Season 2026

[jeffdragon]

would you like some cheese with your wine ?

So what he is saying is wrong?

 

[possm]

I’m hopeful of good performances and leadership from the aforementioned Sua, Sele, Luciano, Guler and Lawrie too.

They shouldn’t be lacking motivation because all of their contracts expire next season (Jaydn has a PO). With $$$$$$ signs in their eyes I’m hopeful their performance will surprise on the upside!

I hope that all the above-mentioned players, except for Su'A, aren't given a contract for 2027.

 

[thebigredv]

would you like some cheese with your wine ?

I'd rather cheese than live in denial and pretend we are not going to run our best young prospects into the ground.

 

[since77]

I'd rather cheese than live in denial and pretend we are not going to run our best young prospects into the ground.

Which young prospects are being run into the ground?

Toby C is now an established first grader. Best is yet to come.
Hamish looks completely at home in first grade. Sky's the limit for this one.
Dylan E only a handful of games so far. Has excelled. Will of course be eased back in after recovering from injury - won't be ready for round 1.
Jacob H. looks like he can handle a number of games off the bench.
LPT is already being managed - club is aware he will take some time because of his body shape and height.
Ryan C will be eased in gently after injury.

Struggling to see which young ones are being "run into the ground"......

 

[dwight12]

Which young prospects are being run into the ground?

Toby C is now an established first grader. Best is yet to come.
Hamish looks completely at home in first grade. Sky's the limit for this one.
Dylan E only a handful of games so far. Has excelled. Will of course be eased back in after recovering from injury - won't be ready for round 1.
Jacob H. looks like he can handle a number of games off the bench.
LPT is already being managed - club is aware he will take some time because of his body shape and height.
Ryan C will be eased in gently after injury.

Struggling to see which young ones are being "run into the ground"......

Kyle Flanagan

 

[saintzrule]

Last seen under the stairs at 1313 Mockingbird lane

 

[getsmarty]

Flanagan reveals how Dragons will improve, identifies likely halves for 2026​

MSN

 

[thebigredv]

Which young prospects are being run into the ground?

Toby C is now an established first grader. Best is yet to come.
Hamish looks completely at home in first grade. Sky's the limit for this one.
Dylan E only a handful of games so far. Has excelled. Will of course be eased back in after recovering from injury - won't be ready for round 1.
Jacob H. looks like he can handle a number of games off the bench.
LPT is already being managed - club is aware he will take some time because of his body shape and height.
Ryan C will be eased in gently after injury.

Struggling to see which young ones are being "run into the ground"......

It's irresponsible to send those kids out there as the frontline of a brutal first grade competition without leadership and the proper support. I don't understand what you don't get. Just because they are all showing great promise, does not mean they are ready to handle week in and out as the only engine room of the Dragons. Klemmer helped out, Jack helped out....both not there now.

I'd hoped we were much more active in securing a prop or two that can guide them and take on the bulk of responsibilities during a long season. The effects were already shown on a few of them last season.

 

[since77]

It's irresponsible to send those kids out there as the frontline of a brutal first grade competition without leadership and the proper support. I don't understand what you don't get. Just because they are all showing great promise, does not mean they are ready to handle week in and out as the only engine room of the Dragons. Klemmer helped out, Jack helped out....both not there now.

I'd hoped we were much more active in securing a prop or two that can guide them and take on the bulk of responsibilities during a long season. The effects were already shown on a few of them last season.

I asked you which young prospects are being "run into the ground" as you claimed. Name one.
It's ironic that this forum is full of people complaining that coaches won't pick the young ones all the time and then when the coaching staff actually pick the young ones people like you want them wrapped back up in cotton wool.
I do agree it would be nice if we can pick up an older experienced and competent forward, but that's a different issue. This young crop will be fine. First batch of youngsters we can genuinely get excited about for a very long time.

 

[maestro1]

I asked you which young prospects are being "run into the ground" as you claimed. Name one.
It's ironic that this forum is full of people complaining that coaches won't pick the young ones all the time and then when the coaching staff actually pick the young ones people like you want them wrapped back up in cotton wool.
I do agree it would be nice if we can pick up an older experienced and competent forward, but that's a different issue. This young crop will be fine. First batch of youngsters we can genuinely get excited about for a very long time.

Nafua Whyte is 22 and he lead from the front in 2025 for the whole season + semis + representative. If you are good enough you are old enough. The injuries to Ryan Couchman, Dylan Egan, etc, aren't injuries due to work overload, they are just bad luck injuries.

 

[redVinme]

Nafua Whyte is 22 and he lead from the front in 2025 for the whole season + semis + representative. If you are good enough you are old enough. The injuries to Ryan Couchman, Dylan Egan, etc, aren't injuries due to work overload, they are just bad luck injuries.

Holy shit I had no idea he was 22. What a beast. Hes got that perfect blend of aggression and finesse.

Leka Halasima is another. 19 and just dominated men much older and more experienced.

I wanna see LPT and Halangahu playing given a chance to be that impactful.

 

[TheRev]

Some comments on Prop age:
1) Some of them come on as teenagers, most do not.. most are more like 22-24 before they are genuine gun first graders... just because 1 great young prop gets there early.. dont assume therefore all good young props can.

2) Even the teenage guns still need the years of first grade blooding/hardening... that was Whytes 5th year in and out of the NRL, 2 near full seasons in 2024-2025 and 2 partial seasons in 2021 & 2023, only played NSW Cup in 2022.

3) This is why so much of our future relies on the 2 Couchman boys (and why Ryans injury was such a big deal), these r the 2 middles we have put the blood and sweat into over previous seasons, this year will be Tobys 4th year in 1st grade, he will be 22 and he was one of the youngest in a long time to play 1st grade with us.. his brother shouldnt be far behind, but losing over 12mths will set him back.

 

[thebigredv]

I do agree it would be nice if we can pick up an older experienced and competent forward, but that's a different issue. This young crop will be fine. First batch of youngsters we can genuinely get excited about for a very long time.

"They'll be fine" ....until reality hits.

They are mostly barely 20 years old and everyone of them is coming off a leg, shoulder or concussion injury. We are going to stick them out there with Blake Lawrie, Guler and Kerr. It's stupid.

 

[Inisai Toga]

Tend to agree with above post. The other factor is that the game is so quick (too quick imo) and I’m not sure 30 is enough to accommodate a season in NRL these days, irrespective of the age of the squad. Too many clubs and just not enough quality despite all the hype.

 

[getsmarty]

Thankyou @Back Door Man

 

[getsmarty]

Young gun’s surprise DCE admission as Manly reveal 2026 halves plan — Off-season Central

Young gun’s surprise DCE admission as Manly reveal 2026 halves plan — Off-season Central

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Flinstone]

Young gun’s surprise DCE admission as Manly reveal 2026 halves plan — Off-season Central

Young gun’s surprise DCE admission as Manly reveal 2026 halves plan — Off-season Central

www.foxsports.com.au

Coach says Kyle has been good for two years and has a good kicking game, lol.
What i do like though is that he acknowledges they need to change things and the way they attack.
He has said after seasons end he will need to change things himself also, so at least he sees change is needed.
So that might not mean moving Kyle for 2026 but trying to change the way he plays.

 

[Gomarchin]

He also said, we have 4 top 30 spots available. 1 will be filled by middle forward and another with an outside back. Last 2 will be filled during the season and from within.

 

[possm]

Coach says Kyle has been good for two years and has a good kicking game, lol.
What i do like though is that he acknowledges they need to change things and the way they attack.
He has said after seasons end he will need to change things himself also, so at least he sees change is needed.
So that might not mean moving Kyle for 2026 but trying to change the way he plays.

Our attack will again be average because we lack speed out wide. The only back with speed is Holmes. Suli, our wingers, and Gutherson are slow.

Having said that, I'd say our main problem of 2025 was defensive issues. Wo what do we do, we let go of the assistant in charge of attack and keep the assistant in charge of defense. Our team had some of the worst defensive stat and yet Young was not held accountable.

 

[redv13]

Our attack will again be average because we lack speed out wide. The only back with speed is Holmes. Suli, our wingers, and Gutherson are slow.

Having said that, I'd say our main problem of 2025 was defensive issues. Wo what do we do, we let go of the assistant in charge of attack and keep the assistant in charge of defense. Our team had some of the worst defensive stat and yet Young was not held accountable.

To be fair possm, Carr got a promotion as a head coach over in SL, hardly letting him go. No club stands in an assistants way when that opportunity arises