Recruitment & Retention 2027

redv13

SGI Jersey Flegg
So after yesterday's debacle and based on the players statistics for the past 2 seasons. Also looking at our young stars coming through ressies, this would be my team looking towards the 2027 season:

1. Drinkwater
2. TBA
3. TBA
4. TBA
5. Sami
6. Atkinson
7. Reed
8. KK
9. Liddle
10. T Couchman
11. Egan
12. R Couchman
13. Stewart
14. Cook
15. LPT
16. Halangahu
17. Hutchinson

That looks like a decent competitive engine room. The rest we need quality recruitment.

But you won't get those quality players until you appoint your 1st grade coach for 2027 before the November transfer window. That is our highest priority.

Just my views
Nick??
 

me123

SGI Junior League
We need players who can catch a ball, draw and pass, run a good hard line and have heart in their defence. Seriously, these blokes especially the backs are hopeless. Holmes needs his contract torn up. Pay him out, just get rid of him somehow.
 

RedV01

SGI NSW Cup
We need players who can catch a ball, draw and pass, run a good hard line and have heart in their defence. Seriously, these blokes especially the backs are hopeless. Holmes needs his contract torn up. Pay him out, just get rid of him somehow.
Had so little ball yesterday. But yeah, he should be on notice.
 

ItsCamxron

SGI Junior League
Who do we have in our young ranks with the same x fator attributes of:

McLean
Sharpe
Bula
Weekes
Farnsworth
Isaako
Off the top of my head, these are players who I think compare best to the players mentioned (from what I've seen/read online)
Jesse Williams - speed to burn and has attacking x-factor (more a winger/fullback though)
Rokko Walker - versatile player who can play fullback, but also in the halves. Very quick and touted as a "blue-chip NRL talent" - 16 years old and signed with us for 4 years
Oli Burton - seen as our FB of the future. Quite tall for his age (5'9 and only 16-17) and one of the most exciting young talents in the NRL. Was 2025 Player of the Year for the Illawarra Steelers in the Under-17s (Harold Matthews Cup) after scoring eight tries in a single campaign.
Saifiti Junior Saifiti - also another winger with huge wraps on him. I expect him to be (hopefully) our winger of the future. High scoring winger and primary goal kicker. Media reports in April 2026 list him as one of the "best rookies and prospects" for the Dragons, noting his transition from rugby union to league only a few years ago
Cornelius Papualii - built like a brick shithouse and widely considered one of the most promising "power" outside backs in his age group (6'3., 100kg, 16 years old)
Destin Tausala - another powerful centre. described as a powerful runner who is hard to stop near the line. 7 tries in 7 rounds of footy this year, scored a double in the finals against the Knights

Again, these are players who I personally believe can offer similar impacts to the team as the mentioned players. I will also say, I strongly believe we have the best nursery of youngsters in the entire Rugby League. Yes, not all the players mentioned will turn out how I/we expect them to, but if they can be close to the player we expect them to be, we have a very bright future ahead of us. There are even plenty of players I haven't mentioned coming through who are locks for first grade starts in the near future imo,
 

RedVHeartbeat

SGI NSW Cup
So after yesterday's debacle and based on the players statistics for the past 2 seasons. Also looking at our young stars coming through ressies, this would be my team looking towards the 2027 season:

1. Drinkwater
2. TBA
3. TBA
4. TBA
5. Sami
6. Atkinson
7. Reed
8. KK
9. Liddle
10. T Couchman
11. Egan
12. R Couchman
13. Stewart
14. Cook
15. LPT
16. Halangahu
17. Hutchinson

That looks like a decent competitive engine room. The rest we need quality recruitment.

But you won't get those quality players until you appoint your 1st grade coach for 2027 before the November transfer window. That is our highest priority.

Just my views
LKT gets my vote. Big improver. Atkinson has no skill, not much between the ears either. Also hanging out for an extension for Luch. Yes he has taken some wrong options which could have blown tries but that happens to all skillful players. Fact is he is in arguably career best form. Could use his size in the middle too.
 
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Dragon David

SGI NSW Cup
@just
LKT gets my vote. Big improver. Atkinson has no skill, not much between the ears either. Also hanging out for an extension for Luch. Yes he has taken some wrong options which could have blown tries but that happens to all skillful players. Fact is he is in arguably career best form. Could use his size in the middle too.
I agree with you RVH. Atko is a Flanno signing - another poor one in my opinion. He won 't win us any games as he lacks project/game management as a half and 5/8th. Does not have dash and acceleration in his armory and may not have all the right thought processes between his ears. Not like the Jamie Soward brain matter.
 

George Sancti

SGI Jersey Flegg
Who do we have in our young ranks with the same x fator attributes of:

McLean
Sharpe
Bula
Weekes
Farnsworth
Isaako
I was hopeful we were still in the running for Bula, but the Drinkwater signing probably closes that door. I’m not sure whether Bula has any background at 5/8, and if he doesn’t, his price tag is too high to justify that sort of gamble.
 
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