Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[GCRV]

I explained that, by he being rated 2nd in the comp defusing kicks in '24. Am talking about him at full back not wing. He did not have a good yr as he played in an unfamiliar position, yet he showed his good finishing with 17 tries, about 18th best in the comp. But after some improvement in defense in '24 unfortunately for him he was back to his lazy '23 defensive effort. His inability to put his body on the line in the tackle shud cost him any further NRL game time. His future lies in ESL.

Shows stats are sometimes misleading.

 

[Justadragon]

Is there anyone you think we should be signing to play fullback for us?

Frank if I know RVH he'll say Changa Langlands Sorry RVH just had to lighten the conversation up a little, its starting to depress me. I was on a high after the KK win and came back crashing down having to think about , our halves, our wingers, our coach now our fullback,,,,,,,,man there is just so much to do and think about,,,,I just want the football to start so I can watch the Dragons and hopefully be pleasantly surprised, I just want the Vegas game to be happening like yesterday

 

[Dragon David]

DD it is "book him Danno". Well his stats shoot that down in flames mate. The two blokes mooted we are chasing both bomb out in defense, your major requirement. A full back can look a million bucks in attack like Sloan, Pappy, prob Bula too, but if defense is not given the strongest priority then he is dispensable.

Yeah, I remembered that Hawaii Five-O catchphrase after I posted that message RVH. Mine was close to fit my message. There are not many fullbacks that fit my full criteria especially the defence criterion. Even Tedesco has moments when his lack of effective defence lets in tries especially near the try line. I'm trying to think who at fullback is great in defence in the current era??

 

[redv4life]

Yeah, I remembered that Hawaii Five-O catchphrase after I posted that message RVH. Mine was close to fit my message. There are not many fullbacks that fit my full criteria especially the defence criterion. Even Tedesco has moments when his lack of effective defence lets in tries especially near the try line. I'm trying to think who at fullback is great in defence in the current era??

tracey is good defensively but no attacking ability

 

[Frank Facer]

Frank if I know RVH he'll say Changa Langlands Sorry RVH just had to lighten the conversation up a little, its starting to depress me. I was on a high after the KK win and came back crashing down having to think about , our halves, our wingers, our coach now our fullback,,,,,,,,man there is just so much to do and think about,,,,I just want the football to start so I can watch the Dragons and hopefully be pleasantly surprised, I just want the Vegas game to be happening like yesterday

I have suggested Purdue, Farnworth and Pappy from Melbourne as fullbacks we could sign for 27 or 28. I would like others to come up with other suggestions.

 

[st george tragic]

I fully agree I can't believe we didn't give him another year. He has the best tackling techniques in the game. I'll be crying watching him in a parra shirt

DeBelin was/is one of the best defenders we have had. We were a different team when he was on the field to when he was off the field. One of his best attributes is that he is tough. When he was playing for St Gregory's as a schoolboy. When talent scouts, maybe from St George came to look at there team. His schoolboy coach said he was the toughest. He should have debuted earlier. He should have played origin earlier and would have played more games had been not been stood down by the NRL's no- fault stand down policy for almost 1000 days. When my Manly mate saw him play, he said he looked like a prop. If he was a bit bigger he would have made a great prop or going back to the 70's and 80's when props were a bit smaller/lighter, he would have made a good prop then. I rate Debelin very highly

Stewart may have a bit more finesse about him than DeBelin. I give him a very good chance of playing origin.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Tim watsford on SEN today

Very reassuring listening to him and the structures put in place. He never fails to emphasise the importance of the front office

Also said Kade Reed will play NSW cup but didn’t go into any more detail

 

[jodragon40]

I have suggested Purdue, Farnworth and Pappy from Melbourne as fullbacks we could sign for 27 or 28. I would like others to come up with other suggestions.

So Purdue - FB games- 0
Farnworth- FB games - 1
Papenhuyzen not playing in 26, extremely injury prone. Would you take a chance on him? After a year off? I wouldn't .

Perhaps the best ressies fullback I saw was the Warriors, Taine Tuapiki. I think he is off contract this season.

 

[jodragon40]

Tim watsford on SEN today

Very reassuring listening to him and the structures put in place. He never fails to emphasise the importance of the front office

Also said Kade Reed will play NSW cup but didn’t go into any more detail

Its a big win for us, well respected in the RL world

 

[Kim]

Perhaps the best ressies fullback I saw was the Warriors, Taine Tuapiki. I think he is off contract this season.

These are his 2024 highlights. Plays like a 5/8. Elusive. But looks like he lacks height. Doesn't show him under the high ball.

 

[George Sancti]

Tim watsford on SEN today

Very reassuring listening to him and the structures put in place. He never fails to emphasise the importance of the front office

Also said Kade Reed will play NSW cup but didn’t go into any more detail

Thanks for sharing the information Mailroomsgi. I’ve just listened to the interview and can highly recommend it to everyone here. It even feels like TW may have been tuning into this forum lately. For anyone interested, the link is open.spotify.com/show/2dOBKmaw4IctUgd29RxjKs.

 

[jodragon40]

Thanks for sharing the information Mailroomsgi. I’ve just listened to the interview and can highly recommend it to everyone here. It even feels like TW may have been tuning into this forum lately. For anyone interested, the link is open.spotify.com/show/2dOBKmaw4IctUgd29RxjKs.

Told you we had a good forum

 

[jodragon40]

These are his 2024 highlights. Plays like a 5/8. Elusive. But looks like he lacks height. Doesn't show him under the high ball.

I found this one heartbreaking

 

[George Sancti]

Told you we had a good forum

Totally agree!! If I had heard his line earlier "we are not a joint venture, we’re one club", I would’ve claimed it as my own.

 

[jodragon40]

I found this one heartbreaking

As I said electric

 

[TheRev]

Also said Kade Reed will play NSW cup but didn’t go into any more detail

I reckon its a bit of a true but misleading statement.. i.e. I think Reed will do most of the year in Flegg and maybe late in the year or thru injury, step up into NSW Cup, cause as of right now its LKT & O'Neill as ur 6&7, both are miles in front of Kade in terms of development.

LKT has played fullback before.. or ONeill could be potentially covering 9/14, but I doubt it.. I think they would have dibs on halves positions.

 

[jodragon40]

I reckon its a bit of a true but misleading statement.. i.e. I think Reed will do most of the year in Flegg and maybe late in the year or thru injury, step up into NSW Cup, cause as of right now its LKT & O'Neill as ur 6&7, both are miles in front of Kade in terms of development.

LKT has played fullback before.. or ONeill could be potentially covering 9/14, but I doubt it.. I think they would have dibs on halves positions.

I can't understand this sudden urge to rush Reed through his development or even trying to jump steps because he is a very good hf in juniors.

As an old coach it's a quick way to destroy or at the very least delay his development and skillsets.

Sometimes, actually most times patience is a valuable virtue

 

[Ryan]

I can't understand this sudden urge to rush Reed through his development or even trying to jump steps because he is a very good hf in juniors.

As an old coach it's a quick way to destroy or at the very least delay his development and skillsets.

Sometimes, actually most times patience is a valuable virtue

Maybe because last year our first and second choice halfbacks were KF and LI? Not exactly Immortals in waiting. If Atkinson is a good halfback, there will be no need to rush Reed. If he isn't, there will be an urgent rush. Isn't he 20 now? I didn't realise it was such a strange thing for 20 year-olds to play first grade.

Why are we so nervous about promoting young players? A week or two ago I mentioned that after Gutho retires, Burton or Rokko Walker might take over at fullback when they are 19. Caused a mini meltdown. Lots of other clubs debut backs that age and younger but seems when it comes to this forum they need to be developed until they are 24 or 25 years old.

 

[Dragon David]

Maybe because last year our first and second choice halfbacks were KF and LI? Not exactly Immortals in waiting. If Atkinson is a good halfback, there will be no need to rush Reed. If he isn't, there will be an urgent rush. Isn't he 20 now? I didn't realise it was such a strange thing for 20 year-olds to play first grade.

Why are we so nervous about promoting young players? A week or two ago I mentioned that after Gutho retires, Burton or Rokko Walker might take over at fullback when they are 19. Caused a mini meltdown. Lots of other clubs debut backs that age and younger but seems when it comes to this forum they need to be developed until they are 24 or 25 years old.

If you got it why not use it? If you have all the ability no matter how old you are, then why not make use of that person? Experience is a good thing in lots of cases but it only takes you so far. If we have players that can be devastating and creative and can do the job for the team is it not better to use him?

 

[HaydoM8]

I reckon its a bit of a true but misleading statement.. i.e. I think Reed will do most of the year in Flegg and maybe late in the year or thru injury, step up into NSW Cup, cause as of right now its LKT & O'Neill as ur 6&7, both are miles in front of Kade in terms of development.

LKT has played fullback before.. or ONeill could be potentially covering 9/14, but I doubt it.. I think they would have dibs on halves positions.

ONeill has played some hooker ... with Muhleisen out he may need to play there - but we also have Fagalilo and Haele there. Is Fagalilo still eligible for Flegg?
We have Reed/LKT but also Quinn is floating about and Sloan likely to play fullback.

Good depth for sure ... Someone will be playing local club footy.