Recruitment and Retention for 2026

D

Dragon David

SGI Jersey Flegg
I'm hoping that Anderson gets some decent players signed up soon before the new Perth Bears franchise takes the cream of the NRL players who are nearing the end of their contracts with their current respective clubs.

Zero tackle reports that the Bears are interested in Jayden Campbell from the Titans and are linked to several other players one of which is Tino Fa'asuamaleaui who still is contracted of course but is able to talk to other clubs as per his contract conditions.

I am assuming that the Dragons doesn't view Campbell as being a marquee player.

 
TheRev

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
Ando was finally on the podcast this morning, obviously a good listen regardless, but a couple of points:
  • Subtlety different level of conversation depth compared to Haran's episode on recruitment a few weeks back.
  • Ando says his speciality is Halfbacks and Middles (needs help with outside backs).. nice hearing him talk about them.. talks about Loko's body being so tall that he gets twisted and bent in tackles, so he will take longer to build his core strength... but eventually hopefully we have a tall middle.. talks about LKT also.. that literally halves need to tackle.. if they make their tackles they can keep their spot in 1st grade.. agree with that, its why Kyle is there imo, his tackles and scramble/effort.. he's not costing us points and he's saving tries.. obviously were looking to upgrade, but there is a baseline of defence required.
  • Reckons Halangahu with 1 good preseason is starting to become a real handful for 1st graders.. personally I'm still not sure what position, but if the physical attributes r there we should get there... Hamish Stewart was the one he was most sure on though kicking on... still had some growth to go he thought.. this was his first season..
  • We will talk to Tino if he's interested in moving to Sydney/Gong.. that's his first question to any potential recruit... if not he just moves on.. but the big thing with him succeeding in his role was communication... networks.. keeping across players situations.
  • Buchanan he thought needs a big offseason, still a lot of tests to come there (obv he's behind Val anyway), no mention of Heidke, did mention Williams though as a unique prospect unlike other wingers at the club (which he is, he's such a weird running style, like a sprinter), maybe 2027.
  • Mentioned that at the Roosters the marquees get presented to him on a platter.. but unless ur in a premiership window, you cant really woo those players.. but we will go for guys on the cusp of rep duty... personally I don't think we can get them either, we need to put 2 good years together in a row, get some respect.. move up the food chain before we can attract those guys.. Ando thought 2027 was where it would start for us.. he's focussed on trying to get some quality signings for that year + we have spots opened up.
  • He is keeping a breast of the Chevy situation... has only had a very basic conversation... but right now Sloan is our fullback backup for 2026.. we cant have 3.
  • No hints as to who else we might sign.. prob only a couple more for 2026 by the sounds of it.. though I'm sure if opportunity presents itself..
  • Did mention his job is sometimes to butt head with Flanno on players who can bring us success now vs in years to come.. I mean ultimately we need both, but sometimes a tough decision may need to be made.
Overall he's a lovely guy to listen too.. has a laugh and puts you at ease, but he's sharp as a whip.. rly need him and maybe 1 more imo in the footy dept.. finally some brains, its not all Flanno's job..
 
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RedVHeartbeat

RedVHeartbeat

SGI NSW Cup
TheRev said:
. but we will go for guys on the cusp of rep duty... personally I don't think we can get them either, we need to put 2 good years together in a row, get some respect..
Click to expand...
Flanagan has had two years and we are still way down the food chain. So Ando wants us fans to suffer a further two years before everything will be hunky dory. My ageing nerve ends wont take it.
 
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RedVHeartbeat

RedVHeartbeat

SGI NSW Cup
TheRev said:
Did mention his job is sometimes to butt head with Flanno on players who can bring us success now vs in years to come.
Click to expand...
Someone finally bringing reality and good sense to our R&R. Keep butting Ando given your the boss. One of his most pressing policies has to be NO MORE REJECTS, as for past five years we have signed many, thinking they will miraculously become better players in the RedV, only to be disappointed..
 
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Mailroomsgi

Mailroomsgi

SGI Jersey Flegg
TheRev said:
Ando was finally on the podcast this morning, obviously a good listen regardless, but a couple of points:
  • Subtlety different level of conversation depth compared to Haran's episode on recruitment a few weeks back.
  • Ando says his speciality is Halfbacks and Middles (needs help with outside backs).. nice hearing him talk about them.. talks about Loko's body being so tall that he gets twisted and bent in tackles, so he will take longer to build his core strength... but eventually hopefully we have a tall middle.. talks about LKT also.. that literally halves need to tackle.. if they make their tackles they can keep their spot in 1st grade.. agree with that, its why Kyle is there imo, his tackles and scramble/effort.. he's not costing us points and he's saving tries.. obviously were looking to upgrade, but there is a baseline of defence required.
  • Reckons Halangahu with 1 good preseason is starting to become a real handful for 1st graders.. personally I'm still not sure what position, but if the physical attributes r there we should get there... Hamish Stewart was the one he was most sure on though kicking on... still had some growth to go he thought.. this was his first season..
  • We will talk to Tino if he's interested in moving to Sydney/Gong.. that's his first question to any potential recruit... if not he just moves on.. but the big thing with him succeeding in his role was communication... networks.. keeping across players situations.
  • Buchanan he thought needs a big offseason, still a lot of tests to come there (obv he's behind Val anyway), no mention of Heidke, did mention Williams though as a unique prospect unlike other wingers at the club (which he is, he's such a weird running style, like a sprinter), maybe 2027.
  • Mentioned that at the Roosters the marquees get presented to him on a platter.. but unless ur in a premiership window, you cant really woo those players.. but we will go for guys on the cusp of rep duty... personally I don't think we can get them either, we need to put 2 good years together in a row, get some respect.. move up the food chain before we can attract those guys.. Ando thought 2027 was where it would start for us.. he's focussed on trying to get some quality signings for that year + we have spots opened up.
  • He is keeping a breast of the Chevy situation... has only had a very basic conversation... but right now Sloan is our fullback backup for 2026.. we cant have 3.
  • No hints as to who else we might sign.. prob only a couple more for 2026 by the sounds of it.. though I'm sure if opportunity presents itself..
  • Did mention his job is sometimes to butt head with Flanno on players who can bring us success now vs in years to come.. I mean ultimately we need both, but sometimes a tough decision may need to be made.
Overall he's a lovely guy to listen too.. has a laugh and puts you at ease, but he's sharp as a whip.. rly need him and maybe 1 more imo in the footy dept.. finally some brains, its not all Flanno's job..
Click to expand...
After listening to it, the best way I can describe it is I felt relieved to have him at the club
Just a real switched on and wise individual.

You NEED to have guys like Anderson making big footballing decisions

I think Anderson is well aware that the pathway to success for a club in our position is to Develop stars rather than buy them when their at their peak in the NRL

The point about Loko’s body shape is so true and I’ve been saying it for a while, he’s just a baby atm and will need another 2-3 seasons IMO before he can really show what he is capable of with a body of muscle and core strength improved

Kyle Stanley needs help at St George too, their stacking the side with a fair few kids from Penrith etc. but if you do that they have to be good like Ah Kee (not as good as him necessarily but not crap)

A bad player from jamisontown or emu plains is the same as a bad player from oatley or penshurst
Spend the money on these 20-30k contracts that are not counted towards the cap which Canterbury and the roosters do to attract these talented kids and work hard on them to progress through the ranks
 
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Edward

Edward

SGI NSW Cup
Mailroomsgi said:
After listening to it, the best way I can describe it is I felt relieved to have him at the club
Just a real switched on and wise individual.

You NEED to have guys like Anderson making big footballing decisions

I think Anderson is well aware that the pathway to success for a club in our position is to Develop stars rather than buy them when their at their peak in the NRL

The point about Loko’s body shape is so true and I’ve been saying it for a while, he’s just a baby atm and will need another 2-3 seasons IMO before he can really show what he is capable of with a body of muscle and core strength improved

Kyle Stanley needs help at St George too, their stacking the side with a fair few kids from Penrith etc. but if you do that they have to be good like Ah Kee (not as good as him necessarily but not crap)

A bad player from jamisontown or emu plains is the same as a bad player from oatley or penshurst
Spend the money on these 20-30k contracts that are not counted towards the cap which Canterbury and the roosters do to attract these talented kids and work hard on them to progress through the ranks
Click to expand...
I believe there is cap for juniors as well. Roosters and Dogs just probably cheat it more systematically knowing the governing body doesn't have the resources, time or determination to investigate.

Update:
The **NRL (National Rugby League)** in Australia and New Zealand **does not have a separate, standalone "secondary salary cap" specifically for juniors or lower graders.** However, there are **key allowances and exemptions within the main salary cap framework** designed to incentivize junior development and manage lower-grade players, functioning similarly to a secondary mechanism. Here's the breakdown:

1. **The Top 30 Salary Cap ($11.45 million for 2024):** This is the primary cap covering the club's highest-paid 30 players. All payments to these players count towards this cap, subject to minimum wage rules.

2. **The Development List (Players 31-36):**
* Clubs must have a minimum of 29 players in their Top 30 and can name up to 6 additional players (making a squad of 36) on a "Development List".
* **Crucially:** Players on the Development List have a **set payment amount ($85,000 in 2024)**.
* **This $85,000 per Development player is EXCLUDED from the main Top 30 salary cap.** This effectively acts like a small, separate pool for these developing/lower-grade players.
* Players on this list can play NRL but are primarily focused on development (e.g., playing NSW Cup or QLD Cup).

3. **Junior Representative Allowance ($650,000 per year):**
* This is the most significant mechanism supporting juniors.
* Clubs can spend **up to $650,000 per year** on payments to **eligible junior representative players** (generally players aged 17-20 before June 30 of the relevant year, meeting specific criteria like playing in the club's junior rep teams - SG Ball, Harold Matthews, Jersey Flegg - or being identified as a local junior).
* **This entire $650,000 is EXCLUDED from the main Top 30 salary cap.**
* It's used to sign and retain talented young players *before* they graduate to the Top 30 or Development List. It directly incentivizes clubs to invest in their junior pathways.
 
Mug Fan

Mug Fan

SGI NSW Cup
TheRev said:
Ando was finally on the podcast this morning, obviously a good listen regardless, but a couple of points:
  • Subtlety different level of conversation depth compared to Haran's episode on recruitment a few weeks back.
  • Ando says his speciality is Halfbacks and Middles (needs help with outside backs).. nice hearing him talk about them.. talks about Loko's body being so tall that he gets twisted and bent in tackles, so he will take longer to build his core strength... but eventually hopefully we have a tall middle.. talks about LKT also.. that literally halves need to tackle.. if they make their tackles they can keep their spot in 1st grade.. agree with that, its why Kyle is there imo, his tackles and scramble/effort.. he's not costing us points and he's saving tries.. obviously were looking to upgrade, but there is a baseline of defence required.
  • Reckons Halangahu with 1 good preseason is starting to become a real handful for 1st graders.. personally I'm still not sure what position, but if the physical attributes r there we should get there... Hamish Stewart was the one he was most sure on though kicking on... still had some growth to go he thought.. this was his first season..
  • We will talk to Tino if he's interested in moving to Sydney/Gong.. that's his first question to any potential recruit... if not he just moves on.. but the big thing with him succeeding in his role was communication... networks.. keeping across players situations.
  • Buchanan he thought needs a big offseason, still a lot of tests to come there (obv he's behind Val anyway), no mention of Heidke, did mention Williams though as a unique prospect unlike other wingers at the club (which he is, he's such a weird running style, like a sprinter), maybe 2027.
  • Mentioned that at the Roosters the marquees get presented to him on a platter.. but unless ur in a premiership window, you cant really woo those players.. but we will go for guys on the cusp of rep duty... personally I don't think we can get them either, we need to put 2 good years together in a row, get some respect.. move up the food chain before we can attract those guys.. Ando thought 2027 was where it would start for us.. he's focussed on trying to get some quality signings for that year + we have spots opened up.
  • He is keeping a breast of the Chevy situation... has only had a very basic conversation... but right now Sloan is our fullback backup for 2026.. we cant have 3.
  • No hints as to who else we might sign.. prob only a couple more for 2026 by the sounds of it.. though I'm sure if opportunity presents itself..
  • Did mention his job is sometimes to butt head with Flanno on players who can bring us success now vs in years to come.. I mean ultimately we need both, but sometimes a tough decision may need to be made.
Overall he's a lovely guy to listen too.. has a laugh and puts you at ease, but he's sharp as a whip.. rly need him and maybe 1 more imo in the footy dept.. finally some brains, its not all Flanno's job..
Click to expand...

Pretty much most things we discussed last week, good to see him being honest and open to the fans.
 
R

redv13

SGI Jersey Flegg
TheRev said:
Ando was finally on the podcast this morning, obviously a good listen regardless, but a couple of points:
  • Subtlety different level of conversation depth compared to Haran's episode on recruitment a few weeks back.
  • Ando says his speciality is Halfbacks and Middles (needs help with outside backs).. nice hearing him talk about them.. talks about Loko's body being so tall that he gets twisted and bent in tackles, so he will take longer to build his core strength... but eventually hopefully we have a tall middle.. talks about LKT also.. that literally halves need to tackle.. if they make their tackles they can keep their spot in 1st grade.. agree with that, its why Kyle is there imo, his tackles and scramble/effort.. he's not costing us points and he's saving tries.. obviously were looking to upgrade, but there is a baseline of defence required.
  • Reckons Halangahu with 1 good preseason is starting to become a real handful for 1st graders.. personally I'm still not sure what position, but if the physical attributes r there we should get there... Hamish Stewart was the one he was most sure on though kicking on... still had some growth to go he thought.. this was his first season..
  • We will talk to Tino if he's interested in moving to Sydney/Gong.. that's his first question to any potential recruit... if not he just moves on.. but the big thing with him succeeding in his role was communication... networks.. keeping across players situations.
  • Buchanan he thought needs a big offseason, still a lot of tests to come there (obv he's behind Val anyway), no mention of Heidke, did mention Williams though as a unique prospect unlike other wingers at the club (which he is, he's such a weird running style, like a sprinter), maybe 2027.
  • Mentioned that at the Roosters the marquees get presented to him on a platter.. but unless ur in a premiership window, you cant really woo those players.. but we will go for guys on the cusp of rep duty... personally I don't think we can get them either, we need to put 2 good years together in a row, get some respect.. move up the food chain before we can attract those guys.. Ando thought 2027 was where it would start for us.. he's focussed on trying to get some quality signings for that year + we have spots opened up.
  • He is keeping a breast of the Chevy situation... has only had a very basic conversation... but right now Sloan is our fullback backup for 2026.. we cant have 3.
  • No hints as to who else we might sign.. prob only a couple more for 2026 by the sounds of it.. though I'm sure if opportunity presents itself..
  • Did mention his job is sometimes to butt head with Flanno on players who can bring us success now vs in years to come.. I mean ultimately we need both, but sometimes a tough decision may need to be made.
Overall he's a lovely guy to listen too.. has a laugh and puts you at ease, but he's sharp as a whip.. rly need him and maybe 1 more imo in the footy dept.. finally some brains, its not all Flanno's job..
Click to expand...
Nice work Rev, enjoyed the analysis. Cheers
 
GCRV

GCRV

SGI NSW Cup
RedVHeartbeat said:
Flanagan has had two years and we are still way down the food chain. So Ando wants us fans to suffer a further two years before everything will be hunky dory. My ageing nerve ends wont take it.
Click to expand...
He's making progress. According to a long article from Flanno's biggest supporters at News LTD, he inherited a salary cap which was an absolute mess. Though his own recruitment and retention has left a lot to be desired. Hello Josh Kerr and Tom Eisenhuth🤡🤡. Also if Luciano Leilua is on anything like widely reported.... Also Cook and Gutho are good players and have had good years but if they money they are reported to be on is true, then Flanno has done more than his share to mess up the cap.
 
Mailroomsgi

Mailroomsgi

SGI Jersey Flegg
Flanno is a coach first and foremost, the fact he had to play such a role in recruitment is farcical and a problem higher up the clubs food chain + Ben Haran

Steve Gillis and David Riolo who are 2 major player agents literally said on a podcast they can’t believe some clubs don’t have a recruitment manager (which included us at the time)
 
D

Dragon David

SGI Jersey Flegg
RedVHeartbeat said:
Yes he needs to pull out the proverbial finger DD. Every morning I read how other clubs are chasing certain players. Little from us, but are we now changing tack and doing our chasing in secret.
Click to expand...
I would hope so RVH and please don't give Rothfield a sniff of what is going on at the club with possible signings because he blabs it all out on NRL 360 because he thinks he has a scoop but it always turns out click bait and giving us false hope - Doueihi and Tino for example. When we end up with no-one all other clubs, players, managers etc know that we can't get who we want. They will know the sorts of players we are after and try to keep them or the managers don't offer them to the Dragons.

Our negotiations should all be top secret that even the CIA couldn't pry out any info from us.
 
TheRev

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
The lack of support behind Flanno was outrageous... we literally hired the coach and sat on our hands like job done.

Gonna take a while to rectify the lack of action.. shame rly I cant help but think we might have retained a few players if we had someone onboard earlier.. let alone POS.. wonder if we would have ended up with Dylan Brown lol..
 
D

Dragon David

SGI Jersey Flegg
RedVHeartbeat said:
Flanagan has had two years and we are still way down the food chain. So Ando wants us fans to suffer a further two years before everything will be hunky dory. My ageing nerve ends wont take it.
Click to expand...
It's a cyclic thing RVH. Anybody and everybody who has come through the magical Dragons Den doors need those marvellous two years to get things in order at this club. It has been almost a decade and a half that we meander along in this way. Be patient, give him a chance, wait until he settles in, oh we missed out this time but he will get us somebody - oh he has and its a plodder oh no!!

Age shall not weary us - I'm just about to keel over - heading to the magical number 79 next February and the clock is ticking.
 
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Mailroomsgi

Mailroomsgi

SGI Jersey Flegg
TheRev said:
The lack of support behind Flanno was outrageous... we literally hired the coach and sat on our hands like job done.

Gonna take a while to rectify the lack of action.. shame rly I cant help but think we might have retained a few players if we had someone onboard earlier.. let alone POS.. wonder if we would have ended up with Dylan Brown lol..
Click to expand...
Yeah that’s pretty wild, POS is elite but Dylan brown on 1.2m a year for 10 years is outrageously bad business

Can’t get behind that no matter which recruitment manager did that

Ponga and brown who both do their best work on the left side of the field on a combined 2.6 million a year and take up 21% of the salary cap 💀
 
GCRV

GCRV

SGI NSW Cup
Mailroomsgi said:
Yeah that’s pretty wild, POS is elite but Dylan brown on 1.2m a year for 10 years is outrageously bad business

Can’t get behind that no matter which recruitment manager did that

Ponga and brown who both do their best work on the left side of the field on a combined 2.6 million a year and take up 21% of the salary cap 💀
Click to expand...
Newcastle are going to be a basket case for years. Eventually they'll probably end up getting rid of Brown after 5 or 6 years but still pay 30-40% of his salary for the remainder of the 10 years.
 
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