Recruitment & Retention 2027

[Dragons2k10]

i honestly think Holmes will have a big year better players around him now he will obviously work well with Drinkwater and i think Nikorima will create a lot of opportunities for him in attack.

Last year it felt the only player that unlocked Val in attack and gave him good ball into space was Leilua they linked well together even in 2025.

 

[No Surrender]

I hope Holmes has one more season left in him. He was so bad last season, it must have been the backs around him. I can't imagine he'd fall that far that fast.

He played like a tourist this season

Very much like the many players who joined the Titans over the years.

2027 is a contract year for Holmes. I expect him to go all out to earn a new deal.

 

[RufusRex]

there will be no money for him with us in 2028 .. if he wants a new deal it will have to be with another club and that will mean he does have to work for it.

 

[TheRev]

Val might be ok with a 300-400k type winger deal in 2028 (versus a 9-5 job outside footy).. but I don't think hes mentally there yet.. reckon he would be wanting to back himself to play well early season and prove he's worth more.. thats a good outcome for us...

i.e. if he went out and signed a new 2028 deal tomorrow.. it leaves no incentive for him to train/work hard.. but I don't think it'll happen.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

decent chunk of players in a. Contract year

Interested to see who pulls their finger out and performs

 

[RedVictory]

I can’t believe how many people actually want JAC

 

[RedV01]

I can’t believe how many people actually want JAC

Why? You think Setu Tu is better?

 

[RufusRex]

Would rather spend less on a good bloke we had who scored 12 tries last season than more on a bad influence who scored 8

 

[RedV01]

Would rather spend less on a good bloke we had who scored 12 tries last season than more on a bad influence who scored 8

Do you think Setu Tu is better?

As for Sloan, average run metres 2026:

• JAC - 133m, 46th place in the comp.
• Tyrell Sloan - 94m, 150th place in the comp.

I'll bet JAC has few missed tackles and Tyrell has plenty!

I'm not even saying I'm in favour of signing him. Just saying DA and DY would be crazy not to consider it.

 

[RedVictory]

Why? You think Setu Tu is better?

I just find it funny that it’d be the same people complaining that we sign retirement home players that are happy to sign a player that turns 32 next year who relies heavily on speed and has disciplinary issues. And he wouldn’t be coming cheaper than Setu.

 

[RedVictory]

I just find it funny that it’d be the same people complaining that we sign retirement home players that are happy to sign a player that turns 32 next year who relies heavily on speed and has disciplinary issues. And he wouldn’t be coming cheaper than Setu.

And to add another factor it isn’t the best look when we are searching for a major sponsor for our front of jersey.

 

[RedV01]

I just find it funny that it’d be the same people complaining that we sign retirement home players that are happy to sign a player that turns 32 next year who relies heavily on speed and has disciplinary issues. And he wouldn’t be coming cheaper than Setu.

I'm not saying I'm in favour of signing him. Just saying he's better than Setu Tu and the club could use a good winger for next year.

 

[RufusRex]

Do you think Setu Tu is better?

As for Sloan, average run metres 2026:

• JAC - 133m, 46th place in the comp.
• Tyrell Sloan - 94m, 150th place in the comp.

I'll bet JAC has few missed tackles and Tyrell has plenty!

I'm not even saying I'm in favour of signing him. Just saying DA and DY would be crazy not to consider it.

I know that is the season stats .. but i think something happened with sloan ...

Check out the last 7 rounds vs the first 17 ...
Running metres jumped from 88 per game to 130
Missed tackles - 5 in the last 7 rounds
Line breaks - 2 per game in the last 7 rounds ... 2 in the previous 17 rounds ...

Young seemed to unlock him or Sloan started to believe in himself more.

We cant be a group that says "Sloan needs a mentor coach like bennett to unlock him" and then ignore when Young actually does it

 

[RedV01]

I know that is the season stats .. but i think something happened with sloan ...

Check out the last 7 rounds vs the first 17 ...
Running metres jumped from 88 per game to 130
Missed tackles - 5 in the last 7 rounds
Line breaks - 2 per game in the last 7 rounds ... 2 in the previous 17 rounds ...

Young seemed to unlock him or Sloan started to believe in himself more.

We cant be a group that says "Sloan needs a mentor coach like bennett to unlock him" and then ignore when Young actually does it

Ok. I'm not going to die on the JAC hill. Just saying DA and DY should consider it.

 

[RufusRex]

Ok. I'm not going to die on the JAC hill. Just saying DA and DY should consider it.

The did ... for the amount of time it takes to say "what about JAC" - then burst out laughing

 

[RufusRex]

Regardless of JAC/Sloan or any other back .. we simply dont have the roster spots for outside backs without getting rid of some. So it is a moot point anyway.

 

[RedVictory]

I'm not saying I'm in favour of signing him. Just saying he's better than Setu Tu and the club could use a good winger for next year.

Yeah mate not saying you in particular just seen it everywhere from dragons supporters saying we should sign him. Just shocks me.

 

[RedV01]

The did ... for the amount of time it takes to say "what about JAC" - then burst out laughing

I hope they aren't as amateurish as you think.

 

[RufusRex]

I hope they are more professional than you think

i know stats are not everythign and they dont account for speed .. but of the 3 in question JAC/Tu/Sloan this is their season last



Now Sloan rounds 1-20 played two games from the bench for limited minutes which does impact the tale of the tape.

You can see a massive change in his running game post round 20 ...

Interesting is the missed tackle stats where Sloan is actually the best performing of the three though it doesnt take into account tackles where not in position to make the tackle at all ....

JAC/Sloan in a foot race - probs JAC but there isnt a lot in it. JAC at 31 is also not going to be faster/better next season.

I think in terms of running aggression Tu is the best of the three
I think in terms of finishing though, you are starting to edge towards Sloan and tackling also Sloan (which is something i never thought i would say)

Tu made the most errors, JAC the least .. Again though Sloan's error count post round 20 showed big imrpvement.


The reasons to look at JAC are based on his speed and perceived finishing ability but those are reasons you could lean towards Sloan.. the reasons to stay away are cultural and the last two clubs he has been at they have moved him on before the contract is up.

There are other rumours about him unsubstantiated but talked about in clubs he has been at that would make him persona non grata as well

 

[RufusRex]

Also .. he has left his last 3 clubs early ... so many red flags with this bloke ...
Such a mismatch for the positive direction we are heading in.