2025 Squad List

[George Sancti]

Betcha he's a great poker player

Coach Flanno does appear to be a Machiavellian type. I almost suspect that Flanno offered Lodge a contract back in December then encouraged him to negotiate with Souths, anticipating that Bennett would suspect that was just being used as a bargaining chip and pull out of the negotiation.

 

[Victoire]

So the story now goes that Saints offered a T&T deal, but Lodge wanted Top 30. Deal over. Matt Lodge seems to be determined to sabotage his own career lol.

 

[Smurf]

So the story now goes that Saints offered a T&T deal, but Lodge wanted Top 30. Deal over. Matt Lodge seems to be determined to sabotage his own career lol.

he also wanted two years plus

 

[JubileeJeffro]

Lodge already had a train and trial deal at Manly. He lives northern beaches so why change with no certainty of upside.
I personally would not change jobs unless there is a benefit.. particularly when you would be now driving an extra 3 hours return for training. Hopefully we can find someone else as JDB and Molo won’t get much forward momentum going…

 

[CozDragon]

Lodge already had a train and trial deal at Manly. He lives northern beaches so why change with no certainty of upside.
I personally would change jobs unless there is a benefit.. particularly when you would be now driving an extra 3 hours return for training. Hopefully we can find someone else as JDB and Molo won’t get much forward momentum going…

The difference now though is he isn't changing jobs, he has no job. He now has no deal at Manly, so it's not like he can fall back on that.

I suspect the T&T would have only been a short term thing, with a top 30 spot in the future. Sounds like Lodge wants increased years at a higher salary, fair to him to chase what he wants but now it looks like he may end up with nothing.

 

[AJH]

Is there any chance RFM could move into a prop role, like JDB has? He's got the size for it, and we've got plenty of other back-row options.

 

[possm]

I'd rather JDB stay in the lock-forward position until one of our brilliant juniors is selected.

We really need two extra props, and right now, Fifita and Tonga will fill this space.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Is there any chance RFM could move into a prop role, like JDB has? He's got the size for it, and we've got plenty of other back-row options.

Flano has said Ray struggles in the washing machine
I think RFM has more impact on the edge as a runner

 

[getsmarty]

Super League clubs on red alert as heavily linked forward sees 2025 NRL deal collapse

Super League clubs have once again been put on red alert, with Matt Lodge's move to St George Illawarra Dragons collapsing, according to reports Down Under.

www.loverugbyleague.com

 

[getsmarty]

‘We’ll just move on’: Flanno sets record straight after veteran prop snubs Dragons offer

‘We’ll just move on’: Flanno sets record straight after veteran prop snubs Dragons offer

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Old Timer]

So as we get towards the start of the season the question is are we now stronger or weaker than last year?

If yes why?
If no why?

Plenty of posters have had plenty to say so now's the time to either shit in the pot or get off.

Some were of the opinion that we would have made the finals if not for K S being rubbed out (still can't get my head round the length of the ban and why S C wasn't suspended for his dog act) so if we are stronger and he stays healthy and on the paddock should we be thinking a couple of spots above where we finished last year?

I personally believe we are stronger and that we have solidified the squad in some key positions and also taken the ego's out of the team so I expect it to operate more harmoniously and with greater involvement from more players.

Our front row is horrible for the moment, but I expect that our halves will have a game plan to engage our edges much quicker creating holes and that quick ball movement will add potency to our centres.

The young, speedy, fit legs of the Couchman's etc following Liddle, Cook, Gutho will change the dynamics of our side (FMD even RFM & BMM will perform better without all the telegraphing and flat passing of the last few years) so good vision, good options, good service hopefully will stand us in good stead for the obvious deficiencies we have so finishing 7 or 8 would be terrific and IMO truly is achievable.

Our squad is actually not that bad but is one that must get all the 1%'ers down pat and that is how Panthers & Storm train and so should we.

Use of the bench will be crucial as will injuries.

 

[blacksafake]

So as we get towards the start of the season the question is are we now stronger or weaker than last year?

If yes why?
If no why?

Plenty of posters have had plenty to say so now's the time to either shit in the pot or get off.

Some were of the opinion that we would have made the finals if not for K S being rubbed out (still can't get my head round the length of the ban and why S C wasn't suspended for his dog act) so if we are stronger and he stays healthy and on the paddock should we be thinking a couple of spots above where we finished last year?

I personally believe we are stronger and that we have solidified the squad in some key positions and also taken the ego's out of the team so I expect it to operate more harmoniously and with greater involvement from more players.

Our front row is horrible for the moment, but I expect that our halves will have a game plan to engage our edges much quicker creating holes and that quick ball movement will add potency to our centres.

The young, speedy, fit legs of the Couchman's etc following Liddle, Cook, Gutho will change the dynamics of our side (FMD even RFM & BMM will perform better without all the telegraphing and flat passing of the last few years) so good vision, good options, good service hopefully will stand us in good stead for the obvious deficiencies we have so finishing 7 or 8 would be terrific and IMO truly is achievable.

Our squad is actually not that bad but is one that must get all the 1%'ers down pat and that is how Panthers & Storm train and so should we.

Use of the bench will be crucial as will injuries.

Can’t really argue OT.
Especially the front row situation.

 

[Jubilee]

Flanno said we have 10 middles but three are very young. Tonga + Couchmans =3, I suppose. Fifita is 24 y.o.. We might see him this year. He does have impact when he runs.

 

[hook hook]

Flanno said we have 10 middles but three are very young. Tonga + Couchmans =3, I suppose. Fifita is 24 y.o.. We might see him this year. He does have impact when he runs.

He may also be talking about Tonga, Latu and Stewart all top 30 middles

 

[SAP58]

Flanno said we have 10 middles but three are very young. Tonga + Couchmans =3, I suppose. Fifita is 24 y.o.. We might see him this year. He does have impact when he runs.

Fifita seems to be the forgotten man, signed with huge expectations but hasn't lived up to them yet also seems to be a bit injury prone to date. A make or brake year for him with us maybe Flanno sees something in him but he is never spoken about.

 

[SnowDragon]

Fifita seems to be the forgotten man, signed with huge expectations but hasn't lived up to them yet also seems to be a bit injury prone to date. A make or brake year for him with us maybe Flanno sees something in him but he is never spoken about.

I watched the opening match of 24 last night v titans. Forgot how good that 2nd half was and how well Kyle Flanagan played (love that try where he pushed sideways at the line and then sold the dummy and cut thru)

what I had completely forgotten was that Fafita played off the bench that night (one of his 2 games forthe year). He really fell down the pecking order last year. I’d say he should realise (as you indicate Sap58) that he needs to perform now or his career stalls before it takes off. That said I have heard nothing about him, so expectations are really low.

 

[mattw5]

Fifita has been a dud signing makes sense now as to why Manly let him & Tuitavake go early in exchange for Woods