Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[RufusRex]

i just couldnt see us getting Barnett without giving up one of the kids ...
i doubt the warriors take Guler/Lawrie/Sele off our hands ... that would leave the kids and of them LPT immediately leaps out given he was born in Auckland as well.


That is a tough/nuanced decision - give up a bloke who has had some setbacks for someone that instantly improves us but only for a short time.

Wouldnt want to be making that decision - but if you were going to make that decision you would try to make it happen right now.

 

[Dragon David]

I'd like to see us get a couple more battering ram type middles with a lot of "argy-bargy" about them to let other clubs know who is boss!

 

[Dragons Chris]

I'd like to see us get a couple more battering ram type middles with a lot of "argy-bargy" about them to let other clubs know who is boss!

And let go of LPT or one of the Couchmans?

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

When you have a look at our 2026 Recruiting , it hasn't been all that flash has it !!!

Other than KK who we have to wait 12mths for, we hoped and got nothing. Lost more backs quality than we gained too.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

WTF Fox scribe. Hands off our young tyros.

It is understood that they (Dragons) have the funds in their salary cap to sign him (Barnett) and they also have a plethora of young forwards who could be traded to the Warriors if a player swap is demanded from Barnett’s current team.

 

[Dragon David]

And let go of LPT or one of the Couchmans?

If these guys can do the argy-bargy/battering ram stuff then no need to go outside. These boys can hold their own to a degree but they appear to not have the grunt and hard hitting to me just yet.

 

[George Sancti]

I'd love to get Barnett. Him and kk give us a very imposing front row. While we have some good young forwards coming through we still seem light in the front row. I mean we have the Couchies but they are mobile workhorse types, not the battering rams we need. With barnett, kk and the youngsters we are set for the front and back rows, and just need to then start looking for a young hooker, and backs. I'm not so worried about the halves because I think Reed and Atkinson will be our long term halves from next year onwards.

I agree, G Gippsy. Two experienced, tough props alongside two young, mobile ones gives us a really well‑balanced front‑row rotation.

 

[Dragons Chris]

If these guys can do the argy-bargy/battering ram stuff then no need to go outside. These boys can hold their own to a degree but they appear to not have the grunt and hard hitting to me just yet.

Argy-bargy/battering rams, like Blake Lawrie or David Klemmer, are the past.

 

[Dragon David]

Argy-bargy/battering rams, like Blake Lawrie or David Klemmer, are the past.

I know what you mean Chris but what I mean is our middles just need to show more toughness and with more aggression.

 

[Dragon David]

Cody Ramsey has been picked to be on the bench - #18 for the Roosters against the Warriors on Friday night at Go Media Stadium. If he plays, I hope he acquits himself well even though he is playing with the enemy.

 

[dragonheart]

I would like to know why we thought Cody wasn't good enough as back up full back for 2026 for us after last year's showing..?....... but the Roosters at very little money, $150,000 approx thought he was.

 

[dragonheart]

Always been a great fan of Cody's skill and guts especially after his health podcasts, gave his all for us.

They dont call him Rambo for nothing.

 

[Dragon David]

I would like to know why we thought Cody wasn't good enough as back up full back for 2026 for us after last year's showing..?....... but the Roosters at very little money, $150,000 approx thought he was.

It is hard to fathom why dragonheart? But, Dragons had their reason(s) and I didn't like their decision to not resign him. There hasn't been anything come through the media on Cody and how he is coping nowadays. I hope he is travelling well.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Matt Timoko picked in Reggie’s for Canberra. no injury.

Just straight up dropped. Interesting…..

 

[dragonheart]

I thought he was great last year played almost every game as captain, knows the try line well and chimes in to back line play with great hands, really pissed me off when he left. Yes we looked after him well during his health battle. You have to assume they thought he wouldn't handle the 1st team. I also hope he gets the chance to run out with the Roosters and plays well.

 

[RufusRex]

Matt Timoko picked in Reggie’s for Canberra. no injury.

Just straight up dropped. Interesting…..

coming back from a footy injury was the excuse ..
Their 3/4 line in reserves has Sione Finau, Timoko and Chevy ...
outside that the 3/4s across reserves dont appear to have that 1st grade ready and not picked player.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

coming back from a footy injury was the excuse ..
Their 3/4 line in reserves has Sione Finau, Timoko and Chevy ...
outside that the 3/4s across reserves dont appear to have that 1st grade ready and not picked player.

That’s a good excuse, the real reason is because he was a turnstile the last 6 weeks of the season