Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[Frank Facer]

The Gutho call was always a contentious call. We were lacking real leadership and an organiser who could get the defense sorted which Sloan couldn't. But the harsh facts as the season wore on and our pack through injuries was getting decimated and dominated, this left Gutho to do more and more and he did fade badly towards the end of the season.
I feel with an improved pack we might see Gutho hanging in there for a bit longer into the season, but whichever way it goes season 27 will be a problem. It would be perfect to get Bula in 27 and move Gutho into lock or he could cover centers if there is a long term injury. In any case I would still like to see Gutho involved in our pathways when he makes way at the end of 27, unless of course he thinks he can do something in SL, who knows.

I agree with much of your post, except the idea of playing Gutho at lock. I don't think Gutho is a lock in today's game. I don't like us playing Cook at lock either.

 

[Frank Facer]

Yes, on second thoughts, I think your memory of it is more accurate. On the Bula question, playing him at 5/8 in 2027 outside Atkinson then moving him to fullback in 2028 would really set us up smoothly for introducing one or two of our junior halves in 2028, like Reed or maybe Walker. There are a few other names. Atkinson could play either 7 or 8 (if he works out). And 2028 is end of contract too for Atko anyway. It is all coming together.

I think Gutho 5/8 and Bulla fullback would be a better idea. Gutho played very well at 5/8, when paired with Norman at halfback. That was the best Norman ever played too.

 

[Frank Facer]

This is next on my list of: Things Which Bug Me
Why do so few people rate LKT? He was 19, partnered with Kyle Flanagan, behind a pack which was getting dominated more often than not. Due to these facts, I thought he did well.

LKT doesn't look like a natural organising/general halfback or 5/8. He doesn't appear to have a good long kicking game. His defence was shown up last year. I haven't put a line through his name, but am also not convinced
His best attributes look to be his passing game and backing up. His running game is also OK and could get better. He does have potential. He may develop into a good first grader. I can see why others would prefer him over Kyle.

 

[Frank Facer]

When LKT took the line on, it did sometimes look like he was nearly getting something going. Like he made us lean forward in our seats. Maybe not jump up but lean forward.

Well said but I agree with RedV01. LKT should be getting first crack with Atkinson. We all know what Kyle is going to bring.

My question is are any of LKT, Kyle or Atkinson genuine halfbacks? To me they all look to me more 5/8's

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Bula is another poor defender. NRL tackle rating 394, missed or effective tackle rating 338. Betting no better than the much maligned Sloan. And Bula lacks the silky attacking skills of Sloan. '24 last time Sloan played f/b his defensive record was better than on wing in '25, so against popular belief he was a more effective defender at the back.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

There are plenty of YouTube vids, showing them both, great players they were indeed. In that era,,,,

For those newbies that have not seen the two greats in full cry, check out the Swinton Massacre vid I posted in either Dragons Nostalgia or Kangaroo threads. That is if you can put up with the excruciating call by Eddie Waring.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Reg Gasnier and Johnny Raper.

THEY WERE FREAKS AND GENIUSES IN THE ONE PACKAGE. I'd have been able to watch them in the flesh at Kogarah had I not been in that bloody boarding school.

Mark had touches of Reg, but I have never seen anyone since mesmerized a defense like Chook did. His game awareness was astounding and is on full show in the Swinton Massacre vid in which he had a hand in almost all of the Roos 12 tries. The poor old Poms had no answer to his genius. Team mate and hooker Noel Kelly said in a later interview, ''we were in awe of what Chook did that day''.

 

[RedV01]

I am not convinced of Bulla being "elite" or worth 900K a season, but won't put a line through him either. He didn't debut until 21 years old. As I have previously pointed out, the really good ones, especially backs debut in their teens. 900K is a lot of money per salary cap, if we don't get the right ones. I would rather we sign Purdue for a mil a season and play him at fullback, that is if we don't play him in the halves. Fullback, halfback, 5/8 and prop are the positions to pay 1 mil a season.

I had a quick look at the current NRL fullbacks and there are not many young ones besides Walsh and Sharpe who I think are million dollar fullbacks. Walsh is signed long term with Brissy. I would pay 1 mil a season for Fletcher Sharpe, but he is under contract with Newy until 2028. We can't even offer him a mil a year, but he currently has Ponga blocking his pathat fullback and they have signed Brown, who's best position is 5/8. So he could want to move from Newy to play fullback for a mil a year. Maybe we could work out a swap deal with Newy for him? Isaiah Iongi from Parra also looks like one of the best young fullbacks in the game. Parra let Gutho go for him, which I think was smart on their part. I thought Selwyn Cobbo was a future million dollar fullback, until he put on weight. If he can slim down, he could also be a million dollar fullback. He knocked us back mid last year. I would look to sign Papenhuyzen to play fullback for us in 2027 as a short term fill in, until we can sign an elite young one or one in their prime.

Sharpe debuted at 20 years and 20 days old. Cobbo debuted at 19 years and 30 days old.

He's way better than Sloan. Probably why Sloan is facing the NRL scrapheap and Bula is attracting offers around 900K a year.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

He's way better than Sloan.

Not if going on their respective stats. Were you aware that Sloan defused the second most bombs in the '24 comp. And his kick return metres were rated 17th best while tackle breaks were 37th. His defense lifted too, even tho still his achillies heel. I said at the time all aspects of his game were on the improve and his stats back up that observation.

 

[redv4life]

Not if going on their respective stats. Were you aware that Sloan defused the second most bombs in the '24 comp. And his kick return metres were rated 17th best while tackle breaks were 37th. His defensive errors were reduced too. I said at the time all aspects of his game were on the improve and his stats back up that observation.

sorry but Sloan is awful. lowest footy iq ive ever seen

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

I agree with much of your post, except the idea of playing Gutho at lock. I don't think Gutho is a lock in today's game. I don't like us playing Cook at lock either.

I see similar traits to Jack in Hamish. He is my long term lock.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

When LKT took the line on, it did sometimes look like he was nearly getting something going. Like he made us lean forward in our seats. Maybe not jump up but lean forward.

Ditto. Made us think he may have sufficient 7 tools. But I dont see him as our long term 7 as imho we already have him in Kade Reed. That makes me wonder why Flanagan felt the need to bring Atkinson here with our CEO then anointing him as our probable long term 7 when they could have given LKT the interum role till Kade was ready.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Things Which Bug Me Part III

What is this all about?

 

[redv13]

Not if going on their respective stats. Were you aware that Sloan defused the second most bombs in the '24 comp. And his kick return metres were rated 17th best while tackle breaks were 37th. His defense lifted too, even tho still his achillies heel. I said at the time all aspects of his game were on the improve and his stats back up that observation.

I’m still having nightmares of Sloan in the dogs game last year with 90 secs to go. Speed to burn
Issues under the high ball
Body contact issues
Terrible defensive reads
Poor/lazy attitude at times

Love the kid but after nearly 80 games of 1st grade he very rarely gets the whole game package right. At some point you have to ask yourself is the penny going to drop especially for the coin he is on

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

What we need in the fullback position is a guy that has good attributes and great skills in all areas barring none including but not limiting - good height, strength, endurance, reach, speed, strong in attack and defence (defence being a high requirement), catching high kicks and kicks in general comfortably, able to make the extra man regularly in attack and not be rag dolled.

Would Bula meet these criteria? If so, get him Danno!

DD it is "book him Danno". Well his stats shoot that down in flames mate. The two blokes mooted we are chasing both bomb out in defense, your major requirement. A full back can look a million bucks in attack like Sloan, Pappy, prob Bula too, but if defense is not given the strongest priority then he is dispensable.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Issues under the high ball

I explained that, by he being rated 2nd in the comp defusing kicks in '24. Am talking about him at full back not wing. He did not have a good yr as he played in an unfamiliar position, yet he showed his good finishing with 17 tries, about 18th best in the comp. But after some improvement in defense in '24 unfortunately for him he was back to his lazy '23 defensive effort. His inability to put his body on the line in the tackle shud cost him any further NRL game time. His future lies in ESL.

 

[redv13]

I explained that, by he being rated 2nd in the comp defusing kicks in '24. Am talking about him at full back not wing. He did not have a good yr as he played in an unfamiliar position, yet he showed his good finishing with 17 tries, about 18th best in the comp. But after some improvement in defense in '24 unfortunately for him he was back to his lazy '23 defensive effort. His inability to put his body on the line in the tackle shud cost him any further NRL game time. His future lies in ESL.

I’d expect any nrl 1st grade fullback to be competent under the high ball wether playing fb or wing

 

[Frank Facer]

He's way better than Sloan. Probably why Sloan is facing the NRL scrapheap and Bula is attracting offers around 900K a year.

I don't rate Slone. I won't even go into why. Most of you can see for yourself why.

 

[Frank Facer]

I see similar traits to Jack in Hamish. He is my long term lock.

DeBelin was/is one of the best defenders we have had. We were a different team when he was on the field to when he was off the field. One of his best attributes is that he is tough. When he was playing for St Gregory's as a schoolboy. When talent scouts, maybe from St George came to look at there team. His schoolboy coach said he was the toughest. He should have debuted earlier. He should have played origin earlier and would have played more games had been not been stood down by the NRL's no- fault stand down policy for almost 1000 days. When my Manly mate saw him play, he said he looked like a prop. If he was a bit bigger he would have made a great prop or going back to the 70's and 80's when props were a bit smaller/lighter, he would have made a good prop then. I rate Debelin very highly

Stewart may have a bit more finesse about him than DeBelin. I give him a very good chance of playing origin.

 

[Frank Facer]

DD it is "book him Danno". Well his stats shoot that down in flames mate. The two blokes mooted we are chasing both bomb out in defense, your major requirement. A full back can look a million bucks in attack like Sloan, Pappy, prob Bula too, but if defense is not given the strongest priority then he is dispensable.

Is there anyone you think we should be signing to play fullback for us?