Recruitment and Retention for 2025

[Ryan]

No way will Hamish Stewart put pressure on Luciano unless luc comes back 200kgs.

Luciano has been good, one of our few attacking threats.

I don't mean to criticise him. He wasn't a problem. Quite fat when he arrived but got better as the year progressed.

He might have to do a Suli and lose a few more kgs and come back fitter to keep Stewart or Egan out. For that reason I personally wouldn't mark him as "safe" for next year.

 

[jodragon40]

I think Holmes will spark our backline next season, gee he's playing well in a beaten team

 

[DragonsTragic]

I think Holmes will spark our backline next season, gee he's playing well in a beaten team

Let's hope that injury isn't too serious.

 

[Ryan]

Let's hope that injury isn't too serious.

Didn't watch the second half. What happened?

 

[jodragon40]

Didn't watch the second half. What happened?

Scored a great try but injured his lower leg. Tried to run it off but collapsed in agony hobbled off with 2 trainers supporting him and no weight on the leg

 

[GCRV]

I think Holmes will spark our backline next season, gee he's playing well in a beaten team

Looked like a contact injury. Like a bad cork. The way he got back up suggests it wasn't an ACL.

 

[jodragon40]

Looked like a contact injury. Like a bad cork. The way he got back up suggests it wasn't an ACL.

To my eye a small break of the lower leg bone after scoring that try

 

[TheRev]

I missed it but Flanno on 2GB said we had 3 free spots & 3 development spots left.

I think that means 2 things:
1) We have got rid of 1 more player (not made public yet)
2) We have got 1 more player on a Dev Contract than is public, assumably LKT..

With Manly being out, if we did manage to sign anyone from there, perhaps something comes out this week.. or maybe not.. we shall see..

 

[Chris M]

I missed it but Flanno on 2GB said we had 3 free spots & 3 development spots left.

I think that means 2 things:
1) We have got rid of 1 more player (not made public yet)
2) We have got 1 more player on a Dev Contract than is public, assumably LKT..

With Manly being out, if we did manage to sign anyone from there, perhaps something comes out this week.. or maybe not.. we shall see..

It might have also been scrubbing Ramsey from the top 30.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

I missed it but Flanno on 2GB said we had 3 free spots & 3 development spots left.

I think that means 2 things:
1) We have got rid of 1 more player (not made public yet)
2) We have got 1 more player on a Dev Contract than is public, assumably LKT..

With Manly being out, if we did manage to sign anyone from there, perhaps something comes out this week.. or maybe not.. we shall see..

Lines up with what I've posted before Bird made 2 and last I talked to Webb they were looking at removing Ramsey, so maybe he is 3rd
Also means that we have not re signed Tom Eisenhuth as reported.

Supplementary players Nick T, Ackers LKT.
We have to look at the Supplementary players as part of the top squad now just on base contract, not necessarily young development players.
I posted before that our talks with Max F and Tom were around Supplementary contracts and I still believe those 3 spots will go to older players with some expirence.

 

[Chris M]

Lines up with what I've posted before Bird made 2 and last I talked to Webb they were looking at removing Ramsey, so maybe he is 3rd
Also means that we have not re signed Tom Eisenhuth as reported.

Supplementary players Nick T, Ackers LKT.
We have to look at the Supplementary players as part of the top squad now just on base contract, not necessarily young development players.
I posted before that our talks with Max F and Tom were around Supplementary contracts and I still believe those 3 spots will go to older players with some expirence.

Is Flanno still trying to move on Lawrie and Rava?

 

[TheRev]

Supplementary players Nick T, Ackers LKT.
We have to look at the Supplementary players as part of the top squad now just on base contract, not necessarily young development players.
I posted before that our talks with Max F and Tom were around Supplementary contracts and I still believe those 3 spots will go to older players with some expirence.

We could get away with that for 1 more year (2026 all the kids use up the dev spots), but it could be a good tactic assuming there is no age or experience limit on who can take up development positions.

Also explains why Max left, dev money vs Top30 (or I assume Top30, no one has announced him yet).

 

[GCRV]

We could get away with that for 1 more year (2026 all the kids use up the dev spots), but it could be a good tactic assuming there is no age or experience limit on who can take up development positions.

Also explains why Max left, dev money vs Top30 (or I assume Top30, no one has announced him yet).

Why not go with all youth? The top 30 already has a good number of veterans. Not saying the young players have to or should be thrown into first grade but I think dev contracts should be young players unless the top 30 is really young.

 

[Eric]

I guess the Grubs aren't going to part ways with JAC. But they won't extend him. Could make an offer for 3 years on November 1st but on condition it starts in 2025.

 

[jodragon40]

My only wish for 2025 is 1 x big bodied go forward prop

 

[Eric]

My only wish for 2025 is 1 x big bodied go forward prop

And one fast outside back please.

 

[Chris M]

My only wish for 2025 is 1 x big bodied go forward prop

I think we might have sitting under our nose. Christian Tuipulotu! He's about 110kgs now and I guess trying to get lighter. He's too sow to be a good winger.
As a rule it seems Dragons are:

• Only club not to select teenagers in first grade.
• Only club not to raid Rugby Union for talent.
• Only club not to recruit from ESL.
• Only club which can't turn big but slow backs into forwards.

 

[jodragon40]

So Toga has been elevated into our top 30 is that correct Just a Mug Fan

 

[Chris M]

So Toga has been elevated into our top 30 is that correct Just a Mug Fan

You mean Loko Pasifiki Tonga? It's true according to Zero Tackle.

 

[TheRev]

So Toga has been elevated into our top 30 is that correct Just a Mug Fan

I was genuinely like checking twitter for a new signing , but I think you missed an 'n' or an 'i', Tonga/Latu are Top 30, King-Togia has nothing public yet.. logic states that hes surely the extra development guy though.