've seen of Hiroti, he's a younger but not quite as good Corey Allen. We've had too many of those kinds of backs. At least this bloke from NZ has speed. So it seems from his highlights anyway.

I keep saying. Let's just wait for the trials to start and then we can discuss in more depth the best 17 to go into Round 1 against the puppydogs.

Flanno, Anderson, Haran and all of the staff associated with league at the Dragons will be working hard to get us a team of fighters for 2026. That is what I would hope is going on at the moment.

 

[jodragon40]

How many years have we been calling for this wish list mate. I'd settle for only the pack enforcer as we'll never entice an alpha/elite/marquee player, not until we start making finals.

I know, it's snowing in Norway, the Xmas decorations are going up. Im only a stones throw away from the big man himself, St Nicholas, im 300 km inside the article circle. Drinking mulled warm wine from a mug, no pun intended Mug Fan holding my Xmas wish list in my hand. Wish me luck.

 

[jodragon40]

Is that in order? Apart from one prop because Lawrie and Sele won't be extended, don't think we need another forward. So I'd go:

1. A game manager.
2. More speed in the backs.
3. An alpha prop.

No enforcer? Wow. Alpha prop 3rd again wow. Forwards win games

 

[jodragon40]

I keep saying. Let's just wait for the trials to start and then we can discuss in more depth the best 17 to go into Round 1 against the puppydogs.

Flanno, Anderson, Haran and all of the staff associated with league at the Dragons will be working hard to get us a team of fighters for 2026. That is what I would hope is going on at the moment.

If last season especially showed me anything, I.e. Panthers coming from last . Consistency will be the key again in 26 to have a chance of making semi finals football

 

[Mug Fan]

I keep saying. Let's just wait for the trials to start and then we can discuss in more depth the best 17 to go into Round 1 against the puppydogs.

Flanno, Anderson, Haran and all of the staff associated with league at the Dragons will be working hard to get us a team of fighters for 2026. That is what I would hope is going on at the moment.

Players we are looking at for 27 may be released for 26.
Until that is sorted we need to keep spots available.
I would not be expecting any major announcements until Jan.

 

[GCRV]

Players we are looking at for 27 may be released for 26.
Until that is sorted we need to keep spots available.
I would not be expecting any major announcements until Jan.

Apart from the 2 props a lot of people have mentioned, not sure who DA would be keen on anyway. Not any big names. Maybe a few young players yet to play first grade or who have only played a very small number of first grade games.

 

[Murfy]

Apart from the 2 props a lot of people have mentioned, not sure who DA would be keen on anyway. Not any big names. Maybe a few young players yet to play first grade or who have only played a very small number of first grade games.

Can’t see any of the bigger names Keaon, Smith, Campbell, Henry etc being allowed to leave for next year as well. There respective clubs will want to win games next year

 

[GCRV]

Can’t see any of the bigger names Keaon, Smith, Campbell, Henry etc being allowed to leave for next year as well. There respective clubs will want to win games next year

Is Campbell still on the market? Forgot about him. He'd be a very good recruit but will cost about 1 mil a year.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

I know, it's snowing in Norway, the Xmas decorations are going up. Im only a stones throw away from the big man himself, St Nicholas, im 300 km inside the article circle. Drinking mulled warm wine from a mug, no pun intended Mug Fan holding my Xmas wish list in my hand. Wish me luck.

Can you go to the edge and confirm if the Earth is flat or round

 

[Justadragon]

My thoughts exactly Rev, NFL have got it so spot on with the draft system

No third party BS, you go where your drafted and your on a rookie contract for the first 4 seasons of your career

There’s too much of an imbalance when the talent distribution gets so uneven and clubs with huge resources can just stockpile talent/incredible coaching staffs etc.

Draft well and get the right coach and a bottom of the league organisation can turn itself around in 12 months

I said it before and I'll say it again, there has to be a trade period just like the AFL where everything is out in the open and everyone knows whats happening. Followed by a draft as you said the spread of talent is across the board not just to the precious clubs all the time. The NRL have NFI.

 

[jodragon40]

Can you go to the edge and confirm if the Earth is flat or round

Im a bit unsteady on my feet hope it's flat

 

[Justadragon]

just watched some Tu highlights, I mean he is a solid body, fast and good in the air.. I mean we do need that.. but I would think he is more likely to be #3 in the queue... but I still dont know who #1 and #2 are.... Fale maybe but hes also a rookie... .... I would hope we are still chasing someone elite.. otherwise CT/Sloan might still be there.. Lawson who knows maybe he has a good off-season.. Feagai.. a lot of guys in that fringe first grade space.. too many imo, really needed atleast 1 elite winger I thought.

Behind them, I think Williams maybe gets some games in 2027.. he has to actually stay healthy yet.. he has been in and out for all sorts of reasons... and I still think Heidke could easily play wing, but no contract yet.. maybe again if he stays healthy that changes mid-season if he kills it in NSW Cup.. assuming he can in fact get a spot in NSW Cup with all the fringies we have.

If we dont re sign Heidke, we have really lost the plot.

 

[Justadragon]

I would expect the greatest resistance from players and RLPA. As per the previous court ruling, it represents a restriction of trade.

A lot of things have changed since that ruling. If the NRL had any balls they would say either abide by it or play somewhere else. The cap is not working.

 

[George Sancti]

I said it before and I'll say it again, there has to be a trade period just like the AFL where everything is out in the open and everyone knows whats happening. Followed by a draft as you said the spread of talent is across the board not just to the precious clubs all the time. The NRL have NFI.

I like the idea of a draft also Justadragon but with one small modification. Club juniors should be permitted to join their senior club (provided the senior club is in agreement) and avoid going through the draft process.

 

[TheRev]

If we dont re sign Heidke, we has really lost the plot.

Its not that we wont sign him exactly.. its that he knows he is a priority with us.. he will have a clear development path into 1st grade.. will have a position left open in NSW Cup and so forth.. I mean thats why we lost Bostock.. the dolphins came in to take him more seriously than we were at that early stage (was ~19 I think so a similar age).. I mean we have locked up a lot of our forwards, backs has been a bit different, not that we've had many, since guys like Schiller, Bostock and Tamale, SFinau, LKT.. ok a few.. and all unique situations.. but still we havent handled it well.

 

[TheRev]

Players we are looking at for 27 may be released for 26.
Until that is sorted we need to keep spots available.
I would not be expecting any major announcements until Jan.

Appreciate this reality check.. was expecting the big name signings to start being announced in days or weeks to come.. 2 months will require some immense patience.

Can’t see any of the bigger names Keaon, Smith, Campbell, Henry etc being allowed to leave for next year as well. There respective clubs will want to win games next year

Agree.. the bigger the name, the less chance they are getting let go early.. short of pulling a Frank Molo etc.. Campbell might be the one exception as they have a gun 1 and 6 already.. though perhaps they really do intend to play him as a 7.. but that might change if hes leaving.. the vibe is always different... they might also realise how bad Ilias is at some point if that was their backup plan.