2025 Round 1 team

[Chris M]

He's not being negative at all, your just making drama out of absolutely nothing. Flannos been pumping our juniors up in every interview for the last 12 months lol.

If you listen to the whole thing he already mentioned having 3 or 4 debutants last year and having 3 or 4 more this year. Then he got asked about what young guys coming into first grade we should be looking forward to, listed about 6 of them (mostly top 30) that could all debute and stated they're all future first grade players, whether it's this year or next. LKT has already debuted and got a bit of hype last year shooting up through ressies, but he is still very young and certainly didn't blow anyone away (but who can with Hunt beside them) he will get his chances with time and injury.

Ok Caity. Maybe I'm wrong but the point was he has talked up club juniors on a number of occasions, often mentioning them by name but not once uttering LKTs name which I found surprising. Maybe I'm looking too much into it.

What I think we can agree on is that Kyle has no excuses this year. He's the senior playmaker and who else is putting pressure on him until supplementary list players are available? Gutho to 5/8, Sloan to fullback? Kyle needs to have as many try assists as last year in the first few rounds. He needs to demonstrate the ability to pass while running. Can we agree on that?

I agree to an extent but the bottom line is, LKT isn't top 30 but the other 4 are. With the signings of Illias and Atkinson, talking up Reed, re-signing Kyle Flanno, I think the writing is on the wall for LKT.

I remember when Junior Amone made his first grade debut. It might not have been his debut but was at least the first time he played a significant number of minutes. I thought, "here is our 5/8 for the next 10~15 years." After that, if it wasn't for his legal problems, I think he might have found himself cut loose anyway.

All will become clear in a couple of months. If the team is flying, he can prove himself in NSW Cup. If struggling, he will surely get put in the hot seat sooner rather that later.

There should be competition for spots. Hynes is on over a mil a year but didn't stop commentators saying he should be moved out of the halves because Trindall and Atkinson was a better combo.

Won't suprise me at all if by the end of 2026 season, Reed is halfback and LKT 5/8. LKT will start the year in NSW Cup and can't play first grade for the first several rounds. He has the Kyle Flanagan in front of him. He will get a chance barring injury. Lets not cut him loose just yet.

 

[Eric]

Ok Caity. Maybe I'm wrong but the point was he has talked up club juniors on a number of occasions, often mentioning them by name but not once uttering LKTs name which I found surprising. Maybe I'm looking too much into it.

What I think we can agree on is that Kyle has no excuses this year. He's the senior playmaker and who else is putting pressure on him until supplementary list players are available? Gutho to 5/8, Sloan to fullback? Kyle needs to have as many try assists as last year in the first few rounds. He needs to demonstrate the ability to pass while running. Can we agree on that?

There should be competition for spots. Hynes is on over a mil a year but didn't stop commentators saying he should be moved out of the halves because Trindall and Atkinson was a better combo.

Won't suprise me at all if by the end of 2026 season, Reed is halfback and LKT 5/8. LKT will start the year in NSW Cup and can't play first grade for the first several rounds. He has the Kyle Flanagan in front of him. He will get a chance barring injury. Lets not cut him loose just yet.

Maybe. There is also another possibility. Coaching staff have seen much more than us of what he is capable of and have decided he's not the answer. I hope it's not true but remember Beau Henry? Evander Cummings? Jake Stockwell? Charley Runchimen? I know a lot of fans were angry about them being shown the door.

 

[Wild383]

Ok Caity. Maybe I'm wrong but the point was he has talked up club juniors on a number of occasions, often mentioning them by name but not once uttering LKTs name which I found surprising. Maybe I'm looking too much into it.

What I think we can agree on is that Kyle has no excuses this year. He's the senior playmaker and who else is putting pressure on him until supplementary list players are available? Gutho to 5/8, Sloan to fullback? Kyle needs to have as many try assists as last year in the first few rounds. He needs to demonstrate the ability to pass while running. Can we agree on that?

There should be competition for spots. Hynes is on over a mil a year but didn't stop commentators saying he should be moved out of the halves because Trindall and Atkinson was a better combo.

Won't suprise me at all if by the end of 2026 season, Reed is halfback and LKT 5/8. LKT will start the year in NSW Cup and can't play first grade for the first several rounds. He has the Kyle Flanagan in front of him. He will get a chance barring injury. Lets not cut him loose just yet.

Caity, really? Mate we had both Flanno and the CEO singing his praises and rapid growth from SG ball in interviews end of last season, he most certainly uttered his name lol. Definitely looking too much into this one.

Absolutely agree regarding not just Kyle but Illias as well, they'll both need to put their best footy forward before Atko joins the battle. Ultimately I think it'll be Illias the dominant 7 and Atko 6 with Kyle shifting into a more utility 13/14 role in 2026 (think Reeds a couple years away but could shine, you never know) but thats a long way away. For 2025 they've got a fresh start with fresh leadership and playmakers so nows the time to build on it and show us what they can offer, LKT will be there when the chance comes up.

 

[Chris M]

Maybe. There is also another possibility. Coaching staff have seen much more than us of what he is capable of and have decided he's not the answer. I hope it's not true but remember Beau Henry? Evander Cummings? Jake Stockwell? Charley Runchimen? I know a lot of fans were angry about them being shown the door.

Stockwell was a big disappointment but I'm not sure what the point is. Some make it, most don't. I think LKT will make it. If not at the Dragons then at another club. I might be wrong. Time will tell.

 

[Chris M]

Caity, really? Mate we had both Flanno and the CEO singing his praises and rapid growth from SG ball in interviews end of last season, he most certainly uttered his name lol. Definitely looking too much into this one.

Absolutely agree regarding not just Kyle but Illias as well, they'll both need to put their best footy forward before Atko joins the battle. Ultimately I think it'll be Illias the dominant 7 and Atko 6 with Kyle shifting into a more utility 13/14 role in 2026 (think Reeds a couple years away but could shine, you never know) but thats a long way away. For 2025 they've got a fresh start with fresh leadership and playmakers so nows the time to build on it and show us what they can offer, LKT will be there when the chance comes up.

Ilias has a bit of slack. He's the junior playmaker.

 

[Chris M]

‘We’ll just move on’: Flanno sets record straight after veteran prop snubs Dragons offer

‘We’ll just move on’: Flanno sets record straight after veteran prop snubs Dragons offer

www.foxsports.com.au

I like that Flanno is standing his ground. Sends the right message, IMO.

 

[Chris M]

Fox Sport still going with Lawrie to play lock. Isn"t there anyone at News LTD who can pull the writer aside and tell him or her how clownish that is. But good news regarding Lawson. If he"s a gun winger I think this might be a near complete, top quality team with only the halves being a worry.

Analysis: Star recruit Clint Gutherson is set to play fullback with Tyrell Sloan shifting to the wing. Zac Lomax’s departure to the Eels means Christian Tuipulotu, who returns from a hamstring injuryand Mat Feagai will fight it out for the other wing berth — though there’s a smoky at play there, with near-100kg Rugby Sevens ace Nathan Lawson impressing in pre-season having switched from union just last month. CODE Sports reports that Lawson clocked a strong four minutes 34 seconds in St George Illawarra’s ‘Bronco’ fitness test last week; starting on the try-line and running out and back to 20ms, 40ms and 60ms for five reps, with his time rating in the ‘outstanding’ range by global standards. Valentine Holmes, who returns from a leg injury in the trials and Moses Suli are set to form a new centre pairing for the next three seasons after Jack Bird’s shift to the Tigers. Kyle Flanagan returns from suspension for biting at No.6 with recruit Lachlan Ilias set to play halfback when he returns from a broken leg in the trials after Ben Hunt‘s switch to the Broncos. Francis Molo and Jack de Belin will start in the front row, with star recruit Damien Cook at hooker. The second row of Luciano Leilua and Jaydn Su’A picks itself with Blake Lawrie at lock. The bench utility will be Jacob Liddle after Cook’s arrival, with Hame Sele, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Toby Couchman rounding out the bench. The Dragons forward stocks, meanwhile, had appeared to have been bolstered by the signing of Matt Lodge on a train and trial deal. Lodge has been on the market since rejecting a two-year offer from the Sea Eagles. Shane Flanagan met with Lodge in July after identifying a need to add depth in his pack. Lodge was set to earn just $1200 a week but ultimately turned down the deal. He had been seeking a full top 30 contract.

 

[Ryan]

Fox Sport still going with Lawrie to play lock. Isn"t there anyone at News LTD who can pull the writer aside and tell him or her how clownish that is. But good news regarding Lawson. If he"s a gun winger I think this might be a near complete, top quality team with only the halves being a worry.

Analysis: Star recruit Clint Gutherson is set to play fullback with Tyrell Sloan shifting to the wing. Zac Lomax’s departure to the Eels means Christian Tuipulotu, who returns from a hamstring injuryand Mat Feagai will fight it out for the other wing berth — though there’s a smoky at play there, with near-100kg Rugby Sevens ace Nathan Lawson impressing in pre-season having switched from union just last month. CODE Sports reports that Lawson clocked a strong four minutes 34 seconds in St George Illawarra’s ‘Bronco’ fitness test last week; starting on the try-line and running out and back to 20ms, 40ms and 60ms for five reps, with his time rating in the ‘outstanding’ range by global standards. Valentine Holmes, who returns from a leg injury in the trials and Moses Suli are set to form a new centre pairing for the next three seasons after Jack Bird’s shift to the Tigers. Kyle Flanagan returns from suspension for biting at No.6 with recruit Lachlan Ilias set to play halfback when he returns from a broken leg in the trials after Ben Hunt‘s switch to the Broncos. Francis Molo and Jack de Belin will start in the front row, with star recruit Damien Cook at hooker. The second row of Luciano Leilua and Jaydn Su’A picks itself with Blake Lawrie at lock. The bench utility will be Jacob Liddle after Cook’s arrival, with Hame Sele, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Toby Couchman rounding out the bench. The Dragons forward stocks, meanwhile, had appeared to have been bolstered by the signing of Matt Lodge on a train and trial deal. Lodge has been on the market since rejecting a two-year offer from the Sea Eagles. Shane Flanagan met with Lodge in July after identifying a need to add depth in his pack. Lodge was set to earn just $1200 a week but ultimately turned down the deal. He had been seeking a full top 30 contract.

Surely the first choice pack will be:

• JDB
• Frank Molo
• Couchman x 2
• Su'A
• Leilua
• Cook
• Liddle

Sele, Egan and Stewart are just behind them. Lawrie had a pretty bad year last year but might be much better this year. Around Origin time LPT and Latu might be in the frame to debut. Others probably making up the numbers. Mike Molo, Eisenhuth and RFM.

 

[Dave03]

Surely the first choice pack will be:

• JDB
• Frank Molo
• Couchman x 2
• Su'A
• Leilua
• Cook
• Liddle

Sele, Egan and Stewart are just behind them. Lawrie had a pretty bad year last year but might be much better this year. Around Origin time LPT and Latu might be in the frame to debut. Others probably making up the numbers. Mike Molo, Eisenhuth and RFM.

Good group of fwds to call upon. Hopefully we can pick up an alpha/top tier forward for next season to compliment these guys. I hope flanno uses the last bench spot to rotate our younger fwds in 1st grade. Give a few of them some NRL games to gain experience rather than it being wasted on RFM/Eisenhuth/Lawrie. Bench: Liddle/Couchman/Sele/youngster (LPT/Latu/Stewart etc) would be a good mix imo.

 

[Ryan]

Good group of fwds to call upon. Hopefully we can pick up an alpha/top tier forward for next season to compliment these guys. I hope flanno uses the last bench spot to rotate our younger fwds in 1st grade. Give a few of them some NRL games to gain experience rather than it being wasted on RFM/Eisenhuth/Lawrie. Bench: Liddle/Couchman/Sele/youngster (LPT/Latu/Stewart etc) would be a good mix imo.

Looks like a plan to me!

 

[GCRV]

DT very negative on the Dragons prospects in the first 6 rounds. Predicting 4 losses, one win vs Titans and one bye.

This year more than ever, barring the Origin period when Dragons might not bother selectors, there will be no easy games.

 

[Chris M]

This is the latest round 1 team according to News LTD. I think this is what Dragons hating writers want, not what will be.

DRAGONS​

1. Clint Gutherson
2. Christian Tuipulotu
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Moses Suli
5. Tyrell Sloan
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Hame Sele
9. Damien Cook
10. Jack de Belin
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Tom Eisenhuth
    
    
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Toby Couchman
16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
17. Blake Lawrie

How old would this team be?! I think we can say #17, 16, 14, 13, 11, 10, 9, 6, 3, 1 are all veterans and #12, 7, 4 have been around a while.

Unless he has already tried it, I don't see why Flanno hasn't been retraining #2 to play prop. In this 17, he might well be the heaviest. Frank Molo was the heaviest.

 

[Eric]

This is the latest round 1 team according to News LTD. I think this is what Dragons hating writers want, not what will be.

DRAGONS​

1. Clint Gutherson
2. Christian Tuipulotu
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Moses Suli
5. Tyrell Sloan
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Hame Sele
9. Damien Cook
10. Jack de Belin
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Tom Eisenhuth
    
    
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Toby Couchman
16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
17. Blake Lawrie

How old would this team be?! I think we can say #17, 16, 14, 13, 11, 10, 9, 6, 3, 1 are all veterans and #12, 7, 4 have been around a while.

Unless he has already tried it, I don't see why Flanno hasn't been retraining #2 to play prop. In this 17, he might well be the heaviest. Frank Molo was the heaviest.

I think this will be the team. At least for round 1. I'm not worried about the age. If they are young enough they are good enough and if they are good enough they aren't too old though this is taking jodragon40's pet hate to the extreme. Where is the go forward doing to come from? JDB will do his job but he won't be churning out 200m a game. Tom E, RFM, Sele and Lawrie will be unlikely to run 100m on a regular basis. Sloan isn't going to help get the sets off on the front foot too much. That is going to make it hard for Cook to run many metres.

On the plus side, Gutho will be at the back handing out bakings on a regular basis for those forwards not pulling their weight.

 

[Wild383]

This is the latest round 1 team according to News LTD. I think this is what Dragons hating writers want, not what will be.

DRAGONS​

1. Clint Gutherson
2. Christian Tuipulotu
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Moses Suli
5. Tyrell Sloan
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Hame Sele
9. Damien Cook
10. Jack de Belin
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Tom Eisenhuth
    
    
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Toby Couchman
16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
17. Blake Lawrie

How old would this team be?! I think we can say #17, 16, 14, 13, 11, 10, 9, 6, 3, 1 are all veterans and #12, 7, 4 have been around a while.

Unless he has already tried it, I don't see why Flanno hasn't been retraining #2 to play prop. In this 17, he might well be the heaviest. Frank Molo was the heaviest.

Honestly this gets more ridiculous everytime you post ages, not only are you just listing the majority of the team at this point but are you seriously complaining about kids in there mid 20s? Ilias has been around for a while has he? The 24yr old half not young enough? Wowzers.

I dont think it'll be the team list we start with anyway but it took me 2min to actually check our supposedly very old top 17 (noting this one includes all our oldest vets in it) and compare it objectively against the others:

1. Clint Gutherson - 30
2. Christian Tuipulotu - 23
3. Valentine Holmes - 29
4. Moses Suli - 26
5. Tyrell Sloan - 22
6. Kyle Flanagan - 26
7. Lachlan Ilias - 24
8. Hame Sele - 28
9. Damien Cook - 33
10. Jack de Belin - 33
11. Luciano Leilua - 28
12. Jaydn Su’A - 27
13. Tom Eisenhuth - 32
    
    
14. Jacob Liddle - 28
15. Toby Couchman - 21
16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner - 31
17. Blake Lawrie - 28

Average age: 27.5
Average age NRL (2024): 26yo

 

[Chris M]

Honestly this gets more ridiculous everytime you post ages, not only are you just listing the majority of the team at this point but are you seriously compaining about kids in there mid 20s? Ilias has been around for a while has he? The 24yr old half not young enough? Wowzers.

I dont think it'll be the team list we start with anyway but it took me 2min to actually check our supposedly very old top 17 (noting this one includes all our oldest vets in it) and compare it objectively against the others:

1. Clint Gutherson - 30
2. Christian Tuipulotu - 23
3. Valentine Holmes - 29
4. Moses Suli - 26
5. Tyrell Sloan - 22
6. Kyle Flanagan - 26
7. Lachlan Ilias - 24
8. Hame Sele - 28
9. Damien Cook - 33
10. Jack de Belin - 33
11. Luciano Leilua - 28
12. Jaydn Su’A - 27
13. Tom Eisenhuth - 32
    
    
14. Jacob Liddle - 28
15. Toby Couchman - 21
16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner - 31
17. Blake Lawrie - 28

Average age: 27.5
Average age NRL (2024): 26yo

Funny. You might think you can read my mind, but you obviously can't. It's true that if this were the team, I'd say it is a little older than I would like and thanks for providing the data to confirm that but I don't think this will be the team. I think Ryan Couchman will be in for one. But I'm most baffled about your comment regarding a 24 year old half. How did you come up with that one? Are you drunk and confusing my comment with someone else's comment?

I think Ilias is the perfect age for a new recruit actually. Obviously can't recruit them every time because they are in big demand.

 

[Chris M]

I think this will be the team. At least for round 1. I'm not worried about the age. If they are young enough they are good enough and if they are good enough they aren't too old though this is taking jodragon40's pet hate to the extreme. Where is the go forward doing to come from? JDB will do his job but he won't be churning out 200m a game. Tom E, RFM, Sele and Lawrie will be unlikely to run 100m on a regular basis. Sloan isn't going to help get the sets off on the front foot too much. That is going to make it hard for Cook to run many metres.

On the plus side, Gutho will be at the back handing out bakings on a regular basis for those forwards not pulling their weight.

I'm not worried about the age for this year either. But if this is the team for a large part of the season, going to need a big influx of youth in the next 2 years. Ryan Couchman must be in the 17! Hopefully LKT, LPT, Stewart, Egan, Latu all see at least a bit of first grade this year. By a bit, I mean a few games.

 

[Wild383]

Funny. You might think you can read my mind, but you obviously can't. It's true that if this were the team, I'd say it is a little older than I would like and thanks for providing the data to confirm that but I don't think this will be the team. I think Ryan Couchman will be in for one. But I'm most baffled about your comment regarding a 24 year old half. How did you come up with that one? Are you drunk and confusing my comment with someone else's comment?

I think Ilias is the perfect age for a new recruit actually. Obviously can't recruit them every time because they are in big demand.

How old would this team be?! I think we can say #17, 16, 14, 13, 11, 10, 9, 6, 3, 1 are all veterans and #12, 7, 4 have been around a while.

You might want to read what you wrote before you go off on your typical little tirade without fact checking anything. I actually highlighted it for you, you called out Sua (27), Suli (26) and Ilias (24), as well as just about the entire team lol.

 

[Chris M]

You might want to read what you wrote before you go off on your typical little tirade without fact checking anything. I actually highlighted it for you, you called out Sua (27), Suli (26) and Ilias (24), as well as just about the entire team lol.

So saying the fact that a 24 year old has been around for a while, I think this is his 4th year, equals complaining he is too old? Full marks for imagination but just to be clear, I don't think players who have been around for a while are too old. I think they should and do make up the nucleus of any successful team. In regard to this years team:

I'm not worried about the age for this year either. But if this is the team for a large part of the season, going to need a big influx of youth in the next 2 years. Ryan Couchman must be in the 17! Hopefully LKT, LPT, Stewart, Egan, Latu all see at least a bit of first grade this year. By a bit, I mean a few games.

 

[Wild383]

So saying the fact that a 24 year old has been around for a while, I think this is his 4th year, equals complaining he is too old? Full marks for imagination but just to be clear, I don't think players who have been around for a while are too old. I think they should and do make up the nucleus of any successful team. In regard to this years team:

You literally opened with 'How old is this team!?' and then listed 13 players, what imagination is required? One of those I now assume you didnt intend to list given you initally had no idea what my response was about, tried to insult me in the process and now your backtracking. If your not worried about age why keep complaining about it? We've got so many good juniors coming through in the next 2 seasons we're going to see a very nice period of development.

 

[Chris M]

You literally opened with 'How old is this team!?' and then listed 13 players, what imagination is required? One of those I now assume you didnt intend to list given you initally had no idea what my response was about, tried to insult me in the process and now your backtracking. If your not worried about age why keep complaining about it? We've got so many good juniors coming through in the next 2 seasons we're going to see a very nice period of development.

Ok, you interpret my comment however you like.