Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
In that case, do you know why the family was unhappy with the way the club dealt with him? Do they just not like Flanno?
Recruitment and Retention for 2026
- Thread starter Chris M
- Start date
Dragon David
SGI Junior League
In one of Flanno's interviews he mentioned that he would have wanted Latu re-signed but his Manager did not bother getting back to the Dragons. The thing is though, nothing as yet has been confirmed on the Dragons website as far as I could see so maybe it is not a fait accompli as yet.
But this could be the answer -
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Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
Someone else commented that if that was the case, Finau told his manager he wasn't interested in whatever the Dragons were offering.In one of Flanno's interviews he mentioned that he would have wanted Latu re-signed but his Manager did not bother getting back to the Dragons. The thing is though, nothing as yet has been confirmed on the Dragons website as far as I could see so maybe it is not a fait accompli as yet.
But this could be the answer -
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This is wrong & untrue. He was free to openly negotiate with rivals, we let him do that. You're only taking Flanno's word for it, he's said untruths before in the media. His word isn't the truth, everyone tells the media certain info for their own advantage. Flanno is aligned with Fox, Gus with Fairfax. Don't get caught up with what's said, pay close attention to the actions. Otherwise you'll drive yourself mad.
Example, Flanno said sione finau would get a block of games then dropped him after 1 game.
Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
Good advice
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
ok Dave I take your point, would still be handy to hear from the other side. no matter he is gone and good luck to him.
Chris M
SGI NSW Cup
Every NRL club’s recruits rated
DRAGONS
2025 recruits: Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys), Clint Gutherson (Eels), Lachlan Ilias (Rabbitohs), Emre Guler (Raiders), David Klemmer (Tigers), Nathan Lawson (Rugby 7s)Analysis: The Dragons missed out on several free agency targets, but in the end, were able to rack up a pretty decent haul. Clint Gutherson has been one of the buys of the year through two months of the season, with the fullback willing the Red V to a couple of tough wins. He and former Cowboy Valentine Holmes have both recorded six try assists this season, three off first. Holmes has added plenty of class to the Dragons’ backline, and while he isn’t getting any younger, he’s had a solid 2025 campaign so far. Damien Cook is a former Blues hooker, who has also been solid enough in his debut season. He and Gutherson’s leadership and veteran presence has proven invaluable. Shane Flanagan picked up a couple of unwanted props in Emre Guler and David Klemmer who have done a job at times, but it’s clear the Dragons need an upgrade in that area, although there have been good signs from young gun Toby Couchman. Halfback Lachlan Ilias’ axing to NSW Cup marks him as a major miss so far, though the rise of young star Lyhkan King-Togia may paper over the misfire.
Grade: B
Cook hasn't been a good recruit. He's ok but Liddle is better. Gutho has been average over the last few games. I just think he's being called on to do too much and can't. Carrying the halves until last game and still doing it to an extent last game. Without Guthos try assists when in other teams, it's the halves doing that, scary to think how bad we'd be going.
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
The time spent on the field between Cook and Liddle needs to be swapped.
Chris M
SGI NSW Cup
Just a Mug Fan
SGI NSW Cup
Top 30 fo 2026 so far.
Atkinson
Cook
Toby
Ryan
Egan
Feagai
Flanagan
Guler
Gutherson
Halangahu
Homes
Ilias
King-Togia
Lawrie
Leilua
Pacific Tonga
Ravalawa
Sele
Sloan
Stewart
Su'A
Suli
Tuipulotu
Liddle MO
Supplementary list
Buchanan
Reed
Stanley-Traill
Weatherall
Tsougranis and Glover off contract, not sure for Lawson but would think top 30.
Atkinson
Cook
Toby
Ryan
Egan
Feagai
Flanagan
Guler
Gutherson
Halangahu
Homes
Ilias
King-Togia
Lawrie
Leilua
Pacific Tonga
Ravalawa
Sele
Sloan
Stewart
Su'A
Suli
Tuipulotu
Liddle MO
Supplementary list
Buchanan
Reed
Stanley-Traill
Weatherall
Tsougranis and Glover off contract, not sure for Lawson but would think top 30.
jodragon40
Staff
You would assume young Reed would be a priority. I like the look of Tsougranis an edge player playing centres which is unusual and he is a U19s SOO player.
RedVictory
SGI Jersey Flegg
I reckon Dom Young would look bloody good in the red v. 
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
Agree, looks like the Knights have the inside running on that one.I reckon Dom Young would look bloody good in the red v.
Mailroomsgi
SGI Jersey Flegg
They’ll give Tsougranis the flick IMO, a development contract at most.
Can’t see him getting a top 30 deal, same with Glover
The hope would be shifting Lawrie and Ravalawa off the books for 2026 that’s a decent chunk of coin freed up from deadwood
Can’t see him getting a top 30 deal, same with Glover
The hope would be shifting Lawrie and Ravalawa off the books for 2026 that’s a decent chunk of coin freed up from deadwood
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
- Heidke I reckon will be Dev next year, leaves 1 dev spot free.. which is surely Jett Liu... unless he moves straight into Top 30.. he is close to our best reserve with Latu gone (he might just take Latu's spot).
- NickyT I dont know where he fits, another dev contract would be underwhelming for him.. dragons kid.. and NSW U19 player.. I absolutely see a future in him, its just Egan & Jacob making it difficult.. I actually thought he was going to be Top30 next year.. so I think the answer will become clear in months to come.. give him an opportunity.. he is fiery as.
- Halangahu into the 30 I didnt know.. its early.. but we had to fend some clubs off I get it.. he will probably pay mid 2026.
- Lawson I would say Top 30, if he goes remotely ok in weeks to come
- Still haven't got our #30 Big Boy Prop for 2025 yet.
- JDB I think will be extended another year, but still TBD.. hes gotta be better than Guler or Lawrie in 2026... same with Klemmer.. thats 2 middles..
- Liddle we have to sort out either way soon, because we don't have a replacement (unless its Kyle perhaps) but we cant be having 1 hooker in our entire system, and that player is mid 30s... we need someone in nsw cup atleast.
Whether Rava, Lawrie, Sele (and potentially a few others tbh) are all here next year is something I would love to sort out earlier rather than in January... and all the good signings will be gone by then.. also no idea how much cap space is unspent for that matter.
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Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
Tonga?
Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
Does anyone know the truth regarding Latu? He (or they say his family was in order to keep pressure off Latu himself) was unhappy about something in the negotiating process and thus, informed his management he wasn't interested in whatever Flanno was offering so don't even bother. Is that right? I know Flanno is blaming his manager but as if he doesn't understand his manager acts on the players wishes.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
Naa hes already in the squad and will take a few years, this will be someone on big coin, a real alpha dog.. if indeed we can land that person.. and maybe we just cant land them for 25, and its a 26 signing..
Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
He won't be at his best for another couple of years, if he follows a similar timeline to most other good props, but with him and Stewart, maybe Liu in the top 30, seems like plenty of "big bodies".
JDB needs to be extended for another year.