Recruitment & Retention 2027

[TheRev]

Gutho was creating everything in attack for us last season, and I havent seen that at all in 2026.. either he's slowed down or oppositions have worked him out.. or we just need a bigger sample size... I am looking forward to seeing some 'softer' defence to see if he can still do that.

If we miss Drinkwater and Bula, would be curious to know who option #3 is.. someone might drop out of nowhere... but the ones that are available:

• Votano is 20 in a few weeks time.. thats nrly 3yrs ahead of Burton.. 23 cup games.. its as close as you get to an Iongi signing.. Iongi looks so special though.. how easily he stepped up and is the complete package. Whether Votano is too close to Burton.. and rly I cant imagine Flanno going for a young player anyway.. but he always tore us apart when I would watch him play.
• Fuller - noone is talking about him which could mean he has no inclination to want to leave.. hes gonna be behind the hammer and is surely on peanuts
• Tracey & Kennedy - may well be dislodged in this process
• Has Papz truly retired? If someone else buys him it could free up another.

 

[GCRV]

Gutho was creating everything in attack for us last season, and I havent seen that at all in 2026.. either he's slowed down or oppositions have worked him out.. or we just need a bigger sample size... I am looking forward to seeing some 'softer' defence to see if he can still do that.

If we miss Drinkwater and Bula, would be curious to know who option #3 is.. someone might drop out of nowhere... but the ones that are available:

• Votano is 20 in a few weeks time.. thats nrly 3yrs ahead of Burton.. 23 cup games.. its as close as you get to an Iongi signing.. Iongi looks so special though.. how easily he stepped up and is the complete package. Whether Votano is too close to Burton.. and rly I cant imagine Flanno going for a young player anyway.. but he always tore us apart when I would watch him play.
• Fuller - noone is talking about him which could mean he has no inclination to want to leave.. hes gonna be behind the hammer and is surely on peanuts
• Tracey & Kennedy - may well be dislodged in this process
• Has Papz truly retired? If someone else buys him it could free up another.

Papz for 2 years would be perfect.

 

[Justadragon]

Bula is the only one who if we signed for 3 years I wouldn’t be annoyed about it

Drinkwater has serious holes in his game, Votano is so young and his athleticism worries me a fair bit despite his skill

Koula I don’t see now with his 5 year deal

I’ve always thought fullbacks pop up everywhere but now that I’m thinking about it there’s not really many NRL standard ones kicking around for us to get

There’s 20/21 YO guys that we can take a punt on but you don’t want to give Ollie Burton the impression that the new fullback is here for the long haul and he can’t get a look in

Tough spot, no matter what happens I guarantee the consensus will be Gutho cannot be fullback next season

I don’t think people realise how much is lack of athleticism affects us beyond just in the red zone, yardage carries and kick returns, drawing attention from defenders when we are on the attack

A more athletic fullback would actually improve our halves play significantly

I agree, the way the game is shaping up to be, running at a million miles an hour, its all out attack for any FB and defense is optional. Maybe we need a rethink on Sloan ?

 

[Morgan]

I agree, the way the game is shaping up to be, running at a million miles an hour, its all out attack for any FB and defense is optional. Maybe we need a rethink on Sloan ?

Problem with Sloan is it isn't just his defence. He honestly looks scared to me. Running into 120kg guys is hard but that's what he's paid to do. If he can't do it, he should paint houses, drive a taxi or something like that.

 

[RandomDragon]

Who are the realistic candidates to replace SFlano and why? I dont know if Willie is the right man, my only other thought leads to Dean Young, I would love for it to be Willie Talau but unfortunately probably a couple years too green still, who else is out there?