RedV01
SGI NSW Cup
Rorters make their fair share of recruitment blunders. Obviously KF was one. Only difference with them is that their blunders never seem to negatively their overall cap.
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Recruitment & Retention 2027
- Thread starter jodragon40
- Start date
jodragon40
Staff
Agree, would love to have insight on their plans for LKT and Reed. Mind you I believe LKT is only contracted until the end of the 27 season same as Flanagan whereas Reed is locked in until the end of the 29 season so that gives you an indication
RufusRex
SGI NSW Cup
Reed obviously the one they want to take over
I heard that the club are so impressed with LKTs iteration this time around that they may actually try to onsell atkinson. Kyle has been on the shop shelf a while now but we dont shed him without considerable freight being added.
I heard that the club are so impressed with LKTs iteration this time around that they may actually try to onsell atkinson. Kyle has been on the shop shelf a while now but we dont shed him without considerable freight being added.
Illusion
SGI NSW Cup
I remember coach Flanno used him in the centre against the Shark for one game and out played their centre , then did not see him again ........ Dont know to much about Heidke , so ill go with what your saying .......
RufusRex
SGI NSW Cup
Have mentioned before - Nick is an absolute blunt instrument. Footy IQ takes 2nd place to run hard and belt blokes.
As a centre would have a very limited shelf life/skillset ... the finesse on backline plays may not be there ..
He does have merit as an edge forward though, tighter in running hard and drawing defenders in on his decoy lines. I still would prefer a bit more "footy player" but at times you need the sledgehammer and in our team going forward we dont have too many of them.
If he could play in tighter and run those Spencer Leniu off the back fence carries through the middle he may have more value into the team.
As a centre would have a very limited shelf life/skillset ... the finesse on backline plays may not be there ..
He does have merit as an edge forward though, tighter in running hard and drawing defenders in on his decoy lines. I still would prefer a bit more "footy player" but at times you need the sledgehammer and in our team going forward we dont have too many of them.
If he could play in tighter and run those Spencer Leniu off the back fence carries through the middle he may have more value into the team.
People need to remember that Nick is a back rower who had never played centre prior to 2025 when he was thrown out wide due to necessity and he has done his job. His debut vs the sharks out wide was strong, plenty of meters, strong defensively and wasn’t out of place that night against legitimate first graders.
Centre is a very tough position to play both in attack and defence. Not bad considering he is a forward and he just turned 22 years of age. Ideally he should be on the bench as a backrower and thrown out wide if needed due to injuries during a game.
2027 can be a turning point for him if he can stay healthy. He’s a bull that could develop very nicely. He’s aggressive and loves the contact, runs great lines and has a quick play the ball and is very strong defensively.
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RufusRex
SGI NSW Cup
Yep ... agree with this ... centre by necessity not ability and dealing with it ...
Put a bit more weight on him and i think he has a role in the team if we dont recruit a better edge.
He provides impact which is something Couchies/Hamish/Egan dont do.
My bench for Round 1 next year (Assuming no extra edge)
Watson, Loko, Halangahu (the three we absolutely use)
Nick, LKT, Webster (use tactically or if injury hits)
RedV01
SGI NSW Cup
Sounds like just what we'll need next year. Have skill coming out of the you know where in backs and forwards. At least one blunt instrument will only make the team more complete.
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Be more than happy to see Nick running hard and belting blokes. Sounds like the perfect aggressive bench player to me. Bring on the bull
Dave03
SGI NSW Cup
Nick runs great lines & makes solid defensive decisions, good footy iq. Succeeding in an unfamiliar position isn't easy, most ctrs have strengths & weaknesses. It's how they compliment other players which makes them effective.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
I think regardless of LKT.. we were still looking to move Atkinson on with Nikorima on the books.. and Hodges in NSW Cup, but its definitely an interesting puzzle now for 2027.. maybe they just keep LKT on till the end of his contract and let him go.. or extend 1yr perhaps.. not sure what LKT would prefer to do.. hes probably not getting the 6 jersey at any other club either.. but hes free to negotiate in 3mths time.. and the vibe is always different once they sign elsewhere....
Def need to move as many as we can out of Kyle/Atko/LKT + Gutho, its a whole lot of players taking up slots not even counting the cash used.. and I dont think we rly want them in cup either where we could be developing talent.. like I think Hammoud, Reed, Hodges r all in cup next year.. much rather play them than the others.
I still dunno about this take on him.. I haven't seen anything I don't like about Nick, or any brain explosions.. I just dont think hes held fitness for long enough to actually be in form for any length of time.. feel like we get 1 or 2 good games and boom injured.. and we restart.. its been so long since ive seen him in form and playing 2nd row.. most of his memorable games are at ctr.... I dont even know how to assess him.. but that player that can cover middle, edge 2nd row and ctr.. and a livewire and a dragons jr.. its a good combination if hes happy to continue on a small contract... maybe a 12mth extension.. cause we cant rly price him until he stays fit.
Nick will be a good squad filler and more than capable and should be in the 19 each week without breaking the bank.
Every squad needs them and considering his age and versatility, would be an absolute steal at say 200/250k a season. A contract extension for 2028/29 on that kind of money is a win win for both him and the club in my eyes
Eric
Staff
Or maybe more than just a squad filler.
I agree. In my opinion he’s first grade ready for 2027. They just need to give the bloke a fair dinkum crack, he won’t let them down at all. Daniel Anderson rates him and wants to blood him so clearly in his eyes Nick is ready. Ando has a pretty good eye for these things
Mug Fan
SGI NSW Cup
Moses won't be at the club next year and i doubt Kyle will be, trouble is with the kick in we won't gain much cap space.
Don't expect too much more movement on top 30.
With all juniors signed focus on Train and Trial and pathways signings next.
It's going to be tuff for any young forwards coming thru.
With our pack all signed long term.
Hutch for Kerr amd CJ for Cyrus we are all but locked in long term
Don't expect too much more movement on top 30.
With all juniors signed focus on Train and Trial and pathways signings next.
It's going to be tuff for any young forwards coming thru.
With our pack all signed long term.
Hutch for Kerr amd CJ for Cyrus we are all but locked in long term
Dave03
SGI NSW Cup
I actually think his best shot at 1st grade might be through centre. He could do a similar role to suli. Our pack is pretty settled while he might be underutilised from the bench.
RufusRex
SGI NSW Cup
Daniel Anderson rates him and wants to blood him
Those two things are not necessarily true ... Just as possible is "Daniel Anderson isn't convinced and wants to blood him" to see if he is someone to keep.
Mug's point above is so valid with forward pathways essentially locked in - perhaps the other spot is the Weatherall one but given dollars invested elsewhere in the pack that spot will only ever be a bottom tier deal.
Those two things are not necessarily true ... Just as possible is "Daniel Anderson isn't convinced and wants to blood him" to see if he is someone to keep.
Mug's point above is so valid with forward pathways essentially locked in - perhaps the other spot is the Weatherall one but given dollars invested elsewhere in the pack that spot will only ever be a bottom tier deal.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
I think we will have to eat CST/Weatherall's spots for atleast 1yr.. CST sellable if we rly want him out, though he is useful and in an injury pinch.. and another preseason.. hes alright imo.. just not a gun.... weatherall is the only one whos rly fallen behind... he isnt sellable though because noone will pick up a Top30 spot for him at this stage of his development.
CMeafou injuries held him back but def the most exciting 2nd rower in the system.. DMeafou still on the periphery.. but Mug is right in that Daniel will have to be patient now to make it with all the young forward spots taken up.. Daniel has to also have an injury free run and regain some of that talent he shows for periods... in order to put any pressure on the guys now in front of him.
The other young ones floating around are Coutts, Alhazim, Hikila, Jackson, Treweek, Carmichael.. either a cup deal or as Mug said a T&T deal but they will have to be rly good to push thru now.. it will help when/if CST/Weatherall drop out...
The 2 or 3 I'm more excited about are the younger ones playing schoolboys currently in Luka Halangahu, Mason Andrews & Mace Scofield.. feel like atleast 1 maybe 2 of those make it.. but hopefully there is enough of a gap that opportunities open up again by the time they are playing regular NSW Cup.
I think Hookers are a separate discussion to the other forwards.. thats a whole nother discussion and I have NFI what they will do.
CMeafou injuries held him back but def the most exciting 2nd rower in the system.. DMeafou still on the periphery.. but Mug is right in that Daniel will have to be patient now to make it with all the young forward spots taken up.. Daniel has to also have an injury free run and regain some of that talent he shows for periods... in order to put any pressure on the guys now in front of him.
The other young ones floating around are Coutts, Alhazim, Hikila, Jackson, Treweek, Carmichael.. either a cup deal or as Mug said a T&T deal but they will have to be rly good to push thru now.. it will help when/if CST/Weatherall drop out...
The 2 or 3 I'm more excited about are the younger ones playing schoolboys currently in Luka Halangahu, Mason Andrews & Mace Scofield.. feel like atleast 1 maybe 2 of those make it.. but hopefully there is enough of a gap that opportunities open up again by the time they are playing regular NSW Cup.
I think Hookers are a separate discussion to the other forwards.. thats a whole nother discussion and I have NFI what they will do.
BekB
SGI Jersey Flegg
Mace signed with Penrith Mason Andrews is definitely a cracker and young Halangahu would be my picks of the forwards coming through. CJ but he ain’t playing schoolboys and his brother
RufusRex
SGI NSW Cup
My feel on hookers
2027 - Watson/Liddle (depth Kyle if he doesnt f*ck off/Kodi perhaps if needed)
2028 - Liddle/Import (we hit the market Nov 1 for this signing) - Kodi again providing depth but need another
2029 - Import/Dexter Grant plus a couple more either imported or developed.
2027 - Watson/Liddle (depth Kyle if he doesnt f*ck off/Kodi perhaps if needed)
2028 - Liddle/Import (we hit the market Nov 1 for this signing) - Kodi again providing depth but need another
2029 - Import/Dexter Grant plus a couple more either imported or developed.