Ando's New Signings

[Mojo]

No to Junior Amone! He’s not anywhere near the radar anyway. He wasn’t a good player and we have a much better talent in that position in any case. We‘re going forward, not backward.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

wtf

@@

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

No to Junior Amone! He’s not anywhere near the radar anyway. He wasn’t a good player and we have a much better talent in that position in any case. We‘re going forward, not backward.

Yeah, honestly I understand that.

He was spotted playing park rugby in Kiama. That’s a long way from the NRL.

 

[Mojo]

Yeah, honestly I understand that.

He was spotted playing park rugby in Kiama. That’s a long way from the NRL.

Right where he belongs.

 

[The Word]

Not going to get hopes up about Tino or any other marquee player for that matter.

We are going to find it very difficult to compete with the Bears for Tino, and given that he has a locked in 8 years left with the Titans - you don't just walk away from that without some serious thought and consideration, especially as other clubs are unlikely to offer you anything more than five years (even with more money per annum). Bulldogs sticking their nose in is just a spite tactic so that the job is more difficult for other clubs, especially us.

Reality is we have barely been able to land even a regular size fish. We should have been able to land RCG for this season. He had only just moved into a property a Camden earlier in 2024, which would have been a just as easy commute for him as what it was for Parramatta training at Kellyville. I know we offered him the two years instead of the three that the Titans offered him. But something else clearly went wrong with that negotiation (but in saying this I'm sure reality is probably biting RCG and his manager now - as he'd be unlikely to see out that full three years at the Titans now).

I really hate to think of what would have happened to us this year if we didn't land Gutherson, which was also very close to falling over at the 11th hour as well (if you read what was being said in the papers at the time).

Hoping that by now having DA onboard helps us with the overall negotiation process, and player managers might actually respect us a little bit more.

Agree we have been very unsuccessful in our recruitment over the last number of years but with new leadership I hope this will change. No reason we can’t compete with Bears for anyone. They will have the same cap space as us and will be trying to fill their 30 as cost effectively as possible. Our cap is still in good nick so we can put a big offer in for Tino and Payne and hopefully one of them signs. With our juniors coming through that will give us a competitive forward rotation finally so worth a go.

 

[The Word]

Also think Klem should be signed for another year. Don’t know what’s going on but he looks as fit as he ever has and definitely has another year in him. He has been very effective for us and on low $ is a great pro for the juniors to learn from. I know top 30 spots are scarce but Tino or Payne are unlikely to join until 2027 season even if we do get one of them so still need size for 2026.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Right where he belongs.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Would Sandon Smith be a fit for the Dragons playing in the halves with King-Togia?

 

[Wolfgang90]

Would Sandon Smith be a fit for the Dragons playing in the halves with King-Togia?

We've got Atkinson coming too. I don't think smith fits with lkt. It's either lkt & atko or smith & atko. I prefer lkt.

 

[getsmarty]

Red V Rebuild: Dragons trying to offload four players in roster shake-up​

MSN

 

[TheRev]

I wasnt an Amone fan even before he left the game.. one of those players who's footwork really excelled at SG Ball, like all the decent ones do including LKT... but its different against men.. less time.. better defence.. its different and you need to adjust and grow.. and most won't make it.

LKT had the same roadblock imo.. once that space stopped being there, he doesnt have time to get up to speed before he hits the line.. his acceleration isnt great... but in 17 1st grade games hes definitely improving still... whereas Amone had nrly 60 and rly I think he plateaued for almost the entire time.. a lot like Sloan.. both of them skipped reserve grade also which is a huge part of the problem.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I didn’t read the room and off topic

No flys on you Auntie, don’t worry about it.

DA is a solid connect, people like dealing with him.

Recruiting is a brutal occupation. We have a stats person in the centre of our part time effort. So we got most of the players we wanted ast season but picked up bonuses as well. Sheer chance stuff.

Then we’ve been in talks with Kpp for months and months on the quiet until it was leaked.

DA is not going to expose any sensitive discussions unless it’s of use to the club somehow.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Red V Rebuild: Dragons trying to offload four players in roster shake-up​

MSN

No real surprises there-I almost hate myself saying it but when I see Sloan's name as our leading tryscorer and in the top echelon of the NRL's try scorers, I wonder if I'm being too harsh in my assessment of him being ill suited to a contact sport. Plenty of other wingers-and full-backs- have had the same problem on the defensive side of the ball including some we've let go before him. Cronulla are probably having a similar conversation around Kennedy- as would many other clubs about their back three. It's a conundrum wrapped up in a puzzle.

 

[slippery5]

What about Junior Amone, do you see a path back for him?

I think he was charged with spitting on a girl at a club, or something like that, someone might correct me, but will never happen with the Dragons if he was to return.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I think he was charged with spitting on a girl at a club, or something like that, someone might correct me, but will never happen with the Dragons if he was to return.

Thanks slippery, youre right, here is the link:

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/exdragons-player-talatau-junior-amone-spat-at-woman-in-wollongong-pub/news-story/291bcd9e537136822c5019f0ff236301?amp

 

[Dragsters]

I think he was charged with spitting on a girl at a club, or something like that, someone might correct me, but will never happen with the Dragons if he was to return.

...and nor should it.

Brainless germ.

 

[Gold_Coast Dragon]

No real surprises there-I almost hate myself saying it but when I see Sloan's name as our leading tryscorer and in the top echelon of the NRL's try scorers, I wonder if I'm being too harsh in my assessment of him being ill suited to a contact sport. Plenty of other wingers-and full-backs- have had the same problem on the defensive side of the ball including some we've let go before him. Cronulla are probably having a similar conversation around Kennedy- as would many other clubs about their back three. It's a conundrum wrapped up in a puzzle.

Nah. The majority of Sloan's tries are gifted on a silver platter and he scores untouched. Compare that to Rava who scored 20 something tries in a season where he had 1m to work with and two defenders to steamroll.

 

[possm]

This will be his huge big fish since signing to the Dragons.
He has come from the Roosters signing big names and knows how to get a deal done .
Dragons and Gordons / Twiggy now have a Recruitment guy to seal the deal they need to back him and show him the money.

Anderson can let the Dragons know all about 3rd party Agreements.

 

[possm]

Would Sandon Smith be a fit for the Dragons playing in the halves with King-Togia?

Sandon would need to improve on his long kicks in general play. I'd prefer Williams from the ESL.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Anderson can let the Dragons know all about 3rd party Agreements.

I’ve forgiven him.

Add Flanno -and a bit of a reformed boys theme in the key positions.

A bit distant from Matty Elliot’s crystals and Mary’s morris dancing.

You’d be hard pressed to find two other blokes who are more passionate about the game.

Flanno actually trembles after losing a game. Watch him closely after a loss at the press conference. Losing actually has a physical effect on him.