NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg, 2025

[redv13]

o all gd I thought Halangahu had been promoted possibly into Ackers spot, if not he bypasses dev and str8 to Top30 next year.

o Rly interested to see how they manage Heidke and Reed from here.. Reed has been bought on slower than his similar aged comrades like Woods and Rodwell, and I think thats good, cause itll all come at him very fast once hes in the public eye and stepping up grades. But right now Glover is going so well in NSW Cup... and that side is hopefully going deep in finals.. would be a big call to disrupt it.. but who knows what injuries occur, we arent even half way thru the season.

o Heidke looked physically more than big enough in NSW Cup today, I still think they need to play him @ctr for 80mins, and put Nick into 2nd row instead of MMolo (who can play anywhere), but I also cant argue that Mick had a ripping game and Nick did too bar the 1 defensive glitch early... but if he is a 2nd rower whos potentially coming into 1st grade with 1 more injury.. he should be playing there.. im sure they wouldnt really consider him to play first grade as a ctr, like his running game is amazing (prob better than suli), but defensively against the games best.. i think they would go at him all day long.

Im not sure where Nick T fits in Rev to be honest. Kid has plenty of potential and goes well in cup. Playing centre he’s exceeding expectation but you’re right, if he’s getting close to a call up it won’t be as a centre.

He is off contract at the end of the season and it worries me that the club haven’t re signed him yet, not sure what’s doing there. Could be another case of Finau Latu where someone else swoops in then Flanno blows up but we all know the dragons management work at a snails pace with signings, re signings etc.

In my eyes he’s a keeper and into the top 30 for 2026 but I’m just a fan on here with zero pull. Bizarre!!

 

[Mailroomsgi]

o all gd I thought Halangahu had been promoted possibly into Ackers spot, if not he bypasses dev and str8 to Top30 next year.

o Rly interested to see how they manage Heidke and Reed from here.. Reed has been bought on slower than his similar aged comrades like Woods and Rodwell, and I think thats good, cause itll all come at him very fast once hes in the public eye and stepping up grades. But right now Glover is going so well in NSW Cup... and that side is hopefully going deep in finals.. would be a big call to disrupt it.. but who knows what injuries occur, we arent even half way thru the season.

o Heidke looked physically more than big enough in NSW Cup today, I still think they need to play him @ctr for 80mins, and put Nick into 2nd row instead of MMolo (who can play anywhere), but I also cant argue that Mick had a ripping game and Nick did too bar the 1 defensive glitch early... but if he is a 2nd rower whos potentially coming into 1st grade with 1 more injury.. he should be playing there.. im sure they wouldnt really consider him to play first grade as a ctr, like his running game is amazing (prob better than suli), but defensively against the games best.. i think they would go at him all day long.

Agree on the Reed point, there’s no rush. Letting him get reps in flegg is fine and probably a good test with a team that’s struggling a bit rather than dominating every game like our cup side

I also would like Tsougranis to get moved back to second row, whether they move Heidke to centre in cup idk but I think he could handle himself, he’s quite a lot bigger than Buchanan

 

[TheRev]

Im not sure where Nick T fits in Rev to be honest. Kid has plenty of potential and goes well in cup. Playing centre he’s exceeding expectation but you’re right, if he’s getting close to a call up it won’t be as a centre.

He is off contract at the end of the season and it worries me that the club haven’t re signed him yet, not sure what’s doing there. Could be another case of Finau Latu where someone else swoops in then Flanno blows up but we all know the dragons management work at a snails pace with signings, re signings etc.

In my eyes he’s a keeper and into the top 30 for 2026 but I’m just a fan on here with zero pull. Bizarre!!

I think we will retain Nick ok, a proper dragons boy vs Latu who was more of a mercenary from penrith (even though I know we shoulder blame too)... his runs today were terrifying, and his tackle where he came out of the line (very legal) on I forget who it was, but it was so Tariq its not funny. Hes big enough to play middle, skillful enough for 2nd row.. tbf he pulled off a couple of tackles today at ctr where he had no right.. but a traditional fast ctr running at him is terrifying.. we will find somewhere for him... I just thought with RFM being out of the squad.. now was the time.. I also wasnt sure if Nick vs Jacob have a strong preference for playing right side.. but with Egan out with an ACL, the left edge position is there all year to be filled..

Heidke to centre in cup idk but I think he could handle himself, he’s quite a lot bigger than Buchanan

I mean he was there today, and only got maybe 4 minutes.. and not his preffered side... seemed like they wanted to make sure the game was basically in the bag first.. seemed a bit of a waste though.... but imo hes physically big and fast, skilled, his error rate is good.. hes 19 going on 20.. he should be in cup imo.. like soon.. esp when we dont have any centres bar Buchanan...

I think if Sloan drops off for Lawson (can be the only reason he once again didnt play today), then Sloan drops back to nsw cup wing, and BRumble will drop out... what was odd today is they switched SFinau to the right and BRumble to the left.. and it cost us 2 tries that Ben bumbled on an unfamiliar side.. but there must be something in that... because Ben finished some beautiful tries last week on the right edge.. proper diving into the corner stuff... it obviously wasnt for his benefit.. perhaps SFinau is being given a chance to put his case up against Lawsons.

 

[jodragon40]

I think we will retain Nick ok, a proper dragons boy vs Latu who was more of a mercenary from penrith (even though I know we shoulder blame too)... his runs today were terrifying, and his tackle where he came out of the line (very legal) on I forget who it was, but it was so Tariq its not funny. Hes big enough to play middle, skillful enough for 2nd row.. tbf he pulled off a couple of tackles today at ctr where he had no right.. but a traditional fast ctr running at him is terrifying.. we will find somewhere for him... I just thought with RFM being out of the squad.. now was the time.. I also wasnt sure if Nick vs Jacob have a strong preference for playing right side.. but with Egan out with an ACL, the left edge position is there all year to be filled..


I mean he was there today, and only got maybe 4 minutes.. and not his preffered side... seemed like they wanted to make sure the game was basically in the bag first.. seemed a bit of a waste though.... but imo hes physically big and fast, skilled, his error rate is good.. hes 19 going on 20.. he should be in cup imo.. like soon.. esp when we dont have any centres bar Buchanan...

I think if Sloan drops off for Lawson (can be the only reason he once again didnt play today), then Sloan drops back to nsw cup wing, and BRumble will drop out... what was odd today is they switched SFinau to the right and BRumble to the left.. and it cost us 2 tries that Ben bumbled on an unfamiliar side.. but there must be something in that... because Ben finished some beautiful tries last week on the right edge.. proper diving into the corner stuff... it obviously wasnt for his benefit.. perhaps SFinau is being given a chance to put his case up against Lawsons.

There has been quite a bit of chatter not only on this forum that Sloan may be on the edge of being dropped for Lawson. Now just speaking from a coaches perspective here, it would be a very brave coach, putting aside Sloan's defensive frailties, to drop him on his current attacking form.

At the moment he sits in 4th on the tryscoring list this season. Personally I can't see him being dropped as long as he continues his try scoring feats. Surely if CT was available it would be him and Sloan as our run on wingers?

 

[redv13]

There has been quite a bit of chatter not only on this forum that Sloan may be on the edge of being dropped for Lawson. Now just speaking from a coaches perspective here, it would be a very brave coach, putting aside Sloan's defensive frailties, to drop him on his current attacking form.

At the moment he sits in 4th on the tryscoring list this season. Personally I can't see him being dropped as long as he continues his try scoring feats. Surely if CT was available it would be him and Sloan as our run on wingers?

Agree with you jo. Some people may think I’m crazy but Sloan has improved in quite a few areas with his play this year. Defensively yeah I’ll admit that he needs some urgent work (tackle efficiency of 70%) but in 2025 he’s played 9 games, scored 9 tries and made 12 linebreaks.

Seeing him sniff around the ruck and trailing the play just waiting to pounce is something that respectfully all our other wingers can’t and don’t do and besides Finau on Anzac Day, our other wingers are flat out making more than 40 m from a bust. I hope they persist with him and the penny drops for the kid.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

what was odd today is they switched SFinau to the right and BRumble to the left.. and it cost us 2 tries that Ben bumbled on an unfamiliar side..

Just watched Rumble the bumbler stuff up those two. Too slow, too cumberson, not FG standard. Finau wud've shat em in. With those lost 10, possibly 14 pts we win the game.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

I think we will retain Nick ok, a proper dragons boy vs Latu who was more of a mercenary from penrith (even though I know we shoulder blame too)... his runs today were terrifying, and his tackle where he came out of the line (very legal) on I forget who it was, but it was so Tariq its not funny. Hes big enough to play middle, skillful enough for 2nd row.. tbf he pulled off a couple of tackles today at ctr where he had no right.. but a traditional fast ctr running at him is terrifying.. we will find somewhere for him... I just thought with RFM being out of the squad.. now was the time.. I also wasnt sure if Nick vs Jacob have a strong preference for playing right side.. but with Egan out with an ACL, the left edge position is there all year to be filled..


I mean he was there today, and only got maybe 4 minutes.. and not his preffered side... seemed like they wanted to make sure the game was basically in the bag first.. seemed a bit of a waste though.... but imo hes physically big and fast, skilled, his error rate is good.. hes 19 going on 20.. he should be in cup imo.. like soon.. esp when we dont have any centres bar Buchanan...

I think if Sloan drops off for Lawson (can be the only reason he once again didnt play today), then Sloan drops back to nsw cup wing, and BRumble will drop out... what was odd today is they switched SFinau to the right and BRumble to the left.. and it cost us 2 tries that Ben bumbled on an unfamiliar side.. but there must be something in that... because Ben finished some beautiful tries last week on the right edge.. proper diving into the corner stuff... it obviously wasnt for his benefit.. perhaps SFinau is being given a chance to put his case up against Lawsons.

Nick The Greek should only debut in the 2nd row, playing centre he will get crucified coming up against NRL standard centre's with pace especially, he would be great for those times when you lose and back and they shuffle the 2nd rower out to centre, that's the only time he plays there.
We don't need to move on Nick because of Jacob or any other forward within our club, there is room for all of them currently, Nick is showing potential, we dont need to move him on, i would be shocked if he isnt signed up on a 2 year deal.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Nice set early in the 2nd, couple of risky passes to get Ramsey in the clear..

Set play, well worked, with Ilias putting Ramsay into a yawning gap. Mins later the improving ball playing half puts Mike Molo over to take the lead.. Wingers playing outside Buchanan must be so frustrated as the guy NEVER passes the ball. Liu is good, could be even better if he developed second phase. Watch Toby Couchman son.

 

[redv13]

Just watched Rumble the bumbler stuff up those two. Too slow, too cumberson, not FG standard. Finau wud've shat em in. With those lost 10, possibly 14 pts we win the game.

They did win the game

 

[jodragon40]

Nick The Greek should only debut in the 2nd row, playing centre he will get crucified coming up against NRL standard centre's with pace especially, he would be great for those times when you lose and back and they shuffle the 2nd rower out to centre, that's the only time he plays there.
We don't need to move on Nick because of Jacob or any other forward within our club, there is room for all of them currently, Nick is showing potential, we dont need to move him on, i would be shocked if he isnt signed up on a 2 year deal.

I am sure that a premiership winning coach can see tge positives in this young fella. 2nd rowers that can competantly cover a centre spots are far and few between.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

They did win the game

Silly me, thinking of Flegg when we clocked off early and let the Raiders run all over us.

 

[TheRev]

There has been quite a bit of chatter not only on this forum that Sloan may be on the edge of being dropped for Lawson.

I think he has to be playing Lawson this week after he missed yesterdays NSW Cup game (unless there is some injury we dont know about), I think he was very close against Brisbane but ended up 18th man.. hes missed 2 valuable development footy games.... and it would have to be for a reason.

Plus Justa is saying Sloan has been tapped so hes on the way out the door probably..

On top of that the Finau to right edge move on the weekend would also not be a coincidence.. I suspect CT has left side locked from the coaches perspective but Lawson/Finau are fighting it out for the right.. but he clearly prefers Lawson.. but if he blows his chance.. Finau is there.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

gets it to Ilias with plenty of time and space... and just bombs it again.

Again? Did his best to get ball to outside support. Dont call that a bombed try as Raiders had plenty of defense around the ball carriers. Besides we were leading by 10 with game won. Ilias had another good game, 2 try assists another except Rumble stuffed it, decent long kicking game , solid defense even made a couple of runs. Like him to both take on line and use his short kicking game more.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

but he clearly prefers Lawson

Course he does as he is one of 'his boys'.

 

[redv13]

Course he does as he is one of 'his boys'.

I’m not sure Lawson will be as “good” as others think when he plays 1st grade. Hope I’m wrong but he’s not exactly wowing my socks off in cup

 

[RedV01]

Again? Did his best to get ball to outside support. Dont call that a bombed try as Raiders had plenty of defense around the ball carriers. Besides we were leading by 10 with game won. Ilias had another good game, 2 try assists another except Rumble stuffed it, decent long kicking game , solid defense even made a couple of runs. Like him to both take on line and use his short kicking game more.

Reserve grade has gone to another level since Ilias has been in the team. He obviously leads them around well.

 

[jodragon40]

Reserve grade has gone to another level since Ilias has been in the team. He obviously leads them around well.

Just speaking from personal experience here. There have been occasions during my coaching stint when players of decent quality have lost form as a result of injury. They struggled both physically and mentally from doubt that they could be as good as they were or the fear of being re injured and their dreams of playing 1sts were gone forever.

I found that the best way was to allow those players time and space, supporting them and reinterating that we were not turning our backs on them. Now Illias injury was one of the worst leg injuries a half could suffer. To my old eyes it has affected him in the ways I have mentioned.

His last 2 games give me some hope his self belief is returning . It's not too hard to manage a team around the park when your 20 points ahead its a different kettle of fish managing a team 14 behind at the break yesterday. This is when you see the best out of your play maker and game manager.

I thought he went very well and is returning to the form which we signed him on. I hope that he is given another opportunity in 1sts.

 

[blacksafake]

Dropping Sloan would be silly.
He’s the only back we’ve got who can run the distance in scoring.
Val is quick over about 40 but that’s it.
Fcuk Liddle is quicker than the rest of our backs. In today’s game speed is essential.

 

[jodragon40]

Dropping Sloan would be silly.
He’s the only back we’ve got who can run the distance in scoring.
Val is quick over about 40 but that’s it.
Fcuk Liddle is quicker than the rest of our backs. In today’s game speed is essential.

Agree we lack genuine speed in the backline

 

[Dragons Chris]

Lachlan Ilias was busy in the Dragons’ win over the Raiders, scoring a try and setting up two more while also getting three linebreak assists, 76 running metres and making 15 tackles with one miss.

Michael Molo was unstoppable up front, finishing with a try, a linebreak, 151 running metres and 22 tackles — one miss. Meanwhile, workhorse hooker Connor Muhleisen had one of his best games to date and was rewarded with a try that ended up sealing the game. The 24-year-old also notched up two linebreaks, 140 running metres and 45 tackles — four misses.

---

I think Ilias and LKT could be a very formidable halves combo. At least much more formidable than what we have now.