Recruitment and Retention for 2025

[Chris M]

2/2 when Flanno has been the dominant half, wins over panthers and broncos. He must have some first grade ability...

Was during Origin period. Both were severely under-strength but I remember the Penrith game well because afterward I was on here virtually yelling how obvious it is Jesse Marshke is much better than Kyle Flanagan.

And in the pre-game interview the reporter asked Flanno snr about Kyle taking on the reins of the main playmaker with Hunt out. Flanno immediately passed the buck to Jesse, saying he would be doing that. It was kind of sad and pathetic.

 

[Chris M]

We're lacking effective leaders, we sign them & yet some fans are having a cry about it. Gutho is a big upgrade on Sloan, Val similar to Lomax but provides more leadership & Cook gives Liddle a breather plus you get leadership. We can't just sit on our arses and do nothing.

Those 3 guys help with the development of players in our entire squad, whether it be on the training field or during the game. We haven't developed any younger players through our senior squad in the last 5-10 yrs. Last players were Frizz/JDB.

1. Gutho (30+)
2. CT
3. Suli
4. Holmes (30+)
5. Sloan/Finau/Allen
6. Atkinson
7. Kyle F
8. F. Molo (30+)
9. Cook (30+)
10. Sele
11. Luch
12. Sua
13. JDB (30+)

14. Liddle
15. RFM/Lawrie/Loko/Eisenhuth
16. Couchman
17. Couchman

Max 4/5 guys in our 17 who are 30+. Pretty much all those guys would get a spot in top 17 at most other teams.

We're not a top 4 team, no point comparing us to them because they're at a different stage of their development. Flanno has brought these guys to teach our youngsters about training standards, professionalism etc.

Forward pack is good though no to RFM, Lawrie or Eisenhuth. I think one of the Couchmans might relegate Sele to the bench.

As individuals I rate all the backs except #7 but that is probably even slower than this years backline unless Sloan is om the wing which I very much doubt.

The age of the squad is also an issue. Luch, Sele, Liddle, Flanagan are all late 20s. Eisenhuth and Lawrie are also late 20s and RFM 30+ but as I said, surely they won't be in the 17.

 

[RedV01]

Ru this negative in life

Gee, why am I negative about the slowest backline in the competition and probably the oldest signing a hard-working but slow 30 year-old fullback who wasn't wanted at this former club in favour of an untried Penrith lower grader?

A 30 year-old fullback who is getting no interest from anywhere else including the Shonkies who seem to have decided their fullback isn't good enough and are looking to sign Papenhuyzen. Who would you rather than Dragons signed Papenhuyzen or Gutherson? Is Flanno still on the Shonkies payroll??? Or they are blackmailing Flanno with info about doping at the Shonkies or being over the cap the year they won? WTF is going on? Why can the team which finished easily ahead of the Dragons afford Papenhuyzen while already the oldest and slowest team get a slow 30 year-old reject from a team that finished easily below the Dragons?

If JAC or another fast winger was signed and obviosly after a halfback was signed, I would be neutral on signing Gutherson. But still astonished Flanno signs him while the Shonkies sign Papenhuyzen.

 

[Dave03]

Gee, why am I negative about the slowest backline in the competition and probably the oldest signing a hard-working but slow 30 year-old fullback who wasn't wanted at this former club in favour of an untried Penrith lower grader?

A 30 year-old fullback who is getting no interest from anywhere else including the Shonkies who seem to have decided their fullback isn't good enough and are looking to sign Papenhuyzen. Who would you rather than Dragons signed Papenhuyzen or Gutherson? Is Flanno still on the Shonkies payroll??? Or they are blackmailing Flanno with info about doping at the Shonkies or being over the cap the year they won? WTF is going on? Why can the team which finished easily ahead of the Dragons afford Papenhuyzen while already the oldest and slowest team get a slow 30 year-old reject from a team that finished easily below the Dragons?

If JAC or another fast winger was signed and obviosly after a halfback was signed, I would be neutral on signing Gutherson. But still astonished Flanno signs him while the Shonkies sign Papenhuyzen.

How do you know Paps is available & then willing to come to us? How do you know we haven't tried. Gutho is the best we can get right now & he covers multiple areas of weakness for us. Sloan wouldn't get a run at fullback in any other team. Gutho would but teams don't have the money to pay him like us. It's wishful thinking to want all these elite talents but they need to pick us too, we tried with AFB then he decided to play for a finals challenging team.

There's process involved, you can't just shortcut it. You need to improve year by year & that's what we're doing with these signings.

 

[RedV01]

100% if we can land Atkinson, Gutho and 1 middle who is a genuine upgrade (I think Lodge, but could be wrong).. then we are a shot at doing OK next year.. its a noticeably better squad than 2024 imo, but only 'if' we get em all.. plus we got rid of the 2 blokes that were srsly kiling the vibe Flanno is trying to build.

We have 4 free spots though, I think itll be more before next season, so be fascinating to see who we end up with, Douehi I think is almost a given, proper depth in 2 positions.. might even force his way into 1st grade regardless.

What would also make a huge difference, is if the Couchmans really step up another level.. they r a more crucial part of our pack after missing RCG/Saifiti etc.

Define OK. Is avoiding the spoon, OK? Don't you have an issue with the lack of speed in the backline? I'm not talking badly about any of them, not even Gutherson. In a young, fast backline and team, with good halves, I think he'd be really good for 2 years. But that is everything the Dragons don't have.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Sloan wouldn't get a run at fullback in any other team.

Rubbish.

 

[RedV01]

How do you know Paps is available & then willing to come to us? How do you know we haven't tried. Gutho is the best we can get right now & he covers multiple areas of weakness for us. Sloan wouldn't get a run at fullback in any other team. Gutho would but teams don't have the money to pay him like us. It's wishful thinking to want all these elite talents but they need to pick us too, we tried with AFB then he decided to play for a finals challenging team.

There's process involved, you can't just shortcut it. You need to improve year by year & that's what we're doing with these signings.

Ok. No news at all about Dragons trying to sign Papenhuyzen. Why would Flanno want to sign him when he can get Gutherson instead? Gutherson would be fullback in any other team except Parramatta. They are going with an untried Penrith lower grader.

Sloan is a work in progress. He has not 1/10th of the effort and heart of Gutherson but 10x the natural ability. I keep saying, if other problem areas were first addressed, I'd have no issue with signing Gutherson for 2 years. Need a halfback and more youth and speed throughout the team. Papenhuyzen would add speed. Losing Lomax and Sloan being dropped for Holmes and Gutherson would be an overall loss of speed.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Need a halfback

Posted earlier two S L halves we are looking at closely too. Pretty sure Flanno can entice Croft to return to the NRL. He looks the better play maker over French. I like the way he can put a player into a gap, a great skill that we have lacked from our play maker since Gareth Widdop..

 

[Dave03]

Rubbish.

1. Cowboys - Drinkwater
2. Broncos - Walsh
3. Titans - Kini
4. Dolphins - Hammer
5. Knights - Ponga
6. Manly - Turbo
7. Chooks - Teddy
8. Souths - Trell
9. Sharks - Kennedy
10. Tigers - Bula
11. Dogs - Tracey
12. Eels - Iongi
13. Panthers - Edwards
14. Raiders - Weekes
15. Storm - Paps
16. Warriors - CNK

Where does he get a genuine start? Possibly Raiders or Eels?

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

We are looking at one of Super league half duo Brodie Croft or Bevan French. I recall being excited with the skill set of Croft when he played NRL, obviously Flanno is too. Was '22 SL Man of Steel. Bring him home and into a Red V jumper coach. Reading between the lines Lachlan Ilias is our #1 NRL half target for '25. So plenty of irons in the fire for Hunts replacement.

Combines speedy running with clever ball skills. I like his ability to read the play and know when there is someone looming to put into a gap. Not had anyone like that since Gareth Widdop.

 

[RedV01]

1. Cowboys - Drinkwater
2. Broncos - Walsh
3. Titans - Kini
4. Dolphins - Hammer
5. Knights - Ponga
6. Manly - Turbo
7. Chooks - Teddy
8. Souths - Trell
9. Sharks - Kennedy
10. Tigers - Bula
11. Dogs - Tracey
12. Eels - Iongi
13. Panthers - Edwards
14. Raiders - Weekes
15. Storm - Paps
16. Warriors - CNK

Where does he get a genuine start? Possibly Raiders or Eels?

Now do Gutherson. Sloan would be every chance of displacing #12, #9, #4, (much better centre), #16 (though Warriors coach seems to rate him very highly.)

 

[Dave03]

Ok. No news at all about Dragons trying to sign Papenhuyzen. Why would Flanno want to sign him when he can get Gutherson instead? Gutherson would be fullback in any other team except Parramatta. They are going with an untried Penrith lower grader.

Sloan is a work in progress. He has not 1/10th of the effort and heart of Gutherson but 10x the natural ability. I keep saying, if other problem areas were first addressed, I'd have no issue with signing Gutherson for 2 years. Need a halfback and more youth and speed throughout the team. Papenhuyzen would add speed. Losing Lomax and Sloan being dropped for Holmes and Gutherson would be an overall loss of speed.

But you don't know that, we might've attempted but were rejected. Gutho is on massive coin & their salary cap could be stuffed, the untried player is Iongi who has a big reputation & has only left because Edwards is infront of him. It could also backfire & he could be shit. They also don't need a Gutho style of leader, they've got Moses/Paulo/Brown etc. We need Gutho's leadership. Sloan might have more natural ability but he hasn't outperformed Gutho, I'd rather pick players on performance than ability.

There's no proven quality halfbacks on the market, guys like Pezet/Atkinson etc. are still unproven. Yes, it would be wonderful to have more speed but we performed better this year with a similar speed backline. Flanno has said Sloan would get a shot at wing too, so it could be we get faster with Sloan & Holmes in the backline.

We're not going to attract the likes of Paps without making finals, Gutho helps us to make finals. It's not a 10 year contract, it's 3 years. If Sloan had become a quality 1st grade fullback then we wouldn't be chasing Gutho, Sloan has had plenty of chances but hasn't cemented his spot. I would think Sloan would be loving the fact he has a genuine successful fullback to learn from for the 1st time in his career. That would be invaluable learning opportunity for his career.

 

[Dave03]

Now do Gutherson. Sloan would be every chance of displacing #12, #9, #4, (much better centre), #16 (though Warriors coach seems to rate him very highly.)

Sloan would displace Kennedy and Hammer, you are kidding lol

Gutho - Sharks, Dogs, Raiders, Eels, Warriors. Potentially Titans. He'd be even with those fullbacks & better than some. Sloan would be behind every fullback on that list apart from Iongi (unproven).

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

1. Cowboys - Drinkwater
2. Broncos - Walsh
3. Titans - Kini
4. Dolphins - Hammer
5. Knights - Ponga
6. Manly - Turbo
7. Chooks - Teddy
8. Souths - Trell
9. Sharks - Kennedy
10. Tigers - Bula
11. Dogs - Tracey
12. Eels - Iongi
13. Panthers - Edwards
14. Raiders - Weekes
15. Storm - Paps
16. Warriors - CNK

Where does he get a genuine start? Possibly Raiders or Eels?

I am talking about his natural talent being sufficient to get him a start in any team. Perhaps not now with most clubs having established f/bs but when he fully matures in body and game management. I am with @ RedV01 that Sloan remains a work in progress. Will bringing Gutherson here to take his position force him to want out again or will he accept going to the wing. Yes, but not back to Ressies.

 

[Dave03]

Gutho is 99% coming to us, so it really doesn't matter what fans think about his recruitment.

 

[Dave03]

I am talking about his natural talent being sufficient to get him a start in any team. Perhaps not now with most clubs having established f/bs but when he fully matures in body and game management. I am with RedV01 that Sloan is a work in progress. Will bringing Gutherson here to take his position force him to want out again or will he accept going to the wing. Yes, but not back to Ressies.

He can work on it in NSW cup like plenty of other players.

 

[Wild383]

Gee, why am I negative about the slowest backline in the competition and probably the oldest signing a hard-working but slow 30 year-old fullback who wasn't wanted at this former club in favour of an untried Penrith lower grader?

A 30 year-old fullback who is getting no interest from anywhere else including the Shonkies who seem to have decided their fullback isn't good enough and are looking to sign Papenhuyzen. Who would you rather than Dragons signed Papenhuyzen or Gutherson? Is Flanno still on the Shonkies payroll??? Or they are blackmailing Flanno with info about doping at the Shonkies or being over the cap the year they won? WTF is going on? Why can the team which finished easily ahead of the Dragons afford Papenhuyzen while already the oldest and slowest team get a slow 30 year-old reject from a team that finished easily below the Dragons?

If JAC or another fast winger was signed and obviosly after a halfback was signed, I would be neutral on signing Gutherson. But still astonished Flanno signs him while the Shonkies sign Papenhuyzen.

1. You have absolutely no idea who showed interest in him, but there would be more options then us and we got in hard and fast with his early release.
2. One minute your claiming the Gutho (an experienced leader that can teach a lot) blocks Sloan's path and he's guaranteed to leave, but you'd rather sign pappy who's younger and would absolutely take it spot for a lot longer as the marquee man.
3. Sloan would be that fast winger and has more to offer then JAC
2. The wild ridiculous conspiracy theories are getting more hilarious by the day.

Ok. No news at all about Dragons trying to sign Papenhuyzen. Why would Flanno want to sign him when he can get Gutherson instead? Gutherson would be fullback in any other team except Parramatta. They are going with an untried Penrith lower grader.

Sloan is a work in progress. He has not 1/10th of the effort and heart of Gutherson but 10x the natural ability. I keep saying, if other problem areas were first addressed, I'd have no issue with signing Gutherson for 2 years. Need a halfback and more youth and speed throughout the team. Papenhuyzen would add speed. Losing Lomax and Sloan being dropped for Holmes and Gutherson would be an overall loss of speed.

Again you have 0 clue if we talked to them or not and what the decision was. This is what happens when the only info you believe is what's being pushed by 'fox staff writers'.

Now do Gutherson. Sloan would be every chance of displacing #12, #9, #4, (much better centre), #16 (though Warriors coach seems to rate him very highly.)

Sloan replacing Hammer is one of the most outlandish claims you've made yet, kudos.

 

[RedV01]

But you don't know that, we might've attempted but were rejected. Gutho is on massive coin & their salary cap could be stuffed, the untried player is Iongi who has a big reputation & has only left because Edwards is infront of him. It could also backfire & he could be shit. They also don't need a Gutho style of leader, they've got Moses/Paulo/Brown etc. We need Gutho's leadership. Sloan might have more natural ability but he hasn't outperformed Gutho, I'd rather pick players on performance than ability.

There's no proven quality halfbacks on the market, guys like Pezet/Atkinson etc. are still unproven. Yes, it would be wonderful to have more speed but we performed better this year with a similar speed backline. Flanno has said Sloan would get a shot at wing too, so it could be we get faster with Sloan & Holmes in the backline.

We're not going to attract the likes of Paps without making finals, Gutho helps us to make finals. It's not a 10 year contract, it's 3 years. If Sloan had become a quality 1st grade fullback then we wouldn't be chasing Gutho, Sloan has had plenty of chances but hasn't cemented his spot. I would think Sloan would be loving the fact he has a genuine successful fullback to learn from for the 1st time in his career. That would be invaluable learning opportunity for his career.

No reports at all of the Dragons chasing Papenhuyzen. No reports at all of Shonkies chasing Gutherson.

Parra don't have salary cap issues if reportd are to be believed. Ryles simply doesn't rate Gutherson anymore. Lost a bit of already slowish speed. Never very talented. The end usually comes very sudden. Ask Blocka about it. Dragons player of the year only a year ago.

Enough of the leadership BS. Have Cook and Holmes both with more big game experience than Gutherson. Have JDB who leads by example. And a couple of other veterans.

 

[RedV01]

1. You have absolutely no idea who showed interest in him, but there would be more options then us and we got in hard and fast with his early release.
2. One minute your claiming the Gutho (an experienced leader that can teach a lot) blocks Sloan's path and he's guaranteed to leave, but you'd rather sign pappy who's younger and would absolutely take it spot for a lot longer as the marquee man.
3. Sloan would be that fast winger and has more to offer then JAC
2. The wild ridiculous conspiracy theories are getting more hilarious by the day.

Again you have 0 clue if we talked to them or not and what the decision was. This is what happens when the only info you believe is what's being pushed by 'fox staff writers'.

Sloan replacing Hammer is one of the most outlandish claims you've made yet, kudos.

Papenhuyzen is also young and very fast and talented. I'd take him over Sloan. Would also take Gutherson over Sloan if we had a young, fast team lacking experienced old hands.

 

[RedV01]

1. You have absolutely no idea who showed interest in him, but there would be more options then us and we got in hard and fast with his early release.
2. One minute your claiming the Gutho (an experienced leader that can teach a lot) blocks Sloan's path and he's guaranteed to leave, but you'd rather sign pappy who's younger and would absolutely take it spot for a lot longer as the marquee man.
3. Sloan would be that fast winger and has more to offer then JAC
2. The wild ridiculous conspiracy theories are getting more hilarious by the day.

Again you have 0 clue if we talked to them or not and what the decision was. This is what happens when the only info you believe is what's being pushed by 'fox staff writers'.

Sloan replacing Hammer is one of the most outlandish claims you've made yet, kudos.

No need to misrepresent me there Champ. Hammer is a far better centre. Sloan wouldn't force him out of the team but might well have him to move centre. How about Gutherson there Champ? Which fullback at another club would he force out? Not Parras. That is certain.