Recruitment & Retention 2027

[TheRev]

man all sorts of rumours flying today let me compile:

• Metcalf signed 4yrs - wants to leave early also
• Watson done for 1yr (PNG in 2028)
• Gutho to retire and join coaching staff
• Val tapped
• Suli to Perth
• Young not the 2027 Coach (just added this one)

Not sure if i've missed any 'or' the accuracy of said rumours.. but far out the news has been flying today.

 

[RedV01]

Aston Ward is a good point. All the talent in the world, well let's just say very talented, won't help him make it if he just isn't physically up to it. I don't think that is the case with Reed but a good chance he won't be physically ready until he's 22 at the earliest.

Thank you sir
for the 547th time, I have nothing against signing another halfback. But will one sign for only a year or 2? Doubt it. Reed won't wait around for 4 or 5 more years.

Hell, if Bostock was still around, the debate would be if he's better than CT. After all, CT is an import. Must be better than a club junior coming up. Until the latter is 25 at least!

 

[Mug Fan]

Can't believe members are complaining about us signing quality players.
Less just keep getting 50 put on us next year and score a try a game

 

[Murfy]

Man I’m getting excited about next year if all these signings come off

 

[puff]

Can't believe members are complaining about us signing quality players.
Less just keep getting 50 put on us next year and score a try a game

We will keep getting pumped if we don't get a bunch of competent OBs.

 

[TheRev]

Just a reminder that despite having Humphreys, Glover and Ward all at their disposal (with years of experience in nsw cup or first grade already baked in) Souths still went hard to sign Tanah Boyd during the week.. I feel like that should be enough to finish this debate permanently.

 

[TheRev]

And the Backs will come.. there is a snowball effect with signings.. players can see the 2027 Dragons side will be nothing like the 2026 one.. still a tough sell don't get me wrong, but we will find some blokes.. hopefully Heidke fit also.

Coach is rly the only piece we need to stress over now... and maybe some short-term fallout if we really do break records with all our injuries and games against Penrith, Warriors etc.

 

[jodragon40]

Can't believe members are complaining about us signing quality players.
Less just keep getting 50 put on us next year and score a try a game

Its so very important that we are talking in the background behind closed doors for a permanent head coach and please please dont let it be the current interim coach. I believe there needs to be an announcement before season end

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

What? No mixing business with pleasure? It is all part of human nature and these people are adults and they do adult things like most adults do when man meets woman. It cannot be stopped in my opinion.

So what is the upshot of this David. Are some thinking we will lose Jake over this relationship. Curse Cupid if we do.

 

[redv4life]

Can't believe members are complaining about us signing quality players.
Less just keep getting 50 put on us next year and score a try a game

It’s what needs to happen. We will just have a salary cap crunch & couchies should be a priority too IMO

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Where did I say I wanted Egan as a centre? I just said he was an athletic backrower, which I said we needed more of with rugby league evolving.

Misundertood as when you questioned Egans pace and Nick T was also mentioned, figured you were alluding to forwards that could double at centre.

 

[puff]

And the Backs will come.. there is a snowball effect with signings.. players can see the 2027 Dragons side will be nothing like the 2026 one.. still a tough sell don't get me wrong, but we will find some blokes.. hopefully Heidke fit also.

Coach is rly the only piece we need to stress over now... and maybe some short-term fallout if we really do break records with all our injuries and games against Penrith, Warriors etc.

I'll believe it when we stop losing games that our forwards have put us in position to win through poor edge defence. Would be a bonus if the backs you assure us are coming carried the ball with a bit of vigour in yardage.

 

[Murfy]

It’s what needs to happen. We will just have a salary cap crunch & couchies should be a priority too IMO

Ando knows what he’s doing. He knows that they are a priority.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Yes, hamstrings are a worry!
You are also right about the run threat. Suddenly (+ Drinkwater, Metcalf) we have attack coming out of our ears.
However, more than just good coaching is needed. We need a stable of decent, reliable OBs.

It felt like for a long time the outside backs were fine and the pack was the major issue. Now it’s flipped incredibly quick

There’s not really many backs who move the needle considerably that we could get from what I’ve seen

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

In such an important position, we have been poorly represented in the halves since Widdop and thats a long time

 

[puff]

It felt like for a long time the outside backs were fine and the pack was the major issue. Now it’s flipped incredibly quick

There’s not really many backs who move the needle considerably that we could get from what I’ve seen

We don't need stars.

 

[TheRev]

It felt like for a long time the outside backs were fine and the pack was the major issue. Now it’s flipped incredibly quick

There’s not really many backs who move the needle considerably that we could get from what I’ve seen

Holmes was a world beater just last year, I think its mental with him.. and still think on the wing he could kill it for us.. we just dont have many centres.. but if hes keen to go maybe we take a hit and move him on.. doesnt seem like hes all in either... but still class..

Gutho another 12mths ago was leading the try assists despite being 'slow' far out that changed so quick..

Suli is always Suli.. but that year we had Tamale and SFinau who couldnt force their way in.. fmd..

 

[dragonheart]

When you look at KK, Drinkwater and Metcalf, this is the first time in a very long time we have brought in players top teams would also want if they had room. We usually get the cast offs.

 

[Dragon David]

So what is the upshot of this David. Are some thinking we will lose Jake over this relationship. Curse Cupid if we do.

I believe that the two former love birds have split up RVH.

 

[TheRev]

When you look at KK, Drinkwater and Metcalf, this is the first time in a very long time we have brought in players top teams would also want if they had room. We usually get the cast offs.

we got a little bit lucky I think being the only genuine full-price bidder on Drink/Metcalf.. and that we have those 2 positions fully available for them to drop straight into first grade.. but the KK one was the killer blow that started it all.. again maybe the only ones willing to pay full freight.. but we still got him over the line.. we have come a long way in the corporate and recruitment sense... since that AFB period where we missed our shot.