Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[TheRev]

O'Neil was apparently injured this year also.. so another factor.. we could also do with someone playing 9 or 14.. O'Neil played lock in the final round of cup this year.. I think they can get em in there.. but there might be competition for spots.. tbh based on experience between him and Reed O'Neil has it all over Reed.. but I think we bite the bullet and if fit Reed will be the starting Cup 7.. only 1 way to get experience and hes done a full year of SG/JF last year.

LKT could easily end up in 1st grade also if 1 injury.. who knows how it plays out yet.. it is a nice problem to have.. and its not eating up a Top 30 spot.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Where is the meltdown?

above you and on the other forum as well, not to mention facebook, im not specifically talking about just this signing, its everything..

 

[redv4life]

Surely we could blow Souths offer out of the water, didn't they just get Fifita for big money ?

we definitely did. keaons back from holidays today so we should hopefully know soon. DA is playing it patient.

 

[Dragons Chris]

above you and on the other forum as well, not to mention facebook, im not specifically talking about just this signing, its everything..

Most comments seem to be supportive of the signing. I am personally. Anderson wouldn't pluck him out of Dogs lower grades if he didn't see potential.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Most comments seem to be supportive of the signing. I am personally. Anderson wouldn't pluck him out of Dogs lower grades if he didn't see potential.

Have read plenty of "Marque Half Back Signing", as i said its not only about this signing, which im supportive of, its the non signings that everyone also goes on about or what is DA doing, whats Watsford doing etc

 

[Dragons Chris]

Have read plenty of "Marque Half Back Signing", as i said its not only about this signing, which im supportive of, its the non signings that everyone also goes on about or what is DA doing, whats Watsford doing etc

Flanno took the squad backwards in the first 2 years. A lot of that was due to Griffin building the team around Hunt so out of Flanno's control.

It'll take a bit for DA ro turn the roster around but I think he's going about it the right way. Signing a couple of lower graders and a young half but with money to spend on big names or locking up the best young players long term.

 

[jodragon40]

I will just say this, people are having meltdowns because we are signing, KOE cup, Jersey Flegg players etc, we are building our depth, this was a key issue that DA had found that we had a lack of depth, the media is reporting these signings and departures, some they are sensationalising as XXXX loses gun junior, or XXXXX signs up and coming star, the media has nothing else to report as there are no games, they need clicks, so everything is hyped and everyone is falling for it, the other big difference is that the leaks in the club around signings has sealed up, info is scarce these days people are assuming we are not out there talking to players/managers etc, the club knows what type of player it needs and is trying to get that, people need to chill out and stop jumping to conclusions on made up rumours or comments that someone makes..

Dont know DA personally but actions speak louder than words. To my eye he has identified what our shortcomings have been since 2010 and he is using his expertise in addressing those issues.

You cant build a new house without having strong foundations because eventually the house will just fall over.

 

[Mug Fan]

View attachment 811

Welcome to the forum where we like to deal in truths.
Let's start with Gould is a lair who has been caught out lying several times this year alone.

I've known about this signing for a few weeks, so before the posts of the top 30 BS.
Are you to believe that while negotiating a with us he signed a top 30 contact with the Dogs.
He then turn around and signed a one year Supplementary Contract with us giving up 60k around about 40% of his salary.

The back ground, we started looking at Joey when the one year loan deal for Jake Elliott from the Roosters fell thru.
I'm more interested in why Roosters changed their mind and decided to keep Jake.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Welcome to the forum where we like to deal in truths.
Let's start with Gould is a lair who has been caught out lying several times this year alone.

I've known about this signing for a few weeks, so before post of the top 30 BS posts.
Are you to believe that while negotiating a with us he signed a top 30 contact with the Dogs.
He then turn around and signed a one year Supplementary Contract with us giving up 60k around about 40% of his salary.

The back ground, we started looking at Joey when the one year loan deal for Jake Elliott from the Roosters fell thru.
I'm more interested in why Roosters changed their mind and decided to keep Jake.

Interested as to why you think, they changed their mind? NRL a game within a game it would seem..

 

[GCRV]

Welcome to the forum where we like to deal in truths.
Let's start with Gould is a lair who has been caught out lying several times this year alone.

I've known about this signing for a few weeks, so before the posts of the top 30 BS.
Are you to believe that while negotiating a with us he signed a top 30 contact with the Dogs.
He then turn around and signed a one year Supplementary Contract with us giving up 60k around about 40% of his salary.

The back ground, we started looking at Joey when the one year loan deal for Jake Elliott from the Roosters fell thru.
I'm more interested in why Roosters changed their mind and decided to keep Jake.

It's true. He was in the news at the start of this year due to his handling of Karl Ola*****. Dogs signed him on big money, he got a neck injury which kept him out long term, Dogs moved on but still had him on their books. So Phil Gould became doctor, judge and executioner on social media to announce he had been medically retired. The player himself and no doctor who had treated him had any idea. Was talk of him suing Phil Gould but not sure what happened with it. Maybe settled out of court. He now plays in the QLD Cup and is hoping to make it into first grade next year.

Is he (Gould) a compulsive liar a sociopath or both?

 

[Justadragon]

above you and on the other forum as well, not to mention facebook, im not specifically talking about just this signing, its everything..

Mate whilst I agree with you this is also a public forum, if someone wants to have a meltdown or question who is doing what or when etc, then I think whilst they are being respectful they are also entitled to it. I do hold this forum a cut above the others, I certainly dont read facebook and I really thought most of the comments on here were reasonable. I understand that we are somewhat privileged to have really good posts from a few members with a wealth of knowledge, but thats no reason why anyone shouldn't be allowed to voice their opinion or concern. For me I fully get these depth signings, yes I would like to see some major ones, but it is what it is for the moment, lets see what happens in Jan 2026.

 

[No Surrender]

Flanagan/LKT/Reed/O’Neill

Plenty of depth moving forward.

O’Neill is a speculative signing. More experienced than Reed.

If Cookie or Liddle is injured, Kyle may play 14 or 9 at a pinch.

I am hoping LKT improves his acceleration and tackling technique.

Atkinson has one position sown up.

 

[RedV01]

Mate whilst I agree with you this is also a public forum, if someone wants to have a meltdown or question who is doing what or when etc, then I think whilst they are being respectful they are also entitled to it. I do hold this forum a cut above the others, I certainly dont read facebook and I really thought most of the comments on here were reasonable. I understand that we are somewhat privileged to have really good posts from a few members with a wealth of knowledge, but thats no reason why anyone shouldn't be allowed to voice their opinion or concern. For me I fully get these depth signings, yes I would like to see some major ones, but it is what it is for the moment, lets see what happens in Jan 2026.

post of the year

 

[Ryan]

Flanagan/LKT/Reed/O’Neill

Plenty of depth moving forward.

O’Neill is a speculative signing. More experienced than Reed.

If Cookie or Liddle is injured, Kyle may play 14 or 9 at a pinch.

I am hoping LKT improves his acceleration and tackling technique.

Atkinson has one position sown up.

I don't understand what makes people think Gutho could make it in the halves or centre and Flanangan could be a decent hooker/14 at this stage of their careers. They are both veterans. Big ask to expect Gutho to be able to successfully move and I don't see what it is in Flanangan's game that makes the CEO or anyone else think he could make it as a hooker.

 

[No Surrender]

I don't understand what makes people think Gutho could make it in the halves or centre and Flanangan could be a decent hooker/14 at this stage of their careers. They are both veterans. Big ask to expect Gutho to be able to successfully move and I don't see what it is in Flanangan's game that makes the CEO or anyone else think he could make it as a hooker.

KL is a fringe NRL player

Basically we don’t seem to have a Hooker in reserves who is outstanding and ready for first grade. If one of Liddle or Cook sustain a long term injury he may find himself at 14.

KL can kick goals.

Last year we lost 2-3 games due to poor goal kicking.

If or hopefully when one of the younger halves prove they can tackle at NRL level, KF will be off to Super League. I don’t think you would carry his contract in reserve grade.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

He’s signed til 2027 and as long as Shane’s here Kyle’s going nowhere. That’s just the reality

I like the fact they’re getting a heap of halves into the building. It completely throws a teams season when your having to put makeshift halves into the side like Haele Finau.

There’s no rush with Reed, he’s turning 20 next year so he’s still very young. Get him a steady spine in Flegg and a better supporting cast and let him develop at his own pace, he’ll have his chances in cup in 2026 through injury or suspension

We know from experience what can happen to young halves who are thrown into the deep end too soon

 

[Dragons Chris]

He’s signed til 2027 and as long as Shane’s here Kyle’s going nowhere. That’s just the reality

I like the fact they’re getting a heap of halves into the building. It completely throws a teams season when your having to put makeshift halves into the side like Haele Finau.

There’s no rush with Reed, he’s turning 20 next year so he’s still very young. Get him a steady spine in Flegg and a better supporting cast and let him develop at his own pace, he’ll have his chances in cup in 2026 through injury or suspension

We know from experience what can happen to young halves who are thrown into the deep end too soon

Reed has done his apprenticeship in Flegg. Why do the Dragons need to be so cautious with young players? Having the Couchmans in reserve grade for a large part of last year is a very good example of that.

And unless Atkinson can surprise us all in a good way, there is a rush for Reed. He should start in reserve grade and get his first grade debut at some point next season.

 

[Edward]

It's true. He was in the news at the start of this year due to his handling of Karl Ola*****. Dogs signed him on big money, he got a neck injury which kept him out long term, Dogs moved on but still had him on their books. So Phil Gould became doctor, judge and executioner on social media to announce he had been medically retired. The player himself and no doctor who had treated him had any idea. Was talk of him suing Phil Gould but not sure what happened with it. Maybe settled out of court. He now plays in the QLD Cup and is hoping to make it into first grade next year.

Is he (Gould) a compulsive liar a sociopath or both?

On the other hand, one has to give it to Phil Gould for his ruthlessness. Typically a club would try to pass him onto another club paying as little of his salary as possible.

Not Phillip Ronald Gould! He just unilaterally medically retires the player without the knowledge of the poor dude in question or his doctors.

 

[TheRev]

There’s no rush with Reed, he’s turning 20 next year so he’s still very young. Get him a steady spine in Flegg and a better supporting cast and let him develop at his own pace, he’ll have his chances in cup in 2026 through injury or suspension

We know from experience what can happen to young halves who are thrown into the deep end too soon

Agree, even though I was keen to fast-track him (and still all for it if things end up that way).. another year or half a year in Flegg is no big deal.... i.e. 2yrs spent in Flegg is the normal amount.. then 2yrs of cup.. then first grade.. obviously it doesnt always go to plan and sometimes you move up to cover injury etc.

Fans imo struggle to process more than what's happening 'tomorrow'.. I use the example of Glover.. in 2025... he would have been a complete rookie halfback if we had promoted him late in the season.. an absolute rookie who would struggle to tackle world class players... and Jonah is 3-4yrs older than Kade.. Jonah has 2 full seasons of NSW Cup, god knows how much flegg before that.. there is a huge gulf between them.. similar with O'Neil and Reed.

imo Don't compare Reed to the 0.001% prodigies like Walker and Cleary.. Walker himself struggled for a long time due to the early promotion in a world class roosters squad.. and often you only get '1' chance in first grade.. if you struggle (which any 7 would do tbh esp in an ordinary side) fans r off you in a heartbeat.. like all of the titans gun halves that got axed.... there is no rush... that said.. if ONeil breaks a leg tomorrow, no dramas getting Reed into Cup early.. but maybe its probably not Round 1.

 

[Justadragon]

I don't understand what makes people think Gutho could make it in the halves or centre and Flanangan could be a decent hooker/14 at this stage of their careers. They are both veterans. Big ask to expect Gutho to be able to successfully move and I don't see what it is in Flanangan's game that makes the CEO or anyone else think he could make it as a hooker.

ok a couple of things here Ryan, firstly Gutho in previous times did play a bit of center and halves and made a pretty good fist of it, thats not saying he would now with the way the game has changed. As for KF well he was brought to the Dragons as a 14 he had been a 9 or 14 at the Dogs and wasn't too bad, that is also not to say that he would be better than Liddle or Cook, but I believe that he could fill that role when Cook retires unless there is a gun 9 that we are grooming and who is ready for NRL.