jodragon40
Staff
I disagree he hasn't had the opportunities with the Raiders. I hope he is that missing link
Recruitment and Retention for 2026
- Thread starter Chris M
- Start date
RedVictory
SGI Jersey Flegg
Good pickup.
Eric
Staff
Hope so. I don't watch many Canberra games so can't say I know too much.Good pickup.
AyiosYiorgos
SGI Jersey Flegg
I just remember him as slow around the ruck, i understand he is a big body, but dont see him as a leader, hope he turns into another Vaughan without the BBQ in saying that he's parents own a Kebab shop in Auburn...
Chris M
SGI NSW Cup
I wasn't happy about it at first but now I see he is behind some serious front row talent at Canberra so it makes sense they'd let him go.Good pickup.
Chris M
SGI NSW Cup
Just stunned Newcastle paid that much for Dylan Brown. Mitchell Moses carries Parramatta and they are a rabble when he doesn't play. Dragons learned their mistake with Hunt. As a general rule, only elite playmakers are worth over 1 mil per season. Maybe I should say, halves on over 1 mil a season should only be elite playmakers. Hunt has a good running game and will probably play well at Brisbane with Reynolds pulling the strings. For me Dylan Brown is a more extreme example of Hunt.
But what has me so annoyed is that LKT still hasn't gotten an extension. In reserve grade last weekend he played well again. Much better than Kyle played in first grade. In the second half in particular, he took the ball in both hands, ran right to the line, didn't stop, pivot and pass but kept running taking attackers on the outside with him. Only a matter of time until he gets his timing and the players around him right and often either runs straight through or puts edge backrowers or centres outside him straight through.
If we lose him to Parra because Flanno wants Kyle.............
But what has me so annoyed is that LKT still hasn't gotten an extension. In reserve grade last weekend he played well again. Much better than Kyle played in first grade. In the second half in particular, he took the ball in both hands, ran right to the line, didn't stop, pivot and pass but kept running taking attackers on the outside with him. Only a matter of time until he gets his timing and the players around him right and often either runs straight through or puts edge backrowers or centres outside him straight through.
If we lose him to Parra because Flanno wants Kyle.............
Edward
SGI NSW Cup
When I started typing this reply it was to disagree. I was very critical of Illias but thought Kyle played ok. But after looking at the stats, have to say I agree. Illias was definitively struggling with his kicking. Why can't Kyle help with that? He had 37 kick metres. His stats across the board are terrible! But then again, we all know how misleading stats are. Last year if Ben Hunt farted on the field in a set when the Dragons scored, he was credited with a try assist.
But as for recruitment and retention, there are a few 5/8s in the lower grades and Atkinson next year. Illias would probably do well as a 5/8 with Reed at halfback as well. I don't think it's a issue that LKT hasn't been extended yet. The opposite. Nothing against him or his ability but he's facing a lot of competition from within the club and has to show more to get an extension.
Chris M
SGI NSW Cup
Some players can never do enough and others just have to not make mistakes.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Biggest names off contract for 2026:
Selwyn CobboClub: Broncos
Age: 22
Position: Centre/wing
Brandon Smith
Club: Roosters
Age: 28
Position: Hooker
Adam Reynolds
Club: Broncos
Age: 34
Position: Halfback
Kotoni Staggs
Club: Broncos
Age: 26
Position: Centre
Kobe Hetherington
Club: Broncos
Age: 26
Position: Lock
Josh Papalii
Club: Raiders
Age: 32
Position: Prop
William Kennedy
Club: Sharks
Age: 27
Position: Fullback
Felise Kaufusi
Club: Dolphins
Age: 32
Position: Forward
Daly Cherry-Evans
Club: Sea Eagles
Age: 36
Position: Halfback
Tyran Wishart
Club: Storm
Age: 25
Position: Halves/utility
Adam Elliott
Club: Knights
Position: Backrow
Kai Pearce-Paul
Club: Knights
Age: 24
Position: Second row
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Club: Warriors
Age: 29
Position: Fullback
Cody Walker
Club: Rabbitohs
Age: 35
Position: Five-eighth/Halfback
Ryan Matterson
Club: Eels
Age: 30
Position: Second row
Alex Johnston
Club: Rabbitohs
Age: 30
Position: Wing
Due to age, the positions they play and young players the Dragons have coming through, I think only Cobbo or Staggs would interest the Dragons.
Mailroomsgi
SGI Jersey Flegg
Staggs has re-signed a few weeks back hasn’t he?
Doubt cobbo leaves QLD and we don’t need him anyway.
We need a top notch front rower but everybody already knows that
Doubt cobbo leaves QLD and we don’t need him anyway.
We need a top notch front rower but everybody already knows that
Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
Do we need? Maybe, maybe not. I think with Tonga, Stewart, Liu, Couchmans we only need to keep the props we have.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
Ok so that list is guys that can be negotiated with right now (available for 2026).. I thought Staggs was signed also, but hes actually still in negotiation.
The question is what positions do we need to fill.. I dont actually know the answer yet.. I dont even know if Flanno does, cause we havent had a chance to assess all our train & trial and development kids... there is 26 rounds of footy to go yet.... and we can see if anyone is rdy to step up.. and still a few like LKT, SFinau & LFainu who havent signed yet.. LKT in particular if he goes, we need some halves cover in there.
I still think we will be chasing a higher tier prop or 13.. like a proper player... not knowing yet if Klemmer or JDB will be here either.. though I think both will.. and then guys like Lawrie and Rava are also blokes we potentially may still have.. but hopefully have moved on sooner rather than later so we can get to work.
We also dont have a recruitment manager, a new GM or a CEO with his feet under the table yet...
The question is what positions do we need to fill.. I dont actually know the answer yet.. I dont even know if Flanno does, cause we havent had a chance to assess all our train & trial and development kids... there is 26 rounds of footy to go yet.... and we can see if anyone is rdy to step up.. and still a few like LKT, SFinau & LFainu who havent signed yet.. LKT in particular if he goes, we need some halves cover in there.
I still think we will be chasing a higher tier prop or 13.. like a proper player... not knowing yet if Klemmer or JDB will be here either.. though I think both will.. and then guys like Lawrie and Rava are also blokes we potentially may still have.. but hopefully have moved on sooner rather than later so we can get to work.
We also dont have a recruitment manager, a new GM or a CEO with his feet under the table yet...
Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
What is going on with Lawrie? Been hearing he is on the outer for about a year now but still here. Not too bad. He might still be better than Sele and Gular. And what is going on with Sele? Still has a heart condition? He's not listed as injured but isn't in either grade.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
- Well Lawrie we will see for the first time tomorrow, I hope he goes ok, a lot of fans have it in for him.
- Sele has a Calf injury, due back Round 4 (took them weeks to update the injury list), he will struggle after so many injuries in a row
- TomE is also not listed on the injuries list.. not sure what happening there..
Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
Forgot all about Tom E as well.
I hope Lawrie goes ok as well. So strange with him. One week he runs for 170m and the next week 50.
jodragon40
Staff
We do definitely. These kids need time to grow and learn their trades, they need a decent teacher. We won't see the best of these kids until 2027, in my view, at the earliest. The props later.
jodragon40
Staff
I have found that there is no greater incentive for any player who has tried his heart out for a club to be written off and believe they are no longer wanted. I believe off the bench he will give his all for I would think about 30 mins out on the paddock. Let us hope so because we suffer with the lack of bookends at our 1st rotation.
Sele is just one of those unfortunate players who just can't run onto the paddock 100% fit and healthy. I suspect that he won't be playing 1sts in 26 unless he can shake off his bad run.of injuries and ill health.
I expected Tom E to be in the 17 especially after he was resigned but in saying that it may be a depth signing for 25 and he wouldn't be on the big $$.
jodragon40
Staff
Lovely story about the origins of young Hamish Stewart and his famous family. His old man welfare officer for the Dragons since 2003, his hockeyroo sister Grace, co cpt, and his hometown of Gerringong made famous by Mick Cronin. How 2 yrs ago St Benny came knocking on his door to move to the Dolphins and how he knocked him back. Now this story reminds me of what childhood dreams are made up of and how the now lost word , ' Loyalty ' still means something to this kids generation. Worth a read in the D.T. today. I hope the kid makes it, to me he looks a ready made replacement for JDB.
Chris M
SGI NSW Cup
I had just finished reading it.
RedV01
SGI NSW Cup
- Corey Allan - bye
- Jack de Belin - Keep for one more year
- Dylan Egan - Keep if possible
- Tom Eisenhuth - bye (Is he injured? What's going on with him?)
- Raymond Faitala-Mariner - bye
- Viliami Fifita - bye
- Sione Finau - Keep if possible
- David Klemmer - Lets see how he goes. Might be worth keeping around for another year.
- Finau Latu - Keep if possible
- Christian Tuipulotu - bye (Good player but need to get rid of Rava permanently to keep otherwise his spot in the top 30 is needed elsewhere)