Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[TheRev]

Lets trade Hamish Stewart and one of the Couchmans to the Rorters for him.

I think Radley/Stewart alternating 13 is very feasible, cant burn out Stewart either... Couchmans are 2 props.. its a hard one cause ideally we want the big body prop (if we can find one worth a top30 spot), but no doubt we have been after a class forward for a long time now.. douiehi supposedly was meant to be signed as a lock..

 

[TheRev]

If we let Ramsay go anywhere but the Dragons, I will be well and truly pissed off, he is an inspiration to the club and exactly what we need at FB. Until someone absolutely proves he cant handle the NRL then we will never know. It wasn't that long ago they were saying he would never play any type of football again!!!

I think Ando/Flanno will figure it out.. especially as they will be watching him in the cup g/f.. the only ones who really know his medical situation is us (no other NRL club would).. and also know what our alternative wing/fullback options are...

Unless its all part of a ploy to get him to be super league elegible.. there is something about his previous experience means he cant be signed or something like that.

If we could move Sloan on, he could have that spot tbf.. like for like..

 

[RedV01]

I think Radley/Stewart alternating 13 is very feasible, cant burn out Stewart either... Couchmans are 2 props.. its a hard one cause ideally we want the big body prop (if we can find one worth a top30 spot), but no doubt we have been after a class forwards for a long time now.. douiehi supposedly was meant to be signed as a lock..

We need props and wingers, not another lock.

 

[TheRev]

We need props and wingers, not another lock.

we have between 4 to 7 slots to fill (depending who we can offload), there are going to be some unexpected signings...

And we only have 1 lock in our 30 now that Jack is gone... Toby/Ryan have really never played there bar a couple of cup games.

 

[RedV01]

we have between 4 to 7 slots to fill (depending who we can offload), there are going to be some unexpected signings...

And we only have 1 lock in our 30 now that Jack is gone... Toby/Ryan have really never played there bar a couple of cup games.

Not much difference at all between lighter weight props and locks nowadays. Dragons have 3 prototype locks.

 

[jodragon40]

Not much difference at all between lighter weight props and locks nowadays. Dragons have 3 prototype locks.

Teams that remain:

Raiders- Tapine 190cm/ 110kg avg 143m
Broncos - Haas 194cm/117kg avg 167m
Sharks- AFB 190cm/ 123kg avg 162.5m
Storm - Utoikamanu 190cm/ 111kg avg 108m
Dogs - King 188cm/ 105kg avg 135m
Panthers- Smith 194cm/ 106kg avg 116m

Our big bopper is Klemmer 198cm/ 109kg avg 99m

See the difference? You need that big bodied prop who consistently avg over 100m. We need one

 

[RedV01]

Teams that remain:

Raiders- Tapine 190cm/ 110kg avg 143m
Broncos - Haas 194cm/117kg avg 167m
Sharks- AFB 190cm/ 123kg avg 162.5m
Storm - Utoikamanu 190cm/ 111kg avg 108m
Dogs - King 188cm/ 105kg avg 135m
Panthers- Smith 194cm/ 106kg avg 116m

Our big bopper is Klemmer 198cm/ 109kg avg 99m

See the difference? You need that big bodied prop who consistently avg over 100m. We need one

Drink some coffee, splash some water over your face. I said difference between ligher weight props and locks. Not locks and heavyweight props.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

JAC has been for a long time one of the best wingers in the competition. Radley is far from one of the best locks. Stewart is already better.

What an insane thing to say haha, I like Stewart a lot but let’s not discredit how good Radley is

 

[Ryan]

What an insane thing to say haha, I like Stewart a lot but let’s not discredit how good Radley is

Stewart is what, 21 and Radley is, 28 or 29? Stewart is way better.

As for Radley, he'd be a decent signing for not more than 2 years if other problem areas like props and wingers was fixed first.

But as everyone knows, cocaine is in very wide use. Radley hasn't been arrested or charged. If Roosters thought he was still valuable to them, was an important member of their best 17, they wouldn't be trying to move him on.

Hamish Stewart is WAY better already and has way more upside.

 

[Dave03]

Teams that remain:

Raiders- Tapine 190cm/ 110kg avg 143m
Broncos - Haas 194cm/117kg avg 167m
Sharks- AFB 190cm/ 123kg avg 162.5m
Storm - Utoikamanu 190cm/ 111kg avg 108m
Dogs - King 188cm/ 105kg avg 135m
Panthers- Smith 194cm/ 106kg avg 116m

Our big bopper is Klemmer 198cm/ 109kg avg 99m

See the difference? You need that big bodied prop who consistently avg over 100m. We need one

Kerr for next year, Klemmer unknown yet. All quality players you've listed, would be great to find a big quality prop. Very difficult, hopefully Loko can get to a similar level in the future. Dogs also have Kikau in that pack who isn't a middle fwd but is that big bodied player. 195cm, 116kg avg 104m.

Interesting but Smith is off-contract end of 26, free to negotiate from nov 1 this year. He's 25yo & entering the prime from an excellent system. He should be one we target but will be in demand imo.

 

[RedV01]

What an insane thing to say haha, I like Stewart a lot but let’s not discredit how good Radley is

This is taking the tradition of Dragons supporters rating imports above our own to a new, previously unheard of level.

Stewart is what, 21 and Radley is, 28 or 29? Stewart is way better.

Obviously

As for Radley, he'd be a decent signing for not more than 2 years if other problem areas like props and wingers was fixed first.

Why? Yet another forward reject from another club already past his best which was never that good? How many will that be? Back Tsougranis, Egan, Halangahu, Luciano, Su'a, Stewart, CST and possibly one or both Couchmans, Sele and Mike Molo to have our backrow needs covered.

But as everyone knows, cocaine is in very wide use. Radley hasn't been arrested or charged. If Roosters thought he was still valuable to them, was an important member of their best 17, they wouldn't be trying to move him on.

Obviously

Hamish Stewart is WAY better already and has way more upside.

Obviously

 

[Eric]

Why? Yet another forward reject from another club already past his best which was never that good? How many will that be? Back Tsougranis, Egan, Halangahu, Luciano, Su'a, Stewart, CST and possibly one or both Couchmans, Sele and Mike Molo to have our backrow needs covered.

Cook has also been playing a lot of minutes at lock. But if the Rorters were paying a large part of his salary for the next 2 years, he'd be an excellent back-up for Hamish but he won't come to be anyone's back-up. I could see him ending up at Parra or Tigers.

 

[Dragons Chris]

Stewart is what, 21 and Radley is, 28 or 29? Stewart is way better.

As for Radley, he'd be a decent signing for not more than 2 years if other problem areas like props and wingers was fixed first.

But as everyone knows, cocaine is in very wide use. Radley hasn't been arrested or charged. If Roosters thought he was still valuable to them, was an important member of their best 17, they wouldn't be trying to move him on.

Hamish Stewart is WAY better already and has way more upside.

Decent signing but right now our priorities should be elsewhere. Radley would be a luxury signing if the club was comfortable with it's roster and wanted more depth.

 

[Gippsy]

Lindsay Smith is the frontrower to go hard for after November 1.

 

[TheRev]

Edit: I think his role is purely female pathways.


The Dragons are pleased to announce that Mark ‘Piggy’ Riddell has been appointed the club’s NRLW & Pathways Recruitment Lead.

Riddell – who played 92 games for the club from 2001 to 2004 – joined Nathan Cross’ revamped coaching staff as an assistant coach back in April having spent the early part of the season assisting Shaun Timmins’ SG Ball squad at Illawarra.

The new role will see Riddell focus specifically on recruitment and retention across both the club’s NRLW squad and broader female pathways structure.

The aim of Riddell’s presence is to help ensure alignment throughout the club’s system whilst supporting player development.

“The club felt that it was important to have someone with Piggy’s experience and expertise to take on this role in a formal capacity,” Female Football Manager Sammy Bremner said.

“He’s been involved with women’s rugby league for a long time and has the skillset to really succeed this role. He’s a highly respected figure and people enjoy working with him. We felt that this was an important step as we continue to carry out our vision of building a sustainable and winning women’s program at the Dragons and are excited for what is to come.”

 

[Justadragon]

Edit: I think his role is purely female pathways.

View attachment 750
The Dragons are pleased to announce that Mark ‘Piggy’ Riddell has been appointed the club’s NRLW & Pathways Recruitment Lead.

Riddell – who played 92 games for the club from 2001 to 2004 – joined Nathan Cross’ revamped coaching staff as an assistant coach back in April having spent the early part of the season assisting Shaun Timmins’ SG Ball squad at Illawarra.

The new role will see Riddell focus specifically on recruitment and retention across both the club’s NRLW squad and broader female pathways structure.

The aim of Riddell’s presence is to help ensure alignment throughout the club’s system whilst supporting player development.

“The club felt that it was important to have someone with Piggy’s experience and expertise to take on this role in a formal capacity,” Female Football Manager Sammy Bremner said.

“He’s been involved with women’s rugby league for a long time and has the skillset to really succeed this role. He’s a highly respected figure and people enjoy working with him. We felt that this was an important step as we continue to carry out our vision of building a sustainable and winning women’s program at the Dragons and are excited for what is to come.”

Lets hope his main priority is to get some bigger bodied props, we had no go forward and no one in defense that could stop the big boppers from other teams.

 

[Dragon David]

Lets hope his main priority is to get some bigger bodied props, we had no go forward and no one in defense that could stop the big boppers from other teams.

Just like Flanno getting some bigger bodied props for the mens first grade side. How is it that we cannot get these big bodied props which we have been trying to get for years - we do get some, like Josh Kerr, but not too classy. One guy that we had chased was Reagan Campbell- Gillard who wanted more years than the 2 that the Dragons offered and the Titans got him because they offered 3 years and of course RCG jumped at that. Now he has been
p ssed off to Super League because he turned out shit at the Titans. Thank goodness we didn't end up with him.

The one that we could have really done with during our unsuccessful 2025 campaign was AFB.

So yes, big bodied women and big bodied men needed but not anybody.

 

[Ryan]

Just like Flanno getting some bigger bodied props for the mens first grade side. How is it that we cannot get these big bodied props which we have been trying to get for years - we do get some, like Josh Kerr, but not too classy. One guy that we had chased was Reagan Campbell- Gillard who wanted more years than the 2 that the Dragons offered and the Titans got him because they offered 3 years and of course RCG jumped at that. Now he has been
p ssed off to Super League because he turned out shit at the Titans. Thank goodness we didn't end up with him.

The one that we could have really done with during our unsuccessful 2025 campaign was AFB.

So yes, big bodied women and big bodied men needed but not anybody.

Sorry to bring it up again but I think for all the talk about props and wingers and Victor Radley, we should not lose sight of the fact that the biggest issue according to it seems everyone but Flanno and Rickey Stuart was not props or wingers.

 

[Ryan]

Radley hasn't been sacked anyway so that's that.

 

[Justadragon]

Just like Flanno getting some bigger bodied props for the mens first grade side. How is it that we cannot get these big bodied props which we have been trying to get for years - we do get some, like Josh Kerr, but not too classy. One guy that we had chased was Reagan Campbell- Gillard who wanted more years than the 2 that the Dragons offered and the Titans got him because they offered 3 years and of course RCG jumped at that. Now he has been
p ssed off to Super League because he turned out shit at the Titans. Thank goodness we didn't end up with him.

The one that we could have really done with during our unsuccessful 2025 campaign was AFB.
I agree Dave,
So yes, big bodied women and big bodied men needed but not anybody.

I agree Dave RCG proved to be a dud, so credit to the club for not getting him for the time or money he wanted. I dont think much of Tino for the bucks he gets. I cant understand with the women why we cant get bigger bodied girls, especially with the nursery we have. I think the idea was that we would have smaller more mobile forwards but that ended up a big fail, especially in the women's game. The bigger girls ran right over the top of us.
Now in the mens I dont know why we havent been able to get the big blokes, numerous reasons I suppose, some which we will never know why. My only hope is that someone like LPT can develop into an elite prop, time will tell.