Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[Dragon David]

This involves recruitment by the Bunnies, not us, and involves Matt Dufty who has agreed to sign up with South Sydney. He has left the Warrington Wolves and his deal with the Bunnies is to play in the NSW Cup for the whole of 2026 and not play one game in the NRL as he will not be part of their Top 30 nor as a development player - just play in reserve grade.

 

[Kim]

This involves recruitment by the Bunnies, not us, and involves Matt Dufty who has agreed to sign up with South Sydney. He has left the Warrington Wolves and his deal with the Bunnies is to play in the NSW Cup for the whole of 2026 and not play one game in the NRL as he will not be part of their Top 30 nor as a development player - just play in reserve grade.

Okay, I'll bite. Why?

 

[Dragon David]

Okay, I'll bite. Why?

Sorry Kim. Got this from FoxSports -

Flanno pours cold water on move for star duo; speedster’s NRL lifeline: Transfer Whispers

Flanno pours cold water on move for star duo; speedster’s NRL lifeline: Transfer Whispers

www.foxsports.com.au

That's all I know.

 

[George Sancti]

Looking at our 2026 roster, including the new recruits, it appears we are still well under the salary cap. Unless there are negotiations underway for a near–representative level signing, it seems more likely the club will use the space to extend current players and front‑load selected 2026 contracts to ease the pressure on the 2027 cap.

If that is the direction they take, I’d like to see Jaydn Su’A's 2026 contract increased to around $900k and extending him through to the end of 2028 on roughly $680k per season.

 

[Kim]

Sorry Kim. Got this from FoxSports -

Flanno pours cold water on move for star duo; speedster’s NRL lifeline: Transfer Whispers

Flanno pours cold water on move for star duo; speedster’s NRL lifeline: Transfer Whispers

www.foxsports.com.au

That's all I know.

It's odd. Of course he will probably carve it up in NSW Cup but isn't he taking the place of a junior? Anyway, not our problem.

 

[Justadragon]

It's odd. Of course he will probably carve it up in NSW Cup but isn't he taking the place of a junior? Anyway, not our problem.

You are right he will kill it in that grade, must have been a desperate situation to come home under those conditions, anyway good luck to him.

 

[Frank Facer]

I like Dufty. Bennett would have had something to do with his signing. If he is going well enough and or injuries, Dufty may be able to force his way into Souths first grade team. Dufty was one of the best attacking fullbacks we have had. Personally I would take Dufty over Jye Gray.

 

[GCRV]

I like Dufty. Bennett would have had something to do with his signing. If he is going well enough and or injuries, Dufty may be able to force his way into Souths first grade team. Dufty was one of the best attacking fullbacks we have had. Personally I would take Dufty over Jye Gray.

He's signed to a NSW Cup deal. Bennett won't be coaching him. He won't be training with first grade.

 

[George Sancti]

He's signed to a NSW Cup deal. Bennett won't be coaching him. He won't be training with first grade.

If he does produce his best football in reserve grade, and there is a space available in the top 30, I suppose he could be promoted to the NRL squad.

 

[GCRV]

If he does produce his best football in reserve grade, and there is a space available in the top 30, I suppose he could be promoted to the NRL squad.

True

 

[Frank Facer]

If he does produce his best football in reserve grade, and there is a space available in the top 30, I suppose he could be promoted to the NRL squad.

That is what I was thinking.

 

[redv4life]

He's signed to a NSW Cup deal. Bennett won't be coaching him. He won't be training with first grade.

Considering latrell plays 4 games a year it’s not impossible

 

[Dragon David]

Flanno has refuted us going for Averillo and Taulagi. Please see below -

Flanno pours cold water on move for star duo; speedster’s NRL lifeline: Transfer Whispers

Flanno pours cold water on move for star duo; speedster’s NRL lifeline: Transfer Whispers

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Justadragon]

Flanno has refuted us going for Averillo and Taulagi. Please see below -

Flanno pours cold water on move for star duo; speedster’s NRL lifeline: Transfer Whispers

Flanno pours cold water on move for star duo; speedster’s NRL lifeline: Transfer Whispers

www.foxsports.com.au

Its good to see Flanno not saying much, leave it up to DA.

 

[George Sancti]

That is what I was thinking.

I am thinking he may have been brought in to cover both the 1 and the 6. They do have Glover as backup, but they may rate Dufty as the better option.

 

[GCRV]

I am thinking he may have been brought in to cover both the 1 and the 6. They do have Glover as backup, but they may rate Dufty as the better option.

I don't think Dufty could play in the front line, even in reserve grade. Unless he has learned to tackle much better.

 

[redv4life]

I don't think Dufty could play in the front line, even in reserve grade. Unless he has learned to tackle much better.

Watched SL. He hasn’t.

 

[Eric]

Watched SL. He hasn’t.

Souffs problem now. Though I agree at NSW Cup level he might put on an attacking masterclass from time to time.

 

[Justadragon]

I don't think Dufty could play in the front line, even in reserve grade. Unless he has learned to tackle much better.

Which he hasn't but it didn't matter in SL.

 

[Justadragon]

So I assume our recruiting for 2026 is over ? We have a few spots left, looks like they remain empty, oh well I hope DA knows what he is doing. If you take it on face value there really isn't much to get excited about with our 2026 recruits, here's hoping they surprise a lot of people, myself included.