Recruitment and Retention for 2026

Mailroomsgi

Mailroomsgi

SGI Jersey Flegg
It’s usually more of an opportunity thing than money for hungry young players.

I rewatched the cup game back yesterday. I genuinely can’t remember a forward being so damaging for us with ball in hand like Finau Latu.

Physically he’s on another level, his ceiling is so incredibly high. Every run is breaking a tackle/making 10+ metres or finding an offload which he almost always gets right.

Just a really special player and it’s no wonder 2 of the greatest operators in rugby league (Gus and O’ Sullivan) wanted to have a chat
 
Mailroomsgi

Mailroomsgi

SGI Jersey Flegg
The Galvin news will have a big domino effect as well, tigers actually upgrade in the 6 position with Latu Fainu. The masses just don’t know it yet.

As for where he goes, it’s got Manly written all over it, Isaac Moses doesn’t get on with Dogs/roosters allegedly and while he’s a parra fan I can’t see him going there.

Manly just brought in the Large brothers who are immensely talented, Onitoni who’s a 6 would have his pathway blocked if Galvin goes there.

Will be interesting to see how it all unfolds
 
TheRev

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
Media mentioned us as being a club with no marquees who could throw silly money @ Galvin, but doesnt seem Flannos bag at all.. and I dont think were a club a young gun would go to anyway.. i.e. were nowhere near our premiership window... and... we just bought Atkinson.. a running 6 who maybe is a 7 longer term.. maybe.. and I just dunno if would chase a kid 6 for 2027.. curious if the Tigers will now start Fainu over Galvin also.

Gus seems like the favourite to get him... hes been blabbering about him being the best teenager hes ever seen... and last week he was ripping into any clubs offering those 1million dollar figures... because... it was irresponsible and will ruin the kids development.. he's not even bothering to mask his message anymore.. he's clearly been courting him.. but will no doubt Gus 'never talked numbers' like he always claims.
 
Mailroomsgi

Mailroomsgi

SGI Jersey Flegg
TheRev said:
Media mentioned us as being a club with no marquees who could throw silly money @ Galvin, but doesnt seem Flannos bag at all.. and I dont think were a club a young gun would go to anyway.. i.e. were nowhere near our premiership window... and... we just bought Atkinson.. a running 6 who maybe is a 7 longer term.. maybe.. and I just dunno if would chase a kid 6 for 2027.. curious if the Tigers will now start Fainu over Galvin also.

Gus seems like the favourite to get him... hes been blabbering about him being the best teenager hes ever seen... and last week he was ripping into any clubs offering those 1million dollar figures... because... it was irresponsible and will ruin the kids development.. he's not even bothering to mask his message anymore.. he's clearly been courting him.. but will no doubt Gus 'never talked numbers' like he always claims.
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I can’t see the dogs going for galvin personally, Burton there and Mitch woods waiting in the wings. Their cap would be getting pretty tight before signing a million dollar half.

Think he’s Manly bound

As for us, Atkinson on the way means signing a 6 is not happening. Maybe a 7 for 2-3 years until Kade Reed is ready. We’re in a bit of a tough spot for signing star halves but also bearing in mind 2 elite prospects like Reed and Ah kee are only a few years away from potentially first grade.

My 2 big hopes for this year are we get a short term deal for a 7 like Adam Reynolds or DCE (very unlikely) to fill the gap for 26/27 and Finau Latu extends for a few more years.

I just don’t want to see Flanagan or Illias in the halves after this year ideally
 
W

Wild383

SGI Jersey Flegg
Mailroomsgi said:
I can’t see the dogs going for galvin personally, Burton there and Mitch woods waiting in the wings. Their cap would be getting pretty tight before signing a million dollar half.

Think he’s Manly bound

As for us, Atkinson on the way means signing a 6 is not happening. Maybe a 7 for 2-3 years until Kade Reed is ready. We’re in a bit of a tough spot for signing star halves but also bearing in mind 2 elite prospects like Reed and Ah kee are only a few years away from potentially first grade.

My 2 big hopes for this year are we get a short term deal for a 7 like Adam Reynolds or DCE (very unlikely) to fill the gap for 26/27 and Finau Latu extends for a few more years.

I just don’t want to see Flanagan or Illias in the halves after this year ideally
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Yea as much as Gould is always raving on about Galvin I dont see them throwing that kind of money at him with Woods there, if he does thats a massive call and would have a bit of flow on. Agree with pretty much everything else but I do really hope Illias comes good instead of needing to fill another gap until Kade/whoever comes in. I still think hes capable of really good things and just needs some time to get his confidence back and develop. If he does I could see an Illias Atko combo being a pretty exciting prospect next year with our backline.
 
Eric

Eric

Staff
Mailroomsgi said:
I can’t see the dogs going for galvin personally, Burton there and Mitch woods waiting in the wings. Their cap would be getting pretty tight before signing a million dollar half.

Think he’s Manly bound

As for us, Atkinson on the way means signing a 6 is not happening. Maybe a 7 for 2-3 years until Kade Reed is ready. We’re in a bit of a tough spot for signing star halves but also bearing in mind 2 elite prospects like Reed and Ah kee are only a few years away from potentially first grade.

My 2 big hopes for this year are we get a short term deal for a 7 like Adam Reynolds or DCE (very unlikely) to fill the gap for 26/27 and Finau Latu extends for a few more years.

I just don’t want to see Flanagan or Illias in the halves after this year ideally
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I know he's very young and started first grade probably a year or 2 too early but I watched the game yesterday between Tigers and Newcastle. I'd say Galvin was average to poor. Jerome Luai might be worth 1 mil a year but not Galvin.

For the money it would take and stage of their careers, I hope the club doesn't get Reynolds or DCE. But then again, a halves combo of Ilias and Atkinson isn't going to worry too many teams. And remember Glover has also been killing it in NSW Cup. No reason he couldn't fill in for a year. But definitely Reed needs to be the long term halfback. Or so it seems at this early stage.

Maybe the club needs to promote from within. Forwards are pretty much set for the next 10 years as far as I can see. If LKT isn't part of Flanno's plans, maybe the St. George SG Ball 5/8 everyone is talking about.
 
TheRev

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
Mailroomsgi said:
I can’t see the dogs going for galvin personally, Burton there and Mitch woods waiting in the wings. Their cap would be getting pretty tight before signing a million dollar half.
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Gus is 100% going for him imo.. just not at the dollars other clubs are offering, hes addicted to the game of identifying and signing talent.. its his purpose for living... which is why hes trying to change the narrative about appropriate salary.

He will move Burton to centres or lock no problems, or Galvin in a few years time... Woods is a maybe, Galvin (according to him) is better than Fittler, Johns and co.

Edit: Apparently Gus has just patched up his long running feud with Isaac Moses lol..
 
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Ryan

Ryan

SGI NSW Cup
Eric said:
I know he's very young and started first grade probably a year or 2 too early but I watched the game yesterday between Tigers and Newcastle. I'd say Galvin was average to poor. Jerome Luai might be worth 1 mil a year but not Galvin.

For the money it would take and stage of their careers, I hope the club doesn't get Reynolds or DCE. But then again, a halves combo of Ilias and Atkinson isn't going to worry too many teams. And remember Glover has also been killing it in NSW Cup. No reason he couldn't fill in for a year. But definitely Reed needs to be the long term halfback. Or so it seems at this early stage.

Maybe the club needs to promote from within. Forwards are pretty much set for the next 10 years as far as I can see. If LKT isn't part of Flanno's plans, maybe the St. George SG Ball 5/8 everyone is talking about.
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Agree. Retain all the promising young players now, like Latu and LKT, then just get a few budget imports for any positions where there is a weakness. But Flanno doesn't seem to rate LKT.
 
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Ryan

Ryan

SGI NSW Cup
TheRev said:
Gus is 100% going for him imo.. just not at the dollars other clubs are offering, hes addicted to the game of identifying and signing talent.. its his purpose for living... which is why hes trying to change the narrative about appropriate salary.

He will move Burton to centres or lock no problems, or Galvin in a few years time... Woods is a maybe, Galvin (according to him) is better than Fittler, Johns and co.

Edit: Apparently Gus has just patched up his long running feud with Isaac Moses lol..
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Gus was a good coach. As a GM of football, not so much.
 
Chris M

Chris M

SGI NSW Cup
Ryan said:
Gus was a good coach. As a GM of football, not so much.
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Debatable. Penriths success started right after he left but Gould might of been instrumental in putting the conditions in place where it could happen. Anthony Griffin as well.
 
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RedV01

RedV01

SGI NSW Cup
Chris M said:
Debatable. Penriths success started right after he left but Gould might of been instrumental in putting the conditions in place where it could happen. Anthony Griffin as well.
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He was GM at Penrith and they won nothing. Was GM at the Warriors and they won nothing. Now GM at the Bullgrubs and they have outbid every other club for half a dozen in demand imports but I very much doubt they are going to win anything this year or next. The bought not bred system doesn't work anymore. Though if they do pay 1mil a year for Galvin, maybe we can get Burton who is already on 5/8 money. He's not a good 5/8 unless he has a good, game-managing halfback like Kade Reed.
 
TheRev

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
I think Galvin coming on the market would be a huge driver in LKT staying.. LKT probably thought he could walk into their #6 jersey next year on starting halves money.. but now he is going to have to compete for that jersey like he would here @ saints..

I dont 'love' LKT but im happy to have him stay.. hes got some talent.. and he has a lot to learn but we have put a lot of work into him, its his 3rd year playing 'some' NSW Cup.. there is a big gap down to Reed and Ah Kee who are years behind still.. I think its a good retention..

Last one left is Finau Latu & Sione Finau, then onto the lesser names like a Jesse Williams and co.. surely we wont keep all of them.. but time will tell.
 
W

Wild383

SGI Jersey Flegg
TheRev said:
I think Galvin coming on the market would be a huge driver in LKT staying.. LKT probably thought he could walk into their #6 jersey next year on starting halves money.. but now he is going to have to compete for that jersey like he would here @ saints..

I dont 'love' LKT but im happy to have him stay.. hes got some talent.. and he has a lot to learn but we have put a lot of work into him, its his 3rd year playing 'some' NSW Cup.. there is a big gap down to Reed and Ah Kee who are years behind still.. I think its a good retention..

Last one left is Finau Latu & Sione Finau, then onto the lesser names like a Jesse Williams and co.. surely we wont keep all of them.. but time will tell.
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Think its great, great depth very young and lots to learn and compete for particularly next year. Also pretty sure its only his 2nd year in reserves (could be wrong?) but he was definitely playing SG ball start of last year, played a few Flegg games, then pushed up into reserves and then again for his debut when Kyle was ruled out.

Edit - Found the info (pretty nuts really how quick he got pushed up) --> LKT prepares for debut

'King-Togia began the year playing SG Ball Cup with the Steelers helping to guide them to the finals before transitioning into Jersey Flegg. He lasted just four games before earning a call-up to Knock-On Effect NSW Cup level where he has made 11 appearances across five-eighth and fullback.'

Very confident we'll also get Latu, Sione could be a wait and see, could go either way depending on opportunities.
 
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TheRev

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
he played a few cup games in 2023, back when Herring looked the goods.. and we let Herring go to keep LKT.. both very similar.... I just mean we have been trying to fast-track him for quite a while
 
Eric

Eric

Staff
TheRev said:
I think Galvin coming on the market would be a huge driver in LKT staying.. LKT probably thought he could walk into their #6 jersey next year on starting halves money.. but now he is going to have to compete for that jersey like he would here @ saints..

I dont 'love' LKT but im happy to have him stay.. hes got some talent.. and he has a lot to learn but we have put a lot of work into him, its his 3rd year playing 'some' NSW Cup.. there is a big gap down to Reed and Ah Kee who are years behind still.. I think its a good retention..

Last one left is Finau Latu & Sione Finau, then onto the lesser names like a Jesse Williams and co.. surely we wont keep all of them.. but time will tell.
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I doubt Sione will stick around. He's not even that young anymore. Flanno must have big plans for Williams or Buchanan or someone else. But if we can now get Latu, that will be enough for now, won't it? We can all be happy. I think we might see big improvements as the year progresses. A lot will depend on Ilias and Klemmer. One of them to get us on the front foot and one to take advantage of that.
 
W

Wild383

SGI Jersey Flegg
Eric said:
I doubt Sione will stick around. He's not even that young anymore. Flanno must have big plans for Williams or Buchanan or someone else. But if we can now get Latu, that will be enough for now, won't it? We can all be happy. I think we might see big improvements as the year progresses. A lot will depend on Ilias and Klemmer. One of them to get us on the front foot and one to take advantage of that.
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So im still curious to see if Sione gets pushed into the squad either this week in the last hour update or next week. It could be less about Sione and more of a 'this is your last chance Mat' type scenario but will be an interesting couple weeks. If he doesnt get a run while Tuis out and the spots open for the taking that could decide his future. If we lock up Latu thats an outstanding 6 months getting all the key juniors sorted till either 2026/2027.
 
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