The Rumours Thread

[possm]

I'm beginning to think that the real reason Flanno was extended for another two years was almost an apology. More to do with the fact that the marquee half and prop we need are unlikely to arrive any time soon and that Flanno will have to make do with essentially the bits and pieces team he's got now again next year before we can mount a serious attempt at making the eight from 2027or more likely 2028 onwards when hopefully Reed is hitting his straps. We may have a brand new shiny recruiting team with Ando at the helm but they have virtually nothing to work with. We're not going to get Tino- you'd have to think the Perth Mal connection will be too strong both financially and culturally. Nothing about Kerr or Atkinson screams marquee for 2026 and I personally will take great interest in watching the latter playing in the halves if and when he replaces Trindall at 5/8 as tipped. We seem to have bought Atkinson as a half- at least most posters are selecting him to replace Kyle- but of course this is all based on a wing and a prayer as he's had bugger all experience there this season to show he's up to it. Could be another LOOONG year.

I doubt we would be going for a marquee halfback now. If we did it only for a two-year contract. Most would not be interested. Long term it will be Reed and a toss-up between LKT and Atkinson at five-eighth.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

CFO Marl Sawicki has left the club. Was only there for about 16-17 months.
Interestingly, his LinkedIn profile states one of his key achievements a the club was uncovering $700k in fraudulent transactions.

Did he find one of the players contract!!

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Ennis was part of the Sharks team that won the comp under Shane. I can see why Shane will go for Ennis. I actually like his commentary. He seems to have great knowledge around the game and may be a good fit. Saints will finally have someone from the media that may say nice things about them for a change.

I also enjoy Ennis observations. and analysis of a game. However, I put him in the same category as Peter Sterling. He was also a shrewd analyst of play - but never attempted to go into coaching- as Dirty Harry once observed- "A man's gotta know his limitations". Being a shrewd analyst and a good coach don't necessarily go together so he'll have to earn his stripes in assistant roles like everyone else imo. Players talk to one another and the word gets around like it did with Ciraldo that he was not just a clever, thorough, hard working game manager but also a good man manager.

 

[TheRev]

Ennis would be a great addition if he comes onboard but I dont think it would be a fulltime assistant.. maybe a smaller role like he does for other clubs.

 

[denis preston]

It’s quite telling when the DCE/Fogarty merry go round was at play, we were not in the mix. Toby Sexton? Can’t deny the dogs form has dipped since Galvin arrived. Did we even enquire?
Now again with Sandon Smith. Are we even in the conversation? All these halves are playing for teams who are well above us on the ladder.
All seems a little too convenient to keep KFlan playing at 7.

We have GOT to be in the mix for Smith , surely ? Otherwise I’ll start believing some naysayers on here regarding the Flanno conspiracy .

 

[denis preston]

Ennis would be a great addition if he comes onboard but I dont think it would be a fulltime assistant.. maybe a smaller role like he does for other clubs.

No I understand it is full time asst coach

 

[hewi]

Another one bites the dust

Dragons prop hospitalised, ending his NRL season

The St George Illawarra Dragons have endured a horror run with injuries.

www.zerotackle.com

and another on the move

EXCLUSIVE: Dragons winger set for club switch in 2026

The 27-year-old is weighing up a potential Super League move.

www.zerotackle.com

 

[redv13]

Allan was always a stop gap measure especially after he did his acl. Best of luck to him for the future

 

[RedVee]

Ennis would be a great addition if he comes onboard but I dont think it would be a fulltime assistant.. maybe a smaller role like he does for other clubs.

Someone stated he will quit his Fox job if he gets it as it is a full time role

 

[jay mac]

CFO Marl Sawicki has left the club. Was only there for about 16-17 months.
Interestingly, his LinkedIn profile states one of his key achievements a the club was uncovering $700k in fraudulent transactions.

How is this not newsworthy? If Hoops still had a job, he’d be trawling these forums and would’ve brought it up on NRL360 tonight. The other Fox journos just aren’t the same level of muckraker.

 

[slippery5]

Someone stated he will quit his Fox job if he gets it as it is a full time role

I would guess to say, his salary would be increased as an assistant coach, compared to his part time commentary on Fox.

 

[InFlannoWeTrust]

Love a good clean out - well needed. Wonder which players follow as (by media reports) some aren’t happy.

 

[dungay dragon]

Love a good clean out - well needed. Wonder which players follow as (by media reports) some aren’t happy.

Feel a bit sorry for Molo and Allan ..Both made worth while contributions when given an opportunity compared to other nomads on the roster...
In regards to the player dissatisfaction a total beat up instigated by a wannabe media host and player manager with an axe to grind
Why would our players have the shits ?? Most have been over paid for non performance

 

[TheRev]

Feel a bit sorry for Molo and Allan ..Both made worth while contributions when given an opportunity compared to other nomads on the roster...

100% honestly MMolo has been so solid.. hes so close to being a first grader.. its probably just his small stature.. but 100% more useful than Lawrie.. better footwork, better laterally.. can cover 2nd row or Lock if needed.. but Lawrie has that damn contract into 2026.

And Allan, if we didnt have Feagai I'd say keep him.. covers ctr and wing, very cheap.. lots of experience.. but it does feel like Ando is hopefully going to try and drag Flanno into the new era.. you have to look at the Raiders, Dogs, Eels.. they r recruiting young men with speed and agility.. the game is faster now, and you cant just play it safe with bigger, older dawgs.. it did work in years gone by.. but right now we are working our a$$es off to win games.. and tbf if we had just 1 or 2 more quality players in this roster (especially a 1 or a 7) and maybe 1 winger who can create points.. we are competing for the 8 legit... so I dont wanna diss what Flanno is doing at all, but I think he needs to evolve also to be more open to the Tamales and SFinaus of this world moving forward.

 

[InFlannoWeTrust]

Feel a bit sorry for Molo and Allan ..Both made worth while contributions when given an opportunity compared to other nomads on the roster...
In regards to the player dissatisfaction a total beat up instigated by a wannabe media host and player manager with an axe to grind
Why would our players have the shits ?? Most have been over paid for non performance

Both were gap fillers and did their job when asked though in my opinion not first grade standard . And with so many kids coming through and ready for cup full time, no point holding them back.
Yep totally agree , I think a few may be tapped on the shoulder .
So far 4 spots free for 2026.
Hopefully Anasta f**ks off illias, will make it 5.
I do think we will retain klemmer for another year. Has done a job.

 

[mattw5]

You can nearly guarantee the players unhappy are some of the Wollongong based players who have been tapped on the shoulder.

 

[InFlannoWeTrust]

You can nearly guarantee the players unhappy are some of the Wollongong based players who have been tapped on the shoulder.

Personally can’t find a spot for Luch in our 17 next year with Egan & Sua on an edge and Stewart at 13. And the emergence of Hanagalu. And on 700k.

 

[Desperate Dragon]

Both were gap fillers and did their job when asked though in my opinion not first grade standard . And with so many kids coming through and ready for cup full time, no point holding them back.
Yep totally agree , I think a few may be tapped on the shoulder .
So far 4 spots free for 2026.
Hopefully Anasta f**ks off illias, will make it 5.
I do think we will retain klemmer for another year. Has done a job.

V Fifita may also be handed some type of lifeline for 2026??
He also has the chance to play a few more KOE Cup games to push his claims for retention.

 

[TheRev]

V Fifita may also be handed some type of lifeline for 2026??
He also has the chance to play a few more KOE Cup games to push his claims for retention.

I wonder if he could be handed a NSW Cup contract or a Train and Trial.. he may be able to land a dev position at another club, but I cant see him getting a Top 30 anywhere.. even though props are hard to come by... hes right in the sweet spot age-wise and I cant explain enough times that those bursts he comes up with are Payne Haas like... hes a f***ing beast.. but if I have a position Dev or Top30, I want it to go to Liu or CST.. they are not in the same league yet, but I dont want to keep gambling on Fifita, not if it means losing our up and comers.

 

[dungay dragon]

100% honestly MMolo has been so solid.. hes so close to being a first grader.. its probably just his small stature.. but 100% more useful than Lawrie.. better footwork, better laterally.. can cover 2nd row or Lock if needed.. but Lawrie has that damn contract into 2026.

And Allan, if we didnt have Feagai I'd say keep him.. covers ctr and wing, very cheap.. lots of experience.. but it does feel like Ando is hopefully going to try and drag Flanno into the new era.. you have to look at the Raiders, Dogs, Eels.. they r recruiting young men with speed and agility.. the game is faster now, and you cant just play it safe with bigger, older dawgs.. it did work in years gone by.. but right now we are working our a$$es off to win games.. and tbf if we had just 1 or 2 more quality players in this roster (especially a 1 or a 7) and maybe 1 winger who can create points.. we are competing for the 8 legit... so I dont wanna diss what Flanno is doing at all, but I think he needs to evolve also to be more open to the Tamales and SFinaus of this world moving forward.

REV
any updates on Reed in Cup ???
Club placing a lot of faith and pressure on this youngster as our future 7 and bypassing the likes of Smith , Sexton etc etc as our future Half ??
We really need a quality Seven to guide direct and control from 26