Also at the time DD I recall there was a need to add size to our pack, and maybe Luc was homesick. I remember how well his brother was playing for Canberra at the time and hoping he could emulate that form. Biggest Centre in the game I think.
Round 1 team so far in 2026
- Thread starter Morgan
- Start date
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
100% mate. He was here on a 3 year contract and spent the first 2 bludging as I have said before it’s now or never. You can include Nick T in that lot as well.
AyiosYiorgos
SGI Jersey Flegg
I think its certain, LKT will start in KOE cup and will only play 1st grade if there is an injury..
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
Tend to agree with you Ayios. But would LKT replace KF with no injury ?
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
I don't like it but think it's right.
Wouldn’t say bludging, professional nrl players go through far more than most of us are physically capable of doing, but yes I think he has more to give. Nick T nowhere near that level yet but in another year maybe.
Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
If the attack struggles, and last season Gutho was laying on the tries, not Ilias or KF, every chance Atkinson will get dropped.
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
I understand the rigours. Of the NRL are demanding but he was a lazy trainer and was carrying too much weight now I’m more than happy to see him train the house down get himself super fit and see what he is capable of on the field which I’m sure is quite good as he is very talented. But why wait until the last year of your contract to do this and prove everyone wrong. If he has a stellar year what would we do with him ? I can’t see him taking less money nor wanting to play KOE a lot. Interesting times ahead for him.
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
I have a good feeling about Atkinson Ryan good attitude and wants the role. I think he will do great. Here’s hoping.
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I agree, Leilua is one of the most over paid players in the game, who has never lived up to early expectations and to his price tag. I doubt he will be with us beyond next season. He may get signed up by Perth or PNG and continued to be overpaid?
RedV01
SGI NSW Cup
See how results go. We all know Flanno is illogical when it comes to the halves at present. I'm just wondering why everyone is doing virtual backflips over Atkinson but writing off LKT. 25 year-old Shonkies reserve grader vs our 20 year old 5/8. I hope Atkinson is as good as everyone thinks but am not writing off LKT at all. That's all I mean.
As for the other half or 5/8 in the mix, I'm 99% he isn't going to be good. I was going to say 100% but Atkinson might be a star making it arguable as to whether the other one is any good.
AyiosYiorgos
SGI Jersey Flegg
Flano's first choice pairing will be Atkinson and Kyle, whether people like it or not, that's what it will be, the only way LKT gets in is through injury, even if both Atkinson & Kyle perform the equivalent of Ilias after the first 7 rounds, LKT won't jump in, Flano will keep the same halves instead of chopping and changing, that's just my opinion, LKT has alot to work on his game which will be done in KOE cup.
Dragons Chris
SGI NSW Cup
And that is exactly why he deserves all the flaming he gets and more if the team starts or ends poorly. And not just him. It's very obvious Flanno is more interested in what is good for one squad member than what is good for the team. It's the responsibility of those above him to step in.
I can hardly believe anyone who supports the Dragons just accepts this. To be fair, very few do.
AyiosYiorgos
SGI Jersey Flegg
I'd still start Kyle over LKT.
Dragons Chris
SGI NSW Cup
Not surprising. Flanno insists Kyle has been good for the past 2 years and one his strengths is his kicking game. Do you agree?
RedV01
SGI NSW Cup
This is the most damning criticism of LKT I've seen yet. But no one is up in arms about it.
That mysterious code to unlock the secret as to who can be criticised and who can't.
This is the point where Flanno gave up trying to pretend his boy isn't getting preferable treatment. It must be hard.Have a rival coach intervene to tell him how good his boy is must be utterly humiliating. It was humiliating for me as a Dragons fan!
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
Ai, if we had landed a 7 like Savala it was gonna be different.. but assume that has fallen over and were gonna end up with Kyle & Atkinson for Round #1.
Not sure on LKT, but regardless he cant do 27 rounds either, so lets see how he goes in cup first.. lets see what another preseason does for him also.. every year they should make another big step forward.
The other possibility was if we had landed a gun fullback.. and pushed Gutho into 6.. there was a few things that could have happened.. but seems like none of them did for 2026 anyway... I still dont know who we intend to recruit for this year mind you.
AyiosYiorgos
SGI Jersey Flegg
No i don't 100% agree..
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I would also start with Kyle over LKT. I want us to have someone else there instead of Kyle by next year. As I previously said, I am not convinced of LKT, but do hope that he can develop his game and take it to another level, improve his defence and push for a first grade spot. I think we should be going massive for Jaxon Purdue to be one of our halves in 27, playing alongside either Atkinson or Reed. Or have Reed at halfback and Atkinson 5/8 next year. When we signed Atkinson, I thought we signed him to play 5/8.
Does anyone know if Atkinson has a nick name. I thought it may be Acko. I thought of the Heath Ledger movie called Two Hands. It was one of his first movies
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I didn't want us to sign Savala. I was watching him last year from a Supercoach perspective and he was very quiet on the field. He didn't appear to be a organising/general type of halfback. He didn't look to have much of a running game either. If he didn't have a big boot on him, he wouldn't offer much at all. There were some games when Easts really went on the attack scoring points and he scored a few tries backing up. I don't even think Easts consider him as their long term half to partner Walker either. He was duel position in Supercoach last year, with second row the other position. We should be aiming higher than Savala. He turns 24 in April, so he isn't that young either.