2026

[Kim]

Is there a highlights reel or anything to back up the assertion Atkinson is better than LKT? Not saying he isn't. Just that I haven't seen anything to make it certain that he is. Also with the ages of the two, LKT in theory has a lot more upside to his game.

I thought if he can improve his tackling, and should be able to. Call Sowie and ask him if current coaching staff can't help him improve a lot. Then put him behind this years pack rather than last years and FFS, partner him with a decent halfback who can do the long kicking like every other halfback does. I think LKT has a lot of potential.

Seems like a lot but really isn't. Don't know about Atkinson yet but tackling and being behind a better forward pack seems like an easy fix.

Tackling is not really an easy thing to fix. I can't think of any poor tacklers who became strong defenders (Andrew Ettingshausen?) LKT doesn't have a long kicking game and isn't speedy. These things also cannot be fixed but are basic to good halves. First grade is not a place that players are promoted to so that they can work on their flaws, no matter how much someone hates the coach's son. We have spent four years on Sloan with that attitude. First grade is not a Saturday morning coaching clinic for nippers. Young players coming into first grade should already have these basic skills and talents and if not, they can stay in the lower grades.

 

[jodragon40]

Tackling is not really an easy thing to fix. I can't think of any poor tacklers who became strong defenders (Andrew Ettingshausen?) LKT doesn't have a long kicking game and isn't speedy. These things also cannot be fixed but are basic to good halves. First grade is not a place that players are promoted to so that they can work on their flaws, no matter how much someone hates the coach's son. We have spent four years on Sloan with that attitude. First grade is not a Saturday morning coaching clinic for nippers. Young players coming into first grade should already have these basic skills and talents and if not, they can stay in the lower grades.

You echoed my sentiments

 

[RedV01]

Tackling is not really an easy thing to fix. I can't think of any poor tacklers who became strong defenders

Jamie Soward, who I mentioned, says hello.

(Andrew Ettingshausen?) LKT doesn't have a long kicking game

He doesn't. I mentioned at almost every other club or every other club, the halfback does most of the long kicking.

and isn't speedy.

I've seen this bizarre comment before as well. You think he is speedier than Munster or Galvin or Ethan Strange or Kodi Nikorima or Jerome Luai? I reckon he's about the same or speedier.

These things also cannot be fixed but are basic to good halves. First grade is not a place that players are promoted to so that they can work on their flaws, no matter how much someone hates the coach's son.

The code about who can be criticised and who can't strikes again. I can assure you the 28 year-old coaches son is hardly JDB when it comes to tackling, is slower than LKT and has a worse long kicking game. Yet, to point that out = hating the coaches son while criticism of LKT that makes little sense to me is well and good.

We have spent four years on Sloan with that attitude. First grade is not a Saturday morning coaching clinic for nippers. Young players coming into first grade should already have these basic skills and talents and if not, they can stay in the lower grades.

Sloan has been a massive let-down. And Dufty before him.

 

[Frank Facer]

Fox Sport once again not being very complimentary. Though TBF, I agree improvement will have to come from within.

---

15. DRAGONS WIN WOODEN SPOON​

It’s never fun tipping a team to run last, but someone has to win the wooden spoon and we are tipping the Dragons anchor the NRL ladder in 2026. A quick look at last year’s bottom five and it is fair to say the Knights, Titans, Rabbitohs and Tigers will all get better in 2026.

The Dragons will improve as well, but whether it is enough to avoid the wooden spoon remains to be seen, given they are in a rebuild under Shane Flanagan.

The Dragons are relying on improving from within, with recruits Daniel Atkinson (Sharks), Josh Kerr (Dolphins), David Fale (Panthers) and Setu Tu (Warriors) unlikely to inspire a huge rise up the ladder in 2026 and we are tipping them to go backwards.

I don't think we will make the top 8, but I think we will show improvement, as long as we keep most of our top 17 on the field for most of the year. I think Atkinson will improve us. I also think the likes of Toby Couchman, Pasifika Tonga, Halangahu, Stewart and Egan will all take benefit from last year and show improvement. Ryan Couchman available will be like a new addition to our squad. Toby Couchman got injured early last season and was playing injured. I think he can play origin in the next few years. Some including Shane Flanagan think Stewart could be a future origin player. Egan looks like he would relish origin and is a bit in the mold of Gallen and Liam Martin. If my memory serves me correctly, Ryan was considered the better of the Couchman. but I am not 100% about that one. I rate Flanno one of the best coaches in the comp. We are currently paying $5 to make the top 8. I thought we over achieved in 24. Last year we were cruelled with injuries. If we can finish anywhere above 12th next year, I would be satisfied with that. In 27 we should have a pack of 13 Stewart 12 Su'a 11 Egan 10 T Couchman 9 Liddle 8 Koloamatangi, with R Couchman, Halangahu, Kerr on the bench or starting.

 

[Frank Facer]

Tackling is not really an easy thing to fix. I can't think of any poor tacklers who became strong defenders (Andrew Ettingshausen?) LKT doesn't have a long kicking game and isn't speedy. These things also cannot be fixed but are basic to good halves. First grade is not a place that players are promoted to so that they can work on their flaws, no matter how much someone hates the coach's son. We have spent four years on Sloan with that attitude. First grade is not a Saturday morning coaching clinic for nippers. Young players coming into first grade should already have these basic skills and talents and if not, they can stay in the lower grades.

Well said. I agree on all counts

 

[Edward]

I don't think we will make the top 8, but I think we will show improvement, as long as we keep most of our top 17 on the field for most of the year. I think Atkinson will improve us. I also think the likes of Toby Couchman, Pasifika Tonga, Halangahu, Stewart and Egan will all take benefit from last year and show improvement. Ryan Couchman available will be like a new addition to our squad. Toby Couchman got injured early last season and was playing injured. I think he can play origin in the next few years. Some including Shane Flanagan think Stewart could be a future origin player. Egan looks like he would relish origin and is a bit in the mold of Gallen and Liam Martin. If my memory serves me correctly, Ryan was considered the better of the Couchman. but I am not 100% about that one. I rate Flanno one of the best coaches in the comp. We are currently paying $5 to make the top 8. I thought we over achieved in 24. Last year we were cruelled with injuries. If we can finish anywhere above 12th next year, I would be satisfied with that. In 27 we should have a pack of 13 Stewart 12 Su'a 11 Egan 10 T Couchman 9 Liddle 8 Koloamatangi, with R Couchman, Halangahu, Kerr on the bench or starting.

As is, still a couple of key positions need to be filled.

 

[Ryan]

Every point looks like a fact.

Jamie Soward, who I mentioned, says hello.

A bad defender became a very good defender

He doesn't. I mentioned at almost every other club or every other club, the halfback does most of the long kicking.

I've seen this bizarre comment before as well. You think he is speedier than Munster or Galvin or Ethan Strange or Kodi Nikorima or Jerome Luai? I reckon he's about the same or speedier.

I can assure you the 28 year-old coaches son is hardly JDB when it comes to tackling, is slower than LKT and has a worse long kicking game.

Sloan has been a massive let-down. And Dufty before him.

 

[Frank Facer]

Every point looks like a fact.

A bad defender became a very good defender

I disagree about Soward becoming a good defender. I had a laugh when it was suggested to get Soward to give him some tackling lessons. I wasn't sure if it was sarcasm. lol When Soward went to England, the English fans were mocking him, saying "Taxi for Soward", as they stuck their arm out like they were hailing a cab.

 

[Ryan]

I disagree about Soward becoming a good defender. I had a laugh when it was suggested to get Soward to give him some tackling lessons. I wasn't sure if it was sarcasm. lol When Soward went to England, the English fans were mocking him, saying "Taxi for Soward", as they stuck their arm out like they were hailing a cab.

I didn't know that about England but the year we won the premiership, I remember commentators were talking about it continuously. Saying that not only had his defence improved a lot but it was now very good. Keeping in mind he was a smallish 5/8.

 

[Justadragon]

ATM we have to accept that KF and Atkinson will be our halves for round one. My question is will Flanno have balls to drop KF to ressies. He can’t go at 14 maybe once Cook goes he can but for now no. Will it be LKT or O’Neill, who knows but the first part is will he drop KF ? I am assuming that Atkinson will be fine at 7 and we know what we have at 6.

 

[Dragons Chris]

ATM we have to accept that KF and Atkinson will be our halves for round one. My question is will Flanno have balls to drop KF to ressies. He can’t go at 14 maybe once Cook goes he can but for now no. Will it be LKT or O’Neill, who knows but the first part is will he drop KF ? I am assuming that Atkinson will be fine at 7 and we know what we have at 6.

Is O'Neill in the top 30?

 

[Justadragon]

Is O'Neill in the top 30?

I don’t know Chris I’d imagine he would be. I don’t know how supplementary works and when they can play in first grade if they can at all.

 

[HaydoM8]

I think O’Neill is supp .. they can play nrl from round 1 but there are cap/payment rules to adhere to

 

[Morgan]

I think O’Neill is supp .. they can play nrl from round 1 but there are cap/payment rules to adhere to

Supplementary contract for this year. Or do they call it 'development contract'?

 

[HaydoM8]

My understanding is Same thing … dev deals were renamed supplementary contracts …

 

[DragonsTragic]

I didn't know that about England but the year we won the premiership, I remember commentators were talking about it continuously. Saying that not only had his defence improved a lot but it was now very good. Keeping in mind he was a smallish 5/8.

IIRC he defended one in from the wing outside Beau Scott?

 

[Morgan]

IIRC he defended one in from the wing outside Beau Scott?

Beau Scott generally defended next to him. Not due to any Sowie deficiency but due to Bennett wanting to keep one his best attacking players fresh for attack. A tactic he used before and after his stint with the Dragons.

 

[RedV01]

Every point looks like a fact.

A bad defender became a very good defender

Thank you sir.

I disagree about Soward becoming a good defender. I had a laugh when it was suggested to get Soward to give him some tackling lessons. I wasn't sure if it was sarcasm. lol When Soward went to England, the English fans were mocking him, saying "Taxi for Soward", as they stuck their arm out like they were hailing a cab.

No sir. In our golden years under Mr. Bennett, Mr. Soward was a gun tackler. Over the 3 years his confidence built up so much, he was no longer satisfied just making the tackle but started putting big hits on blokes . Don't care what they said about him in England. I know he failed as a NRLW coach and said some things I hope he regrets when he was shown the door but that's no reason to take away from what he did for us in those years.

This isn't a fact but I get the feeling a good coach should be able to do the same with Mr. King-Togia. Mr. Sloan and Mr. Dufty refused to put their body on the line. They were never going to make it and Mr. Bennett wouldn't have accepted it for a minute but Mr. King-Togia isn't like that. Needs to be a bit older and stronger, which he is now, go in a bit harder and work on technique a bit but I've never gotten the sense he's just too scared like Mr. Sloan and Dufty.

 

[Frank Facer]

Thank you sir.

No sir. In our golden years under Mr. Bennett, Mr. Soward was a gun tackler. Over the 3 years his confidence built up so much, he was no longer satisfied just making the tackle but started putting big hits on blokes . Don't care what they said about him in England. I know he failed as a NRLW coach and said some things I hope he regrets when he was shown the door but that's no reason to take away from what he did for us in those years.

This isn't a fact but I get the feeling a good coach should be able to do the same with Mr. King-Togia. Mr. Sloan and Mr. Dufty refused to put their body on the line. They were never going to make it and Mr. Bennett wouldn't have accepted it for a minute but Mr. King-Togia isn't like that. Needs to be a bit older and stronger, which he is now, go in a bit harder and work on technique a bit but I've never gotten the sense he's just too scared like Mr. Sloan and Dufty.

Soward never was a gun tackler. He used to hide in defence. He would run backwards in defence while players either side of him came in to make the tackle. He would even intentionally make it look like he took the wrong option (go for the runner) so that he didn't have to tackle someone and it didn't count as a missed tackle. He would also go to marker any chance he got. He would drop back in defence and then be in a position to clean up a short kick and then get praised for it by the commentators. He also didn't like to get tackled. He would pass or kick the ball far enough away from the defensive line, so the defenders could touch him after he passed the ball. When Bennett was coaching us and we were winning, I would ask Saints fans, if they liked Soward. They would all say yes. Then I would ask them if they thought Soward was scared, scared to tackle and scared to get tackled and they would all say no. Then I would explain to them what I just wrote above. Then however long later, say a few months to a year and I would see them again and almost all of them would say, He was scared. They could only see it when someone had pointed it out to them. When he was at Easts, I thought he was a future superstar, after seeing him kill it in a lower grade grand final. When they bought Brett Finch and weren't giving Soward a run, I was asking myself why?

I am posting in the 2 paragraphs below that was from a Daily Telegraph article. I didn't post the whole article. I have added the inverted commas myself as to highlight what I was saying and could see for myself and just said above. I don't know how to highlight passages or I would have done that

Put simply, he wasn't willing to put his body on the line. He was a classy touch footy player who wanted to play NRL.
But physically and mentally, he was gun-shy. In attack and defence, he would hold back. He didn't have the application and, at times, "I think he was scared of the physicality of our game."

Rugby league in 2009 has never been more suited to a player like Jamie Soward. You can't touch the kickers. There's less wrestling in the ruck area and it's virtually a physical game of touch football.
"He doesn't play close to the line, he prefers to dish the football away before meeting the defensive line."

Anyway, I don't wish to discuss Soward any longer. I discussed Soward long enough many years ago and had many disagreements regarding Soward. I will not discuss Soward anymore, no matter how much anyone wants to bait me. lol

 

[George Sancti]

Despite the concerns regarding our halves combination for 2026, I am expecting Daniel Atkinson to produce the best form of his career. By all reports he is injury free and has been training well. As this is his first real opportunity to secure a starting position in the halves, he must be highly motivated. If our forwards can hold their own against quality opposition, Daniel Atkinson may prove to be one of the buys of the season.