Recruitment & Retention 2027

TheRev

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
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

GCRV

SGI NSW Cup
TheRev said:
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.
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Papz for 2 years would be perfect.
 
J

Justadragon

SGI NSW Cup
Mailroomsgi said:
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
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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

Morgan

SGI NSW Cup
Justadragon said:
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 ?
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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.
 
R

RandomDragon

SGI Jersey Flegg
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?
 
R

RandomDragon

SGI Jersey Flegg
Mailroomsgi said:
Willie Peters/Peter Wallace/Brad Arthur/Marc Brentnall(Storm)

I’d say the likes of Boyd Cordner/Adrian Lam but I can’t see them being hired by us

If Dean Young gets the job I’m not interested in rugby league
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Peter Wallace and mark Brentnall would be awesome, but young and ennis scare me a lot. We all thought Ryan Carr could coach and he’s getting bent over in the super league. Today’s game needs a younger coach, proven with the likes of Webster, Fitzgibbon, Ryles etc.
 
J

Justadragon

SGI NSW Cup
RandomDragon said:
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?
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One thing is for sure, both him and his son are not going to get us anywhere, 3 seasons is more than enough. We need to make a big play for Brad Arthur.
 
Mailroomsgi

Mailroomsgi

SGI NSW Cup
Great player developer, every parra player loves him

Took over parra when they were an absolute rabble and guided them to be a consistent top 8 side for the last 7-8 seasons

IMG_3412.jpeg
He wouldn’t be my #1 pick but he’s obviously a decent coach and us with a number of young players who he’s proven he can develop, wouldn’t be upset if we gave him the reigns

Plays enterprising footy as well which we need to bring back to the hallowed turf of WIN and Kogarah
 
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TheRev

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
I don't think it matters which coaches are available yet, because I dont think were even close to sacking Flanno... we will have to watch and see if Cows or Eagles go first.. I will also lose my sh*t if they give it to Young, cant believe the Journos keep suggesting him for the Cows job.. shows how little they think about things before talking.
 
R

redv13

SGI Jersey Flegg
TheRev said:
I don't think it matters which coaches are available yet, because I dont think were even close to sacking Flanno... we will have to watch and see if Cows or Eagles go first.. I will also lose my sh*t if they give it to Young, cant believe the Journos keep suggesting him for the Cows job.. shows how little they think about things before talking.
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Mate if Flanno gets the ass and Young takes over I’m out. They can all go and get fu**ed if that happens
 
Mailroomsgi

Mailroomsgi

SGI NSW Cup
that’s a worry, ambling our way to 16th or 17th and thinking ‘oh Keaon is coming next year so it’ll be alright’

I don’t have any faith In the admin/higher ups at the club to make logical or good decisions
 
Mailroomsgi

Mailroomsgi

SGI NSW Cup
I’m fine with him being interim, because he won’t win enough games to look any good for them to seriously consider him as a full time coach

It will set our club back years if he gets the job, what’s he proven?

Been assistant at 2 clubs who have struggled bar one great season at the cowboys with a stacked roster.

No beloved old boys thanks
 
Frank Facer

Frank Facer

SGI Jersey Flegg
TheRev said:
We wouldn't be able to talk to him unless it was for 2027 (or earlier)..

But its such a game of chess.. cause if we do sign said gun fullback.. and Gutho went to 5/8, then Kyle & Cook went to our trio of hookers.. then maybe we dont need a 4th hooker... I mean there are so many ways we could skin the cat.. but the last rumour I heard was that Gutho was being looked at as a ctr for next year.


I felt really good about Bula 2yrs ago... I remember him muscling up in defence and being a weapon in attack.. but I am also nervous about his development since then.. and his attitude around his contract and his manager and will he buy in? Can he be remoulded a bit? Cause I know he can do it.. and unlike Sloan he can break tackles.. he doesnt appear scared around contact... but hes by no means a sure thing, and hes by no means cheap...

The problem.. is whether Drinkwater is any better? And do we have other options? I like someone like Fuller as another guy who will atleast try in defence.. if we could get a young one, Votano or Faulalo (contracted), and if we could really pull a rabbit out of a hat, someone like Hopoate who must be frustrated to have Tommy and Koula extended.. surely Koula wants fullback duty also.. and Faulalo on his heels.. but I bet we arent looking at names like that.. I think its Drinky or Bula..
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I think Drinkwater is better than Bula. Drinkwater could be a stop gap solution for 2 years until Burton is ready. Hopoate didn't impress when given the chance at fullback last year.
 
Frank Facer

Frank Facer

SGI Jersey Flegg
Mailroomsgi said:
that’s a worry, ambling our way to 16th or 17th and thinking ‘oh Keaon is coming next year so it’ll be alright’

I don’t have any faith In the admin/higher ups at the club to make logical or good decisions
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And Reed at halfback next year.

I would be going for Purdue at fullback and Jenkins on the wing. That would give us some more speed and agility. I would also like us to sign Campbell Graham as to play centre, if we could get him a year before his contract expires.
 
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