2026 Progression

[ruthless dragon]

Happy New Year to all true Dragon fans, let us hope for a good year.
While it would be great to get Kryptonite Keo especially with a lethal combination with Sua.

I am much more interested in the Progression made in the Fitness area.
Flanagan's comments in regard to how Maguire drove the show ponies to fitness was telling.

He wanted significant improvement in speed, in particular from the potential attacking players such as Kyle, Liddle Cook and others.
Any ideas knowledge, updates on how this would be achieved would be great??

Another area was on the use of Boxing and again any knowledge, updates on how Boxing improves performance??

There is no question our fitness later in the year was crap. The Lards such as Lawrie, Luciano etc need a kick up the arse.
Got to play for the full 80 mins that is what I want for this year.
Get Ruthless Dragons!

 

[jeffdragon]

Happy New Year to all true Dragon fans, let us hope for a good year.
While it would be great to get Kryptonite Keo especially with a lethal combination with Sua.

I am much more interested in the Progression made in the Fitness area.
Flanagan's comments in regard to how Maguire drove the show ponies to fitness was telling.

He wanted significant improvement in speed, in particular from the potential attacking players such as Kyle, Liddle Cook and others.
Any ideas knowledge, updates on how this would be achieved would be great??

Another area was on the use of Boxing and again any knowledge, updates on how Boxing improves performance??

There is no question our fitness later in the year was crap. The Lards such as Lawrie, Luciano etc need a kick up the arse.
Got to play for the full 80 mins that is what I want for this year.
Get Ruthless Dragons!

Kyle has no speed.
Cookie and Gutho are on older legs.
The only speed we have is
Sloan and they want to get rid of him.

 

[getsmarty]

Kyle has no speed.
Cookie and Gutho are on older legs.
The only speed we have is
Sloan and they want to get rid of him.

Agree he has speed and latent talent...
He needs to learn how to defend....

 

[possm]

Agree he has speed and latent talent...
He needs to learn how to defend....

Sloan has been selected in the first-grade team for about 3 years now. In my humble opinion, Sloan has failed to improve his defence and his fear of collision in attack and defence.

 

[Dea]

Gutho has old legs but apparently he keeps winning races and is super fit. Team still seem set on him for at least this year. Hopefully he can last the full season.

 

[RedVDave]

I hope we just see a bit of a culture change can't remember the last preseason we had without some player demanding a release or finding themselves in some sort of hot water.

I get 2026 is going to be a rebuilding year as long as we are competitive every game and sign some good players for 2027 I'll be happy.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Happy New Year to all true Dragon fans, let us hope for a good year.
While it would be great to get Kryptonite Keo especially with a lethal combination with Sua.

I am much more interested in the Progression made in the Fitness area.
Flanagan's comments in regard to how Maguire drove the show ponies to fitness was telling.

He wanted significant improvement in speed, in particular from the potential attacking players such as Kyle, Liddle Cook and others.
Any ideas knowledge, updates on how this would be achieved would be great??

Another area was on the use of Boxing and again any knowledge, updates on how Boxing improves performance??

There is no question our fitness later in the year was crap. The Lards such as Lawrie, Luciano etc need a kick up the arse.
Got to play for the full 80 mins that is what I want for this year.
Get Ruthless Dragons!

Body shape, line speed, fitness overall has been an issue for this club for some years now and calls into question the ability/judgement of our so-called high-performance staff and those who employ them. I now tend to ignore the usual "training the house down" and other meaningless fitness cliches that emerge in the pre-season and judge on results.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Interesting that there's been little or no commentary regarding Sloan and/or Cake for that matter.

Imo, Sloan will be the back-up fullback and starts the year in Cup. As has been said already, this will be Sloan's first full pre-season since starting in first grade. He's been injured for the past 2.

As for Cake, I feel his type of player including body shape is not the modern representation of a prop. Imo, he'll spend the majority of the year also playing Cup.

As far as future fullback is concerned, again just my opinion, is that Guthho will be the custodian for at least '26 season, with Sloan as his backup. There's little or no chance Atko will play there unless there's a injury catastrophe. He's been recruited to play in the halves and that's where he'll play. The fullback future lies with young Burton, that's where all the retention/recruitment energy and attention was directed at.

We have excelled in '25 at recruiting some of the very best, A+, youngsters that, in a couple of years, will really be pressing for higher grade selection, so our retention and pathways must be clear and obtainable, therefore recruiting and retaining deadwood is just folly. Whilst the current wave is impressive, we can't just simply say that this current group will lead us to a golden era, we must continue to have competition for spots in the teams, especially first grade if we are to return to regular finals appearances and premierships.

Like it or not, 2026 will be a development year, but in a good way. We may not challenge for finals, or maybe we will, who can say right now, but more importantly, we will see our current crop grow and develop their skills for playing regular first grade at elite level. Hamish Stewart in particular comes to mind. Add the junior tiers, in Matt's, SG Ball and JF coming on in 2026 that will make us so much stronger in '27 onwards.

Oh and happy new year to all Dragons fans.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Interesting that there's been little or no commentary regarding Sloan and/or Cake for that matter.

Imo, Sloan will be the back-up fullback and starts the year in Cup. As has been said already, this will be Sloan's first full pre-season since starting in first grade. He's been injured for the past 2.

As for Cake, I feel his type of player including body shape is not the modern representation of a prop. Imo, he'll spend the majority of the year also playing Cup.

As far as future fullback is concerned, again just my opinion, is that Guthho will be the custodian for at least '26 season, with Sloan as his backup. There's little or no chance Atko will play there unless there's a injury catastrophe. He's been recruited to play in the halves and that's where he'll play. The fullback future lies with young Burton, that's where all the retention/recruitment energy and attention was directed at.

We have excelled in '25 at recruiting some of the very best, A+, youngsters that, in a couple of years, will really be pressing for higher grade selection, so our retention and pathways must be clear and obtainable, therefore recruiting and retaining deadwood is just folly. Whilst the current wave is impressive, we can't just simply say that this current group will lead us to a golden era, we must continue to have competition for spots in the teams, especially first grade if we are to return to regular finals appearances and premierships.

Like it or not, 2026 will be a development year, but in a good way. We may not challenge for finals, or maybe we will, who can say right now, but more importantly, we will see our current crop grow and develop their skills for playing regular first grade at elite level. Hamish Stewart in particular comes to mind. Add the junior tiers, in Matt's, SG Ball and JF coming on in 2026 that will make us so much stronger in '27 onwards.

Oh and happy new year to all Dragons fans.

Yes- let's hope the great and I'd even go so far as to say groundbreaking signing of KK is soon confirmed and the good news momentum continues into Vegas. I want this club to make a statement on the world stage.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Also, may I add our current halves stocks (credit to @Auntie.Gerald)

Atkinson
KFlan
LKT
Reed
McClaren
O'Neill
Quinn
AhKee
Walker

The bottom 2 are a ways off yet, but they are considered to be at the pinnacle of elite junior level, and we will have to be very clear on their pathways to playing first grade or risk them being poached.
I'm pretty certain KFlan will transition to 9/14 role in the coming season (albeit late in the season), hence Reed or LKT will step up.

Imo it will be perform or perish, which in itself, is a mantra we haven't had at the club for many years.

 

[possm]

I hope we just see a bit of a culture change can't remember the last preseason we had without some player demanding a release or finding themselves in some sort of hot water.

I get 2026 is going to be a rebuilding year as long as we are competitive every game and sign some good players for 2027 I'll be happy.

To be a 'rebuilding year' means we will be recruiting some top players. I do understand our forwards will be further develooped and if we could get Kk early, he could rebuild the confidence and capacity of our forward pack. However, the club is talking, it will be 2027 that is the turning point, and thus the rebuilding season for the Dragons.

 

[Dragsters]

Also, may I add our current halves stocks (credit to @Auntie.Gerald)

Atkinson
KFlan
LKT
Reed
McClaren
O'Neill
Quinn
AhKee
Walker

The bottom 2 are a ways off yet, but they are considered to be at the pinnacle of elite junior level, and we will have to be very clear on their pathways to playing first grade or risk them being poached.
I'm pretty certain KFlan will transition to 9/14 role in the coming season (albeit late in the season), hence Reed or LKT will step up.

Imo it will be perform or perish, which in itself, is a mantra we haven't had at the club for many years.

According to Flano recently, we are still in the market for a half.

I tend to doubt this but if true I would imagine it would be a bridging type recruit for perhaps a season or two max therefore I'd consider someone like Tannah Boyd who can organise and kick well and Atko can play more the running 6 role.

Again, if true then I'm not sure what his plans would be for the 9&14 roles with Liddle, Cook and Kyle in the mix...

 

[ruthless dragon]

Lol, well that answered nothing. should have asked Flanno direct.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

PS guys

do I have our current halves list correct re now and juniors for 2026 - all 13 of them ???

Atko

Kyle

LKT - 20

Oneill - 22

Nick Quinn - 21

Reed - 19

Hammoud - 19

Ah Chee -18

Mathias Santo-Hero - qld half hooker JF

Couchman - 17?

Rocco Walker - 16 - FB or future 5/8

Tayler Humphries - 17

McClaren ??

Mathias was with the Dolphins 2024/25 and was trialling with our JF for 2026

 

[getsmarty]

Sloan has been selected in the first-grade team for about 3 years now. In my humble opinion, Sloan has failed to improve his defence and his fear of collision in attack and defence.

I Agree.....

 

[redandwhite4evr]

According to Flano recently, we are still in the market for a half.

I tend to doubt this but if true I would imagine it would be a bridging type recruit for perhaps a season or two max therefore I'd consider someone like Tannah Boyd who can organise and kick well and Atko can play more the running 6 role.

Again, if true then I'm not sure what his plans would be for the 9&14 roles with Liddle, Cook and Kyle in the mix...

I posted several times advocating that Boyd was the type of game managing half we lacked and superior to Kyle as a 7. I got pilloried for it. So, keep your head down Dragsters.

Having said that, we recruited an organizing half in O'Neill after Flanno was quoted as saying that Atko will have first crack at 7. So it's hard to work out what is going thru his mind.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Can anyone believe how fit Lawrie looks ?

in the background of this photo on FB today


Last photo with Couchman in front

cake is cake no more !

 

[Dragsters]

I posted several times advocating that Boyd was the type of game managing half we lacked and superior to Kyle as a 7. I got pilloried for it. So, keep your head down Dragsters.

Having said that, we recruited an organizing half in O'Neill after Flanno was quoted as saying that Atko will have first crack at 7. So it's hard to work out what is going thru his mind.

Look, I get it, he no-ones preferred option but if we are fair dinkum, all we really need is better.

O'Neill gives Flano an excuse to say he's not ready for firsts where as he cannot say that about Boyd.

As you say Boyd has a superior game managing half to Kyle and has a light years better kicking game and would be a cheap interim option while Reed gets some experience against men in Reggie's.

This would allow Atko to play 6 which he seems more suited to.

I reckon it's a no brainer considering what's available and needed.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

It’s also fair to say in lots of NRL games Boyd hasn’t cemented his NRL spot

But

he would be worthy in our top30……….but only if we can’t secure a half of higher calibre

that’s the opportunity cost of Boyd

 

[since77]

Look, I get it, he no-ones preferred option but if we are fair dinkum, all we really need is better.

O'Neill gives Flano an excuse to say he's not ready for firsts where as he cannot say that about Boyd.

As you say Boyd has a superior game managing half to Kyle and has a light years better kicking game and would be a cheap interim option while Reed gets some experience against men in Reggie's.

This would allow Atko to play 6 which he seems more suited to.

I reckon it's a no brainer considering what's available and needed.

What's the fascination some people here have with Tannah Boyd of all people??!!?!?!?
A player who couldn't cement a first grade spot at the TITANS when they were in the running for a few wooden spoons and was in reserve grade most of the season at the Warriors?
It amazes me what some people here come up with. I trust Daniel Anderson has his sights set a whole lot higher than Tannah Boyd......