Jaydn Su’a

HaydoM8

HaydoM8

SGI Jersey Flegg
Saw today chat that we are opening negotiations with him to stay. Not against this at all just assumed the bears would be in the mix …

where does he fit though when you consider the talent coming through our back row

obviously depth is great and to welcomed but if all were fit and pushing their case would we see Su’a moving into the middle third with his mate?
 
George Sancti

George Sancti

SGI Jersey Flegg
HaydoM8 said:
Saw today chat that we are opening negotiations with him to stay. Not against this at all just assumed the bears would be in the mix …

where does he fit though when you consider the talent coming through our back row

obviously depth is great and to welcomed but if all were fit and pushing their case would we see Su’a moving into the middle third with his mate?
Click to expand...
I’m hopeful that Su’a re‑signs for another couple of years. In my view, he has been our best and most consistent forward in recent seasons, and with the squad improving around him, I would like to see him excel in a stronger Dragons side.
 
J

Justadragon

SGI NSW Cup
George Sancti said:
I’m hopeful that Su’a re‑signs for another couple of years. In my view, he has been our best and most consistent forward in recent seasons, and with the squad improving around him, I would like to see him excel in a stronger Dragons side.
Click to expand...
I dont know about Su'a George, thats a curly one. I think a lot will depend on what the Dragons offer is. I read that he had a bit to do with KK coming over so maybe something has already been sorted. I think he is on decent coin already but if you were the Dragons and had the talent coming through in the 2nd row, what would you do ? Thats why I think Su'a and Luche are in trouble by the end of this year.
 
RedV01

RedV01

SGI NSW Cup
George Sancti said:
I’m hopeful that Su’a re‑signs for another couple of years. In my view, he has been our best and most consistent forward in recent seasons, and with the squad improving around him, I would like to see him excel in a stronger Dragons side.
Click to expand...
No sir. He's been second best. Could argue he was equal best last year while he was fit.
 
George Sancti

George Sancti

SGI Jersey Flegg
Justadragon said:
I dont know about Su'a George, thats a curly one. I think a lot will depend on what the Dragons offer is. I read that he had a bit to do with KK coming over so maybe something has already been sorted. I think he is on decent coin already but if you were the Dragons and had the talent coming through in the 2nd row, what would you do ? Thats why I think Su'a and Luche are in trouble by the end of this year.
Click to expand...
The young second‑rowers may reach Su’a’s standard within the next couple of seasons, but they will still be in the early stages of their playing careers. Retaining an experienced forward like Su’a, particularly once KK arrives in 2027, ensures those younger players are mentored in a supportive environment. The balance between proven performers and developing talent hopefully will sustain the team over the long‑term.
 
George Sancti

George Sancti

SGI Jersey Flegg
Dave03 said:
It might depend on what other clubs offer him, e.g. Perth could offer a 4 or 5 year deal at very good $. He's just turned 28. I'd be happy if we offered him a 3yr deal, we should know by that stage which one of our youngsters will be the long term 2nd rower.
Click to expand...
I agree Dave that SGI should not offer ridiculous money or an extended contract. Probably $750K for a two-year contract would be appropriate.
 
Last edited:
TheRev

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
RandomDragon said:
Keaon and sua are best friends (still) find it hard to believe they will give up the chance to play finals together again. Suspect sua stays Leilua goes and Egan takes that edge with Halangahu off the bench for a couple more years before sua moves on
Click to expand...
Heya Random, good to have ya back on the forums.

Lot of ppl talk about Sua playing prop.. not sure if its a reality or not.. but I think Nick has to be in the 17 if not from Round 1, certainly later in the year.. I think hes the next man up.. so im not sure what were gonna do.. prob got 12mths of patience/grace before hes looking for other opportunities.

Halangahu I think is a bench middle, but again not for ~1-2yrs, hopefully we keep him out of harms way for a little bit longer yet.. and then there is Coutts.. again hopefully we can convert him to a middle, cause our depth in the 2nd row is ridiculous.. but its the only position we are that strong in.. we need quality and/or depth in basically every other position.

I'd be happy for Sua to go next year, but if hes KK's best mate well maybe that encourages a way to keep the 2 of them together....
 
Frank Facer

Frank Facer

SGI Jersey Flegg
TheRev said:
Heya Random, good to have ya back on the forums.

Lot of ppl talk about Sua playing prop.. not sure if its a reality or not.. but I think Nick has to be in the 17 if not from Round 1, certainly later in the year.. I think hes the next man up.. so im not sure what were gonna do.. prob got 12mths of patience/grace before hes looking for other opportunities.

Halangahu I think is a bench middle, but again not for ~1-2yrs, hopefully we keep him out of harms way for a little bit longer yet.. and then there is Coutts.. again hopefully we can convert him to a middle, cause our depth in the 2nd row is ridiculous.. but its the only position we are that strong in.. we need quality and/or depth in basically every other position.

I'd be happy for Sua to go next year, but if hes KK's best mate well maybe that encourages a way to keep the 2 of them together....
Click to expand...
From the highlights package I have seen of Coutts, I do not see him as a middle forward. I think he has more chance of succeeding at centre than in the middle. He also could make a top edge backrower. I think it was you who said he played 5/8 during his juniors.

What is it about him that makes you think he could make a good middle?

Halangahu on the other hand I do think could end up being a good middle forward. He has excelled at edge back row in the juniors. Captaining the Australian schoolboys team and playing for NSW under 18's. Here is an AI write up of Jacob Halangahu

Jacob Halangahu is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League (NRL). Born on 26 August 2006 in Penrith, New South Wales, Halangahu joined the Dragons' pathways system at the age of 15, playing for their Harold Matthews Cup team. He was named captain of the Australian Schoolboys squad in 2024 and led Patrician Brothers Blacktown to the 2024 NRL Schoolboy Cup Final. He also represented NSW City Under 18s and played in the NSW Under 19s State of Origin match.

Halangahu made his NRL debut for the Dragons in Round 23 of the 2025 season against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks on 9 August 2025, coming off the interchange bench. He has since made five appearances in the 2025 NRL season, playing in the second row and recording 148 tackles with a 97.37% tackle efficiency. His debut was highlighted by a strong performance, and he has been praised by head coach Shane Flanagan for his professionalism and work ethic.

Prior to his NRL debut, Halangahu played in the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, making 16 appearances in 2025 and scoring two tries while making 391 tackles. He was named Player of the Match in St. George’s SG Ball Cup Grand Final victory in 2024 and was awarded the side’s Player of the Year. In March 2025, he signed a contract extension with the Dragons, securing his place in the club’s Top 30 squad for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. He has expressed his desire to be a one-club man, stating that wearing the Red V is an honour and that he feels a deep connection to the club’s legacy.
 
R

RandomDragon

SGI Junior League
TheRev said:
Heya Random, good to have ya back on the forums.

Lot of ppl talk about Sua playing prop.. not sure if its a reality or not.. but I think Nick has to be in the 17 if not from Round 1, certainly later in the year.. I think hes the next man up.. so im not sure what were gonna do.. prob got 12mths of patience/grace before hes looking for other opportunities.

Halangahu I think is a bench middle, but again not for ~1-2yrs, hopefully we keep him out of harms way for a little bit longer yet.. and then there is Coutts.. again hopefully we can convert him to a middle, cause our depth in the 2nd row is ridiculous.. but its the only position we are that strong in.. we need quality and/or depth in basically every other position.

I'd be happy for Sua to go next year, but if hes KK's best mate well maybe that encourages a way to keep the 2 of them together....
Click to expand...
Hey mate, I have been on the other forum under different names for a while but am sick of it there, this one seems much better. Interesting take on Nick T, he can become forgotten at times with Halangahu & Egan.

I wouldnt waste too much time on Coutts, I believe he is expendable when Perth or PNG come knocking and think he only hangs around a year or 2, do agree though he has to be a middle in reggies. I was also happy to see Su'a go but believe he will at least hang around for 27 and then reassess after, I cant really see him becoming a middle but it would be cool to have him and Keaon as our starting middles (pretty dynamic and hard hitters) with Egan & Halangahu on either edge (Nick T on the bench for backrow & outside back cover)
 
J

Justadragon

SGI NSW Cup
I'm not sure this is the right thread for this but it has been discussed here so I'll bring it up. For the knowledgeable people on this forum my question is "mentoring" and how serious is it these days with our new breed of players. Yeah sure I can understand the younger ones looking up to players and aspiring maybe to be like them. I can understand you need experienced players on the field to guide the youngsters through different situations in games, is that "mentoring" ? My reference point is we had one of the most experienced halves in the NRL, yes you know him our beloved Mr Hunt. For years we all talked about him "mentoring" our young halves coming through, and what did we get out of that ? F%$K all, as a matter of fact he made things worse.

So what emphasis do we put on a player with regards the "mentoring" when establishing a new contract, who's to say he even does those things both on and off the field. With our GF winning side they all praised WB for getting their headspace right and guiding them both on the field and off. Yeah I can cop a player sets an example but "mentoring" these days rests with a whole bunch of people and not necessarily your best or marquee player. These are my thoughts, feel free to shred them.
 
D

Dave03

SGI NSW Cup
Gutho & Cook will likely retire by end of next season which leaves us short on experienced players, especially with a young pack. Su'a at least has 4 good years left in him imo. Guys like Sele, Lawrie, Luciano will leave by end of this season too which is more experience out of the squad. Su'a for his experience alone would be important to have in the future.

Hopefully we replace them with experienced but better quality players but we might also want to save the $$$ to pay our younger players if they continue to develop at a high level.
 
K

Kim

SGI Jersey Flegg
Imagine you're a young player in the pack. Not necessarily a regular first grader but you will be. You are a bit unsure at times, you might drop your head for a moment at some point in the game, but then you look up and see Su'a, KK, and Liddle, and their heads haven't dropped. In fact, they look bloody determined and are having something useful to say. That is part of their mentoring role.
 
George Sancti

George Sancti

SGI Jersey Flegg
Justadragon said:
I'm not sure this is the right thread for this but it has been discussed here so I'll bring it up. For the knowledgeable people on this forum my question is "mentoring" and how serious is it these days with our new breed of players. Yeah sure I can understand the younger ones looking up to players and aspiring maybe to be like them. I can understand you need experienced players on the field to guide the youngsters through different situations in games, is that "mentoring" ? My reference point is we had one of the most experienced halves in the NRL, yes you know him our beloved Mr Hunt. For years we all talked about him "mentoring" our young halves coming through, and what did we get out of that ? F%$K all, as a matter of fact he made things worse.

So what emphasis do we put on a player with regards the "mentoring" when establishing a new contract, who's to say he even does those things both on and off the field. With our GF winning side they all praised WB for getting their headspace right and guiding them both on the field and off. Yeah I can cop a player sets an example but "mentoring" these days rests with a whole bunch of people and not necessarily your best or marquee player. These are my thoughts, feel free to shred them.
Click to expand...
I am strongly in favour of mentoring programs, Justadragon, whether in sport, business, the arts, or any other field of endeavour. In my experience, many graduates (much like young athletes) are highly talented but often come from environments where ethics, professional behaviour, and a commitment to continuous learning haven’t been fully developed.

As a result, some are tempted to take shortcuts or adopt questionable behaviours in the belief that these are the quickest paths to success. While not everyone is suited to mentoring young people, those who are can have a profound impact, professionally and personally by offering guidance, modelling standards, and providing advice when sought.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top