New recruits for 2023

[Saints Forever]

Bulldogs

 

[Gareth67]

Kid will get crucified he is nowhere near NRL standard and it would be detrimental to his development not to mention he would need approval from NRL to play as he is under 18, let the teenagers develop in the lower leagues, we just have to accept we will be a mid table club until some of the juniors are ready or we bring in better standard 1st grade signings.

I recall when the great Jack Gibson was the Dragons coach and he blooded a very young forward in a finals match against South Sydney .

He was a big boy for his age and had shown tremendous potential in lower grade games , however that did not help the young bloke in that particular match , more so when up against the likes of the brutal , take no prisoners John O’Neil and John Sattler who ate the kid for breakfast .

He did not play many more games after that encounter and I agree that the same would apply with Loko Tonga . The kid , regardless of size needs to be hardened gradually to the absolute toughness that is required in the NRL .

 

[jak]

I recall when the great Jack Gibson was the Dragons coach and he blooded a very young forward in a finals match against South Sydney .

He was a big boy for his age and had shown tremendous potential in lower grade games , however that did not help the young bloke in that particular match , more so when up against the likes of the brutal , take no prisoners John O’Neil and John Sattler who ate the kid for breakfast .

He did not play many more games after that encounter and I agree that the same would apply with Loko Tonga . The kid , regardless of size needs to be hardened gradually to the absolute toughness that is required in the NRL .

would that be young kevin gibson,70/71 from memory i thought it was a preseason game at redfern, and yes the south sydney pack stomped him into the ground.

 

[Old Timer]

would that be young kevin gibson,70/71 from memory i thought it was a preseason game at redfern, and yes the south sydney pack stomped him into the ground.

Definitely Kevin Gibson and I remember the violence Souths dished out to him

He was in the Paul Osborne vein albeit a lot fitter than Paul ever was.

If not mistaken either in tgst game or a little later suffered a cracked / broken jaw and became tentative after that.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

would that be young kevin gibson,70/71 from memory i thought it was a preseason game at redfern, and yes the south sydney pack stomped him into the ground.

That incident- more than any other- caused me to hate South Sydney. Everyone talks about what a nice guy John Sattler is off the field and the courage he showed in the GF in 1970 playing on with the broken jaw but the pack violence meted out to that young kid in the scrums beyond the prying eyes of the referee was cowardly and sick - and he- Sattler- was the leader of the pack.
A promising career ended in the blink of an eye.

 

[Gareth67]

would that be young kevin gibson,70/71 from memory i thought it was a preseason game at redfern, and yes the south sydney pack stomped him into the ground.

Thanks jak , I wasn’t sure , however it was a shame that a young kid his age was thrown to the lions . Perhaps one of Gibson’s few errors of judgement.

 

[denis preston]

That incident- more than any other- caused me to hate South Sydney. Everyone talks about what a nice guy John Sattler is off the field and the courage he showed in the GF in 1970 playing on with the broken jaw but the pack violence meted out to that young kid in the scrums beyond the prying eyes of the referee was cowardly and sick - and he- Sattler- was the leader of the pack.
A promising career ended in the blink of an eye.

My recollection is he played a blinder as a 17 year old in a semi and got some publicity about it. The next year perhaps he listened to the wrong people and tried to assert himself against South’s in a preseason game by punching a couple of their forwards. Got a reaction and never kicked on .

 

[jak]

That incident- more than any other- caused me to hate South Sydney. Everyone talks about what a nice guy John Sattler is off the field and the courage he showed in the GF in 1970 playing on with the broken jaw but the pack violence meted out to that young kid in the scrums beyond the prying eyes of the referee was cowardly and sick - and he- Sattler- was the leader of the pack.
A promising career ended in the blink of an eye.

redandwhite i see your just as young as me, help me out if you can i think it was a preseason game on a saturday night and a bank of lights went out making it that much easier for sattler and company to do there work on the young bloke, i think he was 17 at the time

 

[possm]

DRAGONS

Team Talk: Dragons 2023 overview, best 17, squad update​

AuthorBrad WalterNRL Senior ReporterTimestampThu 29 Dec 2022, 06:01 AM

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After missing a place in the finals since 2018, the Dragons need to start well and they are guaranteed two points from the opening round after being the first club to receive the bye in the expanded 17-team competition.
However, it is what happens in the four weeks after that which is likely to determine the direction their season takes, with matches against the Titans (home), Broncos (away), Sharks (home) and Dolphins (home).

The Dragons won 12 of their 24 matches last season but finished 10th after a post-Origin slump in which they lost five games in six weeks between round 17 and 22.
Former Wests Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle and prop Zane Musgrove are the only recruits with NRL experience, but the club has a glut of local talent coming through the ranks.

Match: Dragons v Titans​

ROUND 2 - SUNDAY 12TH MARCH
5:15pm
home Team
Dragons

away Team
Titans
Match Centre
Venue:Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:

Predicted Round 1 team

1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mat Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Jayden Sullivan
7. Ben Hunt
8. Zane Musgrove
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Blake Lawrie
11. Jack Bird
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack de Belin
14. Moses Mbye
15. Tyrell Fuimaono
16. Josh Kerr
17. Aaron Woods

Others: Talatau Amone, Billy Burns, Max Feagai, Jaiyden Hunt, Nick Lui Toso, Tautau Moga, Francis Molo, Michael Molo, Cody Ramsey.
The best NRL tries from the Dragons in 2022
The best NRL tries from

• Squad spots filled: 26/30

The Dragons have four roster spots to fill and bolstering their stocks of middle forwards is a priority following the departures of Josh McGuire, Tariq Sims, Poasa Faamausili, Jackson Ford, Jack Gosiewski and George Burgess in the off-season.
Prop Zane Musgrove has joined the club from Wests Tigers, along with Queensland Cup frontrower of the year Nick Lui-Toso, but the Dragons are still light on for middles - although they have been linked with Tonga stalwart Ben Murdoch-Masila.
Hooker Jacob Liddle is a key off-season signing for the Dragons©Dragons Media
The hooking stocks also remain low, with Jacob Liddle the only specialist dummy half in the NRL squad after being signed from Wests Tigers to replace Andrew McCullough.
Moses Mbye and Jayden Sullivan are most likely to deputise for Liddle but the club also has Connor Muhleisen on a development contract.
'I always aim for the top': Meet Connor Muhleisen
'I always aim for the top': Meet Connor Muhleisen
The coaching staff are currently assessing 17 players on train-and-trial contracts, including former Storm hooker Haele Finau, whose brother Sione has been signed as a development player.

Health watch​

Fullback Cody Ramsey is sidelined indefinitely after being hospitalised with ulcerative colitis, while prop Francis Molo will miss the opening two rounds as he completes a four-match high tackle ban that ended his 2022 campaign.
The remainder of the Dragons squad are on track to play in the pre-season, including Fijian winger Mikaele Ravalawa, whose World Cup campaign in England was cut short by a hamstring injury.
Lock Jack de Belin (shoulder), centre Moses Suli (ankle) and second-rower Tyrell Fuimaono (elbow) have recovered from off-season surgery.
New recruit Nick Lui-Toso suffered a pectoral muscle strain before pre-season training commenced but doesn’t require surgery, while rookie forward Ryan Couchman, is back in training following an off-season shoulder operation.
Dragons pre-season fitness update
Dragons pre-season fitness update

Most contentious position​

After parting ways with Matt Dufty at the end of the 2021 season because of the fullback talent in their ranks, the Dragons are yet to settle on who their first choice No.1 is.
Tyrell Sloan started at fullback in the first four games last season before Moses Mbye took over the role but it was Cody Ramsey who wore the No.1 shirt the most (12 matches).
With Ramsey unlikely to start the season, Sloan is again expected to get first shot at fullback.

Biggest strength​

Captain Ben Hunt is one of the best playmakers in the game, a proven match winner and an inspirational leader for a young Dragons backline brimming with talent and strikepower.
Five-eighth Talatau Amone, centre Moses Suli (both Tonga) and wingers Mat Feagai (Samoa) and Mikaele Ravalawa (Fiji) will benefit from the experience they gained at the World Cup, while Zac Lomax was third for try assists by centres in 2022 and Sloan is one of the NRL's most exciting rookies.
The best Mat Feagai tries in 2022
The best Mat Feagai tries in 2022

Biggest question mark​

Liddle is the only specialist dummy half and unless the Dragons sign another hooker Moses Mbye and Jayden Sullivan are likely to have to share the role if he is out.
Moses started at hooker in three matches last when Andrew McCullough was unavailable and Sullivan wore the No.9 jersey in the round 24 clash with Wests Tigers.
With uncertainty over the future of Talatau Amone, Sullivan and Moses may also be vying to partner captain Ben Hunt in the halves.

Local product Connor Muhleisen, who co-captained the winning 2019 Steelers SG Ball team, has been signed as a development player, while Melbourne junior Haele Finau is on a train-and-trial contract, but neither have played NRL.

Team Talk: Dragons 2023 overview, best 17, squad update

The Dragons are guaranteed two points from the opening round bye but it is what happens in the four weeks after that which is likely to determine the direction their season takes.

www.nrl.com

 

[jeffdragon]

DRAGONS

Team Talk: Dragons 2023 overview, best 17, squad update​

AuthorBrad WalterNRL Senior ReporterTimestampThu 29 Dec 2022, 06:01 AM

Share on social media​

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• Share via Twitter
• Share via Whats-app
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• Share via Email

After missing a place in the finals since 2018, the Dragons need to start well and they are guaranteed two points from the opening round after being the first club to receive the bye in the expanded 17-team competition.
However, it is what happens in the four weeks after that which is likely to determine the direction their season takes, with matches against the Titans (home), Broncos (away), Sharks (home) and Dolphins (home).

The Dragons won 12 of their 24 matches last season but finished 10th after a post-Origin slump in which they lost five games in six weeks between round 17 and 22.
Former Wests Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle and prop Zane Musgrove are the only recruits with NRL experience, but the club has a glut of local talent coming through the ranks.

Match: Dragons v Titans​

ROUND 2 - SUNDAY 12TH MARCH
5:15pm
home Team
Dragons

away Team
Titans
Match Centre
Venue:Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:

Predicted Round 1 team

1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mat Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Jayden Sullivan
7. Ben Hunt
8. Zane Musgrove
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Blake Lawrie
11. Jack Bird
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack de Belin
14. Moses Mbye
15. Tyrell Fuimaono
16. Josh Kerr
17. Aaron Woods

Others: Talatau Amone, Billy Burns, Max Feagai, Jaiyden Hunt, Nick Lui Toso, Tautau Moga, Francis Molo, Michael Molo, Cody Ramsey.
The best NRL tries from the Dragons in 2022
The best NRL tries from

• Squad spots filled: 26/30

The Dragons have four roster spots to fill and bolstering their stocks of middle forwards is a priority following the departures of Josh McGuire, Tariq Sims, Poasa Faamausili, Jackson Ford, Jack Gosiewski and George Burgess in the off-season.
Prop Zane Musgrove has joined the club from Wests Tigers, along with Queensland Cup frontrower of the year Nick Lui-Toso, but the Dragons are still light on for middles - although they have been linked with Tonga stalwart Ben Murdoch-Masila.
Hooker Jacob Liddle is a key off-season signing for the Dragons©Dragons Media
The hooking stocks also remain low, with Jacob Liddle the only specialist dummy half in the NRL squad after being signed from Wests Tigers to replace Andrew McCullough.
Moses Mbye and Jayden Sullivan are most likely to deputise for Liddle but the club also has Connor Muhleisen on a development contract.
'I always aim for the top': Meet Connor Muhleisen
'I always aim for the top': Meet Connor Muhleisen
The coaching staff are currently assessing 17 players on train-and-trial contracts, including former Storm hooker Haele Finau, whose brother Sione has been signed as a development player.

Health watch​

Fullback Cody Ramsey is sidelined indefinitely after being hospitalised with ulcerative colitis, while prop Francis Molo will miss the opening two rounds as he completes a four-match high tackle ban that ended his 2022 campaign.
The remainder of the Dragons squad are on track to play in the pre-season, including Fijian winger Mikaele Ravalawa, whose World Cup campaign in England was cut short by a hamstring injury.
Lock Jack de Belin (shoulder), centre Moses Suli (ankle) and second-rower Tyrell Fuimaono (elbow) have recovered from off-season surgery.
New recruit Nick Lui-Toso suffered a pectoral muscle strain before pre-season training commenced but doesn’t require surgery, while rookie forward Ryan Couchman, is back in training following an off-season shoulder operation.
Dragons pre-season fitness update
Dragons pre-season fitness update

Most contentious position​

After parting ways with Matt Dufty at the end of the 2021 season because of the fullback talent in their ranks, the Dragons are yet to settle on who their first choice No.1 is.
Tyrell Sloan started at fullback in the first four games last season before Moses Mbye took over the role but it was Cody Ramsey who wore the No.1 shirt the most (12 matches).
With Ramsey unlikely to start the season, Sloan is again expected to get first shot at fullback.

Biggest strength​

Captain Ben Hunt is one of the best playmakers in the game, a proven match winner and an inspirational leader for a young Dragons backline brimming with talent and strikepower.
Five-eighth Talatau Amone, centre Moses Suli (both Tonga) and wingers Mat Feagai (Samoa) and Mikaele Ravalawa (Fiji) will benefit from the experience they gained at the World Cup, while Zac Lomax was third for try assists by centres in 2022 and Sloan is one of the NRL's most exciting rookies.
The best Mat Feagai tries in 2022
The best Mat Feagai tries in 2022

Biggest question mark​

Liddle is the only specialist dummy half and unless the Dragons sign another hooker Moses Mbye and Jayden Sullivan are likely to have to share the role if he is out.
Moses started at hooker in three matches last when Andrew McCullough was unavailable and Sullivan wore the No.9 jersey in the round 24 clash with Wests Tigers.
With uncertainty over the future of Talatau Amone, Sullivan and Moses may also be vying to partner captain Ben Hunt in the halves.

Local product Connor Muhleisen, who co-captained the winning 2019 Steelers SG Ball team, has been signed as a development player, while Melbourne junior Haele Finau is on a train-and-trial contract, but neither have played NRL.

Team Talk: Dragons 2023 overview, best 17, squad update

The Dragons are guaranteed two points from the opening round bye but it is what happens in the four weeks after that which is likely to determine the direction their season takes.

www.nrl.com

We are paper thin in the forwards,and also with the players who are not in the top 17.
Still only 26 spots.
Big ? over Cody and and forget about Amone..
Not to mention if Hunt gets injured.
Doesn't give a look of confidence.
Our lack if recruitment is a disgrace.
Only hope is all you can hang your hats
on.

 

[twinkletoes]

With the current squad we will certainly be challenging for the wooden spoon with Titans…. Bulldogs and Tigers have left us for dead in recruitment. The first 6 rounds will show the results of the lack of recruitment over the last 12 months…. I fear a very depressing season coming up.

At the end of every season we hear from all levels of management we are not happy with where we finished but they do nothing about it!!!

 

[CronullaSaint]

Murdoch Masila if he signs and even Musgrave are an improvement to Faamausili and burgess. A fit Liddell is also an improvement at hooker. The only problem were we have gone backwards is that we did not replace Simms and McGuire. Ramsey and Amone are gone for the season which will hurt, but if the squad remains fit, then it will not be as bad as it looks. Biggest problem is depth. Not expecting top 8, but you never know.

 

[jeffdragon]

At least on this forum you can say what you think.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Murdoch Masila if he signs and even Musgrave are an improvement to Faamausili and burgess. A fit Liddell is also an improvement at hooker. The only problem were we have gone backwards is that we did not replace Simms and McGuire. Ramsey and Amone are gone for the season which will hurt, but if the squad remains fit, then it will not be as bad as it looks. Biggest problem is depth. Not expecting top 8, but you never know.

It's odd isn't it. We got rid of a couple of under-performing props and replaced them with hopefully better ones. We got rid of an ageing hooker and replaced him with a younger one. We got rid of two front-line 2nd rowers in Sims and McGuire, two back up second rowers in Ford and Gosiewski, and replaced them with . . . no-one. I'd like to think there is some strategy around this, but Hook hasn't shown me any evidence that he is a deep thinker.

 

[baggygreen man]

The kid , regardless of size needs to be hardened gradually to the absolute toughness that is required in the NRL .

Fair point. So we are stuck with several veteran big boppers who have had trouble holding down a permanent position at various clubs. Josh Coric, Toby Couchman, Jackson Shereb and Alexander Lobb may now be ready for a Top 30 spot.

 

[possm]

We are paper thin in the forwards,and also with the players who are not in the top 17.
Still only 26 spots.
Big ? over Cody and and forget about Amone..
Not to mention if Hunt gets injured.
Doesn't give a look of confidence.
Our lack if recruitment is a disgrace.
Only hope is all you can hang your hats
on.

So maybe without Ramsey and Amone, we only have 24 spots filled. That is 6 vacancies and with the right recuits, we could have a reasonable team.

1. Soan / Taffe
2. Matt Feagai
3. Max Feagai
4. Lomax
5. Ravalawa
6. Sullivan Bird
7. Hunt
8. Molo
9. Liddle
10. New Prop
11. Suli
12. Su'A
13.De Belin

14. Mbye
15. Lawrie
16. New Prop
17. Bird / M Molo

 

[jeffdragon]

So maybe without Ramsey and Amone, we only have 24 spots filled. That is 6 vacancies and with the right recuits, we could have a reasonable team.

1. Soan / Taffe
2. Matt Feagai
3. Max Feagai
4. Lomax
5. Ravalawa
6. Sullivan Bird
7. Hunt
8. Molo
9. Liddle
10. New Prop
11. Suli
12. Su'A
13.De Belin

14. Mbye
15. Lawrie
16. New Prop
17. Bird / M Molo

If we were going to sign anyone decent I think it would be done already.
Doesn't leave much time to join us.
I think we will struggle in 23.

 

[jeffdragon]

It's odd isn't it. We got rid of a couple of under-performing props and replaced them with hopefully better ones. We got rid of an ageing hooker and replaced him with a younger one. We got rid of two front-line 2nd rowers in Sims and McGuire, two back up second rowers in Ford and Gosiewski, and replaced them with . . . no-one. I'd like to think there is some strategy around this, but Hook hasn't shown me any evidence that he is a deep thinker.

Overpaid underperformers is why we cant attract any big names ,Hunt excluded for the last couple of years .
Nor to mention the coaches we've had or lack off.
Liddle has to stay Injury free.
Musgrove has done nothing before to provide positivity.
Murdoch Masila has been around.
The player we signed from Qld cup is 26 and unproven.
23 could be another year of disappointment.
Negative but true.

 

[Dragonslayer]

As they say 'a star team will always beat a team of stars'
I remain reserved on the 'spending spree' that some clubs have undertaken. The main question is for those clubs who is their 'next man up' if injury or suspensions come into play?
We have been destined by some to collect the wooden spoon for the last few years, and yet, whilst not reaching the finals, have proven the so called experts wrong. I'm in no way saying we will even make the 8, even though we should, however, talk of the spoon is way premature.
We have improved our squad, as funny as that sounds. A more youthful squad, more hunger, a desire to achieve, rather than the fossils we had running around in Macca, Burgess and even Sims. Some of the 'internal' issues have also been removed. Both in player and staffing. It's unfortunate about Ramsay, and the less said about Amone the better. But, opportunity now rises for others to stake their place.
Yes, we are short in the forwards, and with 4 spots to fill, this should be priority. Unfortunately, I think the club gambled and list on the new salary cap. But, I remain optimistic on that front.
In 2023, I believe we'll be in a position not too dissimilar to our recent years. However, the experienced gained by some youngsters, plus the possibility of a 'new' HC in 2024, will keep the hunger alive.

 

[Lethal25]

As they say 'a star team will always beat a team of stars'
I remain reserved on the 'spending spree' that some clubs have undertaken. The main question is for those clubs who is their 'next man up' if injury or suspensions come into play?
We have been destined by some to collect the wooden spoon for the last few years, and yet, whilst not reaching the finals, have proven the so called experts wrong. I'm in no way saying we will even make the 8, even though we should, however, talk of the spoon is way premature.
We have improved our squad, as funny as that sounds. A more youthful squad, more hunger, a desire to achieve, rather than the fossils we had running around in Macca, Burgess and even Sims. Some of the 'internal' issues have also been removed. Both in player and staffing. It's unfortunate about Ramsay, and the less said about Amone the better. But, opportunity now rises for others to stake their place.
Yes, we are short in the forwards, and with 4 spots to fill, this should be priority. Unfortunately, I think the club gambled and list on the new salary cap. But, I remain optimistic on that front.
In 2023, I believe we'll be in a position not too dissimilar to our recent years. However, the experienced gained by some youngsters, plus the possibility of a 'new' HC in 2024, will keep the hunger alive.

Issue is it's all relative.

Tigers have recruited well, Dogs have recruited well. Not thinking they're top 8 but definitely improved and in comparison to us on paper have boosted their roster considerably better.

In 2022 we were one of the worst defensive teams and our attack in the main relied upon individuals doing something, inside the 20 we looked like we had no clue for the most part. What happens if we lose Ben Hunt to injury, we are well and truly screwed.

From the young guys who we hope show improvement, Sullivan & Sloane didn't get near enough game time in 22 they needed more. Ramsay & Amone are out. Who's left, Feagai? We are starting from a very low base

Would like to be pleasantly surprised but history tells me we are in for another very average year