Ando's New Signings

[Mojo]

‘Shock move’ in clickbait world = ‘nothing happened’.

 

[twinkletoes]

Pardon my ignorance but do we have any outstanding centres or wingers with speed coming through our juniors within a couple of years of first grade?? A Casey McLean would be nice !!

 

[Gardenia]

Thing is, Anderson might make a lot of recommendations which would be good about who to sign, retain, cut or recruit, but what most people (including many people posting here) do not know is who has the final say on implementing those recommendations. Is it the CEO? The Coach? The Football Manager? The Recruitment Manager?

That is what can make it harder to work out where the real problem lies.

It's Haran!!! He has survived 3 coaches and 3 CEOs. We havent played finals footy since he became GM of football. 100 percent he is a factor. He has been the constant. I dont want to wish anyone to lose their livelihood but he has to go from that position.

 

[twinkletoes]

From what I have seen Anderson is getting very easy money for the results he has achieved…..probably works out about $200k per signing

 

[Lovemedragons]

With Ramsey gone and Sloan most likely not re-signed our fullback stocks are very low.
We have Gutho and his time is up, Feagai is playing fullback for NSW cup.

Besides a halfback a fullback should be our no.1 priority.
Drinkwater is signed for 27 so he would have to get an early release to come in 27.

Alone he's not solving our problems but surely will help along with Reed, Sami, Koloamatangi and some more signings.

Get as many half backs, wingers and fullbacks you want, will not hide the fact our engine room is in dire need of a refreshment and we need 2 quality front rowers to make some space for the others to work in. Our current front rowers is comical and it’s all our own fault.

 

[Hound of Dracula]

Get as many half backs, wingers and fullbacks you want, will not hide the fact our engine room is in dire need of a refreshment and we need 2 quality front rowers to make some space for the others to work in. Our current front rowers is comical and it’s all our own fault.

Although I believe we do need upgrades on Lawrie, Kerr and Guler, the claim that the Dragons' front rowers are "comical" is factually incorrect; the stats prove the forwards are winning the physical battle. The Dragons currently rank 2nd in the NRL for Post-Contact Meters, with the pack providing a strong platform that ranks in the top 4 or 5 for total yardage.

The real issue isn't the pack, but a lack of genuine speed and power in the fullback and outside back positions, combined with a stale attack due to the absence of a creative game manager. We have hardly scored a try from outside the 10-meter line. The forwards are successfully getting the team down the field, but poor communication, lack of creativity and "brain snaps" across the board equals NO POINTS.

Although I’m hesitant to promote Kade Reed as our 2026 saviour, he is a major factor in a long-term solution.

While he is still physically developing, he appears to be a natural leader, he's not afraid to ‘bark’ at senior players and will become the ‘Little General' needed to guide our attack and tighten discipline. He has multiple tricks up his sleeve that keep the defence guessing.

We can build a team around this kid.

 

[jeffdragon]

Although I believe we do need upgrades on Lawrie, Kerr and Guler, the claim that the Dragons' front rowers are "comical" is factually incorrect; the stats prove the forwards are winning the physical battle. The Dragons currently rank 2nd in the NRL for Post-Contact Meters, with the pack providing a strong platform that ranks in the top 4 or 5 for total yardage.

The real issue isn't the pack, but a lack of genuine speed and power in the fullback and outside back positions, combined with a stale attack due to the absence of a creative game manager. We have hardly scored a try from outside the 10-meter line. The forwards are successfully getting the team down the field, but poor communication, lack of creativity and "brain snaps" across the board equals NO POINTS.

Although I’m hesitant to promote Kade Reed as our 2026 saviour, he is a major factor in a long-term solution.

While he is still physically developing, he appears to be a natural leader, he's not afraid to ‘bark’ at senior players and will become the ‘Little General' needed to guide our attack and tighten discipline. He has multiple tricks up his sleeve that keep the defence guessing.

We can build a team around this kid.

Lawrie should never get the ball near an opponents goal line.

 

[Flinstone]

Lawrie should never get the ball near an opponents goal line.

They use his and Gulers hit up near the goal line so they can set up their backline for the next play.
The next set play being slow and predictable as much as Lawrie's hit up his.
It's really just a wasted tackle, we know their going to do it, the opposition knows their going to do it. It's part of our poor attacking set up.

Other teams do it but do it better, faster play the ball or an offload and their backline is already set with quicker agile backs that take advantage of an overlap.

 

[since77]

Get as many half backs, wingers and fullbacks you want, will not hide the fact our engine room is in dire need of a refreshment and we need 2 quality front rowers to make some space for the others to work in. Our current front rowers is comical and it’s all our own fault.

While I would have wholeheartedly agreed with you in years past this is not true in 2026. As bog average as Guler and Lawrie are this is the first year in very many that our forwards aren't the issue. The forwards have been for the most part holding their own and in the Parra game especially our metres gained was super impressive. This year's problem is solely on the halves and the backs. Add Keaon next year and our forwards will be fine, as long as Anderson continues to recruit well.
Speed and creativity in the backs is the number one issue and daylight second.

 

[since77]

They use his and Gulers hit up near the goal line so they can set up their backline for the next play.
The next set play being slow and predictable as much as Lawrie's hit up his.
It's really just a wasted tackle, we know their going to do it, the opposition knows their going to do it. It's part of our poor attacking set up.

Other teams do it but do it better, faster play the ball or an offload and their backline is already set with quicker agile backs that take advantage of an overlap.

There's a good clip going around on social media at the moment making fun of our constant use of dropping a forward back on the inside being our one and only attacking tactic.

 

[Flinstone]

While I would have wholeheartedly agreed with you in years past this is not true in 2026. As bog average as Guler and Lawrie are this is the first year in very many that our forwards aren't the issue. The forwards have been for the most part holding their own and in the Parra game especially our metres gained was super impressive. This year's problem is solely on the halves and the backs. Add Keaon next year and our forwards will be fine, as long as Anderson continues to recruit well.
Speed and creativity in the backs is the number one issue and daylight second.

It is definitely our backs not scoring in try scoring situations and the halvs.
We do not look dangerous with the ball.
Forwards are making meters I would also say Atkinsons kicks on 5th and penalty kicks into touch are giving us field position that we struggled to get last year. He better retain kicking duties moving to 5/8.

 

[cussy]

From what I have seen Anderson is getting very easy money for the results he has achieved…..probably works out about $200k per signing

So you think he only signs first graders as his job….

 

[sammymills]

There's a good clip going around on social media at the moment making fun of our constant use of dropping a forward back on the inside being our one and only attacking tactic.

can you share a link

 

[qld redvee]

There's a good clip going around on social media at the moment making fun of our constant use of dropping a forward back on the inside being our one and only attacking tactic.

since 77,
wouldnt it be good if we could do something different Sua must be over it

 

[Dragon 4life]

It is definitely our backs not scoring in try scoring situations and the halvs.
We do not look dangerous with the ball.
Forwards are making meters I would also say Atkinsons kicks on 5th and penalty kicks into touch are giving us field position that we struggled to get last year. He better retain kicking duties moving to 5/8.

Why do our halves not take the line on with support to put some doubt into the defence instead of just shoveling it sideways and allowing the opposition to just slide and put numbers in tackles on our outside backs .

 

[sammymills]

Why do our halves not take the line on with support to put some doubt into the defence instead of just shoveling it sideways and allowing the opposition to just slide and put numbers in tackles on our outside backs .

Flanno junior is really bad at this. I never realised it on TV but when i went to the parra game and sat at the end you can see him just crab a crossfield taking all the space from his runners and the defence just slides. Its such easy pickings.

 

[Flinstone]

Flanno junior is really bad at this. I never realised it on TV but when i went to the parra game and sat at the end you can see him just crab a crossfield taking all the space from his runners and the defence just slides. Its such easy pickings.

Because he's not a half, doesn't dig into the line, to slow when he takes the line on, doesn't set up players running off him and Flanno says he's a game manager. What is he talking about we have terrible game management.

 

[twinkletoes]

So you think he only signs first graders as his job….

I’d like to think that’s first priority. But as
You raise the question our junior teams are doing quite poorly as well… HMatts, Ball and Flegg sides all in the bottom half of the ladders…. so what is he doing in that space??

 

[TerraceDragon]

I’d like to think that’s first priority. But as
You raise the question our junior teams are doing quite poorly as well… HMatts, Ball and Flegg sides all in the bottom half of the ladders…. so what is he doing in that space??

?? Flegg running second on the ladder. Steelers running =3rd in HMatts.

 

[Lovemedragons]

While I would have wholeheartedly agreed with you in years past this is not true in 2026. As bog average as Guler and Lawrie are this is the first year in very many that our forwards aren't the issue. The forwards have been for the most part holding their own and in the Parra game especially our metres gained was super impressive. This year's problem is solely on the halves and the backs. Add Keaon next year and our forwards will be fine, as long as Anderson continues to recruit well.
Speed and creativity in the backs is the number one issue and daylight second.

While I would have wholeheartedly agreed with you in years past this is not true in 2026. As bog average as Guler and Lawrie are this is the first year in very many that our forwards aren't the issue. The forwards have been for the most part holding their own and in the Parra game especially our metres gained was super impressive. This year's problem is solely on the halves and the backs. Add Keaon next year and our forwards will be fine, as long as Anderson continues to recruit well.
Speed and creativity in the backs is the number one issue and daylight second.

I throughly respect your take but our front rowers are crap, neither forceful or skillfull, indeed I guarantee both have had their passing license withdrawn making both of them easy targets for being dominated. The rot starts in the engine room.