I think we need him this year and next. Let's hope his body holds up. In the meantime we should be looking for a long term replacement. Would be nice if Sloan turns the corner, but we can't rely on that. Good news is that, unlike halfbacks, fullbacks really do seem to be growing on trees these days. There are plenty stuck behind other players. We should be looking to do what Parra did, signing Iongi, or Raiders with Weekes. A future example might be Chevy Stewart.
Dragons v Storm Round 2
- Thread starter Dragon David
- Start date
Dragons Chris
SGI NSW Cup
There was talk of offering Bula from the Tigers around 1 mil a year. Then it came out he was likely to re-sign with the Tigers but since then, no news at all.
I think you pay 1 mil for Edwards, but not Bula. Don't get me wrong, he's good. But I think you can get a good fullback much cheaper. There are many NRL level fullbacks but not many NRL level halfbacks.
Dragons Chris
SGI NSW Cup
I think the rumour was a bit less than 1 mil but Tigers were willing to go 1 mil. Edwards is how old now? 28~29? Bula is 23.
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I did a search of how much is Valentine Holmes on a year at St George and got this result
Valentine Holmes is set to earn $850,000 per season with the St George Illawarra Dragons under his three-year contract, which began in 2025. This represents a pay cut from his $1.15 million annual salary at the North Queensland Cowboys but secures him two additional years of high-value earnings. The deal was finalized after Holmes opted to leave the Cowboys despite being contractually bound until 2025, citing salary cap constraints and the opportunity to reunite with coach Shane Flanagan.
But then I did another search, just then and got this result
Valentine Holmes is on a $1 million per year salary with the St George Illawarra Dragons, as confirmed in the club's player contract details for the 2026 season. This represents a significant reduction from his previous $1.15 million annual salary with the North Queensland Cowboys, but the move secures him a multi-year deal with the Dragons, who were able to offer long-term stability amid salary cap flexibility following Zac Lomax’s departure.
1 mil a year is certainly overs for any centre. I thought we had basically swapped Lomax on 850K a year for Holmes 850K a year.
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
Chevy is a project imo.. i.e. a Sloan replacement for me if we went that path.. hes our cup fullback who can pressure up if he can be consistent... and also be be first grade injury cover.. but imo hes not an Iongi.. i.e. who granted in hindsight was a sure thing and very first grade ready.
Connor Votano is the only rookie I would consider for first grade.. hes had a year of reserves, seems to kill it in every grade so far.. goalkicks too.. and has 2 or 3 fullbacks in front of him at the Knights... but hes not coming unless we commit to a 1st grade position... and pay him accordingly.
Other than that its guys like Fuller, Tracey, Kennedy, Bula I would look at depending on our options.. Drinkwater only if its the best we can do.
Connor Votano is the only rookie I would consider for first grade.. hes had a year of reserves, seems to kill it in every grade so far.. goalkicks too.. and has 2 or 3 fullbacks in front of him at the Knights... but hes not coming unless we commit to a 1st grade position... and pay him accordingly.
Other than that its guys like Fuller, Tracey, Kennedy, Bula I would look at depending on our options.. Drinkwater only if its the best we can do.
Don't rate Edwards highly? That's incredible.
You’ve never rated Edward’s that highly. Righto mate
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I would have picked Teddy at fullback for NSW last year and this year, if I was coach/selector. I would also pick Turbo ahead of Edwards a fullback for NSW. I would have taken Manu from Easts for fullback over Edwards. I rate Ponga and Walsh the best 2 fullbacks. I would take Sharp over Edwards right now for fullback.
I think it is a similar situation to Luai, who had the luxury of playing in a champion Penrith team. I think Luai is worth around the 850K mark and would put Edwards in the same category.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I like that Frank doesn't hold back. Specially when he doesn't add a "lol" anywhere. But this is a wild, bizarre, extraordinary opinion in my opinion.
Eric
Staff
lol and his incredible habit of steering threads off topic. Can't really blame him for this one. No one looks in the "Other Clubs" thread.
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I think Edwards is a solid fullback, but to me he lack the X factor that I want in a fullback. I would also say Gutho lacks the X factor I want in a fullback. Fletcher Sharp has capital X factor to me. I think Purdue would have X factor at fullback. Iongi who replaced Gutho at Parra has X factor. I think Edwards is a better version of CNK from the Warriors at fullback. I would take Nawaqanatwase over Edwards as a fullback, even though he has hardly played there. He has X factor and can do freakish things.
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I don't mean to steer threads off topic. I am only replying to other posts. To me we are having a conversation.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
He's past his best now but a few years ago, Edwards had X factor in spades.
AyiosYiorgos
SGI Jersey Flegg
Edwards declined last year, will be interesting to see how he goes this year, in saying that the level he was at last year would still be great for us, he gives everything in attack and defence, you grab him for 2-3 years, let the youngsters learn off him and hopefully an Ollie Burton or someone else is ready to take over when he is done..
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
BTW I wasn't the one who started talking about fullbacks on this thread either. I was just conversing, like many others were.
Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
Edwards is still a gun but for how much longer? With Keaon signed it'd be better if DA made some kind of rule where only U25 year-olds were signed for the next 2 years. Have a core of veterans and now need to build around that with youth even if it means going backward before forward.