2024 Squad List

[Biglance]

I’m sure it’s media bullshit, creating drama where it doesn’t exist. Lomax would be a big part of Flannos plans, whatever number he wears on his back!

It is bullshit and I agree.

 

[mattchuot]

Flanno said Bird will play at right centre but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will start there. He could start on the bench allowing Lomax to switch to fullback and Sloan to the wing. Bird on the bench would also ensure the halves, fullback, hooker, centre and wing are covered incase of an injury.

For example:
- If one of the halves or centres are injured Bird goes in as a straight swap
- If hooker is injured, Kyle goes to hooker and Bird into the halves
- If a winger is injured, Sloan to wing, Lomax to fullback and Bird to centre
- If Sloan is injured at fullback, Lomax goes back and Bird to centre

It may seem convoluted but Bird on the bench gives Flanno plenty of contingency plans if there is an injury in any of those positions.

 

[Parko1310]

Flanno said Bird will play at right centre but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will start there. He could start on the bench allowing Lomax to switch to fullback and Sloan to the wing. Bird on the bench would also ensure the halves, fullback, hooker, centre and wing are covered incase of an injury.

For example:
- If one of the halves or centres are injured Bird goes in as a straight swap
- If hooker is injured, Kyle goes to hooker and Bird into the halves
- If a winger is injured, Sloan to wing, Lomax to fullback and Bird to centre
- If Sloan is injured at fullback, Lomax goes back and Bird to centre

It may seem convoluted but Bird on the bench gives Flanno plenty of contingency plans if there is an injury in any of those positions.

Issue is Liddle is not an 80 minute hooker. He can play it if he has to but you won't get any of the good parts of his game and he becomes no more than serviceable. Plus you can't just be changing your halves around mid-game all the time, especially when you consider that Kyle and Bird are completely different styles of player. It completely changes the rhythm and setup of the side. I think out of necessity Mulheisen needs to be in the team so we have two hookers. With this, you can't afford to carry Bird on the bench in my view. Second grade is where Bird should start.

 

[kit66]

Issue is Liddle is not an 80 minute hooker. He can play it if he has to but you won't get any of the good parts of his game and he becomes no more than serviceable. Plus you can't just be changing your halves around mid-game all the time, especially when you consider that Kyle and Bird are completely different styles of player. It completely changes the rhythm and setup of the side. I think out of necessity Mulheisen needs to be in the team so we have two hookers. With this, you can't afford to carry Bird on the bench in my view. Second grade is where Bird should start.

That's our biggest issue right now and I don't think Mulheisen is the answer, we need to sign a decent hooker asap, before round 1 if possible. I agree we can't be moving the pieces mid game every game to compensate for Liddles' inadequacies. We have to get our spine settled and firing, it's our only chance for success this year. We have to do something and fast.

 

[Dragon David]

That's our biggest issue right now and I don't think Mulheisen is the answer, we need to sign a decent hooker asap, before round 1 if possible. I agree we can't be moving the pieces mid game every game to compensate for Liddles' inadequacies. We have to get our spine settled and firing, it's our only chance for success this year. We have to do something and fast.

I thought that signing a good hooker to back up Liddle was high on the agenda of the Dragons recruitment team, is/was it not? I'm wondering what is around the corner with this need? Are they giving it a big miss or are they quietly negotiating a deal with some one - not many good ones available now I don't think?

 

[Dragon David]

‘Moved him’: Dragons star’s position uncertain amid Flanno’s Bird switch in backline overhaul

‘Moved him’: Dragons star’s position uncertain amid Flanno’s Bird switch in backline overhaul

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Desperate Dragon]

I thought that signing a good hooker to back up Liddle was high on the agenda of the Dragons recruitment team, is/was it not? I'm wondering what is around the corner with this need? Are they giving it a big miss or are they quietly negotiating a deal with some one - not many good ones available now I don't think?

Dragon David,
I would not be too concerned about many good ones being available now.
In the NRL, it is more a case of who can become available.
If we sign the winger from Manly, that will take us to a squad of 30.
Like you, I really believe we need another decent quality hooker as a back up/interchange option for Liddle.
I have no doubt Flanagan is continuously looking at options for moving players on and bringing in more new blood.
Hopefully those changes take place sooner rather than later, especially with our first preseason game on Saturday 17 February.

 

[Murfy]

Came across this photo of the boys on the central coast just now. Flanno said he’d play his best 20/21 players against manly in the opposed session. Counted 18 players here plus Allan who’s done his acl. Looks like this is our current best 18 players. Interesting to note that rava is the only noted winger in the photo. Looks likely that lomax will be playing on the wing and interchanging with Sloan.

 

[Dragon David]

Dragon David,
I would not be too concerned about many good ones being available now.
In the NRL, it is more a case of who can become available.
If we sign the winger from Manly, that will take us to a squad of 30.
Like you, I really believe we need another decent quality hooker as a back up/interchange option for Liddle.
I have no doubt Flanagan is continuously looking at options for moving players on and bringing in more new blood.
Hopefully those changes take place sooner rather than later, especially with our first preseason game on Saturday 17 February.

Thanks Desperate.

 

[Dragon David]

Came across this photo of the boys on the central coast just now. Flanno said he’d play his best 20/21 players against manly in the opposed session. Counted 18 players here plus Allan who’s done his acl. Looks like this is our current best 18 players. Interesting to note that rava is the only noted winger in the photo. Looks likely that lomax will be playing on the wing and interchanging with Sloan. View attachment 83795

All looking good to go! JDB looks like he has put on more beef and muscle and Suli showing off his build. Even Ben Hunt is smiling hahaha!

 

[OneEyedDragon]

All looking good to go! JDB looks like he has put on more beef and muscle and Suli showing off his build. Even Ben Hunt is smiling hahaha!

Maybe Hunt is smiling because the Central Coast is a bit closer to Queensland than the Gong?

 

[TheRev]

Ok I finally got off my ass to double check our roster situation.. Ramsey was ruled out a few days ago, which seems to be now official finally, so that leaves us with 29 rostered, but if we go and sign Tuipulotu.. thats it.. there is no spare hooker coming.. that makes me very nervous.

I've listed players by position (take that with a grain of salt), but what I hadn't realised is we have 5 kids already promised 2025 contracts.. guys who have really barely touched NSW Cup..... im actually a bit nervous that we have a million 2nd rowers and props coming thru, but really thats it.. I'm not seeing the star backs or hooker at all.

Note: Apologies if I've left off your favourite junior... some of the uncontracted kids I mentioned are just based on hype, but they have been playing rep footy so these are the good ones.. almost every one of em a VERY young 2nd rower or prop..

	2024 Dragons First Grade Roster:
1	Corey Allan	Injured
2	Tyrell Sloan	Fullback
3	Mathew Feagai	Winger
4	Sione Finau	Winger
5	Mikaele Ravalawa	Winger
6	Max Feagai	Centre
7	Zac Lomax	Centre
8	Moses Suli	Centre
9	Savelio Tamale	Centre
10	Jack Bird	Centre
11	Kyle Flanagan	Halves
12	Ben Hunt (c)	Halves
13	Jesse Marschke	Halves
14	Paul Turner	Halves
15	Jacob Liddle	Hooker
16	Blake Lawrie	Prop
17	Francis Molo	Prop
18	Michael Molo	Prop
19	Ben Murdoch-Masila	Prop
20	Toby Couchman	Prop
21	Alec Tuitavake	Prop
22	Viliami Fifita	Prop
23	Jack de Belin	Prop/13
24	Hame Sele	Prop/13
25	Jaydn Su'A	2nd Row
26	Dan Russell	2nd Row
27	Ryan Couchman	2nd Row
28	Tom Eisenhuth	2nd Row
29	RFM	2nd Row
30	??????
	2025 Contracts incoming:
	Dylan Egan	2nd Row
	Jacob Halangahu	2nd Row
	Loko Pasifiki Tonga	Prop
	Cyrus Stanley-Traill	Prop
	Hamish Stewart	Prop
	2024 Dev Squad not already mentioned:
	Josh Coric	Prop
	Corey Ackers	Prop/13
	Connor Mulhrisen	Hooker
	Jackson Shereb	2nd Row
	No Contract, likely need one asap:
	Nick Tsougranis	2nd Row
	Lyhkan King-Togia	Halves
	Need to be locked up shortly:
	Finau Latu	Prop
	Ryan Hutchinson	Prop
	Jett Liu	Prop
	Viliami Hikila	2nd Row
	Kade Reed	Halves
	Hayden Buchanan	Centre (or 2nd Row)

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Ok I finally got off my ass to double check our roster situation.. Ramsey was ruled out a few days ago, which seems to be now official finally, so that leaves us with 29 rostered, but if we go and sign Tuipulotu.. thats it.. there is no spare hooker coming.. that makes me very nervous.

I've listed players by position (take that with a grain of salt), but what I hadn't realised is we have 5 kids already promised 2025 contracts.. guys who have really barely touched NSW Cup..... im actually a bit nervous that we have a million 2nd rowers and props coming thru, but really thats it.. I'm not seeing the star backs or hooker at all.

Note: Apologies if I've left off your favourite junior... some of the uncontracted kids I mentioned are just based on hype, but they have been playing rep footy so these are the good ones.. almost every one of em a VERY young 2nd rower or prop..

	2024 Dragons First Grade Roster:
1	Corey Allan	Injured
2	Tyrell Sloan	Fullback
3	Mathew Feagai	Winger
4	Sione Finau	Winger
5	Mikaele Ravalawa	Winger
6	Max Feagai	Centre
7	Zac Lomax	Centre
8	Moses Suli	Centre
9	Savelio Tamale	Centre
10	Jack Bird	Centre
11	Kyle Flanagan	Halves
12	Ben Hunt (c)	Halves
13	Jesse Marschke	Halves
14	Paul Turner	Halves
15	Jacob Liddle	Hooker
16	Blake Lawrie	Prop
17	Francis Molo	Prop
18	Michael Molo	Prop
19	Ben Murdoch-Masila	Prop
20	Toby Couchman	Prop
21	Alec Tuitavake	Prop
22	Viliami Fifita	Prop
23	Jack de Belin	Prop/13
24	Hame Sele	Prop/13
25	Jaydn Su'A	2nd Row
26	Dan Russell	2nd Row
27	Ryan Couchman	2nd Row
28	Tom Eisenhuth	2nd Row
29	RFM	2nd Row
30	??????
	2025 Contracts incoming:
	Dylan Egan	2nd Row
	Jacob Halangahu	2nd Row
	Loko Pasifiki Tonga	Prop
	Cyrus Stanley-Traill	Prop
	Hamish Stewart	Prop
	2024 Dev Squad not already mentioned:
	Josh Coric	Prop
	Corey Ackers	Prop/13
	Connor Mulhrisen	Hooker
	Jackson Shereb	2nd Row
	No Contract, likely need one asap:
	Nick Tsougranis	2nd Row
	Lyhkan King-Togia	Halves
	Need to be locked up shortly:
	Finau Latu	Prop
	Ryan Hutchinson	Prop
	Viliami Hikila	2nd Row
	Kade Reed	Halves
	Hayden Buchanan	Centre (or 2nd Row)

Nice, position wise i think Cyrus is more backrow but not100% sure, also thought Hamish is a 13 in the Yeo mould and Finau Latu plays 13 and i dont think i have ever seen Buchanan play 2nd Row.

 

[Dorothy the Winowhore]

Marschke training at hooker, and doing well I hear. With him and Flanno junior, we will be okay at hooker.

 

[TheRev]

Marschke training at hooker, and doing well I hear. With him and Flanno junior, we will be okay at hooker.

Only prob is that leaves us short in the halves, the irony ;-)

I literally dont know who will partner King Togia if Marschke is now a hooker.. its also possible Marshke is only the hooker is Liddle in injured..

But I still think the last slot should be a 6/7 or 9...

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

So if we are basing the likely starting team on the above photo and comments by Flano re Bird and Sloan etc

No Couchmans was a BIG surprise !!!

1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mikaele Ravalawa
3. Birdy
4. Moses Suli
5. Zac Lomax
6. Flanagan
7. Ben Hunt
8. Blake Lawrie
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Francis Molo
11. Jaydn Su'A
12. RFM
13. Jack de Belin

14. Hame Sele
15. Fafita
16. Eisenhuth
17. BMM
18. Connor ?

Does that mean Connor who is a development player will become no30 in the squad?

Or is it more likely that Marshke was crook with a cold and wasn’t allowed to play and Connor filled in ?

From memory there has been a couple changes to Development Player rules for 2024?

BUT what is not clear is that if a development player plays round 1 does he have to have been upgraded to the top30?

Development player contracts replaced by “Supplementary list”. $650,000 cap for at least four, maximum six players, paid $80,000, can play from Round 1. Bonus of $3,000 for any NRL game.

Training contracts (train and trial). To rise to $1200 in 2024, $3,000 bonus for any NRL game, can only play NRL from Round 11 (ie after Round 10).

Clubs can promote players aged 17 to top 30 squads but can’t play until age 18.

Top 30 players can seek a release from their contract if dropped below State Cup level.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Came across this photo of the boys on the central coast just now. Flanno said he’d play his best 20/21 players against manly in the opposed session. Counted 18 players here plus Allan who’s done his acl. Looks like this is our current best 18 players. Interesting to note that rava is the only noted winger in the photo. Looks likely that lomax will be playing on the wing and interchanging with Sloan. View attachment 83795

Based on that photo, Lomax will be packing down in the front row.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

And JDB on the wing

 

[Parko1310]

So if we are basing the likely starting team on the above photo and comments by Flano re Bird and Sloan etc

No Couchmans was a BIG surprise !!!

1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mikaele Ravalawa
3. Birdy
4. Moses Suli
5. Zac Lomax
6. Flanagan
7. Ben Hunt
8. Blake Lawrie
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Francis Molo
11. Jaydn Su'A
12. RFM
13. Jack de Belin

14. Hame Sele
15. Fafita
16. Eisenhuth
17. BMM
18. Connor ?

Does that mean Connor who is a development player will become no30 in the squad?

Or is it more likely that Marshke was crook with a cold and wasn’t allowed to play and Connor filled in ?

From memory there has been a couple changes to Development Player rules for 2024?

BUT what is not clear is that if a development player plays round 1 does he have to have been upgraded to the top30?

Development player contracts replaced by “Supplementary list”. $650,000 cap for at least four, maximum six players, paid $80,000, can play from Round 1. Bonus of $3,000 for any NRL game.

Training contracts (train and trial). To rise to $1200 in 2024, $3,000 bonus for any NRL game, can only play NRL from Round 11 (ie after Round 10).

Clubs can promote players aged 17 to top 30 squads but can’t play until age 18.

Top 30 players can seek a release from their contract if dropped below State Cup level.

Any supp player remains so even if they play NRL, they will just get a monetary bonus for each game played. Connor won't be part of the top 30 unless he is essential to fill that last spot because we literally can't sign anyone else. Connor will also play round 1 in my view. Marchske can play hooker but is a half. The reality is we need another hooker below Liddle and Mulheisen, which is what Marchske will technically be. He will play half at cup level, but if there is injury at hooker in the NRL team, he will step up. Also, training photos indicate De Belin will start from the bench, with Sele at 13.

 

[BLM01]

So if we are basing the likely starting team on the above photo and comments by Flano re Bird and Sloan etc

No Couchmans was a BIG surprise !!!

1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mikaele Ravalawa
3. Birdy
4. Moses Suli
5. Zac Lomax
6. Flanagan
7. Ben Hunt
8. Blake Lawrie
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Francis Molo
11. Jaydn Su'A
12. RFM
13. Jack de Belin

14. Hame Sele
15. Fafita
16. Eisenhuth
17. BMM
18. Connor ?

Does that mean Connor who is a development player will become no30 in the squad?

Or is it more likely that Marshke was crook with a cold and wasn’t allowed to play and Connor filled in ?

From memory there has been a couple changes to Development Player rules for 2024?

BUT what is not clear is that if a development player plays round 1 does he have to have been upgraded to the top30?

Development player contracts replaced by “Supplementary list”. $650,000 cap for at least four, maximum six players, paid $80,000, can play from Round 1. Bonus of $3,000 for any NRL game.

Training contracts (train and trial). To rise to $1200 in 2024, $3,000 bonus for any NRL game, can only play NRL from Round 11 (ie after Round 10).

Clubs can promote players aged 17 to top 30 squads but can’t play until age 18.

Top 30 players can seek a release from their contract if dropped below State Cup level.

"So if we are basing the likely starting team on the above photo and comments by Flano re Bird and Sloan etc"
Stop there.. that is where we all go wrong
Does anyone on this form honestly think Flanno's is letting the world know the make up of the side come R1..now?