Recruitment and Retention for 2026
- Thread starter Dragons Chris
- Start date
Dragons Chris
SGI NSW Cup
Tino has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave.
Morgan
SGI NSW Cup
Speaking of Tino, I wonder if Fanno and Anderson would entertain him coming to the Dragons for just one year after which he goes to Perth.
Dragon David
SGI Jersey Flegg
Not likely Morgan. How will it benefit us? Would he put in 100%? He would most likely prefer to stay at the Titans for that year.
I know it is all hypothetical stuff and your thoughts and anyone else's guess would be equally feasible. That's what this Forum is about.
Morgan
SGI NSW Cup
Maybe have a good influence in the young forwards at the club for a year.
RedV01
SGI NSW Cup
If it was true, just wondering why it would have been leaked. Have Gold Coast already given hm permission to talk to other clubs? In that case you would say his management leaked it trying to start a bidding war. But hasn't happened as far as I know. Who would have leaked it and for what reason on the Dragons side.To me, our chances of getting Tino are at high odds. He is still contracted to the Titans to the end of 2033 albeit with a get out clause that is subject to what direction the Titans are heading and if things are stable there and if they don't suit him he will look and go elsewhere. That elsewhere is the one that can offer the best deal he can get and no doubt will also consist of plenty of clauses to cut short the contract if things don't pan out his and/or the club who he goes to, way. Dangerous territory in my opinion. Also big money offers to individuals while the other players put their guts on the line for less pay could result in disharmony.
The Bulldogs and the Perth Bears, are the other two clubs that have been reported to be interested in him at this stage besides us if what has been said in the media can be believed.
Rival club’s ‘absolutely massive’ offer may not be enough as four-team Tino bidding war erupts
Rival club’s ‘absolutely massive’ offer may not be enough as four-team Tino bidding war eruptswww.foxsports.com.au
Chasing him makes sense. A middle rotation of Couchmans, Tino, LPT and Hamish Stewart would be very decent.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
Every time I post content from the mole I regret it, but this is sort of in our wheel house.. maybe a younger version of Allan to cover ctr/wing (Edit: Actually Allan is 2months younger...)... eels fans say hes injury prone might be the biggest issue.. I've never rly watched the bloke... I dont mind mind the idea though, would have liked Doueihi also.. just want 1st grade quality and options for Shane to work with.. though I really do feel like Wing is one of the few positions we should be able to throw some money at and get a gun...its the position that all the failed centres and fullbacks end up at if they cant make it in their preffered position.. i.e. a lot of candidates... and wing is a bit more simplistic.. Lomax is a prime example.
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jodragon40
Staff
My view, too injury prone, ACL last season so he missed the majority of that season and stress fracture of a foot this season again missing another 2 months of the season . So in his 3rd season with the Eels only managed 56 games scoring 18 tries, he's 27 yrs old I couldn't come into him unless it was for bottom $$. Just my views.
RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
Well said DD. What are our chances of nailing him. Be a great mentor to our emerging kids. If we cant land Tino will Anderson look at David Fifita who is looking to move south of the border. Hope not as for mine he is borderline lazy and not worth his huge coin. Jake H is developing a similar build and I believe will have more upsize when he fully matures.
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RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
Offer same as Titans, but throw in a few extra perks, say air tickets to the GC to visit his parents and siblings. That is more important to Tino than money and a gesture he'd appreciate.
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Dragons Chris
SGI NSW Cup
For the type of money they are talking about, he won't have an issue paying for air tickets.
Dragon David
SGI Jersey Flegg
He can pay for his rels to fly down and accommodate them in his lavish pad in the South Coast for a great holiday.
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's management negotiated a new contract in 2023 after Justin Holbrook was sacked, which tied him down to the Titans for 10 years - so still has 8 years left and not sure what conditions the club has imposed but that contract has a get out clause which will make him available to offers from clubs on November 1. So Tino's management is doing the due diligence for him to see what interest there is outside of the Titans from 2027 onwards and what any other club would be prepared to pay him. His salary for 2026 with the Titans will be $1.2M per year. The Perth Bears Franchise is offering him $1.5M a season and Mal Meninga who knows Tino well from his days as one of the officials at the club, might be able to sway Tino to the West Coast as the Bears marquee forward. I'm guessing they will roll out the red carpet for Tino. Perth is a long way out west - he could get homesick and want to come back east.
Then there is the usual Gus Gould "enquiry" for big named players on the market. He will deny everything, like he did with Galvin. He is a sneaky bastard and while the Dogs' salary cap might not be able to stretch to the $1.5M a season (even with the cap being increased), they might offer an amount that would be near enough to it together with those perks that seem to come from nowhere and the chance of being coached by the "next Bennett" and winning multiple premierships.
Then there is us, the club that in the past decade have not been able to secure any marquee player in both the backs and forwards (maybe Holmes is pretty close but Hunt you wouldn't call marquee). The Dragons have by all reports offered its highest figure ever to try and lure Tino to the Red V. It will be a hard task for Anderson to get this done in my opinion. The amount of money that will be offered to Tino is not the be all and end all - might be for his manager though.
Finally, we have the Titans who already have him under contract and as said earlier he will be paid $1.2 per season by them next year. Tino has said that he wants to stay at the Titans but he wants to know who might be the coach going forward and if that coach can help the Titans to win a premiership. Tino has family on the Gold Coast as well that are comfortable with the lifestyle up there.
You never know there could be other offers down the track and before Nov 1 so there will be a lot of water flowing under the bridge before we know who wins his services.
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
Made me sick watching that little prick play 9 when he wouldn't even entertain the idea at the Dragons. No worries Ben we looked after your retirement in the way you held us to ransom. Good riddance
Mug Fan
SGI NSW Cup
Daily Telegraph
Michael Carayannis
Mikaele Ravalawa is set to join Super League club Castleford where he could be joined by Canterbury outside back Blake Taaffe.
Ravalawa is expected to join the Super League when his season-long loan with South Sydney expires at the end of the season. He was due to re-join St George Illawarra next year but the Dragons have been open to letting the Fijian international leave the club for the past few seasons as they looked to free up some significant salary cap space.
Castleford remain on the look-out for a coach with St George Illawarra assistant Ryan Carr linked to the job.
Michael Carayannis
Mikaele Ravalawa is set to join Super League club Castleford where he could be joined by Canterbury outside back Blake Taaffe.
Ravalawa is expected to join the Super League when his season-long loan with South Sydney expires at the end of the season. He was due to re-join St George Illawarra next year but the Dragons have been open to letting the Fijian international leave the club for the past few seasons as they looked to free up some significant salary cap space.
Castleford remain on the look-out for a coach with St George Illawarra assistant Ryan Carr linked to the job.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
well done Tim/Daniel!
Mug Fan
SGI NSW Cup
Maybe we'll done Ryan.
Hardly been the same since he destroyed Morris a few years back at the SCG and got hammered with a suspension. Best of luck Rava