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New recruits for 2023

st.phil

Bench
Messages
4,630
I'm wondering what the go is with the new recruitment especially the type of players that Flanagan has "said" that he wants to have signed up such as a hooker, two backs, two forwards. As he isn't actually employed by the Dragons as yet, has he just passed onto someone at the Dragons to "go and get" those guys on his behalf?

Whomever that person is, what is his success rate and will he just procrastinate until any offer put to those players ends up off the table?

There has not been anything official as yet on any new signings. Kerr and Mbye have gone, several players told that they are free to look elsewhere and some told not needed next year. All airy fairy stuff still and as far as what I think might happen, we will end up with diddly squat and we remain a team of second rate players.

I was hoping for the Dragons to get a good new Head Coach - we got one - the best that was available? Let's see. I was hoping that we would be going for top of the range new players - Ipape, Thompson ... are they top? This transition of new coach and rebuild will see us much the same as in previous years is how I see things. We just meander along and get what we can and suck it in like we have for years as a JV until the next crisis hits us is how I am envisioning things at the moment.

Come on Dragons, give us something to get excited about, please...!!
Rome /// building /// Day etc
 

Dragons4me

Juniors
Messages
1,326
Any current (perhaps lesser quality) 1st grade Dogs player must really be enjoying the media speculation about Gus and his obvious open-ended player buying spree. You'd know by now which team mates won't be there in "24, but what about you? You'd be trying to console yourself that you have a current contract, but secretly knowing that they're about as strong as toilet paper; knowing that you're a phone call or a tap on the shoulder away from being let go. Sure Gus reassured you, but do you trust Gus? I mean after all, you bought into the 2023 season hype but now sitting pretty well last after trying your guts out. No team has currently leaked more points than the Dogs (262), but it's not your fault right! You've given it your all!
It could be adios from a Sombrero wearing Gus really really soon!
 

Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
9,239
Rome /// building /// Day etc
I know that Rome wasn't built in a day st.phil. According to historians, the build took 1,229 years. So given this, should I be waiting that long before I hear anything on any confirmed signings? Yes patience is a virtue and good things come to those who wait but I say that the longer nothing is announced, the less chance of us getting any decent recruits for next year.

There is that rumour that we are after Sio Siua Taukeiaho and so are the Bulldogs. Would Flanno have better pulling power than Gould to sign him? Maybe, especially if we can offer a better deal than them but they have now a very large sombrero and a rich Bulldogs lover in Laundy Hotels. They are like the Roosters and if they are keen on a player they will get him somehow.

I am hoping that we will go for younger, stronger, faster, mongrel type forwards who threaten the opposition in attack and defence and can keep on going for the full 80 minutes. There are slim pickings as per since77's advice above, so will we just end up as usual with rejects and has beens?

Flanno was in charge of recruitment and retention for us in 2022. I'm not clear how he did in this position?

The Dragons now have the chance to turn the club around - better coaches, better fitness and conditioners. We have to now actually get the right players. Flanno getting rid of many second rate players will help but he needs to sign up first rate ones to take their place.
 

twinkletoes

Juniors
Messages
1,006
I know that Rome wasn't built in a day st.phil. According to historians, the build took 1,229 years. So given this, should I be waiting that long before I hear anything on any confirmed signings? Yes patience is a virtue and good things come to those who wait but I say that the longer nothing is announced, the less chance of us getting any decent recruits for next year.

There is that rumour that we are after Sio Siua Taukeiaho and so are the Bulldogs. Would Flanno have better pulling power than Gould to sign him? Maybe, especially if we can offer a better deal than them but they have now a very large sombrero and a rich Bulldogs lover in Laundy Hotels. They are like the Roosters and if they are keen on a player they will get him somehow.

I am hoping that we will go for younger, stronger, faster, mongrel type forwards who threaten the opposition in attack and defence and can keep on going for the full 80 minutes. There are slim pickings as per since77's advice above, so will we just end up as usual with rejects and has beens?

Flanno was in charge of recruitment and retention for us in 2022. I'm not clear how he did in this position?

The Dragons now have the chance to turn the club around - better coaches, better fitness and conditioners. We have to now actually get the right players. Flanno getting rid of many second rate players will help but he needs to sign up first rate ones to take their place.
Taukeiaho is one player I would really like to sign and was happy to see we have approached him...recruitment is hard when we are relying on Flanno who is working behind the scenes part time while others in the organisation seem to sit on their hands...
 

VodkaSaint

Juniors
Messages
1,683
Hame Sale has signed with us 3 year deal

HAME SELE TO THE DRAGONS ON 3 YEAR DEAL
Michael Carayannis and Brent Read
Daily Telegraph
27 July
12:15pm
The Dragons have landed Hame Sele to the club on a three year deal. Sele will be incoming coach Shane Flanagan’s first signing as he officially inks a long-term deal to return to the club.
A St George junior, Sele was cut adrift by the club at the end of 2018 after playing 18 games. He spent one season at Penrith before revitalising his career at South Sydney.
The Rabbitohs wanted to keep him but the Dragons’ trumpeted South Sydney’s deal.
 

Dragons4me

Juniors
Messages
1,326

The Bulldogs look like they will buy the whole of the league the way they are going. Surely they have reached the salary cap maximum by now?
I'm hearing they're yet to spend the George Peponis money.
Well 2024 better bring the mongrel Dogs 🐕 a premiership otherwise Laundy will become nothing more than a laughing joke with more money than common sense
 

Wolfgang90

Juniors
Messages
793
Wasn't he (Sele) a tad ordinary when he was with us before ? Hence we let him go ??

More he was injury prone & lacked consistency in quality footy but he's developed a bit at souths & been relatively injury free. More importantly he fits into that forward pack perfectly. They have plenty of size through the middle & edges while he provides that bit of speed, footwork & passing game. In our current pack I don't think he would be effective as we don't have the players to complement his strengths but hopefully Flanno can land some big mobile middles which would be perfect for Sele's strengths. I assume we're paying him starting player's money, wouldn't be surprised if it's similar to Molo.

Imo it also means JDB will be playing more as a prop which tbh suits his size than a ball playing middle. If we can land a big elite prop, I'd be very happy with our starting middles. Then you have the likes of Couchman, Molo, Lawrie, 2 Manly lads etc battling for bench spots where they would be most effective.
 

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