I always thought the cows were chipping in for the first two years. 900k for Luch is just diabolical. Just shows how desperate our recruiting position was back then. The nadir of our club. Nowadays we wouldn't even consider him. So I suppose that things have improved at least a little in these last two years. And yes, after Nov 2026 we must really be in the market for a top line fullback for 2028. When was the last time any team won a premiership without an A-class fullback? I can't remember one.
Recruitment and Retention for 2026
- Thread starter Dragons Chris
- Start date
Apparently when you factor in the Cowboys chipping in the actual payment from St George averages out as $725,000 per annum. Maybe we were feeling rich at the time with the salary cap increases, plus we were desperate to add size to our forwards, but it looks like we overpaid. even if he ends up joining the Bears I'd say he'd be dropping down closer to $500k per year going forward. What's the bet though that he fires up and has a good season. At least that would help our finals push.
Yes, he will try to excel this year. No one wants to fly back and forth across the continent every two weeks of a season.
RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
Last I read he was a chance for Vegas?
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
The Cows basically got nothing out of him, and to be honest we havent had much better. Unless he can perform this year its see yah for me.
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
A grade 3 hammy tear if that is what it was RVH, that is at least 6-8 weeks, with a lot of luck, have a look at what happened to CT.
I've had one myself and it's a really frustrating injury. Just when you think it's ok and you've been jogging on it you put your foot down for your first sprint and it tears again, it's a horrible feeling and makes you scared of flat out sprinting for a while in case you keep doing it. I ended up missing half a season as I re-injured it twice. Hopefully Liddle gets better medical advice than I did and the club is patient with him.
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
Spot on mate, half the problem in recovering from a severe hammy tear is mental awareness of doing it again.
Dragon David
SGI Jersey Flegg
Tigers star released to join new club; Dragons in talks to extend veteran — Transfer Whispers
Tigers star released to join new club; Dragons in talks to extend veteran — Transfer Whispers
www.foxsports.com.au
I am not thrilled to hear that. We need to get out into the market for a good backup to Liddle.
RedVictory
SGI Jersey Flegg
Don’t need to do either. Kyle can be the 14 and Lykhan 6. Use the money from cook elsewhere.
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
Regarding Galvin
I thought Galvin's comments regarding Marshall was intended to get Marshall get the rest of the playing group offside with him and give him a reason to get our quicker. When it was confirmed Galvin was leaving Wests, the papers and football commentators were saying or suggesting Parra was his mostly likely destination and that Parra had the money to spend, with Brown leaving and could offer Galvin a million dollar a season contract. It was sounding like a done deal. I said, I was doubtful of him going to Parra and thought he already had his future club lined up, before the fallout, with Canterbury or Easts being his most likely destination. I think it was all played out like a scripted production. Criticise the coach, then get the coach and playing group offside, due to those comments, then claim to be bullied, so he could get to his new club ASAP.
I thought Galvin's comments regarding Marshall was intended to get Marshall get the rest of the playing group offside with him and give him a reason to get our quicker. When it was confirmed Galvin was leaving Wests, the papers and football commentators were saying or suggesting Parra was his mostly likely destination and that Parra had the money to spend, with Brown leaving and could offer Galvin a million dollar a season contract. It was sounding like a done deal. I said, I was doubtful of him going to Parra and thought he already had his future club lined up, before the fallout, with Canterbury or Easts being his most likely destination. I think it was all played out like a scripted production. Criticise the coach, then get the coach and playing group offside, due to those comments, then claim to be bullied, so he could get to his new club ASAP.
George Sancti
SGI Jersey Flegg
I would like to see Cook retained by the Dragons beyond this season in a non-playing support role. He strikes me as a person of good character, well‑respected by the playing group, and someone with experience across all levels of the game. I think he’d be a real asset working with young players making the transition from Jersey Flegg to reserve grade and eventually into first grade.
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TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
I'm one of the very fans that still sees Cook as one of the best 14's going round.. with fresh legs hes as dangerous @9 as anyone, and despite the laughs about him covering ctr at origin level.. he covers backline positions better than most.. could even cover fullback.. its the perfect 14.. the 6man bench thing might put an end to needing that flexibility mind you.
I dont mind it cause im not rly convinced on Connor or Kyle making it as a first grade 9.. maybe.. but there is certainly no young gun hooker at this stage coming through.. would be a cheap contract also.. could definitely do a lot worse.. also a good experienced ex-kangaroo personality for the group on top.
Note: If we had of signed a Savala or a DCE or a Metcalf, I might have a different view because Kyle probably gets pushed to 14.. but that didnt happen.. and there is no gun halfback coming before 2028 I would think... regardless of what happens with Reed.
I dont mind it cause im not rly convinced on Connor or Kyle making it as a first grade 9.. maybe.. but there is certainly no young gun hooker at this stage coming through.. would be a cheap contract also.. could definitely do a lot worse.. also a good experienced ex-kangaroo personality for the group on top.
Note: If we had of signed a Savala or a DCE or a Metcalf, I might have a different view because Kyle probably gets pushed to 14.. but that didnt happen.. and there is no gun halfback coming before 2028 I would think... regardless of what happens with Reed.
Eric
Staff
I'm a Cook fan but can he keep it up for another 2 seasons given his age and the way he plays?
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
thats fair... how is he going in 18mths time.. but I think as a "14" not a 9, I think hes fine, its one of those things with Liddle last season, everyone raves... and im a fan of him too, but its a very different beast to be the 14 playing 20mins against tired defenders vs a 9 doing 50-60mins per game.
This will be a 12mth probably 400k contract I would say.
Dragon David
SGI Jersey Flegg
That's a long time to keep "it up" Eric.
Eric
Staff
Modern medication can do amazing things.That's a long time to keep "it up" Eric.
Eric
Staff
400k is good for the club even if he slides quite a lot. Don't know how much Liddle is on but 2 decent hookers on a combined salary of less than 1 mil would be good for the clubs salary cap.