Recruitment & Retention 2027
- Thread starter jodragon40
- Start date
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Seems unlikely.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Pathways players coming off-contract who Dragons might want to sign. Emphasis on backs.
Cornelius Kelsall
Cyril Connell Cup (under-17s)
Club: Dolphins
Position: Five-eighth, Fullback
Off-contract: June 30, 2026
A genuine X-factor and a dominant ball-running half, Kelsall is rated as the best teen talent in Queensland. He has until June 30 to exercise an option in his favour to remain at the Dolphins. If he opts to test the market, there will be no shortage of interest in the teenager and expect a bidding-war for his signature.
Chris Vaimili
Cyril Connell Cup (under-17s)
Club: Dolphins
Position: Centre, Wing
Off-contract: End of 2026
A product of the famous Keebra Park program, Vaimili is another of the Dolphins’ exciting prospects. He played his schoolboy footy on the wing but has now shifted into the centres. Vaimili’s athleticism and strength will make him one of the hottest off-contract pathways prospects.
Connor Votano
Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21s)
Club: Knights
Position: Fullback
Off-contract: End of 2026
The 20-year old fullback is still eligible for under-21s but his development is being fast-tracked through NSW Cup. Votano is an athletic fullback with a mean left-foot step and can sniff out a try-scoring opportunity close to the line. He’s drawn interest from the Storm, and the Knights will want to keep him but the club already has the likes of Fletcher Hunt and rising fullback Toby Winter in their ranks.
Asher Chapman
Harold Matthews Cup (under-17s)
Club: Dragons
Position: Hooker
Off-contract: End of 2026
The Illawarra product is a star of the Dragons’ pathways system but has also caught the attention of rugby union, where he starred for the Waratahs under-16s last year. The Dragons’ pathways has been under the spotlight in recent weeks, and given Chapman’s potential the club will be desperate to keep him long-term before a rival swoops in.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Jai Callaghan
SG Ball (under-19s)
Club: Bulldogs
Position: Fullback
Off-contract: End of 2026
An elusive runner of the ball with plenty of skill, Callaghan was a cross-code schoolboys star that has drawn comparisons to Billy Slater. The Bulldogs will want to retain the talented youngster but he’s already attracted interest for western Sydney rival, the Parramatta Eels.
Benji Thompson
Harold Matthews (under-17s)
Club: Knights
Position: Wing, Centre
Off-contract: End of 2026
Newcastle’s pathways are brimming with talent, and Thompson is considered as one the club’s most promising prospects. But the Knights will have a fight on their hands to keep him in Newcastle with the powerful outside backs attracting interest from the likes of Melbourne and the Roosters.
Iszak Isdale
Harold Matthews (under-17s)
Club: Wests Tigers
Position: Fullback
Off-contract: End of 2026.
Boasting plenty of speed and footwork, Isdale was a shining light in an otherwise underwhelming season for the Magpies in Harold Matthews. A local junior, Isdale could opt to look for a development opportunity elsewhere with at least two other Sydney clubs interested in the fullback.
Hunter Berghuis
Harold Matthews (under-17s)
Club: Dragons
Position: Centre
Off-contract: End of 2026
Berghuis is another rising Illawarra junior from the club’s rich south coast nursery but like Halangahu is attracting interest from rival clubs in Sydney. The centre boasts deft footwork and can find the tryline, he’s one the Dragons will want to keep.
Jasias Ah Kee
SG Ball (under-19s)
Club: Dragons
Position: Five-Eighth
Off-contract: End of 2026
Missed out on the 2026 junior reps season due to injury, but make no mistake – it won’t slow down interest. While he remains one of the most promising kids in the Dragons stable, a host of clubs have shown intrigue for this prodigy, who also led Patrician Brothers College all the way to the NRL schoolboys final last year.
Filipe Huahulu
SG Ball (under-19s)
Club: Tigers
Position: Wing
Off-contract: End of 2026
Expect a few clubs to have eyes on this youngster.
Despite a disappointing season for the club in SG Ball Cup, Huahulu had an impressive year, which has turned into a debut in Jersey Flegg. A strong winger with a defensive mindset, he also turned his physical attributes into plenty of attack, averaging over 150 metres a game this year.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
A lot of Dragons or Illawarra players on the list but I put emphasis on outside backs.
Dave03
SGI NSW Cup
Didn't realise Bostock off-contract end of 27, wonder if we'll make a play for him. He'd solve a few issues in our backline.
Edward
SGI NSW Cup
Get him a year early!
Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
Bostock an extremely talented player as either a right side centre or winger. He has plenty of ability and certainly would strengthen our future backline.
RufusRex
SGI Jersey Flegg
With the Fins losing isaako they will be motivated to not lose another one.
Mug Fan
SGI NSW Cup
Jenson Tuaoi
Jersey Flegg (under-21s)
Club: Panthers
Position: Hooker
Off-contract: End of 2026
The hooker helped the Panthers Jersey Flegg side all the way to last season’s Grand Final, even nabbing a try. Despite falling just short, his creative flair earnt him player of year honours for the club in the under-21s, which he also nabbed while in SG Ball. However, with his deal ending soon, Tuaoi is set to be one of the next kids to leave the Penrith nursery.
RufusRex
SGI Jersey Flegg
Was hoping this was going to be Mozer.