Recruitment & Retention 2027

[Edward]

I reckon Schuster and Metcalf would make for a killer halves pairing. Metcalf with the speed and Schuster with the power and ball-playing. Both can kick.

If it was Schuster, would have to make it for 2 years at least, maybe 3. Wouldn't be good to have him and Metcalf forming a good combo only for him to go to PNG for 70% more money after a year.

 

[Murfy]

We are looking at a player for centres, will come at cut price, high risk but low salary... will start on train and trial and see. More than likely before june 30

Fox sports has an article up about Israel Folau looking at making a return to rugby league but mentioned the tigers as the club.

 

[RufusRex]

We tried that a few years back and the outrage prevented it ...

 

[Saints11]

Fox sports has an article up about Israel Folau looking at making a return to rugby league but mentioned the tigers as the club.

Would’ve been a massive signing 15 years ago

 

[GCRV]

Would’ve been a massive signing 15 years ago

How old is he now? About 35?

 

[Dragon David]

Fox sports has an article up about Israel Folau looking at making a return to rugby league but mentioned the tigers as the club.

Yes, read it Murfy. Cannot see him doing too much damage at 37. Might be OK with teaching some young ones stuff. He was a great athlete in the different forms of footy he played. The rules as we know are so much different to when he last played league 16 years ago.

Anyway, good luck to him and the Tigers.

 

[TheRev]

the other one ppl r talking about is Blore.. seems a bit crazy but must admit that our 2nd row depth has rly changed with Sua/Leilua leaving, Nick been out forever with injury and slowly coming back, Jacob looks to be making a permanent change to 13.. CST also multiple injuries and slower progression.. its rly Egan as the only 100% first grade standard 2nd rower.. isnt it crazy the way things can work out with ur squad...

 

[GCRV]

the other one ppl r talking about is Blore.. seems a bit crazy but must admit that our 2nd row depth has rly changed with Sua/Leilua leaving, Nick been out forever with injury and slowly coming back, Jacob looks to be making a permanent change to 13.. CST also multiple injuries and slower progression.. its rly Egan as the only 100% first grade standard 2nd rower.. isnt it crazy the way things can work out with ur squad...

I thought Stewart might make a permanent transition to second row. I was also critical of moving him to start with but he seems to be really growing into the second row role. Because there are so many good middle forwards but for now, a bit light on second rowers. In 2 or 3 years when that has changed, if it has changed, he can revert back to lock.

Don't you think the team is much better when he and both Couchman's are on?

 

[RufusRex]

I thought Stewart might make a permanent transition to second row. I was also critical of moving him to start with but he seems to be really growing into the second row role. Because there are so many good middle forwards but for now, a bit light on second rowers. In 2 or 3 years when that has changed, if it has changed, he can revert back to lock.

Don't you think the team is much better when he and both Couchman's are on?

Its a false equivalency ... because when Stewart and both couchmans are not all on Lawrie or Kerr are ...

The team was a lot better when the back row was SuA, Leilua and Stewart.

We cannot want all three of them on the field the whole time and lament the opportunities to other players ... the balance needs to be a lot better

A pack of

KK
Watson
Toby
Blore
Egan
Stewart

With a bench getting decent time of Lids/Loko/Ryan/Jake

That is something to get excited about.

Use KK/Toby in partnership .. use Loko/Ryan in partnership ... manage their minutes so it is 40 odd minutes of the best rather than 60+ ... it will keep them fresher/healthier for the entire season.

Lids/Watson/Stewart sharing 9/13
Jake coming on for impact

it is well balanced and has ability/skill in the required areas.

 

[Eric]

I thought Stewart might make a permanent transition to second row. I was also critical of moving him to start with but he seems to be really growing into the second row role. Because there are so many good middle forwards but for now, a bit light on second rowers. In 2 or 3 years when that has changed, if it has changed, he can revert back to lock.

Don't you think the team is much better when he and both Couchman's are on?

Yep. And when both Couchmans are off the pack is pretty bad. At least the middles.

the other one ppl r talking about is Blore.. seems a bit crazy but must admit that our 2nd row depth has rly changed with Sua/Leilua leaving, Nick been out forever with injury and slowly coming back, Jacob looks to be making a permanent change to 13.. CST also multiple injuries and slower progression.. its rly Egan as the only 100% first grade standard 2nd rower.. isnt it crazy the way things can work out with ur squad...

CST still has 9 months before he'll really be needed. I'm backing a backrow of him and Egan from round 1 next year.

 

[RufusRex]

CST still has 9 months before he'll really be needed. I'm backing a backrow of him and Egan from round 1 next year.

i'm not ... given he isnt even playing at the moment i doubt he gets enough game time this year to put a case forward for a Round 1 debut

Blore is 25, has 100 games of experience, has been a starting edge player with the storm for a few seasons now ... prime time to get a player like him.

Cyrus could take that spot eventually but if we get Blore he starts round 1 next year easily in my opinion and strengthens our middle up by pushing Stewart in

 

[Murfy]

Pretty sure I remember Mug mentioning that the we would be looking to fill the rest of the roster sports with players around that 100 game mark. A few seasoned professionals and people like Shawn Blore and Jesse Arthars fit the bill.

 

[GCRV]

i'm not ... given he isnt even playing at the moment i doubt he gets enough game time this year to put a case forward for a Round 1 debut

Blore is 25, has 100 games of experience, has been a starting edge player with the storm for a few seasons now ... prime time to get a player like him.

Cyrus could take that spot eventually but if we get Blore he starts round 1 next year easily in my opinion and strengthens our middle up by pushing Stewart in

25, 100 games and unwanted by Bellamy? He seems like a good reserve grader to me. If CST or Tsogranis isn't good enough better go with Stewart in the second row with Hutchinson taking his place in the middle.

Can't keep importing all these season professionals and keep our promising younger guys. Any imports now need to be centres or wingers only.

 

[TheRev]

Could Falau be the t&t centre signing Random was referring too? I know it seems crazy but once again a potential free shot at the stumps for 2026 with no 2027 commitment.. hard to imagine hes still quick @37yrs though.

 

[redv4life]

Could Falau be the t&t centre signing Random was referring too? I know it seems crazy but once again a potential free shot at the stumps for 2026 with no 2027 commitment.. hard to imagine hes still quick @37yrs though.

There was some article that linked us to him but seemed like bs speculation more than anything

 

[RufusRex]

25, 100 games and unwanted by Bellamy? He seems like a good reserve grader to me. If CST or Tsogranis isn't good enough better go with Stewart in the second row with Hutchinson taking his place in the middle.

Can't keep importing all these season professionals and keep our promising younger guys. Any imports now need to be centres or wingers only.

Why is there an assumption that Bellamy doesnt want him - the chat out of late last year was that wanted to be back in NSW/Sydney .. At that point he had played 48 out of about 52 games ... pretty well utilised for a bloke not wanted.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

25, 100 games and unwanted by Bellamy? He seems like a good reserve grader to me.

Ando didnt buy Blore to play ressies, surely. Evidently his motivation was to leave Bleak City and return to gods country. Either NRL edge or more likely middle is my guess as he is a hefty 107kg. His defense is very strong mid 90s%, a good runner with some ball skill. But a centre and a winger has to be our priority as we are shocka full of forwards?

 

[RufusRex]

Ando didnt buy Blore to play ressies, surely. Evidently his motivation was to leave Bleak City and return to gods country. Either NRL edge or more likely middle is my guess as he is a hefty 107kg. His defense is very strong mid 90s%, a good runner with some ball skill. But a centre and a winger has to be our priority as we are shocka full of forwards?

are we - we have 10 forwards currently on books for next year plus a couple of hookers

 

[GCRV]

Why is there an assumption that Bellamy doesnt want him - the chat out of late last year was that wanted to be back in NSW/Sydney .. At that point he had played 48 out of about 52 games ... pretty well utilised for a bloke not wanted.

I just assumed.

But either way surely everyone can see the Dragons need backs not forwards. If Couchman's are extended and at least one good, winger or centre is signed and Blore is still on the market and Dragons have cap space, I could get behind signing Blore.

 

[Mug Fan]

Top 30, 2027

Forwards in
Koloamatangi
Stanley-Traill

Forwards out
Sua
Lawrie
Guler
Sele
Leilua

Backs in
Drinkwater
Sami
Metcalf
Reed

Backs out
Feagai
Sloan
Tuipulotu
Lawson

Cook out Watson in.