Recruitment and Retention for 2025

[Wild383]

yeah, some of them are good technically speaking, playing a game at one club is a former club. I rate Cook and Val at well. Well, not sure about Cook. He's getting really long in the tooth for a hooker but hopefully he has two more years left in him. Disagree about Eisenhuth and RFM. Shouldn't have been signed IMO.

It wasn't a question of throwing them to the wolves. They were playing well in NSW Cup for Egan or very well for the Couchmans but still couldn't get a look in behind RFM, Eisenhuth and BMM who were playing badly more often than not. I know all 3 of them, and Kyle as well played the odd good game but that shouldn't be enough! There was really else for Kyle but there was for the other 3.

Playing a game is a former club agree but that isn't a journeyman. People also seem to forget the fact thatd we'd been an absolute basket case of a club for the best part of a decade and in particular the last 5 years no one wanted to touch us with a 10ft pole. So he came in with f*ck all options got some decent depth signings, put them all to the sword and made them prove their worth. Hell even JDB who's been super solid for us had to earn a one year extension, and in reality that's what we needed. Now 12 months later we've gone from RFM being the biggest name signing to Val, Cookie and Gutho. That in itself is bloody awesome to me.

The couchmen did get a look in though, just because they didn't start the year doesn't mean they didn't get a look in. They were only just 21 at that point and needed to earn their spot and prove themselves to a new coach, they did that and in my opinion are better players because of it. They're still developing and Egan will likely do the same this year. I hope they get the first tray at a full year in 2025.

Also on BMM I strongly disagree that he was playing badly, he had one his better years in a long while. Shorter stints, simple game plan and made a big impact up the middle when he came on, in particular leading into half time. We looked a lot better with him on then bench than RFM or Lawrie and it was disappointing he went out with the injury.

 

[st george tragic]

So Couchmans won't be seeing much first grade next season and Egan none.

Flanno has lost the plot! He just can't let go of his journeymen. Gutho is at his 3rd club, Cook 4th if counting Dragons the first time, Val 3rd, RFM 3rd, Eisenhuth.... no idea. First I heard of him was a fringe first grader at Melbourne. Probably several. He's 32 now. Kyle Flanno 4th. Why does he keep signing and resigning these types? Don't get me wrong, some are astute buys but too many of them and they are all Flanno recruits.

I think you have lost the plot. Flanno is doing great best we have had since Bennett. This team is playing finals next year stop being so negative we have had enough negativity for the last 6 years (hunt). We are going up the laddder

 

[GCRV]

I think you have lost the plot. Flanno is doing great best we have had since Bennett. This team is playing finals next year stop being so negative we have had enough negativity for the last 6 years (hunt). We are going up the laddder

Why? Compared to Griffin and I think McGregor and Price, his first year was the worst.

I'm not negative. But Eisenhuth is a 32 year-old journeyman who was really pretty bad last year. Better than RFM but pretty bad. Due to the number of good young forwards already in or almost in first grade, Eisenhuth must not be re-signed.

 

[GCRV]

Playing a game is a former club agree but that isn't a journeyman. People also seem to forget the fact thatd we'd been an absolute basket case of a club for the best part of a decade and in particular the last 5 years no one wanted to touch us with a 10ft pole. So he came in with f*ck all options got some decent depth signings, put them all to the sword and made them prove their worth. Hell even JDB who's been super solid for us had to earn a one year extension, and in reality that's what we needed. Now 12 months later we've gone from RFM being the biggest name signing to Val, Cookie and Gutho. That in itself is bloody awesome to me.

The couchmen did get a look in though, just because they didn't start the year doesn't mean they didn't get a look in. They were only just 21 at that point and needed to earn their spot and prove themselves to a new coach, they did that and in my opinion are better players because of it. They're still developing and Egan will likely do the same this year. I hope they get the first tray at a full year in 2025.

Also on BMM I strongly disagree that he was playing badly, he had one his better years in a long while. Shorter stints, simple game plan and made a big impact up the middle when he came on, in particular leading into half time. We looked a lot better with him on then bench than RFM or Lawrie and it was disappointing he went out with the injury.

Ok, Gutho isn't a good example of a journeyman. Didn't mean to debate it. I think Gutho is a good signing.

Couchman's finally got a look in due to multiple injuries and suspensions.

BMM had a couple of ok games but take a look at his stats. Not much of anything except % of tackles missed.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Ok, Gutho isn't a good example of a journeyman. Didn't mean to debate it. I think Gutho is a good signing.

Couchman's finally got a look in due to multiple injuries and suspensions.

BMM had a couple of ok games but take a look at his stats. Not much of anything except % of tackles missed.

There’s nothing worse than playing youngsters in the NRL too early, can really ruin their development.
Tigers this year is a good case in point, Galvin being the exception not the rule. Playing 18/19 year old kids and getting smashed by 40 every other week isn’t good for them

 

[Dave03]

There’s nothing worse than playing youngsters in the NRL too early, can really ruin their development.
Tigers this year is a good case in point, Galvin being the exception not the rule. Playing 18/19 year old kids and getting smashed by 40 every other week isn’t good for them

They also leave the club...look at stefano. He was sick of losing.

 

[Ryan]

I think you have lost the plot. Flanno is doing great best we have had since Bennett. This team is playing finals next year stop being so negative we have had enough negativity for the last 6 years (hunt). We are going up the laddder

Flanno has put a spell over this forum. I'm hopeful and somewhat confident he's leading the team in the right direction. But so far he has acheied ziltch. 3 of his 4 signings for last season were a bust. I know he had excuses but what's with not being allowed to criticise him?

 

[GCRV]

There’s nothing worse than playing youngsters in the NRL too early, can really ruin their development.
Tigers this year is a good case in point, Galvin being the exception not the rule. Playing 18/19 year old kids and getting smashed by 40 every other week isn’t good for them

Thanks for the tip. I'm not an idiot. Couchmans were 20 and among the Dragons best forwards at the end of 2023. Your argument would've made sense a year ago. I know it's hypothetical but I think if they were in the team from round 1 instead of 2 of BMM, Eisenhuth or RFM, the blowout losses wouldn't have been such big blowouts and close losses might have turned into wins.

Couchmans should have been in from round 1 and Egan should've gotten a chance in the second half of the season. Flanno made a mistake. He's not the Pope. i.e. not infallible. We can say he made mistakes. If he re-signs Eisenhuth, I'm jumping on the sack Flanno bandwagon. That isn't meant to be a criticism of Eisenhuth. It's just Dragons have a lot of young forwards coming though and a 32 year-old, turning 33 in middle of next season journeyman is surplus to the teams needs.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

You guys wanted back line pace. Lawson has it. looks like a pro sprinter when in full flite. If he is on one wing and Finau on the other then Sloan is being left out in the cold. I tell you the kid will want out and we will lose one of most dangerous players. His best is yet to come and this club should benefit.

Couchies locked in till '27, bout bloody time.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

giving frank,

Already giving him a good run but they'll never give Jack the same. I see the Couchies as long term wearers of the RedV.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

We can say he made mistakes. If he re-signs Eisenhuth, I'm jumping on the sack Flanno bandwagon.

Me too as that will be a retrograde step given the positive signings of the past two months. One of the Couchies can fill his spot, tho prefer Jack was back there. A good organising half and a prop like May are the two most vital spots we have yet to fill so why are they taking the longest time. Make it happen Flanno.

 

[Dave03]

You guys wanted back line pace. Lawson has it. looks like a pro sprinter when in full flite. If he is on one wing and Finau on the other then Sloan is being left out in the cold. I tell you the kid will want out and we will lose one of most dangerous players. His best is yet to come and this club should benefit.

Couchies locked in till '27, bout bloody time.

Sloan isn't getting a 1st grade gig anywhere else. He's had heaps of chances already, if he was good enough then he'd be locked into the 17. His best shot at 1st grade is with us, he's down the pecking order at all other clubs. Way down.

 

[Chris M]

Sloan isn't getting a 1st grade gig anywhere else. He's had heaps of chances already, if he was good enough then he'd be locked into the 17. His best shot at 1st grade is with us, he's down the pecking order at all other clubs. Way down.

Sad but true.

 

[st george tragic]

Flanno has put a spell over this forum. I'm hopeful and somewhat confident he's leading the team in the right direction. But so far he has acheied ziltch. 3 of his 4 signings for last season were a bust. I know he had excuses but what's with not being allowed to criticise him?

Of course your allowed to criticise but I don't understand the early critics. I think he is taking us in the right direction however I will wait and see where it goes before I get on the critics train. I personally am very excited about next year now Hunt has gone I hope I'm correct only time will tell.

 

[TheRev]

o I guess you feel what you feel.. nothing we can say here will change that... but the glass is half full or its half empty.. you can enjoy the games, and support the coach/players or you can be angry at the premiership-winning coaches selections 'every single week'... which doesn't sound like much fun.

o In terms of signings... no-one we are going to be signing is going to be risk-free or anywhere close to 'perfect', its just not happening, I dont think fans understand how awful our club was allowed to become before Flanno took over.. Bottom 2 roster, poor Administration over a long period & no ability to attract the good talent for 3 reasons (i. poor roster ii.poor reputation, and iii. Sydney based players preferring not to have a Wollongong commute)

o I can't tell you how deep a hole we were in 12months ago, I honestly thought we could go under with 1 more bad year and an ever declining roster.... the darkest day for me was when we missed AFB, our chance to shortcut the recovery.. imo its a miracle we were competing for the Top8.. deadset miracle.. and I have a feeling the final 2025 roster will be well improved.. we just need a little luck shifting the last couple of dud players.. and if we could just get lucky with a gun prop..

o I feel pretty confident Flanno can get us out of the hole.. its just a question of how long it takes.. bur 2025 is critical imo.. we cant finish Bottom 4 or a lot of momentum is undone... that would be very dark.. we need Gutho/Cook/Val/<7>/<Prop> to elevate us towards being a more consistent footy side... if that fails.. then yes.. be concerned.

 

[Chris M]

Of course your allowed to criticise but I don't understand the early critics. I think he is taking us in the right direction however I will wait and see where it goes before I get on the critics train. I personally am very excited about next year now Hunt has gone I hope I'm correct only time will tell.

If a decent halfback can be recruited or manufactured (like a 5/8 or fullback turning into a good halfback), I'm excited about next year. But without, I think miss the 8 again. But it'll be good to have Hunt finally gone and all the negativity that has surrounded him from almost day 1.

 

[Chris M]

o I guess you feel what you feel.. nothing we can say here will change that... but the glass is half full or its half empty.. you can enjoy the games, and support the coach/players or you can be angry at the premiership-winning coaches selections 'every single week'... which doesn't sound like much fun.

Premiership winning coach when the team was admitted over the cap during the season and tainted by PEDs. Flanno still did a good job with what he had but it was "a premiership win*" (with an asterisks) rather than just a premiership win.

 

[GCRV]

o I guess you feel what you feel.. nothing we can say here will change that... but the glass is half full or its half empty.. you can enjoy the games, and support the coach/players or you can be angry at the premiership-winning coaches selections 'every single week'... which doesn't sound like much fun.

o In terms of signings... no-one we are going to be signing is going to be risk-free or anywhere close to 'perfect', its just not happening, I dont think fans understand how awful our club was allowed to become before Flanno took over.. Bottom 2 roster, poor Administration over a long period & no ability to attract the good talent for 3 reasons (i. poor roster ii.poor reputation, and iii. Sydney based players preferring not to have a Wollongong commute)

o I can't tell you how deep a hole we were in 12months ago, I honestly thought we could go under with 1 more bad year and an ever declining roster.... the darkest day for me was when we missed AFB, our chance to shortcut the recovery.. imo its a miracle we were competing for the Top8.. deadset miracle.. and I have a feeling the final 2025 roster will be well improved.. we just need a little luck shifting the last couple of dud players.. and if we could just get lucky with a gun prop..

o I feel pretty confident Flanno can get us out of the hole.. its just a question of how long it takes.. bur 2025 is critical imo.. we cant finish Bottom 4 or a lot of momentum is undone... that would be very dark.. we need Gutho/Cook/Val/<7>/<Prop> to elevate us towards being a more consistent footy side... if that fails.. then yes.. be concerned.

There is something between being angry about the coaches selections every week and being called negative for having a bad word to say about the coach.

I'm also pretty hopeful about Flanno's recruitment for next year. Also confident he can turn the team around. Like what he is doing so far but, last year he made a mistake picking those 3 forwards I've mentioned a number of times ahead of Couchman's.

 

[jodragon40]

Ah the wonders of rebuilding not only a team but a club. From the eyes of an old coaches perspective we are heading in the right direction. I mentioned back in 21 no player manager worth half his salt wanted their client to wear the big red v. The club had a discipline and cultural problem and did not offer any player coming off contract the belief or ability to even make the top 8, the coaches pre Flanagan were not rated and players simply didn't want to play under them, that is reality.

You can rebuild 2 ways, one at an accelerated rate to satisfy the demands of the fans and senior management or you take a slower more measured approach. The second option has always in my view been the best but as a coach you have to have that determination and resolve to deflect and ignore the doomsayers and criticism that will undoubtedly follow from within and outside the club.

We currently lack 2 positions in my view, a play maker/ game manager and a big bodied bookend. In 21 I said the next time we could possibly play semi finals football again was in 25 if we addressed those before mentioned issues. I still believe that under this coach, support staff and current top 30 players we can make at the very best 7th next season but until we get those 2 important missing pieces of the puzzle we won't have a competitive top 8 team.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Getting on the Sack Flanno Bandwagon based on Re-signing Eisenhuth on almost a minimum wage 1 year top 30 deal is bizarre.

We are obviously trending in a positive direction under Flanno (Can’t say that about any coach in recent memory we’ve had) and there is a reason JDB/Eisenhuth/RFM aren’t signed beyond 2025 - They will be phased out in 12-18 months for the young guns