Recruitment and Retention for 2025

[RedV01]

So him asking for multiple releases beforehand is irrelevant, ok champ.

LOL champ. Lets focus on being accurate, "champ". For me your new nickname is "Champ". Well Champ, Lomax wanted a release when h was dropped but when the coach was dropped instead, Lomax no longer wanted a release. Understands Champ? Until Flanno went public with his criticism of Lomax.

Almost certainly Lomx can make a go of it wherever he plays. Should've been a centre or 5/8.

Ive backed Sloan the entire time? Your lack of reading comprehension or capability for taking in any discussion isnt my issue.

You back Sloan but want him to play out of position until his late 20s while he gets ready to play fullback? Don't be a coward Champ. Just say you don't rate Sloan.

There are plenty of players that can play in multiple roles and shift position as required im sure he could do the same, he is more than experienced enough.

I don't know Champ. Darren Lockyer and Cameron Munster made the transition very early in their careers. Who else? What 30 year-olds have done it? I think a few centers have become second rowers for the last year or two. Which 30 year-old fullbacks have successfully made the transition?

Once again, I have no idea what Champs problem is but I rate Gutherson. It's just he plays in a position we don't need to bolster and is of an age where his best football is behind him.

 

[RedV01]

Yes. It's debatable. What premiership winning or Origin winning teams has Gutherson been in? What Dally M awards has he won?

STFU with that BS. Flanno went public talking about stats show Lomax is a poor centre. It was about then Lomax started asking for a release. I know he was also unhappy until Griffin was sacked but when Griffin was sacked, he played hi best football in a while.

I rate Holmes. No issues about signing him but because he's taking Lomax's place, not a big signing. This backline really needed both Lomax and Holmes in it.

Long term fullback option? But he should wait until he is 26 or 27? If you don't rate Sloan, just say it. Stop talking BS.

Lockyer when he was mid 20s, Munster when he was early 20s and........ 30 year-old Clint Gutherson. You aren't making any sense.

So only top clubs have a younger roster? Ok, Parramatta have Shaun Lane who I think is about 30 and Mitchell Moses. Tigers have Klemmar who I think is about 30 and they are trying to move on. Bateman who almost certainly won't play for them again and I think Korosau is about 30. Gold Coast has Foran and I think Brian Kelly might be almost 30. I have no idea but I know he's been around a while. Warriors have Dylan Walker and Kurt Capewell. I think Bunty Afoa has been around a while. Might be about 30. You said:

So which other club has 4 players over 30 in the best 17 let alone in the squad? Once again, I rate Cook, JDB and Holmes and I think Frank Molo goes ok and RFM has the odd good game. But a 30 year-old fullback is the last thing the team needs. Nothing against Gutherson as a player. He goes ok. but he plays in a position we don't need to bolster and is north of 30.

Sloan won't make it on the wing. Taking away his biggest strength which is passing.

What's your point? Have I ever said a good word about Hunt? Pretty sure I haven't. He played a few good games. Maybe I gave credit where due.

Hey Champ, don't forget about how the number of 30 or more year olds at the Dragons is average. Average compared to which other team?

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Ben Hunt feels a weight has been lifted off his shoulders now that his time with the Dragons has come to an end.

No where near the one lifted from long suffering fans shoulders.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

"Flanno has confirmed that Gutho will be signed to play FB

Another kick in the guts for Sloan. Cant our coach see the improvement he made in past 12 months. So where is he planning on playing Sloan. Needs to be where his natural skill set is not wasted or the kid will walk.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

So no May

Sione Finau wants to go to Parramatta to play under Ryles

What! Betting this came to a head after Flanagan only gave him a single match last season, before he returned his pet buys instead. I wanna like and back our new coach but he is giving me no reason.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Update from the other forum:

WHAT I HAVE HEARD

- Dragons met with Josh Addo Carr on Monday, club wants him to take paycut over Atleast 100k taking him to 450k per year , he is reportedly ok with that ideas due to wanting a fresh start

- Club also met with Clint Gutherson discussions are centered around 2026 but May move to 2025 depending on the Ben Hunt situation

- He said Adam Doueihi was just a name floated and nothing serious with that yet

- Also said we have been advanced talks with Daniel Atkinson, final decision is whether it will be for 25 or 26 ( again depending on Hunt )

- Hunt will only go to a QLD team , Dragons will only release for 25 if a player swap can be done ( club wants a forward )

- Matt Lodge is signed pending announcement

- Leigh Leopards are interested in Ravalawa club initially wanted Maika Sivo but he wants to join Leeds with Brad Arthur

- No interest for Blake Lawrie

- Sione Finau wants to go to Parramatta to play under Ryles

- Unfortunately Cody Ramsey is set to retire

- Club will make a play for Leo Thompson for 2026

All in alll I’ve been told to buckle up a lot of movement is about to happen

BIG UPDATE

I’m being told that the only club interested in Ben Hunt is the Bulldogs and that the Dragons will be open for a swap with Josh Addo Carr


Dunno how much is accurate but yea plenty of info. Can't say we're doing much for culture by bringing in Lodge & JAC. I guess with Flanno as the coach, does it really matter?

Other forum being LU D Dave03? So info is reasonably reliable.
Will take Mat Lodge if we have to. Does not exactly excite me. Still we are lucky to snare anybody half useful with our poor recruitment track record. Leo Thompson could be the big bopper enforcer we desperately need. But have to wait a further year of putting up with the inconsistent Frank Molo. Sad about Ramsey. Hunt still messing us about. Wasnt he sacked?

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Ilias and Doueihi are evidently top of the list for 2025. Atkinson '26.

 

[Chris M]

Another kick in the guts for Sloan. Cant our coach see the improvement he made in past 12 months. So where is he planning on playing Sloan. Needs to be where his natural skill set is not wasted or the kid will walk.

Sloan had another bad year but it's amazing how Flanno holds everyone to account except a certain 5/8. Well, more amazing someone from above doesn't intervene.

 

[Chris M]

I just updated the spreadsheet, feeling pretty confident this will be our Top30 locked down in the next 1-2 weeks.. it all sort of fits together in terms of depth coverage.. Flanno has been raving about Doueihi.. and thats a pretty good replacement for Ramsey, helps us with a proper 3rd centre and proper 3rd half option.

I think we will lose 1-2 more of those orange blokes yet.. but thats just a bonus on top as long as we get the green ones.. we got confirmation from a few sources that we wont be getting JAC/May/Thommo:

View attachment 436

Good list but seriously, look at the halves. 1 rumour, 1 19 year-old and 1 journeyman at his fourth club.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

I'm confident with have Atkinson for 26.
We are close for 25, we want it, Atkinson wants it, Riolo wants it, one last hurdle to overcome.

 

[TheRev]

I'm confident with have Atkinson for 26.
We are close for 25, we want it, Atkinson wants it, Riolo wants it, one last hurdle to overcome.

I'm hoping they will let him go without needing to secure their replacement first.. that could be all sorts of delays if volkman doesnt come off.

 

[Chris M]

I'm hoping they will let him go without needing to secure their replacement first.. that could be all sorts of delays if volkman doesnt come off.

Atkinson 1/2 and LKT 5/8 might be very useful. Then in a perfect world May or Lodge despite their off field personality problems and JAC for some more speed out wide. That will be a far better team than last season.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

I'm confident with have Atkinson for 26.
We are close for 25, we want it, Atkinson wants it, Riolo wants it, one last hurdle to overcome.

hearing the same as well, also heard a few weeks back, Kennedy may be moved on , Hynes to fullback, hopefully that doesn't' eventuate

 

[TheRev]

If they get Volkman they should be good.. I mean they should have enough money from Atko going, 350k or whatever he was on.. Sharks or Manly would be his best targets for a club.. parra wouldnt be my first choice... I know hes close to Schuster.. hes at souths, so maybe they got be roomies.

If Kennedy was being moved on, youd think it would be public by now. but I cant see anyone in the NRL taking him (i.e. we and parra were the clubs needing a fullback, they have just bought 2 young ones, and we have gutho), I could only see him going to the UK.. which I doubt he wants to do when hes living near the beaches.

 

[st george tragic]

I read the board were very much against signing JAC.. so it was gonna be a big hurdle for him.. shame though, would have been a nice wing upgrade.. hopefully the money can get us 1 more decent signing (apart from the ones we know about).

Yes he would of been good on the wing but maybe flanno is putting the improvement of club culture first. This club needs a good culture shake up. Only positive players from here on in.

 

[GCRV]

Yes he would of been good on the wing but maybe flanno is putting the improvement of club culture first. This club needs a good culture shake up. Only positive players from here on in.

Good reasoning but easier said than done.

 

[GCRV]

More talk of Douhi coming to the Dragons but quiet on the Gutherson, JAC, May, Lodge front. I wonder if Flanno wants Douhi and Atkinson. Need halves but does he need to recruit 2? It will mean Kyle or LKT are on the outer.

 

[Eric]

More talk of Douhi coming to the Dragons but quiet on the Gutherson, JAC, May, Lodge front. I wonder if Flanno wants Douhi and Atkinson. Need halves but does he need to recruit 2? It will mean Kyle or LKT are on the outer.

I think LKT is signed for 3 more years but Kyle is off contract next year. Not that it means much nowdays. I wonder what's going on with Junior Amone. Surely a year suspension is enough.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

Gutho medical done today.

 

[RedV01]

Gutho medical done today.

Wooden spoon assured and little improvement in 2026.

By the middle of next season Greg Alexander is going to be talking about how good Gutherson has been for how long but played on a year too long.