Recruitment and Retention for 2023

[GCRV]

Precisely the kind of player Griffin specialises in. Btw where did his nickname Hook come from. Should be the 'reject king' instead.

He obviously fancied himself as a coach who can get extra out of players other coaches can't. He was obviously wrong.

 

[Morgan]

Dragons hooker Connor Muhleisen set up two tires and got three linebreak assists, while also making 44 tackles with just two misses in his side’s loss, while Jayden Sullivan once again proved why he needs to be playing first grade with two linebreaks, two linebreak assists, five tackle busts and 122 running metres.

 

[jodragon40]

Muhleisen will make it but not until the coaches love affair with McCullough is over. As I mentioned before when you play U20/Reserves the emphasis is on attack but you have to develop your defensive skills to make it into 1sts. Unfortunately for young Muhleisen he is 3rd in line at the moment behind McCullough Mbye which I personally disagree with but I'm not the coach.

 

[GCRV]

Muhleisen will make it but not until the coaches love affair with McCullough is over. As I mentioned before when you play U20/Reserves the emphasis is on attack but you have to develop your defensive skills to make it into 1sts. Unfortunately for young Muhleisen he is 3rd in line at the moment behind McCullough Mbye which I personally disagree with but I'm not the coach.

It (Muhleisen not yet getting a chance and 3rd in line) is bizarre. Granted, McCullough is the apple of Griffin's eye but even Mbye is in front of him.

 

[Eric]

Dragons hooker Connor Muhleisen set up two tires and got three linebreak assists, while also making 44 tackles with just two misses in his side’s loss, while Jayden Sullivan once again proved why he needs to be playing first grade with two linebreaks, two linebreak assists, five tackle busts and 122 running metres.

I like Ben Hunt. I'm a fan but it seems to me that from next year, the coach has a spine he can work with for the next 10 years. I'm referring to Sloan, Amone, Sullivan and Muhleisen. Hunt might want to jump ship in order to secure himself another 3 years elsewhere, knowing he won't get an extension at St George Illawarra.

 

[GCRV]

I like Ben Hunt. I'm a fan but it seems to me that from next year, the coach has a spine he can work with for the next 10 years. I'm referring to Sloan, Amone, Sullivan and Muhleisen. Hunt might want to jump ship in order to secure himself another 3 years elsewhere, knowing he won't get an extension at St George Illawarra.

I hate to be the one to rain on the parade but McCullough and Hunt are both under contract until the end of next year. It's entirely possible Hook is going to keep both and lose one of Amone or Sullivan along with Muhleisen. And he might decide Ramsey is not only better now but will be in the future better than Sloan.

That's not what I think should happen. Only what I think the coach might decide based on his conduct so far.

 

[jodragon40]

It (Muhleisen not yet getting a chance and 3rd in line) is bizarre. Granted, McCullough is the apple of Griffin's eye but even Mbye is in front of him.

Agree

 

[GCRV]

Agree

What do they say? Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

 

[Morgan]

What do they say? Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Don't underestimate yourself

 

[Eric]

Article in the DT about 15 Origin players on the market from November 1. They mention the Dolphins and Canterbury are going to be active. The latter is utter nonsense. They already have several players on overs now and a few more big money recruits coming next season.

Anyway, here is the list and a few comments on how, IMO it might concern the Dragons.

• Daniel Tupou - No thanks. Past his best and don't need him.
• Victor Radley - Overrated. Don't like him even though he plays in a position Dragons might need.
• Ben Hunt - Let him go. We've got Sullivan.
• Damien Cook - He'll probably retire.
• Stephen Crichton - Good player but don't need backs.
• Liam Martin - Workman-like. Only sign him for relatively minimal money.
• Brian To’o - Dittop for Steven Crighton.
• Murray Taulagi - Good player, don't need backs.
• Cameron Munster - Good player, maybe best right now, but don't need halves.
• Selwyn Cobbo - Don't need havles.
• Thomas Flegler - I'd definitely be in favour of the club trying to poach him.
• Siosifa Talakai - Would be an outstanding pick up to play in the forwards.
• Jeremiah Nanai - As above though of course he'd play in the forwards.
• Matt Burton - Don't need halves or backs.
• Latrell Mitchell - Don't need backs.
• Angus Crichton - This makes #16. He is the only one available to sign now for next season so the above 15 statement isn't a typo. Would be a coup for the club to poach.

 

[GCRV]

Article in the DT about 15 Origin players on the market from November 1. They mention the Dolphins and Canterbury are going to be active. The latter is utter nonsense. They already have several players on overs now and a few more big money recruits coming next season.

Anyway, here is the list and a few comments on how, IMO it might concern the Dragons.

• Daniel Tupou - No thanks. Past his best and don't need him.
• Victor Radley - Overrated. Don't like him even though he plays in a position Dragons might need.
• Ben Hunt - Let him go. We've got Sullivan.
• Damien Cook - He'll probably retire.
• Stephen Crichton - Good player but don't need backs.
• Liam Martin - Workman-like. Only sign him for relatively minimal money.
• Brian To’o - Dittop for Steven Crighton.
• Murray Taulagi - Good player, don't need backs.
• Cameron Munster - Good player, maybe best right now, but don't need halves.
• Selwyn Cobbo - Don't need havles.
• Thomas Flegler - I'd definitely be in favour of the club trying to poach him.
• Siosifa Talakai - Would be an outstanding pick up to play in the forwards.
• Jeremiah Nanai - As above though of course he'd play in the forwards.
• Matt Burton - Don't need halves or backs.
• Latrell Mitchell - Don't need backs.
• Angus Crichton - This makes #16. He is the only one available to sign now for next season so the above 15 statement isn't a typo. Would be a coup for the club to poach.

Realistically, the club would be interested in every one of them, possibly barring Cook because he's nearing retirement, for the right price.

 

[Morgan]

According to Fox Sports, the Dragons are one of the few clubs not interested in Matt Lodge for a mid-season transfer.... There's that name Luke Thompson again. I'd love for the club to recruit him but if it happens, it won't be until next year. I still haven't written off this year.

Thanks but no thanks in regard to Tyrone Peachey.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS​

Available roster spots: 2
What they need: A utility and a lock
Who they could target: Tyrone Peachey and Luke Thompson

The Dragons could benefit from a bench utility that can be played outside of playmaking roles. Tyrone Peachey could be just that man.

Moses Mbye currently occupies the No.14 jersey, but is generally played in the halves or at fullback so Peachey could provide an option in the centres, backrow or at lock and sit alongside him on the bench.

The Tigers gun is seeking an immediate release and the Red V could be a genuine option. The Dragons also could be looking at strengthening their middle forwards, following Paul Vaughan and Daniel Alvaro’s departure.

Luke Thompson could be on the way out of the Bulldogs due to salary cap constraints and could be a perfect replacement for Tariq Sims who departs for the Storm at the season’s end.

 

[Chris M]

According to Fox Sports, the Dragons are one of the few clubs not interested in Matt Lodge for a mid-season transfer.... There's that name Luke Thompson again. I'd love for the club to recruit him but if it happens, it won't be until next year. I still haven't written off this year.

Thanks but no thanks in regard to Tyrone Peachey.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS​

Available roster spots: 2
What they need: A utility and a lock
Who they could target: Tyrone Peachey and Luke Thompson

The Dragons could benefit from a bench utility that can be played outside of playmaking roles. Tyrone Peachey could be just that man.

Moses Mbye currently occupies the No.14 jersey, but is generally played in the halves or at fullback so Peachey could provide an option in the centres, backrow or at lock and sit alongside him on the bench.

The Tigers gun is seeking an immediate release and the Red V could be a genuine option. The Dragons also could be looking at strengthening their middle forwards, following Paul Vaughan and Daniel Alvaro’s departure.

Luke Thompson could be on the way out of the Bulldogs due to salary cap constraints and could be a perfect replacement for Tariq Sims who departs for the Storm at the season’s end.

If the salaries of Lodge and Thompson were both being subsidised, as it'd have to be in regard to Thompson but not sure about Lodge, could aim for both. A prop rotation of Lodge, Thompson, Lawrie and Coric.

 

[Morgan]

If the salaries of Lodge and Thompson were both being subsidised, as it'd have to be in regard to Thompson but not sure about Lodge, could aim for both. A prop rotation of Lodge, Thompson, Lawrie and Coric.

How about Molo?

 

[Chris M]

How about Molo?

Forgot about him. He's hardly torn up the opposition but given he's still under contract for another 2 years after this, not worth moving on and paying a significant % of his salary. So only Lodge or Thompson. Thompson is a better player but he's suspended so often, Lodge might be a better option.

 

[jodragon40]

If the salaries of Lodge and Thompson were both being subsidised, as it'd have to be in regard to Thompson but not sure about Lodge, could aim for both. A prop rotation of Lodge, Thompson, Lawrie and Coric.

Lodge has been paid out he is presently unemployed but was reported to have purchased a house in the vicinity of the Manly area hence the alleged connection with the Sea Eagles to possibly replace Taupau who has recently lost his starting spot at prop and is off contract next season.

 

[Chris M]

Lodge has been paid out he is presently unemployed but was reported to have purchased a house in the vicinity of the Manly area hence the alleged connection with the Sea Eagles to possibly replace Taupau who has recently lost his starting spot at prop and is off contract next season.

That's true but he's already rented it out. I think they are getting rid of Taupau is because they have no salary cap space to keep him. They have 3 players on around 1mil or a bit over. Dragons of course only have one who is off contract in the not distant future.

 

[GCRV]

According to Fox Sports, the Dragons are one of the few clubs not interested in Matt Lodge for a mid-season transfer.... There's that name Luke Thompson again. I'd love for the club to recruit him but if it happens, it won't be until next year. I still haven't written off this year.

Thanks but no thanks in regard to Tyrone Peachey.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS​

Available roster spots: 2
What they need: A utility and a lock
Who they could target: Tyrone Peachey and Luke Thompson

The Dragons could benefit from a bench utility that can be played outside of playmaking roles. Tyrone Peachey could be just that man.

Moses Mbye currently occupies the No.14 jersey, but is generally played in the halves or at fullback so Peachey could provide an option in the centres, backrow or at lock and sit alongside him on the bench.

The Tigers gun is seeking an immediate release and the Red V could be a genuine option. The Dragons also could be looking at strengthening their middle forwards, following Paul Vaughan and Daniel Alvaro’s departure.

Luke Thompson could be on the way out of the Bulldogs due to salary cap constraints and could be a perfect replacement for Tariq Sims who departs for the Storm at the season’s end.

Either Lodge or Thompson would be a great signing for the Dragons. Either this year would be huge! To get both is probably wishful thinking.

 

[Morgan]

Slow day. I just wanted to vent as to why the Dragons are never linked to any top players these days? I understand the salary cap was out of whack but now Norman, McInnes, Vaughan and soon Sims, all of whom were/are massively overpaid, are gone, and all replaced by local juniors or aging veterans on minimal money, what's going on? Did the coach have to spend 750k a year to re-sign the young local juniors he keeps talking about?

 

[RedV01]

Slow day. I just wanted to vent as to why the Dragons are never linked to any top players these days? I understand the salary cap was out of whack but now Norman, McInnes, Vaughan and soon Sims, all of whom were/are massively overpaid, are gone, and all replaced by local juniors or aging veterans on minimal money, what's going on? Did the coach have to spend 750k a year to re-sign the young local juniors he keeps talking about?

What the hell are you talking about? Only about a week ago or less, the guy from Fox Sports was recommending the club so after Parramatta reserve grade lock, Nathan Brown. Coach has gone after forwards their current clubs and no others want previously so why not "try" and sign Nathan Brown. I mean, "try" because I don't think he's in high demand.