Recruitment and Retention for 2025

[Wild383]

I don't know. Yes, there are a lot of promising juniors but to be frank, that is Griffins doing. As far as recruitment goes, Flanno still goes for every journeyman reject that comes onto the market, like Griffin, McGregor and Price.

On what planet is our recruitment anything like the past 5+ years? And who are all the rejects that we're going for? Are you kidding?

Last year he had basically 3 months to recruit with a disruptive board after 6+ months of negative media reporting about a club that no one wants to come to or even coach. He absolutely got dealt the scrap bin, yet didn't overpay for anyone, didn't give any longer then necessary contracts, got a few guys out of it to directly strengthen the squad and more importantly is making everyone justify and earn their position. Tell me how that's anything like moneyballing 3+ year contracts on old has beens and not holding anyone accountable?

Oh and then 2 origin quality players this year one of which has one of the best goal kicking games in the league to replace Lomax. But he's 29 so he's a has been?

 

[st george tragic]

Hunt tells close supporters he doesn’t want to return to Dragons for pre-season training

Comments from coach Shane Flanagan could be the last straw in the increasingly strained relationship between the Dragons and their playmaker.

www.smh.com.au

Hope he doesn't return I think even flanno has joined the fans in being over the soooooking.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

Hunt tells close supporters he doesn’t want to return to Dragons for pre-season training

Comments from coach Shane Flanagan could be the last straw in the increasingly strained relationship between the Dragons and their playmaker.

www.smh.com.au

Hope he doesn't return I think even flanno has joined the fans in being over the soooooking.

As I have posted before, he won't be here next year, the longer it draws out the more it costs us.
Monthly payments in Nov, Dec, Jan, will coat us 250k in cap.
It then makes Hunt more appealing to other clubs that can get him for under 700k or a 2 year deal for say 1.2.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

Re juniors who are transitioning to the top 30 squad, I know that Loko & Jacob have moved to the Gong. I think Finau is doing the same or has done so already. Previously it's felt like players based in Sydney were unwilling to move to the Gong but it looks to be changing with the younger generation.

Finau family were first to move, all of the Halangahu family are in Gong now that Jake has finished school. Loko still lives in St George area, same as Nick T.

 

[RedV01]

On what planet is our recruitment anything like the past 5+ years? And who are all the rejects that we're going for? Are you kidding?

Last year he had basically 3 months to recruit with a disruptive board after 6+ months of negative media reporting about a club that no one wants to come to or even coach. He absolutely got dealt the scrap bin, yet didn't overpay for anyone, didn't give any longer then necessary contracts, got a few guys out of it to directly strengthen the squad and more importantly is making everyone justify and earn their position. Tell me how that's anything like moneyballing 3+ year contracts on old has beens and not holding anyone accountable?

Oh and then 2 origin quality players this year one of which has one of the best goal kicking games in the league to replace Lomax. But he's 29 so he's a has been?

Head coach….

Flanno on the bye round podcast Right at the start, what's Flanno talking about? Perfect refereeing doesn't equal, "a perfect game". Interesting points from all parties regarding the 6-again thing in the 6th segment. Kind of interesting but nothing about the situation at the Dragons.

sgiforum.com

Add to Dads Army with the prized signing of Kyle Flanagan. Then Holmes who will turn 30 midway through next season.
So far the only improvement is in the number of juniors but that isn't Flanno's doing.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

A couple of rough stats on recruitment across the board.
85 players were aged 30 or over this season, average 5 per team.

The 2 top teams naturally had the least with Hughes 30 the only one I believe.
Roosters have 5.

We had Hunt, JDB, Molo, RFM, BMM and Tom.
BMM and Tom gone, replaced by Cook
Bird out turning 30 replaced by Val.
That is a bug improvement.

185 players are off contract end off 25.
You could guess maybe 30 to 40 don't get new contracts another 30 to 40 change clubs that leaves around 100 players that will be extend by their club after Nov 1.

Su'A one of our best players and in demand was not extended May.

 

[RedV01]

A couple of rough stats on recruitment across the board.
85 players were aged 30 or over this season, average 5 per team.

The 2 top teams naturally had the least with Hughes 30 the only one I believe.
Roosters have 5.

We had Hunt, JDB, Molo, RFM, BMM and Tom.
BMM and Tom gone, replaced by Cook
Bird out turning 30 replaced by Val.
That is a bug improvement.

185 players are off contract end off 25.
You could guess maybe 30 to 40 don't get new contracts another 30 to 40 change clubs that leaves around 100 players that will be extend by their club after Nov 1.

Su'A one of our best players and in demand was not extended May.

Holmes for Bird is a big improvement.

Extending Frank Molo was a mistake as was signing Eisenhuth and RFM. As was continuing to pick them no matter how badly they played. Not many options for Frank Molo but the Couchman's were killing it in reserve grade all year while Eisenhuth and RFM were stinking it up in first grade.

Cook is a good player, for now. Might not be next year and probably won't be the year after but why sign him at all? Flanno said Kyle was recruited to play hooker and Liddle was the least of our problem last season. After Su'A and JDB, he was probably our best.

Don't forget Flanno wants to recruit Clint Gutherson. So JDB, Hunt, FFM, Molo all a year older, Holmes turning 30 and Cook well over 30. And Flanno wants to recruit another veteran! Has he lost his f*cking mind?

 

[Edward]

Holmes for Bird is a big improvement.

Extending Frank Molo was a mistake as was signing Eisenhuth and RFM. As was continuing to pick them no matter how badly they played. Not many options for Frank Molo but the Couchman's were killing it in reserve grade all year while Eisenhuth and RFM were stinking it up in first grade.

Cook is a good player, for now. Might not be next year and probably won't be the year after but why sign him at all? Flanno said Kyle was recruited to play hooker and Liddle was the least of our problem last season. After Su'A and JDB, he was probably our best.

Don't forget Flanno wants to recruit Clint Gutherson. So JDB, Hunt, FFM, Molo all a year older, Holmes turning 30 and Cook well over 30. And Flanno wants to recruit another veteran! Has he lost his f*cking mind?

I think it's Holmes for Lomax. A small improvement.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Hunt tells close supporters he doesn’t want to return to Dragons for pre-season training

Comments from coach Shane Flanagan could be the last straw in the increasingly strained relationship between the Dragons and their playmaker.

www.smh.com.au

Hope he doesn't return I think even flanno has joined the fans in being over the soooooking.

Jeez our recruiting needs to pull out the proverbial finger and secure us a half for next season as the sook is happy to leave us stranded. What disloyalty after this club gave him the lifestyle of a millionaire and treated him with the captaincy. Mate we just wanna see the back of you.

 

[jodragon40]

Hunt tells close supporters he doesn’t want to return to Dragons for pre-season training

Comments from coach Shane Flanagan could be the last straw in the increasingly strained relationship between the Dragons and their playmaker.

www.smh.com.au

Hope he doesn't return I think even flanno has joined the fans in being over the soooooking.

As an old coach albeit not 1st grade but no matter what grade you do coach. If the club captain has signalled his intentions in this way you simply cannot afford to allow such behaviour to continue. This will affect the clubs culture and discipline in the way this matter is now dealt with moving forward. So 2 options in reality, Option 1- Strip him of the captaincy and play him in 1sts ( you simply cannot drop a player on his salary to reserves). Option 2 - seek an immediate release with an interested club / player swap. This is a big challenge now for a new coach trying to stamp his authority on the club and team.

 

[jodragon40]

I think it's Holmes for Lomax. A small improvement.

We will miss Lomax

 

[Dave03]

I hope Gutho picks us. We need that type of player who is vocal & a bit over the top imo. I think he'll help with the confidence of our players & help set standards. A bit like James Graham joining us but I think we had a more mature & better performing team when he joined.

 

[Eric]

WHALE OF A DEAL FOR JONAH​

The Storm and rising halfback Jonah Pezet are locked in delicate talks which could see the 21-year-old follow the path of teammate Harry Grant and be loaned out to an NRL rival for 12 months. There could also be a Jahrome Hughes clause attached to a deal.

Pezet will attract a stack of interest from clubs should he and Melbourne not reach an agreement before the November 1 deadline hits. Already a host of clubs have indicated they would be keen and they could offer him something the Storm cannot – and that’s a starting halfback spot immediately.

But it is understood that Pezet is keen to agree to a deal with the Storm but with a few strings attached.

---

Interesting. Hughes surely has a few more years but let Hunt go and have Pezet take his place for next year would be good. Hopefully from 2026 Reed is ready for NRL.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

I think it's Holmes for Lomax. A small improvement.

No cant agree Edward. You could say Lomax (is now the enemy) has the X factor, but only sometimes when he pulls of a mesmeric pass or takes a hi flying screamer and offload but in general Lomax is not great at breaking the line like Holmes, prefers instead to smash into one. He is incredibly strong and robust but not brilliant on his feet.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

WHALE OF A DEAL FOR JONAH​

The Storm and rising halfback Jonah Pezet are locked in delicate talks which could see the 21-year-old follow the path of teammate Harry Grant and be loaned out to an NRL rival for 12 months. There could also be a Jahrome Hughes clause attached to a deal.

Pezet will attract a stack of interest from clubs should he and Melbourne not reach an agreement before the November 1 deadline hits. Already a host of clubs have indicated they would be keen and they could offer him something the Storm cannot – and that’s a starting halfback spot immediately.

But it is understood that Pezet is keen to agree to a deal with the Storm but with a few strings attached.

---

Interesting. Hughes surely has a few more years but let Hunt go and have Pezet take his place for next year would be good. Hopefully from 2026 Reed is ready for NRL.

Next paragraph in story

Pezet wants formal assurances that if he does agree to a long-term deal to stay in Melbourne, there is the potential for him to be granted a release should the Storm opt to extend Hughes’ contract beyond 2026. He is also keen on exploring the potential of playing elsewhere for the 2026 season as part of a one-year loan before returning to Melbourne to take on the no.7 jersey in 2027.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

But it is understood that Pezet is keen to agree to a deal with the Storm but with a few strings attached.

We needed to have at least approached Pezet and other potential halves. But this bull crap Hunt/ Flanagan saga has negated any of that so we have missed chance after chance for someone post Hunt. Have we actually been talking with any players let alone a half unlike other more canny clubs that have already got players on their books for '25.
I hate how this club is being run. Frank Facer would be squirming in his grave if he knew.

 

[Chris M]

No cant agree Edward. You could say Lomax (is now the enemy) has the X factor, but only sometimes when he pulls of a mesmeric pass or takes a hi flying screamer and offload but in general Lomax is not great at breaking the line like Holmes, prefers instead to smash into one. He is incredibly strong and robust but not brilliant on his feet.

I think he might end up in the forwards.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

ot – and that’s a starting halfback spot immediately.

We need to be one of those clubs, but front and centre. Tell him we gambled with a $m a season on one bloke seven years ago, the first club to pay that kinda coin, so we are prepared to do same with you. Tell him a player like you can bring this once famous club back to its glory days. For FU*K sake SELL HIM THE DREAM FLANNO. Snatch him from the grasp of the Storm and offer him the world, like we did when we dragged Hunt from career mediocrity to millionaire status.

 

[Chris M]

We need to be one of those clubs, but front and centre. Tell him we gambled with a $m on one bloke seven years ago, the first club to pay that kinda coin, so we are prepared to do same with you. A player like you can bring this once famous club back to its glory days. For FU*CK sake SELL HIM FLANNO. Take him from the grasp of the Storm and offer him the world, like we did when we dragged Hunt from career mediocrity to millionaire status.

No way you could offer him anything near 1m a season. Not yet anyway and from what I've seen of him, never. Would be a good stop-gap solution for next year and/or 2026.

 

[st george tragic]

NRL news 2024, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan accuses Ben Hunt of leaking review to media as contract call looms

I really think it's over for Hunt good bye and I hope the door really belts you in the arse as you leave.