Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
They all come here under pressure to be the player that saves the Dragons. Next year we have multiple good players coming that will be the difference.
Recruitment & Retention 2027
- Thread starter jodragon40
- Start date
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
If he was involved in some of the Tigers mistakes, that's fine. Unless he is unable to learn from his mistakes. Might even be good so he knows some of the things not to do.
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
I have always liked Morris I think he is underrated. Hopefully he is strong enough to call out DY’s stupid calls and player management. It’s obvious the current AC’s weren’t capable of influencing our HC.
jodragon40
Staff
Are we really chasing Kody Nikorima? Surely not
Zen
SGI Jersey Flegg
I'd hoped Atkinson could be our Nicho Hynes, but maybe he's actually our Jake Averillo?
He's roughly the same size as Averillo (Dan's actually slightly taller), and would run a close race over 50m... see this try in NSW Cup
Averillo was also tried in the halves for a season and just wasn't the answer on a fulltime basis. Part time or fill-in ok
He's roughly the same size as Averillo (Dan's actually slightly taller), and would run a close race over 50m... see this try in NSW Cup
Averillo was also tried in the halves for a season and just wasn't the answer on a fulltime basis. Part time or fill-in ok
jodragon40
Staff
We signed Kody Nikorima wow, that will put the cat amongst the pigeons
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
He's good but I thought very similar to Connor Watson.
Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
Confirmed signing of Nikorima -
www.dragons.com.au
Dragons sign Kiwi international Kodi Nikorima
The St George Illawarra Dragons can confirm the signing of New Zealand international Kodi Nikorima on a deal that will see him join the club in 2027.
www.dragons.com.au
Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
Great highlights of Atkinson playing in Cup games for the Sharks. Why hasn't he used the same approach to his first grade games with us? He looks great when running and could be good in the centres if Young gives him maybe the rest of the year in that position for us to see his pros and cons.
Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
So 2027 will be a very interesting year insofar as the squad is concerned with the new players already signed and I think more to come. Daniel Anderson has worked his butt off so far and hopefully he is going to get us a couple more centres and another prop forward. Looking forward to 2027 more now. Dean Young won't have any excuses.
The top 19 could look like this come the start of 2027 - which if someone said that it would look like it I would not have believed it:-
1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Phillip Sami
3. New Recruit
4. Clint Gutherson/New Recruit
5. Valentine Holmes
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Luke Metcalf
8. Keaon Koloamatangi
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Toby Couchman
11. Dylan Egan
12. Hamish Stewart
13. Ryan Couchman
BENCH
14. Connor Watson
15. Loko Pasifiki Tonga
16. Jacob Halangahu
17. Daniel Atkinson
18. Setu Tu
19. Kade Reed
Likely Scenario -
- Atkinson and Flanno to Cup
- Sele and Leilua to leave and Suli won't be with us next year
- Lawrie and Tuipulotu won’t be re-signed
- LKT will be moved on and may have already found another club especially seeing we have signed Nikorima
- Several other players have been told that they're free to leave including Josh Kerr and David Fale
- Gutho already been told next year is his last year
- Holmes will be moved on end of 27
- Cook, Sloan, Feagai to Super League
- We will have 4, maybe 5 signing spots to fill including 2 centres and another forward.
The top 19 could look like this come the start of 2027 - which if someone said that it would look like it I would not have believed it:-
1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Phillip Sami
3. New Recruit
4. Clint Gutherson/New Recruit
5. Valentine Holmes
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Luke Metcalf
8. Keaon Koloamatangi
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Toby Couchman
11. Dylan Egan
12. Hamish Stewart
13. Ryan Couchman
BENCH
14. Connor Watson
15. Loko Pasifiki Tonga
16. Jacob Halangahu
17. Daniel Atkinson
18. Setu Tu
19. Kade Reed
Likely Scenario -
- Atkinson and Flanno to Cup
- Sele and Leilua to leave and Suli won't be with us next year
- Lawrie and Tuipulotu won’t be re-signed
- LKT will be moved on and may have already found another club especially seeing we have signed Nikorima
- Several other players have been told that they're free to leave including Josh Kerr and David Fale
- Gutho already been told next year is his last year
- Holmes will be moved on end of 27
- Cook, Sloan, Feagai to Super League
- We will have 4, maybe 5 signing spots to fill including 2 centres and another forward.
RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
My reaction too. From what I read we are his fifth club. Two yrs tells me Tim Watsford wants him as an interum while Kade Reed develops. Or he plays #14 next season with Reed promoted. Hearing we have 4 or 5 more signings in the works, including two centres and another forward.
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RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
With KN coming here seems one of Kyle or Lykhan will be moved on. Please make it Flanagan junior to join his old man at the Tigers to stink it up there instead of here. Kerr also probably out the door along with Lawrie, Sele and Tuipulotu. Be sorry to see Blocka go.
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Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
Interesting -
"Shane Flanagan is eyeing a return to the National Rugby League as a senior assistant coach for the Wests Tigers.The former premiership-winning coach is available after leaving the St George Illawarra Dragons earlier this season.He is expected to fill a vacancy created by the departure of current assistant John Morris to the Dragons".
jodragon40
Staff
Ball in hand, behind an advancing engine room, with room to move his speed and evasiveness would certainly be a plus whilst in attack.
Defensively he is an obvious target due to his size and position in the defensive line.
Be interesting to see if he is in the run on 6. I can't see Flanagan being in the 17 now. Its just about a complete purge of his dads signings.
I'm with you in relation to Reed he needed time to develop both physically and mentally into the role of 1sts game manager. Now he will have time on his hands to do so
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RedV01
SGI NSW Cup
What's the bet, even if Dragons are paying 90% of his salary, Benji won't want KF for a year if Flanno lands the job.
dragonheart
SGI Jersey Flegg
I just can't see Kyle following dad again, the Tigers fans will be ready to lynch someone. It has to be off to Super League and with Atko. Poor Ryan Carr cant help us out anymore, can he?
RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
Read the appointment has been made David.
jodragon40
Staff
Loves his footy