2025 Squad List

[Dragonslayer]

A little earlier than last year, however, there seems to be plenty of interest in our squad, both in signing and retention, So, this is where we currently stand for 2025:

Signed: (20)
Hunt, Lawrie, Allan, Tuipulotu, F. Molo, Sele, Liddle, Flannagan, Pasifiki-Tonga, Leilua, M. Molo, Ravalawa, Suli, Faitala-Mariner, R. Couchman, Finau, T. Couchman, Fifita, Egan, Stewart.

Options for 2025: (3)
Russell (MO), Brown (CO), Bird (MO)

Unsigned: (10)
Tuitavake, Murdoch-Masila, DeBelin, Sua, Marschke, Mat Feagai, Max Feagai, Tamale, Eisenhuth, Sloan

By Position:
Halves: (2) - Hunt, Flannagan (unsigned 0)
Props/Locks: (8) - Lawrie, F. Molo, Sele, Pasifiki-Tonga, M. Molo, T. Couchman, Fifita, Stewart (unsigned: (3) - Tuitavake, Murdoch-Masila, Debelin)
Edge Forwards: (4) - Leilua, Faitala-Mariner, R. Couchman, Egan (MO: (1) - Russell, unsigned: (2) - Sua, Eisenhuth)
Centres: (1) - Suli (MO: (1) -Bird, unsigned: (2) - Max Feagai, Tamale)
Hookers: (1) - Liddle (unsigned 0)
Wing: (4) - Tuipolotu, Ravalawa, Finau, Allan (unsigned 0)
Fullback: (0) - (unsigned: (2) - Mat Feagai, Sloan)
Utility: (0) - (unsigned (2) - Brown, Marschke)

I think it's too early to include the DS players, as that will change with performances in the lower grades and reflect on who we want to keep etc.

So, from what I can see is that we desperately need:
1: At least 1 specialist half.
2: At least 1 specialist hooker.
3: We are really exposed at fullback (0 signed) and #14 (0 signed), however, I do expect at least 2 of the names mentioned for that position will be re-signed.
4: At least 2 more centres. Tamale can fill 1, if he has the desire to remain with us. Of course there's Bird, and that's a reason why he'll probably get another contract.
5: At least another winger. Again, Tamale can fill that role, but again does he stay with us. There are some very good juniors that could be promoted to the top 30. Many of whom have been mentioned on many threads already. Yes, we were looking at Turuva, but that was a choice of experience over rookie IMO. Missing out on him may be a blessing in disguise.
6: At least 1 experienced, "down and dirty" prop. We are short in experience, and we have "short-statured" props on our books.
7: I think we are ok with edge forwards, and I expect to re-sign Sua (long term) and Eisenhuth (short term).
8: I think we will re-sign both Brown and Marschke as utilities.

So, in conclusion, I think we need to be looking at 3 - 6 new signings for '25.

Excuse if I have missed someone, or "arsed-up' any positions.

 

[FlickFlano]

Your 19 for next year is actually 22

 

[Dragonslayer]

Your 19 for next year is actually 22

Which 3 did I miss?

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Yep it is wide open

approx 21 players now from within our stable u would guess 26 to be signed on for 2025.

Ie unsigned like Sloan. Eisenhuth, Brown, JDB.

I think Ramsey is still in the top30 for 2025

Pasifiki-Tonga till end of 2026 was stated in a media release he joins the top30 in 2025.

What is NOT clear is if Halangahu and Latu are in the top30 or the Development Squad which is more likely. The media releases said both these boys join the “extended NRL squad in 2025”

 

[Dragonslayer]

Yep it is wide open

approx 21 players now from within our stable u would guess 26 to be signed on for 2025.

Ie unsigned like Sloan. Eisenhuth, Brown, JDB.

I think Ramsey is still in the top30 for 2025

Pasifiki-Tonga till end of 2026 was stated in a media release he joins the top30 in 2025.

What is NOT clear is if Halangahu and Latu are in the top30 or the Development Squad which is more likely. The media releases said both these boys join the “extended NRL squad in 2025”

Hard to figure what is meant by "extended NRL squad". FRom what I can gather there isthe Development list, then there's supplementary lists etc.
If I were to take a punt, I would say these boys have signed T&T contracts. Which, in theory, exposes them to the NRL as "extended" players.

As for Pasifiki-Tonga, yes, I missed him being added to the Top 30 for 2025, so I will edit him in as a prop and amend the # to 20 confirmed.

 

[FlickFlano]

Halangahu as well -



Finau Latu was the third - Daily Tele says top 30, Zero Tackle (probably quoting the tele) also says that. This says in the coming years.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

When it saids in the upcoming years for Latu does that mean 2025 for the top30

don’t get me wrong I think Latu is a gun and should be gnawing at the top30 to keep him and the $ needed in that cap space.

just not 100% sure re 2025 top30 vs development squad ?

either way they are most certainly prized 3 young emerging forwards that we need to keep as they have they have the skill set tenacity and size already to challenge the top17 before we know it.

it is possible mid way thru 2025 after another pre season and managing the rigour of injuries etc as an 18yr old….. they may start biting at the edges of NRL debuts and get a few limits minute games as a taster for 2026 and longer minutes?

Ps I was very impressed by the two Couchman boys against the Roosters in the NSW Cup game

I know we stuffed up alot mid way second half loosing controlling of the game by giving away stupid penalties or errors…..but those two boys I do believe will be NRL players. They are clinical in everything they do . They are bit in between re size vs athletic vs other options but they could be really making in roads in 2025.

 

[TheRev]

You have to include the 30+6 imo, we will be using every one of those slots.. and based on the vague news articles.. we cant be 100% sure which type of contract the young forwards will have.. but either way they can play NRL:

These are the kids I have documented for next year:

Dylan Egan	2nd Row
Jacob Halangahu	2nd Row
Loko Pasifiki Tonga	Prop
Hamish Stewart	Prop/2ndRow/Lock
Nick Tsougranis	2nd Row
Finau Latu	Prop/13
Corey Ackers	Prop/13

And I am assuming that Coric, Shereb & Muhleisen are all gone.. but its possible Muhleisen is retained if we have noone else.. we do need a hooker..

 

[TheRev]

But there is so much to unpack with the unsigned players in our roster.. especially Sua, JDB & Eisenhuth...

And the silence on 2025 signings is deafening.. I think Flanno has positions in mind.. but until he lands one of them.. he cant really make decisions on some of the others.. thats why I think some of those guys are still waiting on extensions. But imagine he does sign a Croft or Ilias or some such.. that could reshuffle everything.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Hard to figure what is meant by "extended NRL squad". FRom what I can gather there isthe Development list, then there's supplementary lists etc.
If I were to take a punt, I would say these boys have signed T&T contracts. Which, in theory, exposes them to the NRL as "extended" players.

As for Pasifiki-Tonga, yes, I missed him being added to the Top 30 for 2025, so I will edit him in as a prop and amend the # to 20 confirmed.

I must say I have always thought of the development squad as the most direct “extended nrl squad list”

the development player list also attracts higher $ as a base amount ie up to $650k pa that can be allocated to 4 to 6 players and $3k per game of NRL which is higher than T&T players

it is where we tend to place they players we have high hopes for when super young.

T&T players only get $1200 pw plus game payment max $3k pa if they play NRL which is a big “IF”

 

[Dragonslayer]

I must say I have always thought of the development squad as the most direct “extended nrl squad list”

the development player list also attracts higher $ as a base amount ie up to $650k pa that can be allocated to 4 to 6 players and $3k per game of NRL which is higher than T&T players

it is where we tend to place they players we have high hopes for when super young.

T&T players only get $1200 pw plus game payment max $3k pa if they play NRL which is a big “IF”

So, I contacted the Club to find out exactly what "Extended NRL Squad" meant. The reply was:

"Extended squad is a broad term that we use to cover any player contracted outside of our NRL squad".

Players' contracts cover multiple years and cover multiple contractual levels ie:

1: NRL top squad (30 players)
2: NRL Supplementary list (up to 6 players - used to be called the DS). They train with the top squad full time.
3: NRL Train & Trial (approx 8-12 players) - capped by the NRL on total $$ that can be spent. Can run from a few weeks to a full year.
4: Junior contracts (approx 60-80 players) - unlimited by # and value. Payments = school fees up to just below T & T contracts.

So, it seems Halangahu and others mention fall into 2, 3 or 4 at this stage.

With that our current list is at 20.

 

[FlickFlano]

Halangahu is top 30 next year ... that is player 21
Finau Latu according to non dragons sources is player 22 ... Dragons say pathway to top 30, but also he is only signed to 2025 so i expect he is top 30 next year in spot 22.

Given it is flano then i fully expect to see Bird and Brown take up spots 23/24

Then we have Su'A, Sloan and Tamale who i expect we retain especially given the number of backs we lose. Takes us to 27.

A Prop is a must - preferably a monster - we have chased a few in recent times and i expect it is the priority
A spine/utility is next - will sit in the Marschke spot in the top 30 - still wouldnt surprise me if Amone comes back in.
Last spot would be the outside back - the turuva or the rugby signing we have been linked to. Morkos the roughy there.

That means we say goodbye to DeBelin/Eisenhuth/Mat/Max/Lomax/Ben Murdoch Masilia/Dan Russell/Tuitavake. If we are extending DeBelin or Eisenhuth then we are saying goodbye to someone else who is either under contract OR has an option.

 

[TheRev]

Halangahu is top 30 next year ... that is player 21
Finau Latu according to non dragons sources is player 22 ... Dragons say pathway to top 30, but also he is only signed to 2025 so i expect he is top 30 next year in spot 22.

Given it is flano then i fully expect to see Bird and Brown take up spots 23/24

Then we have Su'A, Sloan and Tamale who i expect we retain especially given the number of backs we lose. Takes us to 27.

A Prop is a must - preferably a monster - we have chased a few in recent times and i expect it is the priority
A spine/utility is next - will sit in the Marschke spot in the top 30 - still wouldnt surprise me if Amone comes back in.
Last spot would be the outside back - the turuva or the rugby signing we have been linked to. Morkos the roughy there.

That means we say goodbye to DeBelin/Eisenhuth/Mat/Max/Lomax/Ben Murdoch Masilia/Dan Russell/Tuitavake. If we are extending DeBelin or Eisenhuth then we are saying goodbye to someone else who is either under contract OR has an option.

Agree with all that:
o If we can find that prop is the key.. otherwise we probably need to try keep JDB.

o We need that Turuva/Petaia equivalent signing to cover fullback, this is the easiest position to fill possible.. we are the only NRL club with that position ripe for the taking for 1 of probably 2xdozen young fullbacks out sitting in nsw/qld cup.. or a Jai Field.... Perhaps Parra are also looking now due to Guthos knees.. but they have Blaize and Lomax... but for us to miss out on Turuva (a genuine fullback) shows how hard we are finding it to sign players.

o We also lose Coric and Shereb I suspect, not sure on Muhleissen.... which clears some Dev spots for any overflow from the Top 30, such as NickT.. but surely we can have 1 back and 1 hooker in that dev squad also... we may need to recruit them if we feel the Flegg/SG kids are too young.

o Eisenhuth is the tricky one.. at what cost to keep him.. at what cost to lose him...

I think Flanno is going to have to back the Couchmans as bench forwards next year because we cant carry all these non first graders in our squad: mmolo, couchman1, couchman2, fifita, halangahu, egan, tonga, latu, stewart (9oftheTop30), plus guys like ackers and nick t in devs, we obviously need to replace the feagais also with 'something'.

 

[steerlerbab]

One possibility to consider is Ilias who is given permission to negotiate for 2025. I think we should go for him. One reason for him not developing in South was because he was surrounded by marquees like Cody, Latrell, Cook and Cameron. So he could never call the shots. In our team and with Ben retiring 2026, he can start owning the team and calling the shots and for 2025 he can be our number 14.

I also hear Bulldogs may be after him, but for reasons I mentioned he might develop better under us.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Does it feel like Lawrie has had the heat turned up on him?

Is he a definite for 25/26 as per his contract but he is falling down the pecking order

 

[since77]

Does it feel like Lawrie has had the heat turned up on him?

Is he a definite for 25/26 as per his contract but he is falling down the pecking order

It doesn't seem like Lawrie has had any heat turned up on him. I'm genuinely gobsmacked the slow plodding ineffectual lump is still getting picked in first grade. I trust Flanno long term but I'm just shaking my head every week the team is announced and see Lawrie's name.
I'd love to see him told to go find another club. I doubt many would be interested though.

 

[FlickFlano]

I expect that if Flano had a choice in keeping one of Eisenhuth/Lawrie/DeBelin for 2025 that Lawrie wouldnt be the one he keeps. Pity is the contract he has.

 

[Como Connection]

Hasn't the club agreed to sign Corey Allen in 25!
CC

 

[TheRev]

Keeping Lawrie in the shop window would make it easier to offload (if he lets him talk to other clubs), but im not sure whos going to be picking him up other than a bargain buy for another club.

I still dont see where we are going to find replacement props from however that can do a job like JDB..or the professionalism of Eisenhuth.

 

[Dragon the chain]

Hasn't the club agreed to sign Corey Allen in 25!
CC

Yes