Flanno's New Signings

[BIG RIG]

Buzz is bullshitting as per usual , Holmes is not on 1.1 million with us , he is on $850 000 which was widely reported at the time he signed

Cowboys are paying him $300 000 this year to cover the fact that his contract with them for this year was meant to be $1.1 million dollars

 

[TheRev]

Even though I was confused at the time... tbf to Buzz, I guess he is technically being paid 1.1m, I think that was the point of his article, i.e. is a player worth what they are being paid.. next year I think he will be back on ~800k.

Really hope Val comes out and kills it for us, his goalkicking looked effortless in trials, rly hoping he was just having a really bad day or the flu or something...

 

[shiloh dc]

I think Val is being paid 1.1m this year (that was his cowboys deal), but 300k of that would be from the cowboys still..

Ah - this would make sense. Its another example of Buzz being nefarious towards Saints. He could easily have mentioned this but chose not to.
Buzz also has AFB at $1M. If Payne Hass is at $1.3M then AFB should be at 1.2M - 1.3M.
'Must never talk up Sharks stars'!!!!

 

[st.phil]

Ah - this would make sense. Its another example of Buzz being nefarious towards Saints. He could easily have mentioned this but chose not to.
Buzz also has AFB at $1M. If Payne Hass is at $1.3M then AFB should be at 1.2M - 1.3M.
'Must never talk up Sharks stars'!!!!

nonsense AFB on north of 1.1

 

[Victoire]

I think Kyle could be ok, but the Souths game was not a good example of it. We were hoping for a more balanced halves unit this season, and while it was kinda understandable that he spent all of 24 playing second fiddle to the dominant ball-hogging (I’m being kind) halfback Ben Hunt, it’s decidedly less understandable to play a backup role to a young, struggling (I’m being kind) halfback like Ilias. We clearly need more of him… but so does his father. Danger lurks here.


There are very few occasions when the egalitarian ideals of this code called rugby league - as prescribed in that Huddersfield pub in 1895 - are reanimated in the modern game. And one of those occasions is when the anti-aristocratic working class rise up to punish unearned nepotism. Unless you’re a freak player like Nathan Cleary, or an untouchable icon coach like Bob Fulton, the perception that you’re favouring a scion will invariably get you sacked. It happened to Kevin Walters. Brad Arthur was edged closer to the plank because of it. Chris Anderson picked his son in the Cronulla side all season long, but that son never played NRL again after that season when Chris was sacked. Kyle needs to stand up and start doing something

 

[Dragonslayer]

Our hookee debate is quite interesting, particularly, where certain players fit in.

Both Cook and Liddle have contracts expiring at the end of '26. Kyle at the end of '27.
With Atkinson coming on board next year, will Ilias be the #7?
Would KF play reserve grade as a #9 to learn his trade? Then progress to the #14 role is injury/suspension in '26 or full time #14 in '27.
Do we keep Liddle after season 26?. There's no real talk around any juniors atm, add that KOE Cup are using CM an HF as their hooking duo.

Flegg has Fagalilo, and I'm not sure what happened to Hjaltason, who isn't even T&T contacted anymore.

Liddle will be 30 once his contract expires, so, maybe, this is why KF was re-signed.
Just realized Liddle has a MO for '26 which does open the door for KF to assume the #14 role if the option isn't taken up.

 

[The Word]

You start your sets with your middles, and your defense is dependent on your middles. So much of our game this season is going to be damaged by the fact that we have a comparatively weak set of middle forwards.

Whether we can get quality ball in space and with genuine momentum for the rest of the team is the question, and until we can manage that I'll reserve my judgement on some of the players who are struggling at the moment.

Neither of our halves are top level, I knew that coming in to the season, but my hope was that playing behind a solid and powerful forward pack they would be able to do enough for a top 8 position, and would both eventually be replaced by better options when available. I haven't given up on this yet but we've all had our confidence knocked a bit by the first 2 results and the Molo stuff, and the difficulty we've had attracting quality forwards to the club.

Whether Kyle ends up as a 14 or not has no interest for me at the moment we have bigger problems to fix.

 

[TheRev]

Flegg has Fagalilo, and I'm not sure what happened to Hjaltason, who isn't even T&T contacted anymore.

Errrr ur right, I did see Hjaltason named in an unofficial flegg squad.. but he hasnt played a game in any grade yet.. assume he will be alternating with Fagalilo at some point.. probably injured.

In terms of longterm hookers though, im not rly in love with any of our young options yet, I mean maybe they get better as they age.. but yeah the only hooker that sort of stands out in any grade ive been watching is Mason Phillips the dogs kid we bought in.. but would have to see him in higher grades, but hes playing in a good side... would need to see how he handles the step up later in the year.

 

[baggygreen man]

This young man is going to be better than Widdop.

Then he is gonna be some player.

 

[baggygreen man]

Really hope Val comes out and kills it for us,

He is no where near the form needed for what we are paying him. Tho showed a few glimpses of his pre season form late in Souths game. Needs work on his wide goal kicking too. Cost us last week. Lomax potted widies for fun for most of his Dragons career.

 

[baggygreen man]

Both Cook and Liddle have contracts expiring at the end of '26.

Am jettisoning Cook, keeping Liddle. Has been one of our best since arriving. Is younger, can play big mins, more elusive and better defender than Cook, prob on a par as distributor. Honestly cant see why Flanno does not rate the guy.

 

[56to66]

I think we should consider making a move for Daly Cherry-Evans. With Ben Hunt long gone and our need for a solid playmaker, Cherry-Evans could be a great addition to our team. His experience and leadership would be invaluable, especially if he becomes available after the 2025 season.
Chery and Atkinson could be a halves combo, to get us deep into the finals

 

[Victoire]

I think we should consider making a move for Daly Cherry-Evans. With Ben Hunt long and our need for a solid playmaker, Cherry-Evans could be a great addition to our team. His experience and leadership would be invaluable, especially if he becomes available after the 2025 season.
Chery and Atkinson could be a halves combo, to get us deep into the finals

He ticks all of the Flanagan boxes:

[ x ] has worked with him before
[ x ] is old

 

[BrissieDragons]

I don't think we need him. What about Reed? he is promising junior coming in ranks, and had a great trial matches.

 

[56to66]

Cherry is super fit. James Maloney was old. And gave kunkenall of the first premiership. Excuse the language, but voice its recognition.we often talk about young juniors, however, I cannot remember time. The dragons produce their own great half back. Look at Newcastle. They spend thirteen million dollars on a player

 

[st.phil]

would take a mil a year to get DCE - dunno if Flanno will go that hard (??) and we miss out again

 

[56to66]

Saints have three million dollars in the kitty to spend on players

 

[Desperate Dragon]

would take a mil a year to get DCE - dunno if Flanno will go that hard (??) and we miss out again

Expect a heap of media speculation in the coming weeks and months.
Think DCE will reconsider things now that Manly are prepared to offer him some good dollars and a 2 year deal.
Buzz will more than likely come up with the headline that Flanagan is prepared to offer a 2 year deal worth over $2M, but next day say DCE is expected to sign with the Roosters.

 

[56to66]

Expect a heap of media speculation in the coming weeks and months.
Think DCE will reconsider things now that Manly are prepared to offer him some good dollars and a 2 year deal.
Buzz will more than likely come up with the headline that Flanagan is prepared to offer a 2 year deal worth over $2M, but next day say DCE is expected to sign with the Roosters.

Unfortunately I agree

 

[John moz]

DCE AND AITKIN NEXT YEAR PLUS CUTHBERTSON AND COOK THAT WOULD BE A MASSIVE SPINE FOR 2026.