Recruitment and Retention for 2025

[RedV01]

Danny Weidler is laying down the law. Demanding Dragons sign Gutherson on a long-term deal without delay. This is needed because a dozen other clubs are beating down the door, trying to sign Gutherson. I'd bet he was doing something similar with RFM. Another rumour is that Flanno is talking to Gaz about coming out of retirement. Because every young player in the squad, like U25, needs an experienced journeyman to mentor them.

This club is just going from strength to strength.

 

[RedV01]

Maybe Flanno wants Gaz to play in the forwards because Ryan and Toby, "AreN't REadY YeT".

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

This forum is starting to become like the other one...

You're right, maybe time for break.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

First we let promising half Ashton Ward go now another junior half Levi Valesini,18 has been poached by the wooden spooners.The kid has already played first grade against grown men for Albion Park in the Illawarra league and had a ground-breaking 2024 by being named Group 7 under 18 player of the year and also South Coast Laurie Daley Cup MVP.
Why nurture our juniors, both Illawarra and St George then let other clubs benefit from their talent. MAKES NO BLOODY SENSE!!!!!

We have
Lyhkan King-Togia
Kade Reed
Aaymon Fitzgibbon
Who at the same age were already playing SG Ball and regular local FG
All 3 signed long term deals and are training with FG squad.
We also have Lewis Sargent Wilson that we have moved up to Dragons SG Ball squad to fit him into our development.

Who out of those players do you suggest we let go to fit Levi in, who didn't make the Steelers squad or the Magpies squad at this stage.
I bet you have never seen this kid play..
This is a fluff story by the mole for success.

 

[Eric]

We have
Lyhkan King-Togia
Kade Reed
Aaymon Fitzgibbon
Who at the same age were already playing SG Ball and regular local FG
All 3 signed long term deals and are training with FG squad.
We also have Lewis Sargent Wilson that we have moved up to Dragons SG Ball squad to fit him into our development.

Who out of those players do you suggest we let go to fit Levi in, who didn't make the Steelers squad or the Magpies squad at this stage.
This is a fluff story by the mole for success.

Been hearing about Aaymon Fitzgibbon for a while. Is he as good as they say? I was very impressed by that halfback Rorters poached from Illawarra. Was it Rodwell? I wonder what he is doing now stuck behind Sam Walker.

 

[Eric]

Danny Weidler is laying down the law. Demanding Dragons sign Gutherson on a long-term deal without delay. This is needed because a dozen other clubs are beating down the door, trying to sign Gutherson. I'd bet he was doing something similar with RFM. Another rumour is that Flanno is talking to Gaz about coming out of retirement. Because every young player in the squad, like U25, needs an experienced journeyman to mentor them.

This club is just going from strength to strength.

I mean, has Sloan been playing too well not to be replaced? I wish he turned out much better. Maybe he can be after a spell in the lower grades. He's not even that small compared to a few other fullbacks. And not that young anymore either.

 

[Chris M]

I mean, has Sloan been playing too well not to be replaced? I wish he turned out much better. Maybe he can be after a spell in the lower grades. He's not even that small compared to a few other fullbacks. And not that young anymore either.

I reckon centre might become his spot. But probably not at the Dragons because Suli and Holmes are there for the next few years. The ESL is probably well suited to his game. More flair but less tough stuff.

 

[Dave03]

Sloan's best shot at development is learning from one of the best fullbacks of the last decade. All resources available to Sloan, if he applies himself & is willing to learn then he'll fulfil his talent.

 

[Dave03]

I reckon we'll get a group signing announcement, I think we've done it on Fridays in the past? I could be mistaken...

 

[Ryan]

Sloan's best shot at development is learning from one of the best fullbacks of the last decade. All resources available to Sloan, if he applies himself & is willing to learn then he'll fulfil his talent.

I guess Sloan will have to make one of the wing spots his own or he is gone. He won't wait around for Gutho to retire. I don't think he will make it as a winger.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

I guess Sloan will have to make one of the wing spots his own or he is gone. He won't wait around for Gutho to retire. I don't think he will make it as a winger.

Hed aint no winger, he will be targeted on the kicks, kick to fullback, 2nd hit up will be his when kick is on his side and he will get pushed back, putting us on the back foot, i can't see 1 preseason helping him enough, in transitioning to the wing physically..

 

[Dave03]

He can look at AJ & Foxx as blueprints for wingers, both pretty successful with a smaller frame. If you're looking for Sloan to help with kick returns then you're asking for trouble. He can make it as an ace finisher & float around as a secondary fullback. He won't have a better shot at 1st grade than our team.

 

[TheRev]

Its not Sloans size holding him back though, if it was as easy as studying other small players, he would have fixed the problem in the last 3 years, he just cant seem to make defensive players miss him on kick returns... he has taken now to just running hard into the defender to atleast help him compete in the collision... but especially if there is 2 of em, 1 holds him for a second or 2 and the next guy drives him.

I want Sloan to have a huge pre-season, get thicc, and start making post contact metres (in a positive direction), but there is no indication that its in his skillset, because its easier to do it from the centre of the field than up against a sideline where he can get picked up and driven into touch on every carry, imo his best attributes are when he can run sideways at speed to create defensive uncertainty.. or just support a ball carrier.

Basically Sloans future is in his hands.. as we have no marquee wingers.. we have good hard men in Allan, Feagai and CTui fighting it out for likely the left wing position (SFinau I think is the right side option, but he can play both).. if he cant prove he is a better winger than those blokes then stick to fullback.. there is no harm in playing NSW Cup fullback.. all the good clubs have a proper replacement in that grade.. and he has to take it seriously if he does.. body on the line on every tackle.. respect the ball in attack.. take it seriously, not look for highlight moments.. its really his moment to get better or plateau.. and realistically 1 gutho injury happens.. and Sloan is back anyway.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

And not that young anymore either.

22, yeh he's over the hill. Would you accept being sent back to Reserve grade if you were in his shoes. He will want Firsts or want out is my view. All I can say is Gutherson better be worth the huge coin we are forking out for him. If he was such an Eels legend why then did Ryles give him the flick.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

I don't mind Croft.

Been a road block to having him here for '25. Not heard, that he was unable to exercise his get out clause in time so will play an additional year in England. Does not sound like a smart guy to me joining a new club 12 months ago, if he had been contemplating returning home.

 

[Chris M]

22, yeh he's over the hill. Would you accept being sent back to Reserve grade if you were in his shoes. He will want Firsts or want out is my view. All I can say is Gutherson better be worth the huge coin we are forking out for him. If he was such an Eels legend why then did Ryles give him the flick.

Wondering that as well. I was a defender of Sloan until mid-way through this year but I think we have to admit, he hasn't really kicked on. many more shockers than blinders.

Gutho will be steady. At least for the first year or two. I can't understand signing him for 3 years. Surely the last year is a club option. I remember a Parra game this year after Gutho didn't play well. After the game, commentators were talking about how he has lost a step in speed. That was apparently why Ryles didn't want him. Not a big issue in and of itself. Tedesco has slowed down as well but can you imagine this backline?

1. Gutho
2. CT
3. Holmes
4. Suli
5. Allen

That is laugably slow. Might be able to bash weaker teams into submission but won't get anywhere near better teams.

 

[Chris M]

Been a road block to having him here for '25. Not heard, that he was unable to exercise his get out clause in time so will play an additional year in England. Does not sound like a smart guy to me joining a new club 12 months ago, if he had been contemplating returning home.

Croft is ok. Would be an ok signing for 2 years but I'd prefer Atkinson.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

and he has to take it seriously if he does.. body on the line on every tackle.. respect the ball in attack..

I saw a major improvement in these aspects of his game the longer the season went. You did not? His defensive reading still has work but if he is on the wing then he only has to concentrate on his opposite instead of two, sometimes three attackers. Has he bulked up in off season, if so he can handle being on the flank as he possess effective evasive skills to avoid being bundled into touch on every carry. He has a smart footy brain too and will use his ball skills or chip kick. Sione Finau and Sloan are my two wing men. CT should be moved into the pack. Allan and Fegai to Ressies.

he has taken now to just running hard into the defender to atleast help him compete in the collision.

That is a smart move if he knows he cant step or run round defenders as it avoids him being rag dolled and his team losing valuable ground.

 

[Chris M]

That is a smart move if he knows he cant step or run round defenders as it avoids him being rag dolled and his team losing valuable ground.

I agree but look how GCs smaller and younger fullback runs into the defence. Or Paps who is smaller and young. I think he's only 25 or 26. Sloans runs look half-heated at best. It's disappointing but I guess Flanno had seen enough.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

blinders

People expected too much from Sloan. Is unfair to compared him with established fullbacks with years of cred. His game is steadier these days, less of the risky fancy stuff. Still, this is a moot point as now he does not have to play in the most difficult position in the game. I reckon he can handle the flank, if he is not put there I see him asking for a release.