Recruitment & Retention 2027

[Dragon David]

Wonder if this was our choice or did we take too long? Guess we r going youth next year:

View attachment 1114

Winning is the name of the game and the game is Rugby League in the 2020's and onwards. Players now and will continue the need to play fast and furious. The faster the better, the fitter the better, the tougher the better.

Cook going was inevitable so too will several others who lack the better things. We just cannot afford to carry ok guys, we need much better and several best. That should be the aim from now on.

 

[TheRev]

Ohh I had missed the Jenson Tuaoi = 21yr old hooker connection = likely to sign.. still keen to know what their plans are for Haele, Connor and Fagalilo, we need Tuaoi plus another in our 30 imo or atleast 1 on dev.. literally Liddle does a hammie and how are we covering 80mins of hooker in 1st grade?

There is also Kyle, still TBD if he stays.. or if they see him as legit hooker or #14 coverage.

 

[jodragon40]

Ohh I had missed the Jenson Tuaoi = 21yr old hooker connection = likely to sign.. still keen to know what their plans are for Haele, Connor and Fagalilo, we need Tuaoi plus another in our 30 imo or atleast 1 on dev.. literally Liddle does a hammie and how are we covering 80mins of hooker in 1st grade?

There is also Kyle, still TBD if he stays.. or if they see him as legit hooker or #14 coverage.

Liddle may never be as good as he was. Trust me that grade 3 hammy tear has finished the careers of a few players in the past. People underestimate the nature of that type of injury

 

[Mailroomsgi]

We should be all over this, versatile and reliable outside back that won’t cost an arm and a leg to sign.

Marist brothers Kogarah boy as well

 

[Red T]

Maybe Kyle and Gutho to the super league too !

 

[RufusRex]

View attachment 1115We should be all over this, versatile and reliable outside back that won’t cost an arm and a leg to sign.

Marist brothers Kogarah boy as well

Isnt he another one of the flano didnt want him crowd ... lets see if change in leadership changes other things.

 

[Justadragon]

Yes/No
Gutho has a 2027 contract, Cook never did

Doesn't mean you cant move him on.

 

[Dave03]

Big drop off in quality from liddle to the next best hooker without cook. Need to nail his replacement. Tbh he's been consistently solid but 2 years is a stretch to give him. 1 year would've been ideal. He's still performing, age is a bit misleading. It's how you perform.

 

[RufusRex]

Doesn't mean you cant move him on.

Dont disagree ... but harder
Cook without a contract - the writing was on the wall for him when we pulled out of negotiations when Flano was in the departure lounge.

 

[RedV01]

Apparently the Dragons are in Chaos as Captain jumps ship according to the media

The vultures are circling. Why wouldn't they? Dragons senior staff were absolutely breathtaking in their incompetence. Have brought this on the club. Not we begin to fight our way back and chase the vultures away.

 

[Frank Facer]

I have been watching Sami a lot closer than usual and what a poor signing. I am not even looking forward to him being in our side next year, let alone the year after and the year after.

 

[RandomDragon]

I have been watching Sami a lot closer than usual and what a poor signing. I am not even looking forward to him being in our side next year, let alone the year after and the year after.

Disagree, what did you expect him to do last night? chip and chase on his own? Hes fast, solid defender & good under the high ball.

 

[Morgan]

Disagree, what did you expect him to do last night? chip and chase on his own? Hes fast, solid defender & good under the high ball.

Better than any of our current wingers but his age is a worry. He's only going downhill from here. Hopefully can squeeze two good seasons out of him.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Matt feagai going to castleford in 2027

Bit surprised we haven’t kept him considering he’s the ideal versatile backup outside back and still only 25

 

[Morgan]

Matt feagai going to castleford in 2027

Bit surprised we haven’t kept him considering he’s the ideal versatile backup outside back and still only 25

He goes alright at centre. Not good but ok. On the wing his defence is just so bad. That thing in the Anzac game when he rushed in 15~20m, didn't get anywhere near a ball carrier and provided the Roosters winger with the easier run to the line to score was just so typical.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

And this is where coaching matters so much, you think he’s still the same level of player as 2022 if in those 4 years he’s coached by a top line NRL coach

One that installs belief and teaches him all the finer details

He’s not a world beater but I think he could have been a really solid starting winger or centre and it’s just not played out that way

 

[TheRev]

Matt feagai going to castleford in 2027

Bit surprised we haven’t kept him considering he’s the ideal versatile backup outside back and still only 25

interesting.. I almost think that 1 poor game on anzac day may have done the damage.. fans have flipped their lids on him.. but I reckon 1 great game and that settles down again.. Feagai is my fave of the backup stock we have at the club atm.. over lawson, CT, Sloan, unsure on Fale, Buchanan and Tu.. but given Fale and Tu r on contract next year, I would prefer them to get some time this year so we get the blooding done... Buchanan will get another preseason and maybe hes more rdy next year @ctr.

But re: Feagai, im also totally alright with clearing a Top30 spot and going for someone younger (spots are tight).. and there are so many incredible young athletic wingers in the NSW and QLD systems.. I think id rather take a punt on someone faster like seem to constantly flow into brisbane for example.. or get a proper ctr if Val does end up on the wing.. seems like the game is changing and its wise to focus more on attacking threats out wide.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

I would be completely fine with letting him go if they go pluck a stud 18-19 YO outside back from NZ/QLD or another NSW team

Even if they have to overpay a little, take the gamble. We are sorely lacking in that 18-22 year old outside back in the ranks that can come in and hold his own.

Buchanan and Heidke for different reasons aren’t there just yet

 

[TheRev]

I would be completely fine with letting him go if they go pluck a stud 18-19 YO outside back from NZ/QLD or another NSW team

Even if they have to overpay a little, take the gamble. We are sorely lacking in that 18-22 year old outside back in the ranks that can come in and hold his own.

Buchanan and Heidke for different reasons aren’t there just yet

100% like for any other squad other than the 1 that hasnt won any games this year, I'd be a bit more confident that we will go find that stud 19-21yr old to replace Matt... its harder for us but I think we can do it.. we can give first grade opportunity to someone stuck behind rep wingers...

Note: that has been the cost in years gone by of retaining average players, like Kyle for example.. I didnt mind him as depth but having him in the 30 negated us being able to buy any young gun.. similar if we had of kept Cook.. I rly like Cook.. but then we cant sign a young gun.. so this is the trade-off.. and there is gamble involved for sure.

The purchase of the 21yr old panthers player of the year hooker.. might be an indication that with Flanno gone, Ando and the club are starting to think about replicating more of the canberra model and realising they are gonna have to buy them a bit young and try to finish their development (which tbf has been a struggle for us), Fale might be another example of a youngish speculator..

If the game continues as it has been, it does seem like the shackle are off in terms of playing younger kids.. and 2 new NRL clubs coming is part of that.. but seems like were starting to buy in.. and honestly coaches like Payten and Benji have been kissed on the d*** a bit by the rule changes.. defence is now optional aslong as u can put 30-40 points on per game... the raiders are a bit of an outlier this year, they are young and fast but still not winning many games but they r very competitive.. the comp is rly rly hard right now if ur not in form.

 

[dragonheart]

So NQ retained Purdue for 750,000 for next 3 years, surely these are exactly the type of players we should be buying, good age, fast and elusive. Chester is the other one........We dont have one player like these now or signed up for next year.