Recruitment and Retention for 2025

[Chris M]

Yep but klemmer would be on the books for 2026 too. I don't want him using up 26 cap space if we get hazelton. Either way it's all wishful thinking until Dragons actually move Molo.

In a perfect world, could get him for just this year but not much chance in that. I really hope the club can move Fifita on a year early. Rava too. Lawson, Sloan, Finau and CT are all in front of him. Even Buchanan moving Holmes to the wing is a bit of a stretch for this year but wouldn't rule it out before Rava sees first grade.

Having said that, he'll probably be picked for round 1.

 

[Dave03]

Anyone seen a timeline for the molo situation? Is he still on leave? It's been dead silence.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

Anyone seen a timeline for the molo situation? Is he still on leave? It's been dead silence.

Molo situation is the key, we can't sign anyone while we have 30 registered players.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

No point getting Klemmer if we get Hazelton.

Need another experienced prop FOR THIS YEAR. Klemmer ideal on a two year deal. Take Tobys spot as he is gonna be burnt our before he starts if he remains a starting bookend. I see him as an ideal edgie or lock after Jack.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Sack Molo as his remaining here is muddying the waters. At the least remove him from our top 30. Flanno said it is a mess and he is spot on so needs to do something positive to remedy it..

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Having said that, he'll probably be picked for round 1.

Is Flanno planning to start both Rava and Feagai. God forbid. We have been down that disastrous path for too many years as it is.

 

[Edward]

I am dreading a brain dead move by Flanno to start both Rava and Feagai. God forbid. We have been down that disaster path too many times.

I think Rava not being picked even on the extended bench which Sloan is on spells the end of his first grade career. Barring an injury crisis.

 

[Chris M]

According to DT:

The St George Illawarra Dragons are poised to land the signature of Wests Tigers veteran David Klemmer in a major boost on the eve of the 2025 NRL season.

Klemmer is off contract at the Tigers at the end of the season, but is looking at an immediate exit from the club, and has been left out of coach Benji Marshall’s two trial teams while talks on his future are progressing with the Dragons.

Negotiations have been taking place behind the scenes for Klemmer to join the Dragons, who are looking to solve their stand-off with forward Francis Molo, who himself is seeking a release from the final two years of his Red-V contract.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

The wheels are in motion

Adrian Proszenko SMH

St George Illawarra have granted Frank Molo permission to negotiate with other clubs, with unsettled Wests Tigers star David Klemmer poised to fill the breach.

After initially having his release request blocked, the Dragons have opted to allow Molo to explore his options.

“The club’s concern has been Frank’s welfare,” said Dragons chair Andrew Lancaster.

“Frank and his manager have been told they can officially talk to other clubs but if they want a release from the contract Frank entered into then the Dragons will require adequate compensation.”

 

[TheRev]

Not everone is a fan of Klemmer, but 2 weeks from Round 1 I think Klemmer is a much much much much better option than any of the other guys I was looking at as being props that another NRL club would release early... did I mention 'much'?

According to helpful tigers fans... he supposedly pads his stats and cant move laterally to attempt tackles.. but nonetheless in the team who ran last in 2024, he played 20 games with stats like >100m per game (9.8m per run), 23 tackles per game (96% efficient), he is 198cm, 110kg, 31yrs old.. padded or not.. thats a body of work you could be happy with.. I think he would be an upgrade over frank tbh.. even when Frank was motivated.... rumour is its a 2yr deal which I think is solid.. were gonna need a few bodies to replace our guys retiring end of season.

 

[TheRev]

I think Rava not being picked even on the extended bench which Sloan is on spells the end of his first grade career. Barring an injury crisis.

We have 7 legit wing options in our squad (1 is a development player), and after last weekend, we had injuries to 4 of them (Sloan, Finau, CT, Allan).. so we were 1 injury off Ravalawa actually being one of the only choices left... shows you how easily it can happen even in the position we have the most depth... and this is before we even get to Round 1.

Hopefully a bunch of those will be back on deck however in the next few weeks.

 

[Edward]

We have 7 legit wing options in our squad (1 is a development player), and after last weekend, we had injuries to 4 of them (Sloan, Finau, CT, Allan).. so we were 1 injury off Ravalawa actually being one of the only choices left... shows you how easily it can happen even in the position we have the most depth... and this is before we even get to Round 1.

Hopefully a bunch of those will be back on deck however in the next few weeks.

Finau is back for the CS.

 

[Red T]

Tigers would chip in some of his salary ? Make sure Frankie pays a transfer fee to Dragons if he plays this year for another club (‘Fins ?). I think Klemmer might have a few good years in him as he has not done much these past few years. He will run hard that is for sure.

Flanno seems to excel in getting experienced players who are still motivated to play first grade..

 

[GCRV]

Tigers would chip in some of his salary ? Make sure Frankie pays a transfer fee to Dragons if he plays this year for another club (‘Fins ?). I think Klemmer might have a few good years in him as he has not done much these past few years. He will run hard that is for sure.

Flanno seems to excel in getting experienced players who are still motivated to play first grade..

Not sure about the 2nd paragraph but IMO. Not as if Eisenhuth, Flanagan, RFM were wanted by other clubs. But, Klemmar > Lodge, RCG, Molo.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Not everone is a fan of Klemmer, but 2 weeks from Round 1 I think Klemmer is a much much much much better option than any of the other guys I was looking at as being props that another NRL club would release early... did I mention 'much'?

According to helpful tigers fans... he supposedly pads his stats and cant move laterally to attempt tackles.. but nonetheless in the team who ran last in 2024, he played 20 games with stats like >100m per game (9.8m per run), 23 tackles per game (96% efficient), he is 198cm, 110kg, 31yrs old.. padded or not.. thats a body of work you could be happy with.. I think he would be an upgrade over frank tbh.. even when Frank was motivated.... rumour is its a 2yr deal which I think is solid.. were gonna need a few bodies to replace our guys retiring end of season.

Klemmer is good as he will fill the breach for this year and next if we dont land Hazleton. Are we still a chance for him Rev?
Yeh decent stats pretty much what I'd have expected from this bloke. Adds a bit of mongrel too, something Frank sadly lacked.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Finau is back for the CS.

So he picked up a niggle last game reason he only played short mins and Rava played INTERMINABLY.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Are we still a chance for him Rev?

Answering my own question. Seems the Warriors may have grabbed Hazleton from under our noses. Then again the Sharks say they are confident of keeping their cult hero.

 

[Edward]

Answering my own question. Seems the Warriors may have grabbed Hazleton from under our noses. Then again the Sharks say they are confident of keeping their cult hero.

On a short term deal I reckon Klemmer is better anyway. Future props for the team are Couchman x 2, Stewart and Tonga.

 

[TheRev]

Klemmer is good as he will fill the breach for this year and next if we dont land Hazleton. Are we still a chance for him Rev?
Yeh decent stats pretty much what I'd have expected from this bloke. Adds a bit of mongrel too, something Frank sadly lacked.

I dont have intel, but I believe we are very much after Klemmer + Hazelton for 2026 (but now he isnt as critical a purchase), I think these 2 would give us a base to work off with Guler, and by next year the Couchmans will be established first graders (even @22yrs of age). That would be us done though I imagine.. just the young kids filling in the gaps.. its extra incentive to make sure Lawrie is off the books for 2026 also.. JDBs future would be up to how he travels this year.. Sele we have to see how his year goes also.. it rly hasnt worked out so far.

Still dont think we have an out and out 13, but hopefully one of the guys in our system will grow into that.. but that could take 2yrs... and in the mean time we can just run an extra prop perhaps... RyanC is the others, but ur not putting him there unless hes training and playing nsw cup in that position..

 

[Edward]

I dont have intel, but I believe we are very much after Klemmer + Hazelton for 2026 (but now he isnt as critical a purchase), I think these 2 would give us a base to work off with Guler, and by next year the Couchmans will be established first graders (even @22yrs of age). That would be us done though I imagine.. just the young kids filling in the gaps.. its extra incentive to make sure Lawrie is off the books for 2026 also.. JDBs future would be up to how he travels this year.. Sele we have to see how his year goes also.. it rly hasnt worked out so far.

Still dont think we have an out and out 13, but hopefully one of the guys in our system will grow into that.. but that could take 2yrs... and in the mean time we can just run an extra prop perhaps... RyanC is the others, but ur not putting him there unless hes training and playing nsw cup in that position..

How many props do we need? With Klemmer, Gular, Couchmans, Tonga, Stewart, Lawrie and Sele. If Klemmer actually signs. Apparently we had all but secured Fonua-Blake and Campbell-Gillard.