Recruitment & Retention 2027

[Dragon David]

I mean, everything else being equal, with a good long kicker, it'll automatically be a better team.

Agreed Chris and provided the guys chase that long kicked ball as quickly as possible so that they nab the receiver to stop him from gaining too much territory on return. Practise makes perfect. We know that trials are just that but all things need to be practised during those trial games because come the Las Vegas comp game against the Dogs, they will have Burton showing all of the American spectators at the ground what he can do with the ball - long, high, twisting, awkward kicks to catch and I wouldn't like to see our guys get too embarrassed when trying to catch those kicks and we need to do a lot of catching practise especially by the wingers and fullback. Our kicks need to be practised a lot too so that we can show the American people how great we can kick as well -- Hahaha! Yeah right.

 

[Dragon David]

Ben Hornby was good for 3 years with Sowie mostly pulling the strings. Apart from that, it's been slim pickings for as long as I've been alive.

...and that includes Benjamin Hunt!!

 

[RedV01]

...and that includes Benjamin Hunt!!

Worst of the lot considering how much he was paid and what he brought to the team and club in return.

 

[Frank Facer]

I hope we give Atko a long rope to show his effectiveness as a halfback, I doubt he hits the ground running. All I want to see is improvement throughout the season but expect it to be a rollercoaster year for him. I assume we'll ease him into the role with a focus on his kicking game & set management.

Acko has played fullback. So that indicates he should have a strong running game. From the little I have seen and heard of him, I think he is more of a 5/8. I was pleased we signed him.

 

[RedV01]

Acko has played fullback. So that indicates he should have a strong running game. From the little I have seen and heard of him, I think he is more of a 5/8. I was pleased we signed him.

Jerome Hughes was a fringe first grade fullback when he join the Storm....

 

[Morgan]

Jerome Hughes was a fringe first grade fullback when he join the Storm....

And his halves partner was Cameron Munster.

 

[George Sancti]

I'd say the best 7s that I saw were:
Billy Smith
Mark Schulman
Steve Morris
Noel Goldthorpe
Trent Barrett
Jamie Soward
Ben Hornby

Another fine halfback was Ross Strudwick, who played for Saints in the early seventies. I remember the late Frank Hyde remarking on how remarkable, almost unfair it was for one club to have Billy Smith, Ross Strudwick and Mark Schulman all on their books at the same time.

 

[No Surrender]

Another fine halfback was Ross Strudwick, who played for Saints in the early seventies. I remember the late Frank Hyde remarking on how remarkable, almost unfair it was for one club to have Billy Smith, Ross Strudwick and Mark Schulman all on their books at the same time.

Strudwick left and went on to represent QLD

 

[George Sancti]

Strudwick left and went on to represent QLD

I believe he may also have been selected for Australia when playing in the Brisbane competition.

 

[Justadragon]

Worst of the lot considering how much he was paid and what he brought to the team and club in return.

Everything about recruiting him was total BS.He did nothing but suck the blood out of the club in every possible way. Just thinking about it gives me nightmares

 

[Frank Facer]

And his halves partner was Cameron Munster.

And Cooper Cronk was apparently a backrower, who Bellamy turned into a halfback. Bellamy's record of turning 2 players who weren't halfbacks, into elite halfbacks is quite amazing. Cronk and Hughes would have made a top pair of halves, with Cronk at halfback and Hughes as 5/8.

 

[Morgan]

I think we should sign Jaxon Purdue from Nth Qld. He is still unsigned beyond 2026. That makes me wonder if another big club already is close to signing him or maybe he has agreed to sign with them? I think he will be a superstar. He played halfback and 5/8 throughout his juniors. He is said to be training at halfback for Nth Qld this pre season. He debuted at 18 years old last year and was essentially playing out of position at centre and was very impressive. I see a bit of Laurie Daley or Billy Slater in him. I have not seen him play fullback, but that could be his best position. He would be able to play both sides of the field. Inject himself into the game when he wishes. He should have the passing game for the modern fullback, due to him playing in the halves while growing up. He has good speed and evasive skills. Fullback is one of the most important positions on the field in today's game. I rate him the best young talent in the game. Better than Galvin, who Phil Gould has the biggest wrap on. I think he will take Munster's place in the Qld origin team at 5/8 in the next 3 years or so. Time will tell if I am correct. I would love to see him in the St George jersey by 2027. Signing him would be up there with the signing of Koloamatangi.

Looks average thus far but he might become good. I remember first watching Dearden at the Broncos. He was halfback and after his first season I could never have predicted he'd be the second best 5/8 only after Munster a few years later.

Why do we have this thread when we've already got multiple recruitment threads?

I'm gonna quote them in the appropriate thread.

 

[Morgan]

Any NRL standard hooker !!!

Looks like Cook is going to stay on for one more year. Liddle is still signed for 2 years. There is also Connor Muhleisen.

There is also one more player signed for 2 years after this who Flanno said was recruited to play hooker/utility.

So if DA isn't satisfied with Flegg or SG Ball hookers, should raid another club. Tigers and Storm for example have big money hookers who usually play the full 80 minutes.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Any club with a superstar hooker I’d be looking at the crop below them.

Like u mentioned before, Melbourne are elite at recruiting Hookers. They’ve got Gabriel Satrick (AUS Schoolboys hooker 2 years ago) + Lockyer Azile - Foliola at U19’s level who’s a stud

The promise of a top 30 contract or serious game time is more valuable than being 5th string hooker at a top 4 club

 

[RandomDragon]

Isnt that why we bought Mason Phillips

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Let’s just say his off field work ethic isn’t ideal or at least had serious question marks 6 months ago

We’ll see how he and Chapman go this year but Phillips was pretty underwhelming for the majority of last season

Needs to get a creative bag going, if the forwards don’t produce a quick play the ball for him he becomes anonymous IMO

 

[redv4life]

So if DA isn't satisfied with Flegg or SG Ball hookers, should raid another club. Tigers and Storm for example have big money hookers who usually play the full 80 minutes.

Both Storm & Tigers recruited schoolboy 9’s and have them locked up long-term. Wish we were more proactive in our recruitment in this way

 

[Ryan]

Both Storm & Tigers recruited schoolboy 9’s and have them locked up long-term. Wish we were more proactive in our recruitment in this way

I thought Harry Grant was mid 20s. Did Melbourne sign a schoolboy hooker to play in reserve grade?

 

[Justadragon]

Both Storm & Tigers recruited schoolboy 9’s and have them locked up long-term. Wish we were more proactive in our recruitment in this way

Our recruiting had a long way to go up until DA got there, I also assume Flanno was trying hard but needed DA. Things are looking way better now than what they were, especially in the lower grades which was desperately needed. You cant fix a decade of mismanagement in 12 months, but he's done a pretty good job.

 

[Dragon David]

Our recruiting had a long way to go up until DA got there, I also assume Flanno was trying hard but needed DA. Things are looking way better now than what they were, especially in the lower grades which was desperately needed. You cant fix a decade of mismanagement in 12 months, but he's done a pretty good job.

So how would our negotiating team before DA's appointment have handled getting KK to the club? I think zero result even with Flanno trying to help sign him. Hopefully, DA will get us more players that will help us build for great outcomes in the years ahead.