Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[TheRev]

Post from another forum that I think is a great sign of where we r at with Anderson/Flanno:

I was at the NSW Cup game on the weekend against the Jets. (Side note the Beer, Footy, Food festival is a fantastic day) Daniel Anderson was at the game watching in his new Dragon's jacket! He was taking notes. He also had a carer with him who was assisting in taking notes, calling over players to chat etc etc. He looked well-equipped to take on the role. I also saw Shane Flanagan at the game walking in with the team at half time, which I thought was a good sign. Say what you want about Flanno, but flying back from North Queensland and heading straight to watch the NSW side shows he is dedicated to the club.

Was a bit of a reality check this game after being up for so long in NSW Cup.. facing a Top4 opponent.. the first half they tore us apart, we were much better in the 2nd half, but the damage was done.. maybe its not the worst game for Anderson to see, cause its a bit more realistic compared to when our forwards rofl-stomp a weaker opponent and the backs have all the time in the world..

This was the game where Halangahu had a bit of a shocker and was getting strips torn off him by Codes (noting that its been a long year for a young teenager, but just mentioning it cause finals r looming and Nick is probably gone)... I guess we could play RFM/MMolo in the 2nd row and Halangahu off the bench actually.. but were down to last man standing.

 

[Dragon David]

DD What us your view on this matter. Was Finau permitted to test the market, if so the club was fibbing about its public statement that it intended upgrading him, so am puzzled why the meeting was 'private'. Curious and more curiouser is why did his management leak this private' meeting if not to stymie the Raiders so his client could stay at the Dragons..

I'm not sure RVH on this. I haven't seen anything on the internet or in the Dragons website about Finau being able to test the market. If he was given the OK to do this then any meeting with another club would not be a "secretive thing" and be more in the open. Testing the market would allow the Dragons to see what deal Finau could get elsewhere and the Dragons could offer him a better one which his manager might have aimed for.

Now that Anderson is in charge, I'm wondering if Anderson will give Finau the green light to test the market seeing that he had already gone to the Raiders. I think that Ricky was going to see if things at this "private meeting" would be positive and that Finau would agree to play for the Canberra team so then Ricky could ask the Dragons to allow Finau to be released early to enable Ricky to have another winger as his side has been depleted of wingers through injury especially now that it is heading towards the finals and they are currently leading the comp and want to maintain that position.

Just my thoughts RVH.

 

[Edward]

I'm not sure RVH on this. I haven't seen anything on the internet or in the Dragons website about Finau being able to test the market. If he was given the OK to do this then any meeting with another club would not be a "secretive thing" and be more in the open. Testing the market would allow the Dragons to see what deal Finau could get elsewhere and the Dragons could offer him a better one which his manager might have aimed for.

Now that Anderson is in charge, I'm wondering if Anderson will give Finau the green light to test the market seeing that he had already gone to the Raiders. I think that Ricky was going to see if things at this "private meeting" would be positive and that Finau would agree to play for the Canberra team so then Ricky could ask the Dragons to allow Finau to be released early to enable Ricky to have another winger as his side has been depleted of wingers through injury especially now that it is heading towards the finals and they are currently leading the comp and want to maintain that position.

Just my thoughts RVH.

I think Finau doesn't have a contract anywhere beyond this year.

 

[RedVictory]

I'm not sure RVH on this. I haven't seen anything on the internet or in the Dragons website about Finau being able to test the market. If he was given the OK to do this then any meeting with another club would not be a "secretive thing" and be more in the open. Testing the market would allow the Dragons to see what deal Finau could get elsewhere and the Dragons could offer him a better one which his manager might have aimed for.

Now that Anderson is in charge, I'm wondering if Anderson will give Finau the green light to test the market seeing that he had already gone to the Raiders. I think that Ricky was going to see if things at this "private meeting" would be positive and that Finau would agree to play for the Canberra team so then Ricky could ask the Dragons to allow Finau to be released early to enable Ricky to have another winger as his side has been depleted of wingers through injury especially now that it is heading towards the finals and they are currently leading the comp and want to maintain that position.

Just my thoughts RVH.

Funny doesn’t need a green light to test the market. He’s off contract right now.

 

[jodragon40]

100% .. Braith was briefly supportive of us for the first few rounds, but hes back to throwing hand grenades at every opportunity now that Ilias isnt in 1st grade... can only imagine what he says off-camera.

Sandon Smith is the one youd think is a maybe with Anderson on board.. but who knows.. tbh im not in love with him, but hes a big step up on our other options, and a gun goal kicker.. maybe a bit similar to Atkinson, but we could definitely work with him.

Player Managers the bane of most 1st grade coaches, they weild far too much influence and power in my view and take things very personally

 

[Mailroomsgi]

I think the pathways will be very interesting to see who we sign and where we scout with Anderson now in the building

Whether he’s a success or not is another thing but it’s good to see this change being made. He also knows a hell of a lot about rugby league and has good relationships with a heap of player agents

 

[TheRev]

ppl r saying stuff like double swaps for sloan+sione <=> mooney+chevy, but I just dunno if thats realistic, apparently both raiders players have been given permission to negotiate.. not 100% sure if thats true.. and also that us and Newcastle have expressed interest.. i dunno what to believe anymore.

But I do atleast believe we would be on the front-foot with this stuff now, where-as in the past.. it felt like we were always in at the very last minute with any player interest.. unless they fell in our lap... noone was making calls @9am.. getting in there and getting it done.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

I think the pathways will be very interesting to see who we sign and where we scout with Anderson now in the building

Whether he’s a success or not is another thing but it’s good to see this change being made. He also knows a hell of a lot about rugby league and has good relationships with a heap of player agents

And the best bit is he has no prior history with the Saints or Illawarra..

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Sounds like there is a fair bit of interest in Mooney ( rightly so because the prop market is dry as f*ck)

Dolphins/knights/tigers/parra all keen + us as well

 

[Justadragon]

Thank christ we have DA now, it would have been a hell of a ride with Harran there.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

I know the Mole is an idi%t, but would like to read the WWS story hes reffering too, will keep an eye out today:
View attachment 682

Don't understand how we would sell nor replace that many though..

Wow, if the Mole has this correct that is some clean out the club is planning. No Finau or Allan on the list I see and inexplicably no Kyle Flanagan?? Has Anderson done a deal with Flanagan over his son, please no continuation at #7.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

On the chopping block: Ben Murdoch-Masila, Blake Lawrie, Damien Cook, Emre Guler, Hame Sele, Lachlan Ilias, Luciano Leilua, Mat Feagai, Michael Molo, Mikaele Ravalawa, Nathan Lawson, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Tyrell Sloan, Viliami Fifita, David Klemmer.

So all these guys will remain for '26. Give us a break, guys in bold need to be delisted end of season. Cook, Klemmer retire.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Contracted for 2027: Clint Gutherson, Cyrus Stanley-Traill, Daniel Atkinson*, Dylan Egan, Jacob Halangahu, Jacob Liddle, Kyle Flanagan, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Lyhkhan King-Togia, Moses Suli, Nick Tsougranis, Ryan Couchman, Toby Couchman, Valentine Holmes.

Add Sione Finau and Hamish Stewart and there is some serious talent among that 15. Baffled why we have extended both Suli and Flanagan tho. Gotta say LKT was lucky too, but the kid is only 19/20 so plenty of time for some skill development. Kade Reed needs to be locked in too asap to avoid poachers.

 

[Dragons Chris]

Contracted for 2027: Clint Gutherson, Cyrus Stanley-Traill, Daniel Atkinson*, Dylan Egan, Jacob Halangahu, Jacob Liddle, Kyle Flanagan, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Lyhkhan King-Togia, Moses Suli, Nick Tsougranis, Ryan Couchman, Toby Couchman, Valentine Holmes.

Add Sione Finau and Hamish Stewart. There is some serious talent among that 15. Baffled why we have extended both Suli and Flanagan tho. Gotta say LKT was lucky too, but the kid is only 19/20 so plenty of time for some skill development. Kade Reed needs to be locked in too asap to avoid poachers.

Flanagan was extended for reasons other than form or ability. Suli has never been much good. Has a good game about twice a season though can't say he has a lot of bad games.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Sicj

Dolphins/knights/tigers/parra all keen + us as well

Pissed off to distraction over us being unable to land top tier players here over last four yrs capable of taking us to the finals, unlike other lower level teams. Lets turn this round even if we have to offer overs. Daniel Anderson must be a good salesman as he landed the Roosters some good buys so he has to sell this club to lure some experienced talent here too as our '26 roster needs a good injection, specially at the front and at half. NO REJECTS!!

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

I'm wondering if Anderson will give Finau the green light to test the market seeing that he had already gone to the Raiders.

DD could Finau have had second thoughts, perhaps a touch late, so has informed his manager to leak the meeting to the media. Make sense?

 

[Dave03]

Now garrick is available too, a few from the titans too. Opportunities available, need to nail them.

 

[Mug Fan]

Player Managers the bane of most 1st grade coaches, they weild far too much influence and power in my view and take things very personally

Quite the opposite actually, a good relationship with managers has many benefits.
Only if they are allowed too.

 

[Mug Fan]

DD could Finau have had second thoughts, perhaps a touch late, so has informed his manager to leak the meeting to the media. Make sense?

I'll say it again and again, fans need to stop believing everything that is said in the media.
Micky did not release the information to the media and why would he, it would serve no benefit.

Ricky needs to look closer to home at one of the multiple Raiders staff members, oh but that wouldn't make him look good.

 

[Mug Fan]

Ando officially started on Monday but had his foot in the door the 2 weeks of his holidays. He was at Jets game on Saturday.
He has already identified a few overpaid players that he will look to get off the books.