New recruits for 2023

[kit66]

I'm really not on board with Suli to the back row

I get he's a great ball runner but that's out wide and in a position he's played his whole career. Back row is more hole running with tighter defences and significantly more tackling for him which may detract from his offence.

His best value to the team for me is in the centres

100% agree. I don't know why you'd want to move him from centre after his best year there in 2022 lifting his av mtrs to 143 his best ever. He's only 24 and going into his 7th season this year and really coming of age. He'll be huge for us this year at left or right centre. The thought of him and Rav together on the right is tantalizing and throw in BMM all powering down that side of the field will give the opposition nightmares.

 

[kit66]

As big a problem is that no knees, no speed Moga is our back up winger. Hope a few of those Train and Trial signings show something.

Hopefully Max Fegai will have overcome his injury woes and be fit and ready to back up when necessary this year. He's every bit as talented as Matt and can cover winger and centre no worries. Although I thought Moga played well for us when needed - 7 tries and 9 linebreaks in 10 games is a pass mark from me, couple of try savers too if I remember correctly.

 

[Como Connection]

I'm really not on board with Suli to the back row

I get he's a great ball runner but that's out wide and in a position he's played his whole career. Back row is more hole running with tighter defences and significantly more tackling for him which may detract from his offence.

His best value to the team for me is in the centres

Swap sides with Zac and watch both improve!
CC

 

[possm]

I'm really not on board with Suli to the back row

I get he's a great ball runner but that's out wide and in a position he's played his whole career. Back row is more hole running with tighter defences and significantly more tackling for him which may detract from his offence.

His best value to the team for me is in the centres

The Dragons have a vacancy for a good left-edge forward and a few options in the centers. Now if the Dragons recruited a top-line edge forward, then I would be happy for Suli to stay in the left-center position.

 

[SnowDragon]

Suli is best at centre
rav at winger.

in fact, rav and Mat on wings and suli and Lomax in centres is very strong. As far as backups, after max we only really have moga and then it is definitely not clear (since Amone and Ramsey are likely out for the year we are 2 backs short). I assume we will recruit in the outside backs.

 

[kit66]

Suli is best at centre
rav at winger.

in fact, rav and Mat on wings and suli and Lomax in centres is very strong. As far as backups, after max we only really have moga and then it is definitely not clear (since Amone and Ramsey are likely out for the year we are 2 backs short). I assume we will recruit in the outside backs.

Both Bird and Mbye are handy centres if needed to cover short term. Bird is still an excellent centre. But you're right, we need to find some decent backs as well as 2nd rowers for reserves (and a gun 2nd row to partner Su'a of course).

 

[SnowDragon]

Both Bird and Mbye are handy centres if needed to cover short term. Bird is still an excellent centre. But you're right, we need to find some decent backs as well as 2nd rowers for reserves (and a gun 2nd row to partner Su'a of course).

Yeah, your right.

Mbye is (regardless of the annoyance some feel) a great mr fix it, who can play centres, halves hooker and fullback. (Not his fault he turned into a road block last season).

Bird can also play those positions (maybe not ideal at hooker), but seems to me to be ideal as a edge rower or lock. (to me he partners Su’a).

happy to have either fill in if there is a need, but I’d like some depth for reserves too.

if we have cash for a top line player, I’d still prefer a forward. we can likely shuffle players around as needed. If a middle, then we keep jdb in lock, push bird to edge. If edge or lock, we push jdb to middle, and bird fills the other role.

 

[Gareth67]

The Dragons have a vacancy for a good left-edge forward and a few options in the centers. Now if the Dragons recruited a top-line edge forward, then I would be happy for Suli to stay in the left-center position.

Perhaps we may lure one of those big hulking English forwards from St. Helens the Dragons are scheduled to play in the pre season ?

 

[Illusion]

Perhaps we may lure one of those big hulking English forwards from St. Helens the Dragons are scheduled to play in the pre season ?

Can we still get Noone ...... ?

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Suli is best at centre
rav at winger.

in fact, rav and Mat on wings and suli and Lomax in centres is very strong. As far as backups, after max we only really have moga and then it is definitely not clear (since Amone and Ramsey are likely out for the year we are 2 backs short). I assume we will recruit in the outside backs.

Agree re Suli/Rav.
If Rumors re Ramsey are correct and Amone possibly stood down until the court case you would assume Dragons are talking to NRL about getting their salaries removed from the salary cap so we can replace them, the longer we leave it the less we will have to spend.

 

[blacksafake]

Agree re Suli/Rav.
If Rumors re Ramsey are correct and Amone possibly stood down until the court case you would assume Dragons are talking to NRL about getting their salaries removed from the salary cap so we can replace them, the longer we leave it the less we will have to spend.

Amone should but would it be possible to have Ramsey’s salary removed/ reduced?

 

[BLM01]

Amone should but would it be possible to have Ramsey’s salary removed/ reduced?

No unless he is medically retired and not sure they can just use that for 1 year
He still needs to be paid.
No difference he could of done his achilles at training and be out for the year. Look how we paid Mcinnes for doing nothing in his last year
The NRL will likely allow to bring in another player to replace him in the top squad
Amone (if out for the year an that is not guaranteed yet) under the no fault policy we will get a concession if we apply asap if that is enacted by the NRL

 

[BLM01]

Yeah, your right.

Mbye is (regardless of the annoyance some feel) a great mr fix it, who can play centres, halves hooker and fullback. (Not his fault he turned into a road block last season).

Bird can also play those positions (maybe not ideal at hooker), but seems to me to be ideal as a edge rower or lock. (to me he partners Su’a).

happy to have either fill in if there is a need, but I’d like some depth for reserves too.

if we have cash for a top line player, I’d still prefer a forward. we can likely shuffle players around as needed. If a middle, then we keep jdb in lock, push bird to edge. If edge or lock, we push jdb to middle, and bird fills the other role.

Problem is no top line forward available....for this year anyway

 

[Harry Bath]

Yeah, your right.

Mbye is (regardless of the annoyance some feel) a great mr fix it, who can play centres, halves hooker and fullback. (Not his fault he turned into a road block last season).

Bird can also play those positions (maybe not ideal at hooker), but seems to me to be ideal as a edge rower or lock. (to me he partners Su’a).

happy to have either fill in if there is a need, but I’d like some depth for reserves too.

if we have cash for a top line player, I’d still prefer a forward. we can likely shuffle players around as needed. If a middle, then we keep jdb in lock, push bird to edge. If edge or lock, we push jdb to middle, and bird fills the other role.

Mbye should be a Mr Fixit unfortunately Hook uses him as Mr First picked!

 

[jak]

Can we still get Noone ...... ?

we have him signed already.

 

[The Word]

No unless he is medically retired and not sure they can just use that for 1 year
He still needs to be paid.
No difference he could of done his achilles at training and be out for the year. Look how we paid Mcinnes for doing nothing in his last year
The NRL will likely allow to bring in another player to replace him in the top squad
Amone (if out for the year an that is not guaranteed yet) under the no fault policy we will get a concession if we apply asap if that is enacted by the NRL

Yes, would have to be career-ending. Let's hope for the young lad that's not the case. We'll just need to suck up the salary cap issue on that one.

 

[The Word]

Perhaps we may lure one of those big hulking English forwards from St. Helens the Dragons are scheduled to play in the pre seas

Most of their big lads are getting on a bit. Sione Mata'utia (104kg) Curtis Sironen (110kg) both playing in their back row could potentially fill a spot for us this year as this is our problem position? Still keen on seeing Fui given a chance though.

 

[steerlerbab]

Looking at the dragons roster so far 27 position out of 30 are filled for 2023. But in reality, only 25 are available.
From what I see Front Row (7), Second row (5), half (2), Centre (3) and Wing (3) positions are all well covered and if Hook rotates them smartly we should have no problem at these positions.
So here are the 3 positions that I think need to be filled.

1. Fullback: Ramsy will be probably out for majority of the season with his illness. Hope Sloan has worked on his defensive deficiencies. Anyway, by the looks of it, we need one more fullback.
2. Five Eight: Junior will be probably stood down pending trials. In which case, Bird will cover this position.
3. Lock: Jack De Belin was our best 2018 player in my opinion when we made finals. Bird can cover this position too. So we need a player that can play both Five Eight and lock in case Bird or De Belin get injured.
4. Dummy Half: Again we are short one player and Liddle from what I have read has promissed a lot but has not delivered as a robust first grader.

It will be interesting to see if any of the development players will step up to fill these positions.

Here is our current roster for 2023.

Fullback: Cody Ramsey * / Tyrell Sloan
Wing: Mikaele Ravalawa / Mathew Feagai / Max Feagai
Centre: Moses Suli / Zac Lomax / Tautau Moga
Half: Ben Hunt / Jayden Sullivan
Five Eight: Talatau Amone * / Jack Bird
Lock: Jack de Belin
Second Row: Jaydn Su'A / Michael Molo / Tyrell Fuimaono / Billy Burns / Josh Kerr
Front Row: Blake Lawrie / Ben Murdoch-Masila / Zane Musgrove / Francis Molo / Aaron Woods / Jaiyden Hunt / Nick Lui-Toso
Dummy Half: Jacob Liddle
Super Sub (number 14): Moses Mbye

 

[SnowDragon]

Looking at the dragons roster so far 27 position out of 30 are filled for 2023. But in reality, only 25 are available.
From what I see Front Row (7), Second row (5), half (2), Centre (3) and Wing (3) positions are all well covered and if Hook rotates them smartly we should have no problem at these positions.
So here are the 3 positions that I think need to be filled.

1. Fullback: Ramsy will be probably out for majority of the season with his illness. Hope Sloan has worked on his defensive deficiencies. Anyway, by the looks of it, we need one more fullback.
2. Five Eight: Junior will be probably stood down pending trials. In which case, Bird will cover this position.
3. Lock: Jack De Belin was our best 2018 player in my opinion when we made finals. Bird can cover this position too. So we need a player that can play both Five Eight and lock in case Bird or De Belin get injured.
4. Dummy Half: Again we are short one player and Liddle from what I have read has promissed a lot but has not delivered as a robust first grader.

It will be interesting to see if any of the development players will step up to fill these positions.

Here is our current roster for 2023.

Fullback: Cody Ramsey * / Tyrell Sloan
Wing: Mikaele Ravalawa / Mathew Feagai / Max Feagai
Centre: Moses Suli / Zac Lomax / Tautau Moga
Half: Ben Hunt / Jayden Sullivan
Five Eight: Talatau Amone * / Jack Bird
Lock: Jack de Belin
Second Row: Jaydn Su'A / Michael Molo / Tyrell Fuimaono / Billy Burns / Josh Kerr
Front Row: Blake Lawrie / Ben Murdoch-Masila / Zane Musgrove / Francis Molo / Aaron Woods / Jaiyden Hunt / Nick Lui-Toso
Dummy Half: Jacob Liddle
Super Sub (number 14): Moses Mbye

only Problem with this analysis is some players can fill multiple positions…

 

[possm]

only Problem with this analysis is some players can fill multiple positions…

The other problem is the lack of high-standard players in our squad. For example, only one (Ben Hunt) is of SOO standard and he is playing out of position.

We have some unproven young players with 'potential' and others who are way past their prime.

I say that we need a replacement recruitment/pathways manager (N Brown) and a new head of football who has a track record of success.