Things I don't like

[Eric]

Flanno confirming the club is looking to sign Gutherson. He was a good fullback though a bit overrated but isn't anymore.

Firstly, WTF is this Dad's Army BS??!! Look at the average age of Penrith or Melbourne compared to the Dragons.

In a professional team and club, it shouldn't make the slightest bit of difference who his son is but it obviously does.

This is a thread I hope everyone will share concerns in.

First is the age of the squad. It is a concern though if Flanno thinks there are a whole heap of juniors on the verge of stepping up to first grade and being very good, this recruitment strategy makes a lot of sense.

Secondly regarding Kyle. That's more difficult. I think his skills might suit the position he was apparently recruited to play. Interchange utility/hooker. Though with the recruitment of Cook, Flanno obviously isn't thinking that.

 

[Chris M]

This is a thread I hope everyone will share concerns in.

First is the age of the squad. It is a concern though if Flanno thinks there are a whole heap of juniors on the verge of stepping up to first grade and being very good, this recruitment strategy makes a lot of sense.

Secondly regarding Kyle. That's more difficult. I think his skills might suit the position he was apparently recruited to play. Interchange utility/hooker. Though with the recruitment of Cook, Flanno obviously isn't thinking that.

Good thread. I'll have more to say, much more when the season starts. At this point, Flanno might still pull a recruitment rabbit out of his hat. Or Illias might surprise us all. I haven't seen much of him. Just know he took the fall for Souths disastrous start to the season.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

I have 2 concerns - the difficulty we find in recruiting players. Players almost never choose us over another club.

My other concern and we’ll see how this plays out in a year or so is Kyle was signed as a hooker/14 and is now a fixture in the halves. He’s a below average half so the worry is if he’s still starting in 2026 then I’ll be very concerned.
Hopefully Reed/LKT in time are too good to refuse and force their way into the NRL side in 2026

 

[Chris M]

I have 2 concerns - the difficulty we find in recruiting players. Players almost never choose us over another club.

My other concern and we’ll see how this plays out in a year or so is Kyle was signed as a hooker/14 and is now a fixture in the halves. He’s a below average half so the worry is if he’s still starting in 2026 then I’ll be very concerned.
Hopefully Reed/LKT in time are too good to refuse and force their way into the NRL side in 2026

As for the second concern. As for the first, if we start winning more that will change quickly.

 

[GCRV]

Kyle is a worry but holding fire until I see what he does with the Couchmans and JDB consistently running over the advantage line and getting fast play the balls.

I'm not sure why Tom Eisenhuth seems to be still training with the team. But he hasn't been re-signed as far as I know so nothIng to complain about at this time.

 

[RedV01]

This is a thread I hope everyone will share concerns in.

First is the age of the squad. It is a concern though if Flanno thinks there are a whole heap of juniors on the verge of stepping up to first grade and being very good, this recruitment strategy makes a lot of sense.

It was already an old squad before Holmes, Cook and Gutherson were signed. I rate all 3 but all 3 are passed their best. Holmes was badly needed. The other 2 are mistakes. Flanno scrambling to get Gutherson when no other clubs were interested when we don't have a halfback was clearly mental.

I know Gutherson is better than Sloan and Cook-Liddle is almost certainly better than Liddle-Kyle but Slaon and Kyle are already signed. Now they will be taking up the same cap space for the year In rezzies.

But lets see him prove me wrong. After round 6 I'll revist this thread and we will see.

I think Flanno still has it as a head coach. But if next year turns out like I'm thinking now, I hope he apologises, admits he got it wrong with his Dads Army recruitment.

 

[Edward]

Kyle is a worry but holding fire until I see what he does with the Couchmans and JDB consistently running over the advantage line and getting fast play the balls.

I'm not sure why Tom Eisenhuth seems to be still training with the team. But he hasn't been re-signed as far as I know so nothIng to complain about at this time.

Tom E isn't that bad. He's a hard-worker who isn't going to win you any games but his work will allow other players who might win you the game to be fresher.

 

[GCRV]

Tom E isn't that bad. He's a hard-worker who isn't going to win you any games but his work will allow other players who might win you the game to be fresher.

He isn't bad at all. Played a few bad games and a few good ones. This team needs more and has more next year in the young players coming through. Lawrie is similar to what you describe. Both are better than RFM but RFM and Lawrie are still on the books, Eisenhuth isn't.

 

[Chris M]

Interesting interview with Kyle Flanno.

‘Big part in my career’: Flanagan’s Hunt admission amid heartbreak driving Dragons’ revenge season

Flanagan’s Hunt admission, plans for quartet of star recruits in Dragons’ revenge season

www.foxsports.com.au

A few comments I don't like so this thread seems right:

Kyle was caught in the middle of Hunt’s messy contract saga with the club, but he holds no hard feelings with his former captain and will continue to use him as a mentor going forward.

“Yeah no doubt, he’s definitely a big mentor for me and he’ll continue to be,” Flanagan said.

Please stop being nice to him. He's an opposition player now. Hunt saying that publicly was extremely uncalled for.

He then moved to the Bulldogs where he played three seasons, but was shuffled between halfback, five-eighth and hooker over his 50 games for the club.

When his father was signed to coach the Dragons in 2024, Flanagan jumped at the chance to reunite with his former Sharks coach and dad.

Was the only offer he had.

Originally set to play hooker for the Dragons, which many believe is his best position, Flanagan was thrust into the halves alongside Hunt after Talatau Amone’s deregistration

Yes, it is his best position. Why does his dad insist on playing him in the halves?

Flanagan has been unfairly criticised at times for not creating enough try-scoring opportunities as a half, but Hunt’s dominance on the Dragons team often meant that he had to take a back seat in the playmaking department.

It goes both ways. Hunt might say he was forced to do so much because he wasn't getting help from his halves partner.

“I don’t want to overplay my hand, I just want to do the best for the team and the club.

No one wants you to overplay your hand. We want you to get the ball and keep the defence guessing as to whether you are going to run, kick or pass.

The NRL decided to hand the Dragons a Round 1 match-up with the Bulldogs, which will see Flanagan take on Crichton’s side in his first game back.

The match will also be his milestone 100th NRL game.

“It’s exciting, I think with the rivalry there at Kogarah,” Flanagan said.

“I’m looking forward to it, my first game back and Round 1, no better way to start.”

So guaranteed to start at 5/8 in round 1...... unbelievable!

 

[Edward]

Interesting interview with Kyle Flanno.

‘Big part in my career’: Flanagan’s Hunt admission amid heartbreak driving Dragons’ revenge season

Flanagan’s Hunt admission, plans for quartet of star recruits in Dragons’ revenge season

www.foxsports.com.au

A few comments I don't like so this thread seems right:

Please stop being nice to him. He's an opposition player now. Hunt saying that publicly was extremely uncalled for.

Was the only offer he had.

Yes, it is his best position. Why does his dad insist on playing him in the halves?

It goes both ways. Hunt might say he was forced to do so much because he wasn't getting help from his halves partner.

No one wants you to overplay your hand. We want you to get the ball and keep the defence guessing as to whether you are going to run, kick or pass.

So guaranteed to start at 5/8 in round 1...... unbelievable!

Seems like a good interview. Flanno obviously doesn't rate him as a hooker and he would know.
That was a real slap in the face from Hunt. Kyle should not turn the other cheek.
The pressure is on next year. He has to set up a lot more tries or he'll find himself out of the team.

 

[GCRV]

Flanno has lost the plot as far as I'm concerned. These are the top 30 players over 30.
Jack de Belin
Tom Eisenhuth
Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Clinton Gutherson
Valentine Holmes
Francis Molo


Development List:

Ben Murdoch-Masila

BMM and Eisenhuth are very clearly not first grade standard. So why give them spots rather than young players? If they won't be playing first grade anyway? Why isn't LKT in the top 30? Too young? Yet, older than several regular first graders including for teams which finished above the Dragons last year (Canberra) or Penrith.

 

[RedV01]

Flanno has lost the plot as far as I'm concerned. These are the top 30 players over 30.
Jack de Belin
Tom Eisenhuth
Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Clinton Gutherson
Valentine Holmes
Francis Molo


Development List:

Ben Murdoch-Masila

BMM and Eisenhuth are very clearly not first grade standard. So why give them spots rather than young players? If they won't be playing first grade anyway? Why isn't LKT in the top 30? Too young? Yet, older than several regular first graders including for teams which finished above the Dragons last year (Canberra) or Penrith.

And Cook.

 

[Eric]

Flanno has lost the plot as far as I'm concerned. These are the top 30 players over 30.
Jack de Belin
Tom Eisenhuth
Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Clinton Gutherson
Valentine Holmes
Francis Molo


Development List:

Ben Murdoch-Masila

BMM and Eisenhuth are very clearly not first grade standard. So why give them spots rather than young players? If they won't be playing first grade anyway? Why isn't LKT in the top 30? Too young? Yet, older than several regular first graders including for teams which finished above the Dragons last year (Canberra) or Penrith.

It'll be decided on the field. If Flanno was wrong, he'll pay the price.

 

[GCRV]

Lawrie, Fifita, Rava already had contracts before flanno arrived. We only got RFM last year under his contract with the dogs. Eisenhuth has impressed flanno enough to warrant an additional year.

Ok. Well that's where I differ from Flanno. Based on last season, I thought him not getting an extension was assured. Egan really is a tackling machine and offers more in attack.

So Dragons have Rava, RFM, Eisenhuth, Lawrie, Mike Molo making up the numbers next season. Astonishing! Every club has one or two but 5? Is it a sick joke?

 

[GCRV]

Was really looking forward to this meltdown and you haven't dissapointed lol

Ok. Any opinion on the reason for my annoyance?

 

[Dave03]

Ok. Well that's where I differ from Flanno. Based on last season, I thought him not getting an extension was assured. Egan really is a tackling machine and offers more in attack.

So Dragons have Rava, RFM, Eisenhuth, Lawrie, Mike Molo making up the numbers next season. Astonishing! Every club has one or two but 5? Is it a sick joke?

Can you provide the bottom 5 players in other similar placed teams squads as a comparison?

All those guys are likely 3rd or 4th on the depth chart for their preferred position. Like I've pointed out Rava, Lawrie were previous signings. RFM we only have for the duration of his deal, Eisenhuth clearly showed plenty to Flanno in his training & preparation. Mike Molo is fine for a bottom 5 player in the squad & likely contributed to re-signing his brother Frank. All the signings have legitimate reasoning.

 

[GCRV]

This over analysing and criticism of the top 30 is over the top.
It's a top 30 + 6 not a FG squad.
It's to fill FG and Cup thay are not all FG regulars if they were they would leave.
All clubs have nobody's and over 30 players
Here's a small snap shot of sone of Storm squad. 9 players of various ages that started 1 or no games this year.
They also had 5 players 30 or over.
How about we ease the f*ck up until the comp starts and teams are selected.

View attachment 498

A deep dive into those 2 over 30s and their contract status with the Storm for next season who only played one game and no games respectively last season underlines my astonishment.

Assuming that rugby winger is going to be in the top 30, which I thought everyone, including Flanno is talking about, do you think it would've been smarter to leave a space available in the top 30?

 

[GCRV]

Can you provide the bottom 5 players in other similar placed teams squads as a comparison?

All those guys are likely 3rd or 4th on the depth chart for their preferred position. Like I've pointed out Rava, Lawrie were previous signings. RFM we only have for the duration of his deal, Eisenhuth clearly showed plenty to Flanno in his training & preparation. Mike Molo is fine for a bottom 5 player in the squad & likely contributed to re-signing his brother Frank. All the signings have legitimate reasoning.

Which clubs? That is my problem. If Rava, Lawrie, Mike Molo, RFM were not already on the books, I'd have been happy with Eisenhuth being re-signed. Nothing against his ability. Just we have too many veteran fringe first graders on the books already. I honestly don't see why my opinion is unpopular.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

A deep dive into those 2 over 30s and their contract status with the Storm for next season who only played one game and no games respectively last season underlines my astonishment.

Assuming that rugby winger is going to be in the top 30, which I thought everyone, including Flanno is talking about, do you think it would've been smarter to leave a space available in the top 30?

FMD I give up ill leave the forum to the whingers..
Eric can you let me know how i can delete my profile.

 

[GCRV]

FMD I give up ill leave the forum to the whingers..
Eric can you let me know how i can delete my profile.

I already got a PM asking me to whinge in this thread. This is the thread for whinging I was told.