Recruitment and Retention for 2025

[Eric]

But Reynolds has one of the best, if not the best kicking game in the competition. Unfortunately Kyle's kicking game isn't up to scratch.

Not against him being halfback but in that case, would be huge pressure on LKT to get the attack going. But if we recruit someone like Douhi, he will want 3 years so does that mean keeping LKT on the backburner for another 3 years? Good luck with that. Only solution is to recruit someone to play halfback for the next couple of years. How about Jackson Hastings?

I think we can say the only thing certain right now is that Hunt won't be at the club next year.

When Hastings won the "Man of Steel" award in the ESL, was it as a halfback or 5/8? Though I think he might be considered unsuitable for reasons other than what he does on the field even if he can play halfback.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Gutherson is being heavily mooted to be wearing the Red V next season. Some here earmarking him to relegate Tyrell Sloan to Ressies. Well I got news for you guys, Sloan is a better defender, almost 10 points more tackle effective to be precise. And hoping we arent planning on making Gutherson our designated goal kicker as his Goal Conversion Rate is a moderate 71%

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

How about Jackson Hastings?

How is his play making, as was poor when he last played for us. And if he is testing the market the Knights, his third NRL club, must no longer rate him. How many SL clubs did he play for? And he is no spring chicken at almost 29. A big no thanks.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Nice idea but definitely won't happen. If he was keen to go around again, it would be with the Warriors.

Yep. Today he reiterated that he has definitely retired from the NRL.

 

[Chris M]

How is his play making, as was poor when he last played for us. And if he is testing the market the Knights, his third NRL club, must no longer rate him. How many SL clubs did he play for? And he is no spring chicken at almost 29. A big no thanks.

Might be perfect for 2 years if he can play halfback. This is Kyle Flanno's 4th club and didn't have an offer on the table from anyone when Flanno snr was appointed. And Flanno snr said he was being recruited to play hooker.

Last I'll say on it for now. Criticism of Kyle isn't as popular as criticism of Hunt.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

concentrate on poaching Tyrone Munro

This kid may have some toe but he will let in as many tries as he scores with his 61 tackle effective rate. We already have outside backs doing that without adding to it. What is wrong with our own adopted Sione Finau.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Criticism of Kyle isn't as popular as criticism of Hunt.

Kyle now. Yeh Hunt is even more on the nose with fans and hopefully too with the powers to be in our club.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

I think we can say the only thing certain right now is that Hunt won't be at the club next year.

Can it finally be true.

 

[Chris M]

Kyle now. Yeh Hunt is even more on the nose with fans and hopefully too with the powers to be in our club.

That's true

 

[Ryan]

But Reynolds has one of the best, if not the best kicking game in the competition. Unfortunately Kyle's kicking game isn't up to scratch.

Not against him being halfback but in that case, would be huge pressure on LKT to get the attack going. But if we recruit someone like Douhi, he will want 3 years so does that mean keeping LKT on the backburner for another 3 years? Good luck with that. Only solution is to recruit someone to play halfback for the next couple of years. How about Jackson Hastings?

Kyle now. Yeh Hunt is even more on the nose with fans and hopefully too with the powers to be in our club.

I'd bet Kyle will start the season at #7. There is surely no way Hunt can continue on now. With a full off season and playing under his dad, he might become Adam Reynolds lite. Give him a chance. As long as Hunt is gone and we can start rebuilding.

But the thing that concerns me is this:

Flanno will want to pick RFM as well. If Ryan Couchman sneezes, he'll be dropped back to ressies but RFM can afford 3 or 4 shockers before being dropped.

The double standards. If Kyle plays badly at halfback or 5/8, he should be dropped but he won't be. If Couchman or Egan play a bad game, they'll be immediately dropped. RFM can afford 3 or 4 shockers before being dropped and Kyle can afford 8 or 9 and still won't be dropped. He had about 5 or 6 try assists for the season while Tigers 18 year-old 5/8, playing behind even a worse pack, had about that many in one game vs Parra.

 

[Chris M]

I'd never heard of this bloke but they are some pretty handy stats for a 20 year-old.

JOSIAH PAHULU (Titans)​

Josiah Pahulu had a breakout season for the Titans in 2024, playing 19 games in the front row after the injury to skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. The 20-year-old started in six games in his rookie year and finished with 1,120 metres to go with 16 tackle busts and 259 tackles with just 22 misses.

The Titans have invested heavily in their forward pack with Fa’asuamaleaui, Moeaki Fotuaika and Klese Haas signed long-term. Meanwhile, new signing Reagan Campbell-Gillard has also added to the club’s impressive front row stocks, which may force Pahulu out. Luckily, given his form in 2024 and potential to get even better next season and beyond, there will be no shortage of clubs interested in his services.

 

[st george tragic]

A Dragons fan's open letter to Ben Hunt

Zero Tackle editor Scott Pryde makes an impassioned plea to the Dragons' star.

www.zerotackle.com

A good letter from a passionate supporter. If we are stuck with Hunt for another season I hope he reads this

 

[Peter D]

Gutherson is being heavily mooted to be wearing the Red V next season. Some here earmarking him to relegate Tyrell Sloan to Ressies. Well I got news for you guys, Sloan is a better defender, almost 10 points more tackle effective to be precise. And hoping we arent planning on making Gutherson our designated goal kicker as his Goal Conversion Rate is a moderate 71%

We signed Val Holmes who is the best kicker in the business

 

[Red T]

With Hunt gone, looks like Kyle at 7. Gutho might play 5/8 or fullback. Sloane could play 6 or 2, 5 with Gutho to 1.

 

[RedV01]

With Hunt gone, looks like Kyle at 7. Gutho might play 5/8 or fullback. Sloane could play 6 or 2, 5 with Gutho to 1.

I hope it's not Gutho. Would much prefer Douhi for one to play 5/8. Sloan can't play 2. If he could tackle much better, he might go ok at 6 but he can't (tackle well).

 

[TheRev]

Maybe we have convinced Gutho to brave the commute + still going after Atkinson.. fascinating few weeks coming.

 

[Red T]

Sloan will have another preseason to bulk up. But if Gutho comes it will be some competition so that will be ok. However, Gutho may be like Ben Hornby and move into the halves. If they do not sign any halves because Flanno wants Kyle to play 7 and earn a new contract to help pay off his expensive new home that would be wrong.

Hopefully, they will sign someone to provide Kyle with some competition.

Tyrell would be my choice, followed by Atkinson.

 

[RedV01]

Maybe we have convinced Gutho to brave the commute + still going after Atkinson.. fascinating few weeks coming.

I hope not. We have enough senior players already. More than enough already.

 

[RedV01]

Sloan will have another preseason to bulk up. But if Gutho comes it will be some competition so that will be ok. However, Gutho may be like Ben Hornby and move into the halves. If they do not sign any halves because Flanno wants Kyle to play 7 and earn a new contract to help pay off his expensive new home that would be wrong.

Hopefully, they will sign someone to provide Kyle with some competition.

Tyrell would be my choice, followed by Atkinson.

Is Gutherson a done deal or something?

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Dragons cut Ben Hunt loose immediately in bombshell call​

Ben Hunt's time at the Red V is officially over, with the club splitting with the Maroons star after their relationship broke down.

Just made my day, week, month and year.