The Rumours Thread

[Illusion]

He's using his short arms to rub coconut oil into himself in the Bahamas, he doesn't give a crap about the Dragons, they are a tax write off to him.

Yep and a job for his son and daughter ........

 

[Dragons4me]

Sua is gone sorry, nothing will keep him.now

And whilst I've said it before, this will really just about do me. No one person (sorry Flanno) could possibly resurrect this mess of a club. A comatose backer (Win) who is more secretive than the KKK; a limp BOD who even with a ton of Viagra still couldn't get any movement. I've witnessed a GF in 2010 so I'm happy with that. The absence of anything positive after the year coming second last by a fluke is just all too depressing. I've just got to wean myself off this mob for my sanity.
Sorry rant over!

 

[blacksafake]

Yeah but the son and daughter are here and involved in WIN.

They should change their name to LOSE instead of WIN.

 

[Victoire]

Flanno recruiting players:

Flanno recruiting his son:

 

[Dragon David]

And whilst I've said it before, this will really just about do me. No one person (sorry Flanno) could possibly resurrect this mess of a club. A comatose backer (Win) who is more secretive than the KKK; a limp BOD who even with a ton of Viagra still couldn't get any movement. I've witnessed a GF in 2010 so I'm happy with that. The absence of anything positive after the year coming second last by a fluke is just all too depressing. I've just got to wean myself off this mob for my sanity.
Sorry rant over!

What you have said typifies many of what several others on here have been saying to varying degrees but they all add up to the same conclusion.

Each year we lose faith in our club and the dagger gets deeper into the back, front, everywhere.

We were within our rights to think that during 2009 to 2011 our club was on the up, well and truly, and for some dumb reason, while Bennett made the difference after Brown, I wish he didn't give the Board high opinion of Steve Price after which time their decision to appoint him as head coach began the slide down the pits. I know this is a hindsight thing and no-one at the time really saw it coming but going from Bennett to Price was dumb. They should have gone again for some other experienced head coach who could have continued our success.

Doust really stuffed it up and as the years went by he and the Board kept getting it wrong with the re-appointments of Mary and Hook. They just didn't learn and really were so dumb it wasn't funny.

Now with the appointment of Flanno, this is the chance to turn all of those useless years around. They have got to get this right and by they - everyone associated with the club from top to bottom. Leave no stone unturned, get Senior Gordon to get his staff to do massive promotional work to get more recognition for the club, make it a place for others to come to. Speak to business leaders who can invest in the club and sponsor several players. Our marketing department and communications people need to be out there selling the great things about the Dragons.

Hopefully this will help to improve our image to entice good players wanting to join the club. Flanno can't do it all.

We just have to wait and see who we end up with good or bad.

It is bloody terrible reading about other clubs and who they have signed/resigned. It's bloody terrible, terrible particularly because nothing seems to be happening at the Dragons.

 

[Desperate Dragon]

So we can cross the name Cade Cust off the rumoured list of players we were supposedly interested in.
According to the Zero Tackle website, he is staying in the UK and will be signing with Salford.

 

[Dragon David]

So we can cross the name Cade Cust off the rumoured list of players we were supposedly interested in.
According to the Zero Tackle website, he is staying in the UK and will be signing with Salford.

No great loss I guess.

 

[Dragon David]

I honestly don't think that we will be going to get any big names for 2024. Flanno saying there won't be any panic buying means that he will get say a couple of just above average guys and get the squad to train hard, get fitter and see how theuy blend with each other under his coaching during the preseason trials. Maybe then target others better ones down the track or he might have the current guys firing. We won't know until later.

It's all very well that the other clubs, particularly the Dogs, are signing left, right and centre anyone who is anyone but only marginal at best. They mainly have quantity than real quality signed up overall, but they should do better next year. We can be much better and can improve immensely.

We just gotta do things right and feel confident with everything in themselves - players and coaches.

 

[mattchuot]

I honestly don't think that we will be going to get any big names for 2024. Flanno saying there won't be any panic buying means that he will get say a couple of just above average guys and get the squad to train hard, get fitter and see how theuy blend with each other under his coaching during the preseason trials. Maybe then target others better ones down the track or he might have the current guys firing. We won't know until later.

It's all very well that the other clubs, particularly the Dogs, are signing left, right and centre anyone who is anyone but only marginal at best. They mainly have quantity than real quality signed up overall, but they should do better next year. We can be much better and can improve immensely.

We just gotta do things right and feel confident with everything in themselves - players and coaches.

Short-term pain for long-term gain is the name of the game. The club has only just gotten the cap in order so the last thing we need is signing any available player to 2-3 years just to feel better about 2024. For example, look at the Tigers and Dogs who had tremendous recruitment sprees for 2023 which then translated to very little in performance. Recruitment isn’t the be all and end all of a season. My outlook is trust in Flanno and his coaching staff to pull 2024 out of the fire, and not focus too heavily on our recruitment (or lack thereof). Signings for 2025 will be a better indicator of whether the club has learnt from the lessons of the past few years. That’s what we should scrutinise when the time comes.

 

[TheRev]

dunno if there was any basis for this more than the usual rumour.. but I like that we seem to have a plan for these 2.. perhaps thats why manly just upped their offer consideably.. the only piece that gives me hope is both players are from clubs our coaching staff just left.

Edit: just read manly offered 850k and an 8yr extension for olakauatu? That can't be right surely.. Thats a desperate ploy.. Don't see how we could compete with it either..

 

[kit66]

Short-term pain for long-term gain is the name of the game. The club has only just gotten the cap in order so the last thing we need is signing any available player to 2-3 years just to feel better about 2024. For example, look at the Tigers and Dogs who had tremendous recruitment sprees for 2023 which then translated to very little in performance. Recruitment isn’t the be all and end all of a season. My outlook is trust in Flanno and his coaching staff to pull 2024 out of the fire, and not focus too heavily on our recruitment (or lack thereof). Signings for 2025 will be a better indicator of whether the club has learnt from the lessons of the past few years. That’s what we should scrutinise when the time comes.

Yes it takes more than just a few signings to get you headed in the right direction but at least the Dogs and Tiges have made a good start with some very decent signings in the last 2 years and more for next year while we've sat on our hands (and it seems continue to do so). Like us, those two clubs have also upgraded their Coaching squads and can hope that leads to a marked improvement. Our recruitment isn't just poor though, it's going backwards. As I already said, if we run out the same squad in 2024 as we did this year with only a couple of like for like changes to the team we'll be spoon material especially, and I can't stress this enough, especially if we let Hunt walk and not replace him with a top line recruit. Without him we're fkd. You put Flannagan in the 7 jersey, we're fkd ( 1 try assist last year compared to Hunt's 19 and who else is going to get us points).
To be successful you need a great coach, a balanced well drilled squad and most importantly a strong spine which these days includes the 14 jersey.
Our spine right now consists of maybe Hunt and who the hell knows who else. Our options in 6, 9, 14 and 1 are all up in the air. In the 6. Amone - unlikely / Flanagan - not a 6 and we let Sullivan go. In the 9. Liddle - serviceable / Flanagan - not a hooker / Muhleisen - needs time but won't get any behind the other two. Fullback - Sloan - unless he massively improves put him on the wing / Lomax - I can't see it plus it weakens our centre defence even further / Ramsey - unlikely / Treigh Stewart - Dufty MkII, deadly attack, shit defence. 14. Flanagan, Muhleisen - neither of whom have any X Factor to speak of.
Sure, we'll see who we get for 2025 but next year isn't looking good no matter what spin anyone wants to put on it.

 

[SEAT 1A]

View attachment 81213dunno if there was any basis for this more than the usual rumour.. but I like that we seem to have a plan for these 2.. perhaps thats why manly just upped their offer consideably.. the only piece that gives me hope is both players are from clubs our coaching staff just left.

Edit: just read manly offered 850k and an 8yr extension for olakauatu? That can't be right surely.. Thats a desperate ploy.. Don't see how we could compete with it either..

Ties in with Sua's departure.

On Dearden, he's younger than Laui, hasn't reached his best, knows Hunts game and more realistic option for the Dragons.

I reckon Curren got a better offer, I wouldn't spend silly money on him. Offer overs that can win games.

Good news on Crossland resigning with NTL with Brailey.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Signings are useless if the player signed is only in it for the cash and not the club and we've seen enough if these types over the last few years.

Now, who did the Warriors sign in late 2022, to make them such a force in 2023?
What they did do was sign a proper coach, gave them an attitude adjustment, and backed ALL of his squad

The Bulldogs signed just about anyone who was available. Were they are force on 2023?
They also signed a new coach, well they finished 15th!

We have signed a new coach, let players leave, tapped others on the shoulder etc. Those players deemed not to have the right 'attitude'. I believe some of those players we will he stuck with for the '24 season, then they'll be gladly moved on.
We have gone after a few players, some rejected, some considered, but ultimately, they were players deemed suitable to the development of our long term future.

2024 was always going to be a fix-it year. Will we finish with the spoon, no. Will we make the 8, I would say no at this stage. Will we improve on this year, absolutely.

FFS!!!

FASTER, FITTER, STRONGER

Signing over priced, over hyped, retirement package players on long term deals only inhibit the progression of some of our very highly recognized juniors. Ones we will loose if not given the proper opportunities.

As for Sua, he's a good player no doubt, but let's delve a little deeper here. He's player 31 games for us over 2 seasons. That's a lot of time not on the playing field. Yes, some we injuries, but a lot were suspensions also. Averages just over 100 running metres a game and just below 90% tackle efficiency.
He would need a very big 2024 imo.

Signing players again isn't the answer. Signing the right player is, and ivthink Flanno knows this too well.

 

[Dragon David]

Signings are useless if the player signed is only in it for the cash and not the club and we've seen enough if these types over the last few years.

Now, who did the Warriors sign in late 2022, to make them such a force in 2023?
What they did do was sign a proper coach, gave them an attitude adjustment, and backed ALL of his squad

The Bulldogs signed just about anyone who was available. Were they are force on 2023?
They also signed a new coach, well they finished 15th!

We have signed a new coach, let players leave, tapped others on the shoulder etc. Those players deemed not to have the right 'attitude'. I believe some of those players we will he stuck with for the '24 season, then they'll be gladly moved on.
We have gone after a few players, some rejected, some considered, but ultimately, they were players deemed suitable to the development of our long term future.

2024 was always going to be a fix-it year. Will we finish with the spoon, no. Will we make the 8, I would say no at this stage. Will we improve on this year, absolutely.

FFS!!!

FASTER, FITTER, STRONGER

Signing over priced, over hyped, retirement package players on long term deals only inhibit the progression of some of our very highly recognized juniors. Ones we will loose if not given the proper opportunities.

As for Sua, he's a good player no doubt, but let's delve a little deeper here. He's player 31 games for us over 2 seasons. That's a lot of time not on the playing field. Yes, some we injuries, but a lot were suspensions also. Averages just over 100 running metres a game and just below 90% tackle efficiency.
He would need a very big 2024 imo.

Signing players again isn't the answer. Signing the right player is, and ivthink Flanno knows this too well.

Very good points Dragonslayer. We do have a coach who will know exactly what to do with the squad we have and a couple of newbies who he wants to tide us over until 2025. No frills just yet. Get the squad fitter, faster, tougher, stronger, good headspace, better all round culture, play for the club with pride - they are some of the things that will be in place for next year with the help of better support staff and hopefully a better recruitment guy in Millard. Carr knows what we have and Deano will want to bring some external knowledge and be home again in the area he was brought up in and get us back up there.

 

[qld redvee]

Signings are useless if the player signed is only in it for the cash and not the club and we've seen enough if these types over the last few years.

Now, who did the Warriors sign in late 2022, to make them such a force in 2023?
What they did do was sign a proper coach, gave them an attitude adjustment, and backed ALL of his squad

The Bulldogs signed just about anyone who was available. Were they are force on 2023?
They also signed a new coach, well they finished 15th!

We have signed a new coach, let players leave, tapped others on the shoulder etc. Those players deemed not to have the right 'attitude'. I believe some of those players we will he stuck with for the '24 season, then they'll be gladly moved on.
We have gone after a few players, some rejected, some considered, but ultimately, they were players deemed suitable to the development of our long term future.

2024 was always going to be a fix-it year. Will we finish with the spoon, no. Will we make the 8, I would say no at this stage. Will we improve on this year, absolutely.

FFS!!!

FASTER, FITTER, STRONGER

Signing over priced, over hyped, retirement package players on long term deals only inhibit the progression of some of our very highly recognized juniors. Ones we will loose if not given the proper opportunities.

As for Sua, he's a good player no doubt, but let's delve a little deeper here. He's player 31 games for us over 2 seasons. That's a lot of time not on the playing field. Yes, some we injuries, but a lot were suspensions also. Averages just over 100 running metres a game and just below 90% tackle efficiency.
He would need a very big 2024 imo.

Signing players again isn't the answer. Signing the right player is, and ivthink Flanno knows this too well.

DS - your last line hits the nail on the head - signing the right player , also the right price . Im sure we will miss out on players who we judge better than what we have BUT Flanno is definitely after his style of player so fingers crossed we get some quality and i hope dean can influence 1 or 2 cowboys

 

[lombard]

View attachment 81213dunno if there was any basis for this more than the usual rumour.. but I like that we seem to have a plan for these 2.. perhaps thats why manly just upped their offer consideably.. the only piece that gives me hope is both players are from clubs our coaching staff just left.

Edit: just read manly offered 850k and an 8yr extension for olakauatu? That can't be right surely.. Thats a desperate ploy.. Don't see how we could compete with it either..

Yes no way he leaves Manly if that offer is true.

 

[justadragon]

We all said we would give Flanno a fair shot and trust his judgement, I'm sure there will be more than enough time if he F&%KS up for us to be all over him like white on rice. But for the time being give the man a chance.

 

[Dragon David]

We all said we would give Flanno a fair shot and trust his judgement, I'm sure there will be more than enough time if he F&%KS up for us to be all over him like white on rice. But for the time being give the man a chance.

The silence and absence in any "real" signings doesn't mean that we are on the nose or that Flanno and his recruitment guy are not working hard enough to get the sort of players "that we deem that we should be getting". Flanno and others in the coaching department know what is needed moreso than what we know. Our position in the marketplace for decent players has not been any good for over 10 years in reality.

So Flanno and his recruitment guy's task is a tough one I should imagine and I'm sure by now they would have identified lots of things to make the squad more formidable, the best of what we have.

It's not long now fellas until we find out what's in the box of tricks. I'm thinking no duds and value for money guys.

 

[Phantom V]

View attachment 81213dunno if there was any basis for this more than the usual rumour.. but I like that we seem to have a plan for these 2.. perhaps thats why manly just upped their offer consideably.. the only piece that gives me hope is both players are from clubs our coaching staff just left.

Edit: just read manly offered 850k and an 8yr extension for olakauatu? That can't be right surely.. Thats a desperate ploy.. Don't see how we could compete with it either..

Another club that’s cooking the books!

 

[Desperate Dragon]

Flanagan has already said that the off season training will be intense, but also carried out in a sensible way.
Being fitter will give our squad a lot more endurance to be stronger and more resilient in so many of those close games we lost this year.
Flanagan has also said he has learnt from his past mistakes of not being a panic buyer just to fill some roster spots.
We will never know, but it would be an interesting list of players he has said no to since taking the coach's role at the Dragons.
The other thing to keep in mind is that players like Curran tend to pop up as being available throughout the off season, and I think there will be at least one player who gets released for whatever reason in the coming months that will join the Dragons.
Flanagan has reportedly got a very wide range of contacts in the game and would probably already have some idea as to who might become available in the future.