Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[Eric]

Injury prone unfortunately, one of the consequences of young adults playing against grown men im afraid

I believe at least Kyle was actually diagnosed as having some kind of congenital defeat in his ACLs. Cameron King was also supposed to be the next big thing at hooker. He also started off looking very promising, had a few consecutive injuries then when he was finally injury free, he just wasn't very good anymore.

How different would things have been in that period after Wayne left if Cameron King and the Stanley's stayed injury free and were as good as they seemed to be early on?

 

[Ryan]

Not being condescending here but im just speaking from my own personal experiences. It is in nobody's best interest to be rushing young kids into 1sts without proper grounding.

Reed is 19 made his ressies debut in round 26 last year against the Dogs. He played 5/8 because illias was the 7, they got flogged 46 - 10.

Don't forget he has signed on until 2028 so every man and his dog in positions of authority at the Dragons know what they have. Leave it to the actual experts to decide when and where the kid weaves his promising but not proven magic.

I'm not being condescending but you said:

I can't understand this sudden urge to rush Reed through his development or even trying to jump steps because he is a very good hf in juniors.

I still don't get it. Even if Atkinson isn't a good halfback, you still don't think there would be a need to rush for Reed to play first grade? Why? He'll be 20. Is that too young? Since when? Maybe he'll never be any good in first grade. But I can't understand why you don't think there would be a rush for us to find out if Atkinson isn't the answer.

My comment met with extreme skepticism about Ollie Burton or Rokko Walker taking over for Gutho, when they will both be 19 is more of what seems to me extreme and very weird nervousness about 18~21 year-olds playing first grade on this forum. I don't understand it.

 

[GCRV]

Is it time to start a recruitment and retention for 2027 thread?
Just wondering, KK is coming but

• Gular
• Lawrie
• Sele

all off contract. Will Gular be kept for another year? Or maybe Sele if he can show that he can stay fit for more than a handful of games. We know Lawrie won't be kept.

 

[GCRV]

I'm not being condescending but you said:

I still don't get it. Even if Atkinson isn't a good halfback, you still don't think there would be a need to rush for Reed to play first grade? Why? He'll be 20. Is that too young? Since when? Maybe he'll never be any good in first grade. But I can't understand why you don't think there would be a rush for us to find out if Atkinson isn't the answer.

My comment met with extreme skepticism about Ollie Burton or Rokko Walker taking over for Gutho, when they will both be 19 is more of what seems to me extreme and very weird nervousness about 18~21 year-olds playing first grade on this forum. I don't understand it.

When circumstances dictate, should take a punt on teenagers and 20 year-olds. Last year Halanganhu was only 19. He might have been 18 or just turned 19 when he debuted. Didn't let us down either. Not a bit!

LKT was only 19 when he debuted in 2024.

 

[jodragon40]

I'm not being condescending but you said:

I still don't get it. Even if Atkinson isn't a good halfback, you still don't think there would be a need to rush for Reed to play first grade? Why? He'll be 20. Is that too young? Since when? Maybe he'll never be any good in first grade. But I can't understand why you don't think there would be a rush for us to find out if Atkinson isn't the answer.

My comment met with extreme skepticism about Ollie Burton or Rokko Walker taking over for Gutho, when they will both be 19 is more of what seems to me extreme and very weird nervousness about 18~21 year-olds playing first grade on this forum. I don't understand it.

I also said just based on my own personal experiences

 

[jodragon40]

I believe at least Kyle was actually diagnosed as having some kind of congenital defeat in his ACLs. Cameron King was also supposed to be the next big thing at hooker. He also started off looking very promising, had a few consecutive injuries then when he was finally injury free, he just wasn't very good anymore.

How different would things have been in that period after Wayne left if Cameron King and the Stanley's stayed injury free and were as good as they seemed to be early on?

Injuries, the archilles heel of every player and coach. I recall my old mentor making me run laps of the oval in the middle of summer to get me out of the bsd habit I had of saying but whatif. I soon learnt my lesson.

I am just saying that young adults as a rule of thumb cannot physically compete with men especially in the forwards.

In the backs natural ability and speed will take you further. You still have to allow them the time to physically grow.

Of course there will be exceptions but look at last year's injury toll to our youngsters in the pack.

The game is much faster than in my day and Injuries are far more prevalent now.