Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
My question is where does Reed fit into the halves picture at the Dragons ?
Recruitment & Retention 2027
- Thread starter jodragon40
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jodragon40
Staff
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He is contracted until the end of 28. He gives us depth in the halves as next year I would expect our starting halves will be Metcalf/ Atkinson with Reed learning and growing both physically and mentally, plus fine tuning his skillsets in ressies.
RufusRex
SGI NSW Cup
IF Atkinson is not considered to be an ongoing option at half then Niko coming in gives us scope for Reed to continue his development.
Would require Kyle to f*ck off though.
Would require Kyle to f*ck off though.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
definitely gives us our 6.. maybe Atkinson could play ctr.. Atko could definitely be our fullback depth actually now I think about it.. I realise that after just blabbing out a long post on that exact topic... so maybe we dont need to bring one in.. but we do need an outside back of some description to replace the 3 departing.
We might well let LKT go also if he has other suitors.. perth even? Don't think hes in our plans and we have a few blokes who could play 6.. Hammoud, Reed and Hodges I think r the young halves we could focus on.
Niko is 33 next April, so a few years left but getting there.. gives us a buffer for Reed... and yes Kyle is probably on the extended bench (one of the unused players) or in cup ideally.. maybe the Cup 14 or something.. tbh I dont rly want him in front of Reed/Hammoud/Hodges unless we have injuries.
RandomDragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
Any problem with Ollie Burton starting on the wing next year?
Dave03
SGI NSW Cup
Yep could move Atko into ctr or fb cover. He could also play that 14 role off the bench but Watson covers that too. Either way Kodi would improve our squad without blocking any future pathways for our youngsters.
Dave03
SGI NSW Cup
Flanno gave him a big wrap on tripple mmm poddy, reckons he's our future fullback.
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
I agree but don’t forget DY threw him in head first into the Anzac game.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
18 is the absolute dirt minimum age (aka Makasini age.. who definitely seemed like it was too early), so Ollie is 18 in January so maybe a game late 2027 if he has a rly good year playing NSW Cup.. but I think its too early, but definitely hasnt looked out of place in U21's... I like fullback as a way to hide from defence, but wing prob far less stress.. ctr maybe..
But yeah maybe in 12mths.. every pre-season (assuming a player stays fit) makes a huge difference in those early years...
Mailroomsgi
SGI NSW Cup
There’s no rush with Burton, let him get his reps In Age group football playing fullback which is the position we have high hopes he can be for us long term in first grade
Yes it’s exciting and the rush to get a big talent in first grade is hard to resist but the right thing for his development LONG term is getting reps at fullback in SG ball/Flegg and maybe cup next year
Yes it’s exciting and the rush to get a big talent in first grade is hard to resist but the right thing for his development LONG term is getting reps at fullback in SG ball/Flegg and maybe cup next year
Dave03
SGI NSW Cup
I'd like to see Fale get some games in the back end of this season if he's not injured. He could potentially fill a centre spot but I keep forgetting about him. He's got the physical tools that our backline is missing. Contracted to the end of 27, need to figure out if he's 1st grade quality or not. He's in his mid 20s, so not young but not old.
RedV01
SGI NSW Cup
Of course there is a rush unless 2 other lower grade outside backs come good next year.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
If all the talk is accurate, and I believe it is, probably start him in NSW Cup next year.
I would think if he is on a development contract next year, he's every chance of playing first grade before the end of the year.
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
The problem is though getting his manager to bide his time without chasing the big bucks. Hard for juniors to settle when huge money is on offer around the place. I’m still a bit on the fence what LPT and JH do come Nov 1
Mailroomsgi
SGI NSW Cup
There’s no rush for any 17:18YO to be in the mixer for first grade selection and any club that is in that position something has gone terribly wrong along the way
Atkinson will probably be the one to move to fullback where he has played previously if we can’t pickup a backup fullback
There’s a long way to go before 2027 season starts so if it gets to march and we are still up shit creek then we can panic
Edward
SGI NSW Cup
Spot on about not rushing any 17-18 year-olds into first grade but then I feel you undermined your own argument. Look at the Dragons 1-7. Holmes is ok due to what he has done in the recent past but something has gone terribly wrong when the other 6 are the best Dean Young has to choose from.
Mailroomsgi
SGI NSW Cup
Backup fullback for most clubs is a tough position to fill
Look at panthers last night playing 20 year old Jaxon Edgar there when Edwards is ruled out
Not every club has a Daine Laurie esque utility or Xavier Savage/Tolu Koula who can fill in their at a high level
Drinkwaters injury record is pretty good, can’t remember him missing large chunks of recent seasons.
I’m interested to see how we fill out the squad and take into consideration Versatility,
Just thinking about what could have been if we kept Garrick/Bostock in hindsight
Look at panthers last night playing 20 year old Jaxon Edgar there when Edwards is ruled out
Not every club has a Daine Laurie esque utility or Xavier Savage/Tolu Koula who can fill in their at a high level
Drinkwaters injury record is pretty good, can’t remember him missing large chunks of recent seasons.
I’m interested to see how we fill out the squad and take into consideration Versatility,
Just thinking about what could have been if we kept Garrick/Bostock in hindsight
Mailroomsgi
SGI NSW Cup
I think everyone and Ollie would know the esteem he’s held in by the club. Flanno name dropped him on triple M podcast with Weidler and Charlie white yesterday as the one young guy to look out for at the club who’s not a forward
a lot of these young guys much prefer first grade pathway/opportunity over an extra 100k, so I’m not too concerned about the forwards bar Halangahu, just going off vibe but he’s no lock to stay like the couchmans/Stewart IMO
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
if we keep 1 of LPT or Halangahu I think thats a decent result.. LPT is older and rdy now though.. but it was Halangahu specifically called out as part of the future in that fan-night a while back.. any way lets see what happens.. seems like the couchies will be done thats the big one.. and I feel like with PNG in 2028 and the salary cap increase.. we might be stuck with these guys going to market on Nov 1..
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
I'm still not 100% that Burton is a fullback.. hes pretty damn solid for a 17.5yr old back.. and the fullbacks just keep getting smaller these days.. Rokko may end up being more suited in ~4yrs time.... he seems lighter and moves more laterally plus he is developing as a ball-player currently.... but he may fill out also.. Burton has footwork too but he runs pretty straight through tackles, that would work anywhere 1-5... he seems able to handle the tackles on bigger guys also.
But while Ollie is still young, agile and bouncy.. maybe he stays @fullback for the first few years, depending on what opportunity comes through.. but I rly dont mind him as Ctr or Wing.. every position is important.... and it rly is a great place to come into higher grades.. u arent expected to be a great ball-player and organise defence on top of learning first grade...
I dunno if Burton plays U19's next year either.. he has 2yrs in U19's to go in theory... maybe he does 1yr.. but maybe he just stays in U21's to start the season.. maybe he starts as the U21 Fullback.. I think Borg is just filling the role for now.. I would assume TPH is the Cup fullback.. The whole jigsaw does my head in though.. there are so many players flipping between the grades who are out for long periods with injuries.. centres like Heidke, Timmins, Lyric, Buchanan + Jesse Williams, like what on earth do our lower grade backlines look like if they were all fit? But you need fallback options in case they arent...
But while Ollie is still young, agile and bouncy.. maybe he stays @fullback for the first few years, depending on what opportunity comes through.. but I rly dont mind him as Ctr or Wing.. every position is important.... and it rly is a great place to come into higher grades.. u arent expected to be a great ball-player and organise defence on top of learning first grade...
I dunno if Burton plays U19's next year either.. he has 2yrs in U19's to go in theory... maybe he does 1yr.. but maybe he just stays in U21's to start the season.. maybe he starts as the U21 Fullback.. I think Borg is just filling the role for now.. I would assume TPH is the Cup fullback.. The whole jigsaw does my head in though.. there are so many players flipping between the grades who are out for long periods with injuries.. centres like Heidke, Timmins, Lyric, Buchanan + Jesse Williams, like what on earth do our lower grade backlines look like if they were all fit? But you need fallback options in case they arent...
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