Recruitment & Retention 2027

[Frank Facer]

In Alex McKinnon's Foxsports article,in regards to us signing Drinkwater the headline to his story is 'Dumbest move': Brutal 900K reality Dragons must cop. In the article he says we have Burton, who will be 18 next year, who he considers a future superstar and who should be our next fullback, but signing Drinkwater for 3 years may mean we lose Burton as he won't want to wait until 2030 to play fullback. As good as Drinkwater has been this year I agree with McKinnon and have stated the same thing earlier and also in regards to us potentially signing Bulla. Drinkwater is the quick fix, but not the long term solution and could cost us our long term solution. We would have to hope Burton would be happy to play either wing or centre for the next 3 years, if we sign Drinkwater or some have reported we already have signed him. The wraps on Burton are big and if he lives up to those wraps, he should or at least could be playing fullback in first grade by next year. If I was our coach, I would have said to hold off on Drinkwater and be looking at playing Burton from round 1 next year. I also think if we were going to sign Drinkwater, it only should have been for 2 years.

 

[Dragons Chris]

In his Foxsports article Alex McKinnon's in regards to us signing Drinkwater the headline to his story is 'Dumbest move': Brutal 900K reality Dragons must cop. In the article he says we have Burton, who will be 18 next year, who he considers a future superstar and who should be our next fullback, but signing Drinkwater for 3 years may mean we lose Burton as he won't want to wait until 2030 to play fullback. As good as Drinkwater has been this year I agree with McKinnon and have stated the same thing earlier and also in regards to us potentially signing Bulla. Drinkwater is the quick fix, but not the long term solution and could cost us our long term solution. We would have to hope Burton would be happy to play either wing or centre for the next 3 years, if we sign Drinkwater or some have reported we already have signed him. The wraps on Burton are big and if he lives up to those wraps, he should or at least could be playing fullback in first grade by next year. If I was our coach, I would have said to hold off on Drinkwater and be looking at playing Burton from round 1 next year. I also think if we were going to sign Drinkwater, it only should have been for 2 years.

He's only supposed to be a quick fix. Burton is still in Harold Matts! He won't be in first grade for a couple of years yet and will probably start on the wing or in the centres. I bet Anderson and etc wished they could get Drinkwater for only 2 years but the good thing about it is that Drinkwater, like Gutho has the ability to play anywhere in the backline. With the new 6 man bench, in his last year, he'd be a perfect fit for backline interchange.

If he isn't still playing well and wants another 2 or 3 years. 3 might be pushing it but I could imagine someone like him playing onto 35. After 2 years, knowing Burton is going to be the fullback the following year and he won't get an offer from the Dragons, he might look to leave a year early. Like Cook at Souths.

 

[Murfy]

Drinky confirmed. Check your emails

 

[Mug Fan]

The St George Illawarra Dragons have signed Scott Drinkwater to a three-year contract, with the dynamic fullback joining the club from the 2027 season through to the end of 2029.

One of the game’s most dangerous attacking players, Drinkwater will bring experience, creativity and a strike element to the Dragons as the club continues to build its roster for the future.

Dragons Chief Executive Officer Tim Watsford said securing Drinkwater was an important addition for the club.

“Scott is a player of genuine class in our competition, and we’re thrilled to have him commit to the Dragons from 2027,” Watsford said.

“He brings proven NRL experience, composure, skill and an attacking instinct that will be a major asset for our club.

“Importantly, we believe Scott will fit strongly with our playing group both on and off the field.”

The signing represents another key step in the Dragons’ long-term roster planning as the club looks to build around a core group of local juniors.

Drinkwater joins current Rabbitohs prop Keaon Koloamatangi as a major 2027 signing and said he was excited by the opportunity ahead.

“I’m really looking forward to joining the Dragons and being part of what the club is building,” Drinkwater said.

“You can see the young talent from the area making its way through the ranks, so it’s an exciting challenge to go on this journey with them.

“I look forward to finishing strong at the Cowboys this year and then arriving at the Dragons for 2027 to do everything I can to contribute to the team’s success

 

[SaintJacko]

The St George Illawarra Dragons have signed Scott Drinkwater to a three-year contract, with the dynamic fullback joining the club from the 2027 season through to the end of 2029.

One of the game’s most dangerous attacking players, Drinkwater will bring experience, creativity and a strike element to the Dragons as the club continues to build its roster for the future.

Dragons Chief Executive Officer Tim Watsford said securing Drinkwater was an important addition for the club.

“Scott is a player of genuine class in our competition, and we’re thrilled to have him commit to the Dragons from 2027,” Watsford said.

“He brings proven NRL experience, composure, skill and an attacking instinct that will be a major asset for our club.

“Importantly, we believe Scott will fit strongly with our playing group both on and off the field.”

The signing represents another key step in the Dragons’ long-term roster planning as the club looks to build around a core group of local juniors.

Drinkwater joins current Rabbitohs prop Keaon Koloamatangi as a major 2027 signing and said he was excited by the opportunity ahead.

“I’m really looking forward to joining the Dragons and being part of what the club is building,” Drinkwater said.

“You can see the young talent from the area making its way through the ranks, so it’s an exciting challenge to go on this journey with them.

“I look forward to finishing strong at the Cowboys this year and then arriving at the Dragons for 2027 to do everything I can to contribute to the team’s success

Drinky showed last night how potent he is in attack. Made a bad drop at FB but if he wasn't on the field they don't score 40+ it's a great signing honestly just what we need for 27.

 

[TheRev]

We will need to find a way to integrate Scott into our backline, but gives us heaps of options.. no matter who the 6 and 7 are.

I was also thinking if we dont extend Cook.. and if Gutho is on the bench.. like who is our captain out there? Probably not Scott.. I dont know his personality.. but we dont have a lot of other veterans out there.. KK maybe.. dunno.

 

[dragonheart]

I see no reason why Hamish or a Couchmen couldn't do the job, they are going to be great leaders. They are also smart young men and passionate about the Dragons.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

The St George Illawarra Dragons have signed Scott Drinkwater to a three-year contract, with the dynamic fullback joining the club from the 2027 season through to the end of 2029.

One of the game’s most dangerous attacking players, Drinkwater will bring experience, creativity and a strike element to the Dragons as the club continues to build its roster for the future.

Dragons Chief Executive Officer Tim Watsford said securing Drinkwater was an important addition for the club.

“Scott is a player of genuine class in our competition, and we’re thrilled to have him commit to the Dragons from 2027,” Watsford said.

“He brings proven NRL experience, composure, skill and an attacking instinct that will be a major asset for our club.

“Importantly, we believe Scott will fit strongly with our playing group both on and off the field.”

The signing represents another key step in the Dragons’ long-term roster planning as the club looks to build around a core group of local juniors.

Drinkwater joins current Rabbitohs prop Keaon Koloamatangi as a major 2027 signing and said he was excited by the opportunity ahead.

“I’m really looking forward to joining the Dragons and being part of what the club is building,” Drinkwater said.

“You can see the young talent from the area making its way through the ranks, so it’s an exciting challenge to go on this journey with them.

“I look forward to finishing strong at the Cowboys this year and then arriving at the Dragons for 2027 to do everything I can to contribute to the team’s success

What do you make of the signing Mug?

 

[Mug Fan]

What do you make of the signing Mug?

It's a great signing.

The game is about attack now not defence, it's not about a player that misses tackles or let's a try in, it's about how many tries he involved in.

Average points teams are conceding are between 20 and 30, average scoring is around 25 to 35.
That mean we need to score more than 3 tries to be competitive and more than 4 to win on average.
We are currently scoring 2.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Good points

Ive seen cowboys fans buzzing he’s going lol

I think their in for a rude shock at the actual drop off they’ll get point scoring wise with Purdue there

If he can keep his athleticism into that 3rd year for us Its a great signing. Takes a lot of pressure off the halves to create points for us as well

 

[SaintJacko]

We will need to find a way to integrate Scott into our backline, but gives us heaps of options.. no matter who the 6 and 7 are.

I was also thinking if we dont extend Cook.. and if Gutho is on the bench.. like who is our captain out there? Probably not Scott.. I dont know his personality.. but we dont have a lot of other veterans out there.. KK maybe.. dunno.

Stewart. The boys will follow him he is a natural leader

 

[Mug Fan]

Good points

Ive seen cowboys fans buzzing he’s going lol

I think their in for a rude shock at the actual drop off they’ll get point scoring wise with Purdue there

If he can keep his athleticism into that 3rd year for us Its a great signing. Takes a lot of pressure off the halves to create points for us as well

The 3rd year is irrelevant to me at this stage, we need him now let's worry about that in 2 years time.

 

[SaintJacko]

Good points

Ive seen cowboys fans buzzing he’s going lol

I think their in for a rude shock at the actual drop off they’ll get point scoring wise with Purdue there

If he can keep his athleticism into that 3rd year for us Its a great signing. Takes a lot of pressure off the halves to create points for us as well

Cows have plenty of unproven talent underneath but Drinkwater is a great little player. He will fit in well

 

[SaintJacko]

I see no reason why Hamish or a Couchmen couldn't do the job, they are going to be great leaders. They are also smart young men and passionate about the Dragons.

100%

 

[Mug Fan]

I see no reason why Hamish or a Couchmen couldn't do the job, they are going to be great leaders. They are also smart young men and passionate about the Dragons.

Toby is not a talker, I'd be looking at Lids and Atko

 

[SaintJacko]

1. Drinky
6. CHT from the warriors would be a great signing
7. Reed
9. Liddle
14. Atkinson

 

[SaintJacko]

Toby is not a talker, I'd be looking at Lids and Atko

Hamish Stewart. He will be playing origin from 2027 onwards 100% a real special talent

 

[TheRev]

I think Atkinson could be the man.. what I saw of him @ the Sharks, hes a competitor, hes extroverted.. he handled the tough moments.... but he hasnt found his feet yet, and thats on us, its on our roster and our coaching.. lets hope that by next year we have a 7 who really takes the pressure off him so he can try and focus on his strengths.

I still think Cook is a possible for 14 (though hard to be captain if ur not in the 13).. I still think hes as dangerous as any other hooker out there, versatile, cheap and a leader.. but I get it if they want young legs.. as long as we can recruit said player, im assuming its not someone like Haele or Fagalilo.. think they are more of a 3rd hooker in the squad cup project at most..

 

[Eric]

1. Drinky
6. CHT from the warriors would be a great signing
7. Reed
9. Liddle
14. Atkinson

I think right now, a No.6 recruit is the last thing we need. Right now we have:

• LKT
• Atko

and I think Gutho could do ok at 5/8 as well. Also have Kyle Flanagan for this year and next
Then in the next couple of years:

• Hammoud
• Ah Kee

Then another year or two away from them:

• Rokko Walker

and I think Drinkwater could go ok at 5/8.

 

[SaintJacko]

I think right now, a No.6 recruit is the last thing we need. Right now we have:

• LKT
• Atko

and I think Gutho could do ok at 5/8 as well. Also have Kyle Flanagan for this year and next
Then in the next couple of years:

• Hammoud
• Ah Kee

Then another year or two away from them:

• Rokko Walker

and I think Drinkwater could go ok at 5/8.

Shane signed Atkinson because he is good mates with Kyle. He is on about 500k apparently and I wouldn't be sad to see him and Kyle leave at the end of the year.