Recruitment & Retention 2027

[Ryan]

Looks like Ah Kee could be a Bear. Mentioned by Mug Fan and Mailroomsgi in Pathways.

It's disappointing but a lot of young guys his age kill it in schoolboy football but never make it in reserve grade let alone first grade. Finau Latu hasn't been sighted in first grade despite the poor form and injuries to big name Dogs forwards.

 

[Eric]

It's disappointing but a lot of young guys his age kill it in schoolboy football but never make it in reserve grade let alone first grade. Finau Latu hasn't been sighted in first grade despite the poor form and injuries to big name Dogs forwards.

I've been following Finau Latu a bit. I was a bit pissed about how he left the club. Didn't even give us the time to hear an offer. This might have had something to do with Flanno who justifiably seems to have gotten under the skin of a number of young players. I just don't know.

So anyway, is there a name for when you take pleasure out of other peoples struggles? Latu has been in and out of the Grubs NSW Cup team. They got flogged last weekend and he only played for 31 min. I think it's not enough. Then again, he might well prove me wrong yet. He is still eligible for Jersey Flegg.

 

[Dragon David]

It's disappointing but a lot of young guys his age kill it in schoolboy football but never make it in reserve grade let alone first grade. Finau Latu hasn't been sighted in first grade despite the poor form and injuries to big name Dogs forwards.

Yes, you are right Ryan - there have been several young guys who kill it in school football and many other sports. Some reach higher levels and some just plateau out and not achieve the success that they looked likely to.

Jasais Ah Kee is a highly rated rugby league junior who can play either 5/8th or fullback. Good luck to him and may his time with the Bears "bears" fruit.

 

[Eric]

Yes, you are right Ryan - there have been several young guys who kill it in school football and many other sports. Some reach higher levels and some just plateau out and not achieve the success that they looked likely to.

Jasais Ah Kee is a highly rated rugby league junior who can play either 5/8th or fullback. Good luck to him and may his time with the Bears "bears" fruit.

Good luck to him in his life but right now, I'm not wishing him well in his pro RL career.

 

[redv4life]

I've been following Finau Latu a bit. I was a bit pissed about how he left the club. Didn't even give us the time to hear an offer. This might have had something to do with Flanno who justifiably seems to have gotten under the skin of a number of young players. I just don't know.

So anyway, is there are name for when you take pleasure out of other peoples struggles? Latu has been in and out of the Grubs NSW Cup team. They got flogged last weekend and he only played for 31 min. I think it's not enough. Then again, he might well prove me wrong yet. He is still eligible for Jersey Flegg.

Yea not sure what’s happening with Latu there

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

I've been following Finau Latu a bit. I was a bit pissed about how he left the club. Didn't even give us the time to hear an offer. This might have had something to do with Flanno who justifiably seems to have gotten under the skin of a number of young players. I just don't know.

So anyway, is there a name for when you take pleasure out of other peoples struggles? Latu has been in and out of the Grubs NSW Cup team. They got flogged last weekend and he only played for 31 min. I think it's not enough. Then again, he might well prove me wrong yet. He is still eligible for Jersey Flegg.

he has had a couple of injuries, think it was some back issues related to his disc or something like that, there is no shame that he hasn't made 1st grade as yet, he has plenty of time in front of him this year and also next year..

 

[Dragons Chris]

Yes, you are right Ryan - there have been several young guys who kill it in school football and many other sports. Some reach higher levels and some just plateau out and not achieve the success that they looked likely to.

Jasais Ah Kee is a highly rated rugby league junior who can play either 5/8th or fullback. Good luck to him and may his time with the Bears "bears" fruit.

Can't keep them all but keeping some like him seemed a bit more important. Unfortunately now we just have to wait and see just how good he could be.

 

[RufusRex]

Eric the word you want is schadenfreude

 

[Illusion]

Can't keep them all but keeping some like him seemed a bit more important. Unfortunately now we just have to wait and see just how good he could be.

You are right we can't keep them all , but we don't keep the right ones .........

 

[Eric]

Eric the word you want is schadenfreude

Pretty smart. It's not something I would usually do but when it comes to a club like the Grubs poaching one of our most highly rated juniors who didn't even want to hear our offer.............. I feel some schadenfreude. In his RL career, not life in general. but

he has had a couple of injuries, think it was some back issues related to his disc or something like that, there is no shame that he hasn't made 1st grade as yet, he has plenty of time in front of him this year and also next year..

yeah, he's still a good chance of coming good so I should just shut up or be left eating crow.

 

[puff]

Eric the word you want is schadenfreude

Not quite.

Schadenfreude is retrospective: it means taking pleasure in someone else’s misfortune after it has occurred. We can’t really use the word for wishing future misfortune on someone.

Also, technically, Eric expressed only a lack of hope for his success, not a hope for his lack of success.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

It is official the Perth Bears have poached our promising junior Jasais Ah Kee. Up yours Meninga. We still have Rokko Walker, similar player, touch quicker also.

 

[dragonheart]

“The young forwards, I love playing with them, my brother obviously, love playing with him,” said Couchman, who played his 50th NRL game against the Broncos.

“Hamish, Dylan, I've played with them growing up a bit, they just work their arse off.

“Now Loko [Jnr Pasifiki Tonga] is in there, he's a beast.

“It's good having him out there too, so I love playing with those boys … we're all young and we want to win here.

Round Up - Round 13, 2026

Round Up - Round 13, 2026
“This is home, and I definitely want to be here.

“Obviously the season, it's been hard this year – it's hard to look too far forward and focus on that, but when you really think about it, there is a possibility here that we could do something big and I definitely want to be a part of it.”


Sounding more than promising the Couchman boys staying for the long term .........over to you Dragons

 

[RedVictory]

Watson confirmed 1 year deal.

 

[Mug Fan]

The St George Illawarra Dragons can confirm the signing of representative star Connor Watson on a one-year deal for the 2027 season.

A capable lock and hooker, the 30-year-old’s speed, strength, skill and leadership qualities are set to provide a welcome boost to the side’s forward pack.

“The Dragons are excited to be bringing Connor to the club next year,” CEO Tim Watsford said.

“He’s a player who has performed in the game’s toughest arenas and we love what he brings to the table. Connor’s a true professional and we’re confident that his addition, even if only for the one season, will make our team better. We’ve identified his combination of skill, athleticism, and versatility as something that can help us and we’re excited to see him in the Red V.

 

[jodragon40]

It is official the Perth Bears have poached our promising junior Jasais Ah Kee. Up yours Meninga. We still have Rokko Walker, similar player, touch quicker also.

Don't get me started with Meninga

 

[jodragon40]

The St George Illawarra Dragons can confirm the signing of representative star Connor Watson on a one-year deal for the 2027 season.

A capable lock and hooker, the 30-year-old’s speed, strength, skill and leadership qualities are set to provide a welcome boost to the side’s forward pack.

“The Dragons are excited to be bringing Connor to the club next year,” CEO Tim Watsford said.

“He’s a player who has performed in the game’s toughest arenas and we love what he brings to the table. Connor’s a true professional and we’re confident that his addition, even if only for the one season, will make our team better. We’ve identified his combination of skill, athleticism, and versatility as something that can help us and we’re excited to see him in the Red V.

Depending on Liddle injury he could well become our starting hooker next season

 

[Mug Fan]

Top 30 list

Clint Gutherson 2027
Connor Watson 2027
Cyrus Stanley-Traill 2027 **
Daniel Atkinson 2027 2028
David Fale 2027
Dylan Egan 2027 2028 2029
Hamish Stewart 2027 2028 2029
Hayden Buchanan 2027
Jacob Halangahu 2027
Jacob Liddle 2027 2028
Josh Kerr 2027
Kade Reed 2027 2028
Keaon Koloamatangi 2027 28 29 30 31
Kyle Flanagan 2027
Loko Pasifiki Tonga 2027
Luke Metcalf 2027 2028 2029
Lyhkan King-Togia 2027
Moses Suli 2027
Nick Tsougranis 2027
Phil Sami 2027 2028 2029
Ryan Couchman 2027
Toby Couchman 2027
Setu Tu 2027
Scott Drinkwater 2027 2028 2029
Valentine Holmes 2027

Supplementary list

Leeroy Weatherall 2027
Ryan Hutchinson 2027
Zane Timmins 2028*
Creighton Meafou 2028*
Oliver Burton 2027*

May have missed someone, need to check a few Supplementary players
Updated *
Edited **

 

[Dragon David]

Dragons sign Connor Watson for 2027

The St George Illawarra Dragons can confirm the signing of representative star Connor Watson on a one-year deal for the 2027 season.

www.dragons.com.au

Great pick up for us even if only for a year. Adds to our existing great young players in the forwards and with KK. Forwards and backs will be one of the best in the years ahead starting in 2027.

 

[RufusRex]

Cyrus and Tom Kirk?