Moving Forwards 2026/2027

[Eric]

I have Bula at roughly a 50/50 chance of signing with the Dragons for 2027. The Tigers look intent on keeping their young core together and may be facing some cap pressure that keeps them around the $800k mark. Bula probably sees himself as a $900k plus player, and the Illawarra setup would be a pretty appealing alternative.

I think Bula is a gun fullback but.......

I think Burton will debut sometime next year and be permanent in 28.

DA might have decided Bula will merely hold Burton back.

Though I guess Burton could play centre or wing. But would it be a good thing to move him away from his best position for a couple of years? Not so sure about that but I'm not an expert so......

 

[puff]

2 years ago I was blowing up about something similar to this.

Couchmans were among our best in 2023. I'd say along with JDB they were our best forwards. More than held their own in the NRL. I was looking forward to bigger and better things in 2024 until Flanno came along and declared they were promoted too soon. Then they proceeded to play NSW Cup for most of 2024.

Seems that was an early sign of things come.

In Flanno's defence, we had a pretty good pack that year. It would have been tough to select the Couchmans over the likes of BMM, RFM, Fifita, M. Molo and Eisenhuth.

 

[Justadragon]

I would agree with most of that, especially the back line changes. It's no good saying we have no chance of getting someone, we have to aggressively go after our main targets otherwise there would be no KK. And now D. Anderson is here hopefully it's quietly done with Flanno not uttering a word.
Sharpe at Newcastle if possible is top line and worth big money, they are difference makers.

We just got told by Mug that Flanno has the final say on players he wants.

 

[Frank Facer]

I would agree with most of that, especially the back line changes. It's no good saying we have no chance of getting someone, we have to aggressively go after our main targets otherwise there would be no KK. And now D. Anderson is here hopefully it's quietly done with Flanno not uttering a word.
Sharpe at Newcastle if possible is top line and worth big money, they are difference makers.

I would love us to sign Sharp to play fullback, but he is signed until the end of 2028 and I doubt Newy would let him go early. The fact they have Brown and Ponga signed up long term on 1.3 mil a season could mean they couldn't afford to offer Sharp a mil a season too. Sharp would be one of my top choices for fullback out of any fullbacks in the comp. I think he could also be a future NSW fullback if he was playing there on a weekly basis