I don't mind Luch as a ball playing lock sharing mins with Stewart. I guess it depends on how well LKT can organise his side of the field, I suspect Luch helped him out quite a bit in that area.
Recruitment and Retention for 2026
- Thread starter Dragons Chris
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I don't mind Luch as a ball playing lock sharing mins with Stewart. I guess it depends on how well LKT can organise his side of the field, I suspect Luch helped him out quite a bit in that area.
Plus I forgot about Kerr. So I guess Klemmer is a no unless Lawrie head’s elsewhere which is unlikey
jodragon40
Staff
Good signing for the future with young Meafou until 2029. Were building
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
I see him quite different to Sloan.. Daine puts his body into contact defensively & offensively he is a genuine tackle breaker.. im not sure ive ever seen him put in a bad game.. not for a while anyway... would be cheap and very much ben barba vibes...
But with Ando helping out, Im not as stressed anymore, figure we will sort something out..
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Better than Sloan but he still couldn't hold down a first grade spot for the Tigers. I'd rather stick with Gutho for another year.
Dragon David
SGI Jersey Flegg
I reckon our attack would be a lot better without Gutho at fullback in both attack and defence. I pointed out in the Souths game that Host scored from an in goal kick by young Ashton Ward when Host beat a slow Gutherson running for the ball before Host grounded it.
Ward played beyond his height and weight in attack and defence. He does not have a contract for next year yet, has a great kicking game and a great goal kicker as well. In my opinion, he outplayed LKT.
But going back to Gutho, I dunno. Hasn't been too consistent with line breaks and try set ups and not really flashy and we still have 2 years of him. I like his co-captaincy and that's probably what will keep him in that #1 jersey. I'd love a Weekes type player.
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TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
The criticism of Gutho I think is too harsh... but most weeks he is close to our best player in terms of his effort and leadership out there.. and most of our points have come off his back this year.. even without speed.
We can put a young fast fullback there (such as Sloan), but what you make up in speed you lose in leadership and him directing the defence.. id argue that the try that he let in that Munro put those moves on him.. I mean it sux, but ive been watching our young fast fullbacks miss far easier 1on1 tackle for a decade.. just gotta give props to Munro imo.
I would however like to know who Gutho's replacement will be, even if its due to injuries, we need someone to come through the door, preferably before November... if that person was going to be Campbell, not sure that will come to a conclusion any time soon now the coach is changing.
We can put a young fast fullback there (such as Sloan), but what you make up in speed you lose in leadership and him directing the defence.. id argue that the try that he let in that Munro put those moves on him.. I mean it sux, but ive been watching our young fast fullbacks miss far easier 1on1 tackle for a decade.. just gotta give props to Munro imo.
I would however like to know who Gutho's replacement will be, even if its due to injuries, we need someone to come through the door, preferably before November... if that person was going to be Campbell, not sure that will come to a conclusion any time soon now the coach is changing.
Morgan
SGI NSW Cup
I'm not even sure it qualifies as 'criticism'. He's been very good for a long time. Is still good but he's slowed down and in the modern game, he's now too slow to be the fullback we need. Having said that, he's still okay. Just no longer one of the top fullbacks.
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
This something way off left field Rev, I remember watching some JF and SGB and I saw TPH flying around like a man possessed from FB, much like the Jye Gray and that little fellow from the phins, just got to admire their courage and TPH had that. And I'm not picking on the lad but I think Buchanan could make a decent FB, maybe.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
I really wanted TPH to be the man.. the way he crished U19s was crazy.. would crack em open, would drop em like flies.. but a bit like LKT moving up the grades... bigger bodies, less space, better defensive lines.. now if anyone gets a hand on TPH he goes down..
I hope he hangs around the system and maybe as he thickens up and it just takes longer.. but yeah I dunno what it is with players like Kini and Gray that they seem to bust 1st grade tackles so easily..
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Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
The way I see it every player that earns the big bucks in the NRL is open to criticism, good or bad, and we are an opinions based forum, everyone is entitled to have one.
Morgan
SGI NSW Cup
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
100% the way you see Gray and Fuller getting pounded and they just keep sticking it to the big guys, wow they must be sore after a game.
Justadragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
Confirmed today on the NRL website that Finau has joined the Raiders, now that really pisses me off !!!
Mug Fan
SGI NSW Cup
Gray, Fuller are 5"7, I think Pek would be under 5"4
Mug Fan
SGI NSW Cup
Hopefully he has a teammate as a passenger when he heads down the highway.
Edward
SGI NSW Cup
Lawrie? Ilias!
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Edward
SGI NSW Cup
Seems like Aston Ward. Good player but just too small. Ward makes Jon Thurston look like de Belin. Fuller makes TPH look like Mitchell.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
There is still something in the way guys like Kini, Fuller, Gray pull through half tackles.. its something Dufty, Sloan seem incapable of doing, dont think its a few inches of height.. a hand goes on and they collapse almost.. leg drive I guess? TPH im not sure cause hes still young and inexperienced and its his first year out of 19s.. not sure if its a physics thing, like is he 70kg or something?
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
Have to think Hannay as the titans coach would make Tino and JC feel a lot better about staying put.. assuming they haven't unofficially committed themselves elsewhere.
I still am very curious what they have in mind for JC.. 950k a season for their 3rd choice fullback.. it can only be for him to play 7, so im rly curious if Hannay is as passionate about him staying at that value.. I also cant believe how easily they can pay big dollars for guys like RCG and JC on top of guys like Tino/MoFo/AJ/Kini etc.. even excluding the 1mil for Fifita which assume will be gone.
I still am very curious what they have in mind for JC.. 950k a season for their 3rd choice fullback.. it can only be for him to play 7, so im rly curious if Hannay is as passionate about him staying at that value.. I also cant believe how easily they can pay big dollars for guys like RCG and JC on top of guys like Tino/MoFo/AJ/Kini etc.. even excluding the 1mil for Fifita which assume will be gone.