Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[Dragons Chris]

Dont blame him but the bloke we paid an obscene salary to for so little return. As our best strike weapon Lomax should have had the ball in hand in space so much more than he did to work his magic. Then he'd have been the 'chosen on'. Just out of interest, who were our play makers back when he was 18 and one of the NRLs most promising players.

The whole team suffered with him as the main playmaker but Lomax still struggled as a centre. Cooper and Gaz used to break the line once almost every game. I can't remember Lomax ever breaking the line.

 

[Justadragon]

You guys keep painting more doom and gloom as is this super play maker and alpha prop nothing more than a fantasy. All we can say is Atkinson better have been worth the wait, otherwise we are in for yet another dud season. Other clubs have already finalised their rosters while we pussy foot. This constant waiting for some good news is excruciatingly annoying. Still like you Jd hoping Anderson does have something up his sleeve to give us hope.

No use beating yourself up about it RVH. At the end of the day it will be what the powers to be have been able to manage. As I said I ve given up getting upset over it because it just ain’t worth it mate. Enjoy Xmas and if nothing happens it should be no surprise to you.

 

[Dragon David]

The whole team suffered with him as the main playmaker but Lomax still struggled as a centre. Cooper and Gaz used to break the line once almost every game. I can't remember Lomax ever breaking the line.

I agree Chris. Lomax hardly ever broke through a tackle. Even with him given some space by the halves, he was easy meat for the defence to bring him down. Our former #7 who got paid big coin was no organiser and wasn't a playmaker. Years and money wasted on him.

 

[Justadragon]

I agree Chris. Lomax hardly ever broke through a tackle. Even with him given some space by the halves, he was easy meat for the defence to bring him down. Our former #7 who got paid big coin was no organiser and wasn't a playmaker. Years and money wasted on him.

100% Dave, it ended up that both became a waste of space. Both the Bronco’s and R360 are more than welcome to them both. Our former great club captains who were true legends and gentleman would have had a heart attack seeing the weasel club captain behaviour.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Jake Averillo being shopped, he’ll be a good get wherever he ends up.

Incredibly Versatile player, defence very ordinary this year though

 

[Dragons Chris]

Jake Averillo being shopped, he’ll be a good get wherever he ends up.

Incredibly Versatile player, defence very ordinary this year though

Problem is, we don't need a centre.

 

[TheRev]

There is talent in Averillo but I just dunno where we would play him.. centre maybe with val to wing, but thats not rly the position we most need.. could do worse I guess as a winger potentially also.. but rly we want a fullback.. and at times hes looked ok there but probably not good enough to move Gutho for... not sure how complete his game would be.

Would rather Purdue, Drinkwater, Koula etc

 

[Dave03]

There is talent in Averillo but I just dunno where we would play him.. centre maybe with val to wing, but thats not rly the position we most need.. could do worse I guess as a winger potentially also.. but rly we want a fullback.. and at times hes looked ok there but probably not good enough to move Gutho for... not sure how complete his game would be.

Would rather Purdue, Drinkwater, Koula etc

He'd certainly bring speed, a great squad player. He's never settled into a position due to his versatility but also inconsistent form. I think we can still chase a fullback while having someone like Averillo in our squad. Either Averillo or Gutho as centre and Val as wing would make our backline more lethal than this year. He's also played a bit of 5/8th. I'd assume it makes it easier to release Sloan as Averillo would be fullback depth too.

 

[Edward]

He'd certainly bring speed, a great squad player. He's never settled into a position due to his versatility but also inconsistent form. I think we can still chase a fullback while having someone like Averillo in our squad. Either Averillo or Gutho as centre and Val as wing would make our backline more lethal than this year. He's also played a bit of 5/8th. I'd assume it makes it easier to release Sloan as Averillo would be fullback depth too.

Make a counter offer. We'll take Bostock off their hands.

 

[RedV01]

Make a counter offer. We'll take Bostock off their hands.

Good idea. Shame they'll laugh at the idea.

 

[Leighton Craig]

I wouldn’t mind Val to wing and Averillo to ctr
Val would fix our wing issue because he’s a solid winger, then with averillo he’s a decent player and I see Buchanan pushing for that centre spot maybe not next year but definitely the year after

 

[Justadragon]

Problem is, we don't need a centre.

He can play multiple positions.

 

[Justadragon]

There is talent in Averillo but I just dunno where we would play him.. centre maybe with val to wing, but thats not rly the position we most need.. could do worse I guess as a winger potentially also.. but rly we want a fullback.. and at times hes looked ok there but probably not good enough to move Gutho for... not sure how complete his game would be.

Would rather Purdue, Drinkwater, Koula etc

I thought Koula was off the table Rev

 

[TheRev]

I thought Koula was off the table Rev

I mean Manly have made him an offer, but I have no doubt we 'could' blow him out of the water if we went all in on him.. hes about to hit his prime.. but.. seems more like drinkwater or averillo is where we will end up.. but lets see =)

 

[Justadragon]

I mean Manly have made him an offer, but I have no doubt we 'could' blow him out of the water if we went all in on him.. hes about to hit his prime.. but.. seems more like drinkwater or averillo is where we will end up.. but lets see =)

I suppose that’s the million dollar question. Are we going to go all in on anyone ?

 

[Dragon David]

I suppose that’s the million dollar question. Are we going to go all in on anyone ?

I doubt it. During his talk on Sky Radio yesterday he sounded very despondent for some reason. Did not say too much about signings. I think someone posted the talk back discussion on this Forum.

 

[Dragons Chris]

I wouldn’t mind Val to wing and Averillo to ctr
Val would fix our wing issue because he’s a solid winger, then with averillo he’s a decent player and I see Buchanan pushing for that centre spot maybe not next year but definitely the year after

Jamayne Isaako is also off contract for the Dolphins. I'm not a big fan but he's much better than the wingers we have signed right now. But he's a very, very good back up goal kicker so I don't think Flanno will want him.

 

[Justadragon]

He’ll be 30 next year Chris and I haven’t heard of the club chasing wingers. Actually I haven’t heard of them chasing anyone.

 

[Dragon David]

He’ll be 30 next year Chris and I haven’t heard of the club chasing wingers. Actually I haven’t heard of them chasing anyone.

Everything is all hush hush under the new R&R Manager. Not many reliable leaks from the inner sanctum as far as any big names go - maybe because the club is not that desperate. Just making sure that there are back ups in lower grades at this stage. Flanno says we have 26 out of 30 signed up, so we certainly have room for more.

 

[Dragons Chris]

Everything is all hush hush under the new R&R Manager. Not many reliable leaks from the inner sanctum as far as any big names go - maybe because the club is not that desperate. Just making sure that there are back ups in lower grades at this stage. Flanno says we have 26 out of 30 signed up, so we certainly have room for more.

You are right. Thankfully DA is handling recruitment and retention now. Interesting that all these halves have been on the move but Dragons not reported as having any interest in any of them. DA must really rate Kade Reed. If he doesn't work out........ we are going to be in trouble and heads will roll.