Recruitment & Retention 2027

[Justadragon]

Matt feagai going to castleford in 2027

Bit surprised we haven’t kept him considering he’s the ideal versatile backup outside back and still only 25

Probably got more money there than what we were willing to offer, anyway another spot available.

 

[Justadragon]

I would be completely fine with letting him go if they go pluck a stud 18-19 YO outside back from NZ/QLD or another NSW team

Even if they have to overpay a little, take the gamble. We are sorely lacking in that 18-22 year old outside back in the ranks that can come in and hold his own.

Buchanan and Heidke for different reasons aren’t there just yet

I was hoping Jesse Williams would chime in there somewhere, but we have to be careful with him now, lets see how he comes back.

 

[Justadragon]

What marquee halfback do you think will sign on for 1 or 2 years? Otherwise, yeah, cause only Kade was pushed off or bumped away by Ponga. Lets forget about about how many times he did it to Gutherson and Holmes. But they are imports so it's ok. They can f*ck up almost every week for a year and it's ok. Kade Reed isn't even that bad for 2 weeks and he's not ready for first grade another 5 years.

Dragons footy!​

No one said anything about 5 years mate, but in our team currently as it stands Reed is not ready. I'm ok to get rid of Gutho and Holmes, but who do you replace them with this year, next year might be different. As I said in a previous post if Gutho and Holmes had any respect for their career, they would retire now or go to ESL.

 

[redv4life]

Yeah he ain’t staying

 

[redv13]

Yeah he ain’t staying

View attachment 1124

He’s a mercenary mate. He’ll be out the door once the vultures get in his ear. Can’t see him staying. All this social media shit is his and his old mans doing. Love to stir the drama, not a good sign in my opinion.

 

[dragonheart]

Talking about Kade and his defensive frailties is really not on, if he was the souths 7 or Roosters, manly etc he would be a star because the team around him stand out, do thejob well and leave him to do his thing, but in our inept lazy slow back line the poor kid has no chance.
Gutho, Holmes, Feagai and Setu are so bad teams are walking through them, it's a training run. I've never seen a dragons team so slow in speed and thinking before.

 

[redv13]

Talking about Kade and his defensive frailties is really not on, if he was the souths 7 or Roosters, manly etc he would be a star because the team around him stand out, do thejob well and leave him to do his thing, but in our inept lazy slow back line the poor kid has no chance.
Gutho, Holmes, Feagai and Setu are so bad teams are walking through them, it's a training run. I've never seen a dragons team so slow in speed and thinking before.

I feel sorry for Kade and LKT. They can’t win either way, stay in firsts in the current climate, drop back to cup and the media are into them and the club.

The whole backline has been useless with the ball and defensively all season, game after game.

 

[GCRV]

Nearly all our outside backs are pretty much 1 trick ponies & none of em are elite in their strength.

Gutho - ball playing but nothing else
CT - yardage but nothing else
Val - explosive & potentially tackle breaks
Suli - tackle break & yardage
Sloan - Speed but nothing else

Next year we get Sami with speed & yardage. Who knows how long the speed will last with him & holmes. Are they both elite in their strengths anymore? I don't know.

Even getting 1 player with speed + other strengths would do wonders for our backline next year.

1. Drinkwater
2. Holmes
3. Bostock*
4. Suli
5. Sami

I'd go all out to get Bostock. He ticks soo many boxes & is a local junior. At least attempt it to make Phins pay up & potentially get someone else they can't afford.

With this type of backline, I can see some points & easy try scoring opportunities. It has speed & yardage with Holmes & Sami, tackle break & yardage with Suli, all round ability of Bostock with a proper aerial threat & the creativity of Drinky.

Bostock is still under contract and I doubt they'll let him go early. But Dolphins are stacked for outside backs. There is a centre/winger who is a perennial reserve for them called Brian Pouniu. I haven't seen much of him but from what I've seen, very promising prospect. I was surprised they re-signed Averillo which surely means he'll be moving on. They have another young centre/winger who tore up QLD Cup last year called L. J. Nonu. I haven't heard much of him this year so not sure what's happening. Plus he's not off contract for another year anyway.

 

[dragonheart]

The thing is with Loko and Jake have they been watching how Latu is doing at the dogs, I feel the youngsters today want instant recognition or i leave. Our pack will most likely be the youngest next year, or even this year. If they can hang in there and hopefully we pull in 2 or 3 more great signings with our new coach? Our new year 2027 will be worth watching and I hope it's with these 2 staying.

 

[Gippsy]

Agree, we need to tell these 2 they are our future and lock them in now for the next 2-3 years, even if we overpay them a little bit. And, then give them the experience they need in the NRL.