Round 1 team so far in 2026

Dragons Chris

Dragons Chris

SGI NSW Cup
Dragon David said:
Fans love to see their teams win which i have just stated the obvious. How the teams win it would not matter. But having a team score scintillating tries on a regular basis brings excitement and eagerness for the fans to see them and with that the fans know that their team has a great chance of winning their games and go and watch them for the kills.

The Dragons for a few years have just been a week to week proposition with uncertainty and with surprises not predicted. So you cannot bank on them, even though the previous head sponsor was one.
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Absolutely. Win is the most important thing but when playing exciting football with speed, offloads and etc will always lead to more long-term success both on and off the field. Pretty much every rule change is designed for more points to be scored. The NRL is trying to stop exciting, fast teams being dragged down and bashed by big, slow, dull teams.
 
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D

Dragon David

SGI Jersey Flegg
Dragons Chris said:
Absolutely. Win is the most important thing but when playing exciting football with speed, offloads and etc will always lead to more long-term success both on and off the field. Pretty much every rule change is designed for more points to be scored. The NRL is trying to stop exciting, fast teams being dragged down and bashed by big, slow, dull teams.
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Yep, excitement is the big thing to bring success to attendance numbers and prime time TV viewing. That feeling when we were winning those games during the 2009-2011(mostly) period were great. Aaaah, oh what a feeling!
 
GCRV

GCRV

SGI NSW Cup
Morgan said:
I know it's way too early for this but as it stands right now.
  1. Gutho
  2. CT
  3. Holmes
  4. Suli
  5. Sloan
  6. LKT
  7. Atkinson
  8. Gular
  9. Cook
  10. R. Couchman
  11. Su'A
  12. Egan
  13. Stewart

  14. Liddle
  15. LPT
  16. T. Couchman
  17. Sele

  18. Leilua
Backline is very ordinary but forward pack is looking strong. I chose Gular at No.8 because the starting pack is a bit too lightweight with Couchman or Sele starting with the other Couchman.
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A few people have mentioned Leilua being turned into a prop. Souths did it well with their big second rower. Leilua needs to do it as well. Might give his career a shot in the arm. Otherwise there is no place for him in first grade.
 
R

redv13

SGI Jersey Flegg
GCRV said:
A few people have mentioned Leilua being turned into a prop. Souths did it well with their big second rower. Leilua needs to do it as well. Might give his career a shot in the arm. Otherwise there is no place for him in first grade.
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With all the young back rowers coming through it’s time for Luc to move up front and turn into a solid 50 min prop. Has the size and ball skills for an offload too which helps
 
Dragons Chris

Dragons Chris

SGI NSW Cup
Xuiz said:
Klemmer has signed with St Helens in the Super League https://www.saintsrlfc.com/2025/10/31/david-klemmer-becomes-a-saint/

As it stands

8. Toby Couchman
9. Damien Cook
10. Hame Sele
11. Dylan Egan
12. Jayden Su’A
13. Hamish Stewart
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Loko Pasifiki-Tonga
16. Josh Kerr
17. Jacob Halanagahu

Very inexperienced forward pack, I think we’re in for quite a few hidings in 2026
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This pack might be much better than last seasons. With Couchman's being fit, Halangahu, Stewart and LPT a year older closer to their prime and there is still Leilua, Nick T. But those starting props won't do. Too small. Might go with LPT starting with Toby C and then LPT goes off for a rest only for Ryan C to come on. Definitely better than last seasons pack.
 
N

No Surrender

SGI Jersey Flegg
With respect to our young forwards they are yet to play a sufficient number of NRL games for us to determine their ultimate trajectory.

I hope they perform like Bath’s babes.

It would be great to sign a marquee forward to bolster the prop position to allow for a constant rotation whilst they gain more experience.

The backline has been used as a battering ram with CT & Suli. Our lack of speed limits our ability to compete with the top 6 sides.

The halves remain an experiment.

Atkinson is largely unproven.

LKT will improve but lacks genuine speed. I believe his defence will improve this season.

Young Flanno gives 110%, and is an excellent defender. Unfortunately being the son of the coach places him firmly in the spotlight. In my view his criticism on most forums is largely unwarranted.

In 2025, our forward pack due to injury and a lack of a hard edge were probably the worst in the competition. The best halves in the comp would have struggled to win games behind the lack of go forward.

Whilst the youngsters may lack size they certainly are very mobile. I am hopeful their big motors will give us the opportunity to win the arm wrestle in 2026.

I hope Kade Reed has a breakout season in 2026 and challenges for a spot in the 17 by mid season.

Gutho at fullback was less than impressive in the second half of the season. Sloan lacks
Real confidence and a willingness generally to put his body on the line. Unless that changes, this will be his last season in the red V.
 
Dragons Chris

Dragons Chris

SGI NSW Cup
No Surrender said:
With respect to our young forwards they are yet to play a sufficient number of NRL games for us to determine their ultimate trajectory.

I hope they perform like Bath’s babes.

It would be great to sign a marquee forward to bolster the prop position to allow for a constant rotation whilst they gain more experience.

The backline has been used as a battering ram with CT & Suli. Our lack of speed limits our ability to compete with the top 6 sides.

The halves remain an experiment.

Atkinson is largely unproven.

LKT will improve but lacks genuine speed. I believe his defence will improve this season.

Young Flanno gives 110%, and is an excellent defender. Unfortunately being the son of the coach places him firmly in the spotlight. In my view his criticism on most forums is largely unwarranted.

In 2025, our forward pack due to injury and a lack of a hard edge were probably the worst in the competition. The best halves in the comp would have struggled to win games behind the lack of go forward.

Whilst the youngsters may lack size they certainly are very mobile. I am hopeful their big motors will give us the opportunity to win the arm wrestle in 2026.

I hope Kade Reed has a breakout season in 2026 and challenges for a spot in the 17 by mid season.

Gutho at fullback was less than impressive in the second half of the season. Sloan lacks
Real confidence and a willingness generally to put his body on the line. Unless that changes, this will be his last season in the red V.
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Though I have to disagree re Kyle. He gives 110% but lacks ability. In my view he doesn't get nearly enough criticism. As for LKT and his lack of speed, I'm not sure why people keep saying this. Who are the 5/8s who are faster?
 
N

No Surrender

SGI Jersey Flegg
Dragons Chris said:
Though I have to disagree re Kyle. He gives 110% but lacks ability. In my view he doesn't get nearly enough criticism. As for LKT and his lack of speed, I'm not sure why people keep saying this. Who are the 5/8s who are faster?
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LKT is certainly more creative than Kyle, however is a very good defender and occasionally challenges the line. He is not a top 6-8 side half.

My main problem with our halves is that none of them have a big boot. If Burton were available I would love to pair him with Atkinson.
 
Edward

Edward

SGI NSW Cup
No Surrender said:
LKT is certainly more creative than Kyle, however is a very good defender and occasionally challenges the line. He is not a top 6-8 side half.

My main problem with our halves is that none of them have a big boot. If Burton were available I would love to pair him with Atkinson.
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Long kicking was a major issue last season. I hope Atkinson can kick much better than KF and LKT otherwise we'll be counting the minutes until Kade Reed plays first grade.
 
Morgan

Morgan

SGI NSW Cup
This according to Fox Sport. I'm not even going to comment on the halves. Apart from that, if they are the best wingers, we will be in trouble. And I think Kerr and Leilua might need to start the year in ressies for LPT and Halangahu or Tsugranis.

DRAGONS​

  1. Clint Gutherson
  2. Tyrell Sloan
  3. Moses Suli
  4. Valentine Holmes
  5. Christian Tuipulotu
  6. Daniel Atkinson
  7. Kyle Flanagan

  8. Toby Couchman
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Emre Guler
  11. Jaydn Su’A
  12. Dylan Egan
  13. Hamish Stewart

  14. Jacob Liddle
  15. Ryan Couchman
  16. Josh Kerr
  17. Luciano Leilua
Analysis: Shane Flanagan has some big decisions to make, with one of Kyle Flanagan or Lykhan King-Togia on the chopping block. Daniel Atkinson is set to arrive at the Dragons and may slot straight into the halves, with Flanagan likely to remain alongside him in 2026. In the forwards, a wave of injured stars return, including young gun quartet Toby and Ryan Couchman, Hamish Stewart and Dylan Egan. Their selections have been made easier by the departure of David Klemmer, who has joined St Helens, with Emre Guler the likely man to start in the front row and Dolphins recruit Josh Kerr joining the bench. Loko Pasifika Tonga and Jacob Halangahu are the remaining contenders, and were solid to close out the year and will be very much in contention, putting pressure on the likes of Kerr and Luciano Leilua to win a spot on the pine. David Fale is another player who joins the Red V ahead of the 2026 season, and as it stands, he’s unlikely to unseat either winger in this starting side.
 
J

Justadragon

SGI NSW Cup
Morgan said:
This according to Fox Sport. I'm not even going to comment on the halves. Apart from that, if they are the best wingers, we will be in trouble. And I think Kerr and Leilua might need to start the year in ressies for LPT and Halangahu or Tsugranis.

DRAGONS​

  1. Clint Gutherson
  2. Tyrell Sloan
  3. Moses Suli
  4. Valentine Holmes
  5. Christian Tuipulotu
  6. Daniel Atkinson
  7. Kyle Flanagan

  8. Toby Couchman
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Emre Guler
  11. Jaydn Su’A
  12. Dylan Egan
  13. Hamish Stewart

  14. Jacob Liddle
  15. Ryan Couchman
  16. Josh Kerr
  17. Luciano Leilua
Analysis: Shane Flanagan has some big decisions to make, with one of Kyle Flanagan or Lykhan King-Togia on the chopping block. Daniel Atkinson is set to arrive at the Dragons and may slot straight into the halves, with Flanagan likely to remain alongside him in 2026. In the forwards, a wave of injured stars return, including young gun quartet Toby and Ryan Couchman, Hamish Stewart and Dylan Egan. Their selections have been made easier by the departure of David Klemmer, who has joined St Helens, with Emre Guler the likely man to start in the front row and Dolphins recruit Josh Kerr joining the bench. Loko Pasifika Tonga and Jacob Halangahu are the remaining contenders, and were solid to close out the year and will be very much in contention, putting pressure on the likes of Kerr and Luciano Leilua to win a spot on the pine. David Fale is another player who joins the Red V ahead of the 2026 season, and as it stands, he’s unlikely to unseat either winger in this starting side.
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Ah the world according to Fox Sports, I think I'll throw up now !!!
 
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