Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[jodragon40]

just listened to ennis on the kayo nrl podcast with Braith & Cronk. Braith asked about the Flanno/Atko pairing and he said they were going well together but brought up himself that he’s been very impressed with LKT…. interesting

As I have said consistently LKT is not a throw away player. He now has a great chance to develop his skillsets in ressies.

He can regain any lost confidence, learn a kicking game, improve his one on one tackling technique, increase his acceleration, and learn to read the game and situation.

At this time I wouldn't be letting this kid go anywhere.

 

[jodragon40]

The people who are saying kyle is only in FG because of dad are either dumb, ignorant or just dont get RL. The minute cook retires KF will be moving to 9/14. Right now kyle is the second best half in the club behind atkinson, why would you put someone else there who isnt better than him?

Agree

 

[jodragon40]

Frank, not every good centre can become a good fullback. In fact, it's rare.

Can anyone here actually name the last centre to revert to fb successfully?

 

[RedV01]

Can anyone here actually name the last centre to revert to fb successfully?

Inglis

 

[jodragon40]

If Tuapiki is any good, he would have other clubs offering him big dollars to play fullback for them. The three I mentioned would all command big dollars. Do you think he is a million dollar fullback? How much do you think Tuapiki would be worth a season?

I put just 2 short you tube videos of him. If you bother to look at either before replying your comments about him would hold more water.

This kid is good is he the full package, of course not, when is the last time you saw the full package. Every single player I ever played with or coached in ressies had their strengths and had their weaknesses.

The trick is to obtain a balance between the two. That is the jobs of the coaches and high performance teams.

 

[jodragon40]

Inglis

Agree and how special was he. The point is it is extremely rare.

 

[jodragon40]

hard to see him crack first grade when he’ll likely have to push the coaches son out of the position

Time will tell

 

[Frank Facer]

Frank, not every good centre can become a good fullback. In fact, it's rare.

Manu played most of his career at centre
Mitchell played centre for Easts, before becoming Souths regular fullback
Tom Turbo is a great fullback, centre or winger
Inglis was a great center, winger, fullback and even played 5/8 in a grand final win. Centre was his main position at Melbourne. When he was young and more agile, he was one of the best fullbacks to ever play the game.
Slater debuted on the wing in 2003, he was then moved to centre and played 5 games there, before being moved to fullback and became arguably the best fullback to play the game.
James Tedesco has played some games at centre, even though he was essentially a fullback
Joseph Su'aalil'i was playing centre in his juniors when he became the highest paid junior to have not played first grade. He mostly played centre and wing for Easts, but played 12 games at fullback. I would take him for a mil a season.
Jarrod Hayne played centre before moving to fullback in 2007.
Gutho played some games at centre for Parramatta and one for Manly at centre.
Brett Mullins was playing either wing or centre before becoming Canberra's regular fullback
RTS was playing wing before becoming a permanent fullback. He also played centre for the Warriors

Besides Gutho who was very good, the rest of the above list are/were elite fullbacks.
Sometimes one has have vision and be able to think outside of the box.

 

[jodragon40]

I rate the above 3 very highly.
I wouldn't be interested in Taupiki.
Papenhuyzen is still one of the best fullbacks in the comp and certainly provide X factor.
I would sign Purdue to play in the halves, but I think he would be one of the best fullbacks in the game. I think he could be Billy Slater like
Some rate Farnworth the best centre in the game. I know he wanted to play fullback. The top fullbacks can earn up to 1.4 mil a season, while top centres are around 800K, which I think Herbie is on. Here is a copy and paste regarding Herbie.

Herbie Farnworth has expressed interest in playing fullback in the past, particularly during his time with the Brisbane Broncos, where he was reportedly aiming to challenge for the No.1 jersey. However, he has since clarified that his focus is now firmly on playing centre.

Despite earlier speculation, Farnworth stated in 2023 that he was "100 per cent on board" for playing in the centres at the Dolphins, noting that coach Wayne Bennett could decide otherwise, but his current mindset is centered on the centre position.

As of 2025, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow firmly established as the Dolphins' fullback until 2027, Farnworth has confirmed he has not given a potential move to fullback any serious thought. He emphasized his contentment at centre, saying, “At the moment, I am pretty happy here at centre.”

I will Shane Flannagan was very interested in signing Joey Manu from Easts to play fullback for us and was prepared to go a mil or more a season for him. He has played most of his career at centre, but excelled at fullback, when given the opportunity to play for Easts when Teddy was unavailable. I would have liked us to sign Manu too. Manu will be 30 years old in a couple of weeks.

We will agree to disagree amicably on this point.

 

[jodragon40]

Manu played most of his career at centre
Mitchell played centre for Easts, before becoming Souths regular fullback
Tom Turbo is a great fullback, centre or winger
Inglis was a great center, winger, fullback and even played 5/8 in a grand final win. Centre was in main position at Melbourne. When he was young and more agile, he was one of the best fullbacks to ever play the game.
Slater debuted on the wing in 2003, he was then moved to centre and played 5 games there, before being moved to fullback and became arguably the best fullback to play the game.
James Tedesco has played some games at centre, even though he was essentially a fullback
Joseph Su'aalil'i was playing centre in his juniors when he became the highest paid junior to have not played first grade. He mostly played centre and wing for Easts, but played 12 games at fullback. I would take him for a mil a season.
Jarrod Hayne played centre before moving to fullback in 2007.
Gutho played some games at centre for Parramatta and one for Manly at centre.
Brett Mullins was playing either wing or centre before becoming Canberra's regular fullback
RTS was playing wing before becoming a permanent fullback. He also played centre for the Warriors

Besides Gutho who was very good, the rest of the above list are/were elite fullbacks.
Sometimes one has have vision and be able to think out of the box.

So rare. The names you have mentioned are all very special players.

Forget Farnsworth he is happy where he is and if luck falls on their side this season he will be playing semi finals football this season. Whereas we most probably wont be.

What people who have not been involved in this level of football need to understand, the no.1 priority of any player is financial security. This is closely followed by playing in a team that consistently has the opportunity to play semi finals football and offer the opportunity to play in the big one and earn a shot at wearing a premiership winning ring on their fingers before they retire. I base this on my personal experiences.

 

[Frank Facer]

So rare. The names you have mentioned are all very special players.

Forget Farnsworth he is happy where he is and if luck falls on their side this season he will be playing semi finals football this season. Whereas we most probably wont be.

What people who have not been involved in this level of football need to understand, the no.1 priority of any player is financial security. This is closely followed by playing in a team that consistently has the opportunity to play semi finals football and offer the opportunity to play in the big one and earn a shot at wearing a premiership winning ring on their fingers before they retire. I base this on my personal experiences.

I will also add. I think Laure Daley would have made a brilliant fullback in today's or in the 90's. He started out his career at centre, before moving to 5/8. I also think Brett Kenny would have made a brilliant fullback in today's game. I don't know if Kenny debuted at centre for Parra, but he did play games at centre for Parra, NSW and Australia.

Good fullbacks are worth more than good centres in todays game, so from a financial perspective, playing fullback is more appealing (financial security). I believe, adding one of the three I previously said to our roster to play fullback and a topline halfback or 5/8 whether bought or developed, would put us in a position to a genuine premiership contender by 2027 or 28 and onwards and a better chance than Redcliff or Nth Qld.


Isiaya Katoa would be one of if not the best halfback we could sign and would be worth a mil plus a season. There will be a lot of competition for his signature if he goes on the open market. Cleary would still be the best halfback we could sign, but Katoa has his best years ahead of him. Aim for the stars.

 

[Frank Facer]

Mark Nawaqanitawase is another I would go a mill a season to play fullback for us. He is a freak talent. I think fullback would be his best position.

I also think Mark Gasnier would have made a great fullback in today's game. We tried him at 5/8, which wasn't his best position. He would have been better suited to fullback.

 

[jodragon40]

I will also add. I think Laure Daley would have made a brilliant fullback in today's or in the 90's. He started out his career at centre, before moving to 5/8. I also think Brett Kenny would have made a brilliant fullback in today's game. I don't know if Kenny debuted at centre for Parra, but he did play games at centre for Parra, NSW and Australia.

Good fullbacks are worth more than good centres in todays game, so from a financial perspective, playing fullback is more appealing (financial security). I believe, adding one of the three I previously said to our roster to play fullback and a topline halfback or 5/8 whether bought or developed, would put us in a position to a genuine premiership contender by 2027 or 28 and onwards and a better chance than Redcliff or Nth Qld.


Isiaya Katoa would be one of if not the best halfback we could sign and would be worth a mil plus a season. There will be a lot of competition for his signature if he goes on the open market. Cleary would still be the best halfback we could sign, but Katoa has his best years ahead of him. Aim for the stars.

Isn't he special Katoa? I believe 2027/2028 if we can get some backline speed we will be up there playing semi finals football.

Reality is Farnsworth is coming to us and if he did he would be my 1st choice centre partnering Holmes, who out of what we currently have would be the only one I'd be selecting at fullback if Gutherson was injured.

 

[Frank Facer]

Isn't he special Katoa? I believe 2027/2028 if we can get some backline speed we will be up there playing semi finals football.

Reality is Farnsworth is coming to us and if he did he would be my 1st choice centre partnering Holmes, who out of what we currently have would be the only one I'd be selecting at fullback if Gutherson was injured.

Holmes and Farnsworth would make a top pair of centres, but I think we would be spending too much of our salary cap on centres. I like Melbourne's method of spending big on their 1, 6,7 and 9. Cam Smith and Harry Grant are the only 2 hookers that would be worth 1 mil a season. I also think paying a mil a year for a top prop is fine.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

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.

Lots of clubs but ours. Never used to be the norm before '99.
Many Dragons debuted at ages 19 or 20 as this was a common age for talented junior players to break into first grade.
Notable examples include: Legends Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper, Billy Smith, plus Johnny King, Robert Stone, Anthony Mundine, Mark Coyne, Craig Young, Rod Reddy, Michael Beattie, Nathan Blacklock, Lance Thompson. No doubt there were others, but all I found. Even back then imports were preferred over local juniors. There are only five listed here, Gasnier, Smith, Beattie,Thompson, Mundine.

 

[Justadragon]

I found this one heartbreaking

most of the heartbreaks involved Sloan

 

[Dragons Chris]

Lots of clubs but ours. Never used to be the norm.
Many St George Dragons players debuted at ages 19 or 20 before the 1998 season
as this was a common age for talented junior players to break into the first-grade team.
Notable examples include:

• Anthony Mundine: Made his first-grade debut for St George as an 18-year-old, a year before playing for the Australian Under-19 side in 1994.
• Mark Coyne: Debuted for the Dragons at 20 and went on to captain the club in over 100 first-grade games before the 1999 merger.
• Craig Young: Began his extensive career with St George, eventually matching Billy Smith's record for most first-grade games for the club (234 games).
• Rod Reddy: Played over 200 first-grade games for the club after debuting early in his career.
• Michael Beattie: Debuted in 1980 and played over 200 first-grade games, primarily as a centre.
• Nathan Blacklock: While he debuted at 19 for the Roosters in 1995, he joined St George in 1997, playing one game before becoming a prominent player after the merger.
• Lance Thompson: Debuted for St George and was part of the inaugural St George Illawarra team in 1999, playing many games across his career.

• Mark Gasnier
• Chase Stanley (who was really good until he started with his injuries)

How old were Coops, Deano, Ryles and Bull Bailey when Browny debuted them?

 

[jodragon40]

most of the heartbreaks involved Sloan

I know I know

 

[Dragon David]

Mark Nawaqanitawase is another I would go a mill a season to play fullback for us. He is a freak talent. I think fullback would be his best position.

I also think Mark Gasnier would have made a great fullback in today's game. We tried him at 5/8, which wasn't his best position. He would have been better suited to fullback.

I think that when Mark Gasnier came back from Rugby in 2010, the year the Dragons won the Grand Final, he was brought back into the side by Bennett, after doing fitness work and gaining more weight to build up after losing a bit of these things during his absence, to play as the centre. As you know Frank, Darius Boyd was the fullback then and he was doing a good job. Mark never played full back in his several earlier years before going to Rugby in 2008 (third party issues?). I would agree that in today's game if he was of course say 27 he would be quite a good full back having good height, weight, strength, speed, great in defence, catching the high balls and having terrific side step and zip to make breaks. I wonder why he was never used as a fullback in several games? If Boyd was injured, who was the replacement - Jason Nightingale?

 

[jodragon40]

I think that when Mark Gasnier came back from Rugby in 2010, the year the Dragons won the Grand Final, he was brought back into the side by Bennett, after doing fitness work and gaining more weight to build up after losing a bit of these things during his absence, to play as the centre. As you know Frank, Darius Boyd was the fullback then and he was doing a good job. Mark never played full back in his several earlier years before going to Rugby in 2008 (third party issues?). I would agree that in today's game if he was of course say 27 he would be quite a good full back having good height, weight, strength, speed, great in defence, catching the high balls and having terrific side step and zip to make breaks. I wonder why he was never used as a fullback in several games. If Boyd was injured, who was the replacement - Jason Nightingale?

It was