Flanno's New Signings

[st.phil]

Where did you get all this fake news from ? Don't tell me, you read some guff from Zero Tackle's quality journos so it must be true or was it a pod cast you found on Youtube. Replace JWH, yeah that's totally believable.
By "in talks with" you mean his Agent was shopping him around but everyone said Nah, mate, we're good.
Now we have posters on here pretending like Flanno has orchestrated some cunning coup and signed a future champion in Emre Guler. Please stop.
Hopefully we can hold onto Frankie or Flanno has a real Prop signing in the works otherwise we're fooked.

Why would you want to hold onto Molo? Not only is he average , he wants out / is not well.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Pahulu

if we sign him

even for 2026

that will be an outstanding recruitment drive

He has that leg drive and difference to our props now

 

[kit66]

Your perspective on Frank Molo seems to differ than what he's actual produced. You need to follow through with your own words. What insights, experience or knowledge do you have with NRL recruitment apart from watching, listening & reading others opinions on the game. Do you have anything first hand? Anything relevant apart from your own opinion, like everyone on here?

I've hardly mentioned Molo apart from saying we can't afford to lose props when we're desperately short in that area at the moment. I never commented on his abilities apart from saying him and our other props are mostly better than Guler, which they are. I was discussing the Guler signing so I'm not sure what you're on about with the Molo perspective thing.
As for recruitment, I know as little or as much as anyone else on here and base my opinions on 60+ years of watching rugby league. Are you trying to tell me you know better than the rest of us ? You want us to shut up and just pretend Guler is a good signing when he's obviously not ? We're going to need a prop or two with substantially more worth than Guler to have an impact on the ladder this year, that's a simple fact. As a new recruit, I rate Guler as pretty much the same level as Josh Kerr, you'll get a good game or two out of him, nothing more, a barely adequate bench player (except Kerr has a great offload). If Flanno manages to sign us a decent prop before round 1 you can bet Guler gets used sparingly, off the bench only but hopefully not blocking the progress of our young fellas coming through.

 

[kit66]

Why would you want to hold onto Molo? Not only is he average , he wants out / is not well.

Timing, purely timing. As I've said, we're desperately short on middles. Frankie isn't the best but he's experienced and he's consistent and he's better than Guler.

 

[Mojo]

Could you expand on that? Do you mean personality type?

Yes, personality. I think there is a recurring pattern: guys who are team players, relatively less egotistical than average who have something to prove. In psychological / personality-type terms I think he prefers players who are ‘other centered’, especially those who have a redemption-story aspect. I think this is probably a function of his own (and possibly Kyle’s) life experiences, especially in the RL realm. He‘s intolerant of guys who are apparently somewhat self-focused or, for whatever reason, are less internally ‘driven’ (eg; those who believe they’re already ‘great’ or are interested in individual sporting achievements like boxing).

 

[st.phil]

Timing, purely timing. As I've said, we're desperately short on middles. Frankie isn't the best but he's experienced and he's consistent and he's better than Guler.

You’ll be surprised imo , it’ll turn out to be a blessing.

 

[dragon thomo]

Molo has been with us for a couple os seasons now and rarely has he dominated his opponent. He has underperformed for us in the way as hunt did.

 

[since77]

In what way is Guler an upgrade on either Molo or Lawrie ? By what parameters and in what f**king fantasy land is Guler an upgrade on any of our forwards ? Maybe he's marginally better than Michael Molo but even then you're pushing it. He's another reject that no-one else was the least bit interested in that we've signed out of desperation, a skill free plodder with zero upside. Stop kidding yourself he's anything but. To think he'll possibly be one of our starting props is just an embarrassment. This signing makes the Aaron Woods signing look like a masterstroke.

Looking at your response I'd tend to wonder what fantasy land you are living in....
Literally anything - a shopping trolley for example, is an upgrade on Lawrie.
F. Molo - I've been saying for yonks that he's one of the easiest forwards in the NRL to nullify. A standard legs tackle brings him down at the advantage line every. single. time. Runs hard, but is stopped immediately. Go back and watch the footage of him. At the very worst, Guler for Molo is an even trade. If Flanno gets him to perform, we're ahead. I suspect we'll end up ahead.

Guler is maybe a bit of a calculated risk but he's played in a GF and he's fallen out of favour with Ricky - both admirable traits in my eyes.

 

[cussy]

Pahulu

if we sign him

even for 2026

that will be an outstanding recruitment drive

He has that leg drive and difference to our props now

Is this a rumour or a hope?

 

[SnowDragon]

Timing, purely timing. As I've said, we're desperately short on middles. Frankie isn't the best but he's experienced and he's consistent and he's better than Guler.

re Frankie, he is anything but consistent.
he gets pumped up at times and gives us the closest thing to a domination style player we have. But most games he seems to be fairly beig, disapears. Then there are the errors, up and down.

all that said, I’d prefer to keep him at least another year. Let’s see what the problem is.

 

[Jubilee]

Yes, personality. I think there is a recurring pattern: guys who are team players, relatively less egotistical than average who have something to prove. In psychological / personality-type terms I think he prefers players who are ‘other centered’, especially those who have a redemption-story aspect. I think this is probably a function of his own (and possibly Kyle’s) life experiences, especially in the RL realm. He‘s intolerant of guys who are apparently somewhat self-focused or, for whatever reason, are less internally ‘driven’ (eg; those who believe they’re already ‘great’ or are interested in individual sporting achievements like boxing).

This is my impression as well. He passed over Josh Schuster, for example, who can play but appears to be not a team man.

 

[kit66]

Looking at your response I'd tend to wonder what fantasy land you are living in....
Literally anything - a shopping trolley for example, is an upgrade on Lawrie.
F. Molo - I've been saying for yonks that he's one of the easiest forwards in the NRL to nullify. A standard legs tackle brings him down at the advantage line every. single. time. Runs hard, but is stopped immediately. Go back and watch the footage of him. At the very worst, Guler for Molo is an even trade. If Flanno gets him to perform, we're ahead. I suspect we'll end up ahead.

Guler is maybe a bit of a calculated risk but he's played in a GF and he's fallen out of favour with Ricky - both admirable traits in my eyes.

OK so your points are;
1. Guler is a good and useful signing - a position you're happy to defend vigorously.
2. F.Molo is pretty much useless.
3. At worst Guler for Molo is an even trade. (so, at worst, useless)
4. You're smarter than Ricky Stewart.
5. And I'm living in fantasy land.
Great logic.

Yes Guler played in a grand final but only managed 11 games for that year (2019) and the following year got sent back to reserves for most of the year to "work on a few things" then went on to be an unremarkable bench regular. Last year he again only managed to get bench games in first grade 11 times - as I said used sparingly - so on 16 occasions Stewart had better options.
You mentioned the GF for Guler but neglected to give Molo his due for the SOO appearances (something Guler will never achieve).

On Lawrie - last year was by far the worst year of his career, his stats were way down, terrible and he deserves all the slings and arrows he's copping. But his 2024 stats are still better than Guler's - all of them across the board, including appearances. His 2023 and earlier stats though were good and who's to say he won't recapture that form again this year. Personally I don't think Lawrie responded too well to Flanno and D.Young's coaching but I suspect he'll be more settled this year with his buddy Lomax gone and a new team dynamic. He'll also have more responsibility if Frankie leaves as well as be playing for a contract. We'll know pretty soon which Lawrie we're getting this year.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Dragons had actually wanted Guler last year.

He was actually in talks with Dogs, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Gold Coast & Dragons.

Dogs ended up going with Thompson.

Roosters couldnt fit him in cap this year wanted him to replace JWH

Rabbitohs offered him a 3 year deal with minimum salary for year 1

Gold Coast said if Pahulu leaves they would sign him.

Dragons been chasing him since last year

his been stuck behind Papalii and Tapine who are arguably the games best prop for the last 5 years!!

so he has done his apprenticeship heading into his prime as a PROP.

He was very promising and good for Canberra in their 19 and 20 runs to a GF aPrelim.

Very promising.

I wouldn’t say he’s fallen off as Sticky isn’t an innovator and can wear players down, but the change of scenery and being back home in SW Sydney will def give a new spark.

Good feet. Hands let him down at times and a bit slow laterally would be the knocks, but he has plenty of upside.

 

[since77]

OK so your points are;
1. Guler is a good and useful signing - a position you're happy to defend vigorously.
2. F.Molo is pretty much useless.
3. At worst Guler for Molo is an even trade. (so, at worst, useless)
4. You're smarter than Ricky Stewart.
5. And I'm living in fantasy land.
Great logic.

Yes Guler played in a grand final but only managed 11 games for that year (2019) and the following year got sent back to reserves for most of the year to "work on a few things" then went on to be an unremarkable bench regular. Last year he again only managed to get bench games in first grade 11 times - as I said used sparingly - so on 16 occasions Stewart had better options.
You mentioned the GF for Guler but neglected to give Molo his due for the SOO appearances (something Guler will never achieve).

On Lawrie - last year was by far the worst year of his career, his stats were way down, terrible and he deserves all the slings and arrows he's copping. But his 2024 stats are still better than Guler's - all of them across the board, including appearances. His 2023 and earlier stats though were good and who's to say he won't recapture that form again this year. Personally I don't think Lawrie responded too well to Flanno and D.Young's coaching but I suspect he'll be more settled this year with his buddy Lomax gone and a new team dynamic. He'll also have more responsibility if Frankie leaves as well as be playing for a contract. We'll know pretty soon which Lawrie we're getting this year.

1. Guler is indeed a useful signing. Can't see why anyone would disagree.
2. Didn't say Molo was useless. See how you have a habit of twisting people's words? Reminds me of another "old" poster on him who is like a dog with a bone with his pet peeves. I said Molo was easily nullified. Easily nullified and useless are completely different ways of describing players.
3. I said at worst Guler is an even trade for Molo. Notice those two words at worst ?? I tend to think Flanno sees upside. I trust his judgement. The '25 squad is substantially better than the sh*tshow he inherited from Griffin. But you keep moaning that we're signing nuffies. That just isn't true.
4. I didn't say I was smarter than Ricky Stuart. I insinuated that Ricky is a dud coach and there's a history of players being made the scapegoat for his McGregor like coaching. I laughed for days when Canberra announced they were extending him until 2029. Idiots. But actually on reflection, yeah I would say I'm smarter than Wicky.

Molo & SOO - so what? How long since he's been even remotely in the conversation for SOO selection? Weird argument.

Lawrie vs Guler - I'd take Guler in a wheelchair wrapped up in a straitjacket and wearing a blindfold over Lawrie regardless of what season's "stats" we're talking about. Lawrie has never been first grade standard. Never. If by some miracle he suddenly becomes worthy of first grade this year I'll happily eat humble pie - although I'd probably have to beat Blake to it.

 

[Parko1310]

My opinion is Guler will surprise people, he's a better player than he's given credit for, but he's not amazing either. I think saying he's better than Molo or on par at this stage is a little optimistic. That's not to say he can't be. We'd still be better off keeping Molo if his issues can be sorted satisfactorily, and having both in the team.

The comparison of Guler to Lawrie is absolutely ludicrous. Lawrie was by far the worst front rower in the comp in 2024, and was down the bottom of the pile in every other year he's played. Guler is levels above him. Stats can tell you whatever you want them to if you go looking. The facts are Guler was away from family and unsettled in Canberra because of a personal issue over the last year or two. His minutes were down, whilst Lawrie's were high.

Guler was behind one of the competitions best pack of middles. Papalii when he was still playing good football, a top 3 prop in the game in Tapine, an emerging Mariota then came onto the scene, as well as Mooney, both of which Canberra didn't want to lose and recently had contract years meaning they had to see first grade time. Plus they already knew Guler was eventually going to leave and they invested in their youth accordingly. To argue that Guler somehow should've made himself a starting middle if he was good enough with Papalii and Tapine in his team at any stage is completely unreasonable and knit picky. He was never going to pass either of those two in the pecking order, same way as Mooney or Mariota weren't going to either. Yet, I bet we'd like to have those guys in our team.

He makes our team better for sure, and gives us a different body shape which we need. He'll be good for us I think, a change of scenery can do wonders for players. He probably won't shoot the lights out, but he'll have some very good games where a big run and quick play the ball, or his offload, or his attracting multiple defenders gives us an edge to win.

 

[dragon thomo]

Who gives a shit we have Gouler now so there is no point whinging about getting him. I just hope he plays good footy I agree we still need another good middle forward.

 

[Jubilee]

He'll also have more responsibility if Frankie leaves as well as be playing for a contract. We'll know pretty soon which Lawrie we're getting this year.

Unfortunately, Blake is signed until end 2026.

 

[This Year?]

I'm reasonably happy with the Guler signing. He's tall and won't get turtlebacked as easily as Lawrie. Pretty much a Vaughan lite. If Flanno can get the best out him he'll be handy.

 

[kit66]

1. Guler is indeed a useful signing. Can't see why anyone would disagree. Where did I say he wasn't a useful signing. Questionable and bottom of the barrel but again, we're desperate.
2. Didn't say Molo was useless. See how you have a habit of twisting people's words? Reminds me of another "old" poster on him who is like a dog with a bone with his pet peeves. I said Molo was easily nullified. Easily nullified and useless are completely different ways of describing players. So you think an Easily Nullified starting prop is useful ? OK good, you'll love Guler then. Don't be Agist and I'm not arguing the point any harder than you. You're the one chasing me around the forum attacking my posts like I don't have any right questioning our new signings. You force me to defend those posts, so I do.
3. I said at worst Guler is an even trade for Molo. Notice those two words at worst ?? I tend to think Flanno sees upside. I trust his judgement. The '25 squad is substantially better than the sh*tshow he inherited from Griffin. But you keep moaning that we're signing nuffies. That just isn't true. And...I quoted your "at worst" remark twice. Guler isn't an even trade for Molo, he just isn't and if he's to be one of our starting props this year we're in trouble. Corey Horsburgh would have been a good get, Guler is a nuffy. No miracles here.
4. I didn't say I was smarter than Ricky Stuart. I insinuated that Ricky is a dud coach and there's a history of players being made the scapegoat for his McGregor like coaching. I laughed for days when Canberra announced they were extending him until 2029. Idiots. But actually on reflection, yeah I would say I'm smarter than Wicky. You didn't just "insinuate" Guler's "admirable trait" was being in a GF but in the same sentence put shit on the very coach who got that team to the GF. Give it up. Then you downplay Molo's SOO history - SOO picks are based on achievement and recognition. GF appearances are a team effort.

Molo & SOO - so what? How long since he's been even remotely in the conversation for SOO selection? Weird argument. As above

Lawrie vs Guler - I'd take Guler in a wheelchair wrapped up in a straitjacket and wearing a blindfold over Lawrie regardless of what season's "stats" we're talking about. Lawrie has never been first grade standard. Never. If by some miracle he suddenly becomes worthy of first grade this year I'll happily eat humble pie - although I'd probably have to beat Blake to it. Total bullshit, unworthy of a response but.... You've got yourself so totally convinced that Guler is some kind of savior that you're writing crap like that. You're setting yourself up for a huge let down. Let's discuss this again in about 3-4 months. Guler isn't a Weyman or Vaughan, I wish he was but he's not.

 

[kit66]

He was very promising and good for Canberra in their 19 and 20 runs to a GF aPrelim.

Very promising.

I wouldn’t say he’s fallen off as Sticky isn’t an innovator and can wear players down, but the change of scenery and being back home in SW Sydney will def give a new spark.

Good feet. Hands let him down at times and a bit slow laterally would be the knocks, but he has plenty of upside.

I don't mind people talking up new signings but at least be realistic about it or do a bit of research.
Very promising is a stretch.
2019, Guler plays just 11 games, mostly off the bench and is lucky to make the bench for the GF.
2020, Guler plays just 8 games because Sticky sends him back to reserves to "work on a few things". Does not play in any of their 3 finals matches.
2024, 11 games off the bench, rest of the year in reserves. 2025, released.
His career trajectory has been very similar to Josh Kerr's, big body with potential but never quite making it, stuck in 2nd gear. There's no evidence to suggest he'll be anything more than another Kerr.
If he kicks on great but we still need a good prop or two.