The Rumours Thread

[Dragsters]

Agree that the kids need to be upgraded / extended but no need to let Su'a go to do this. He's been strong for us and can't be compared with Leilua. He's 28 years old so 2 year extension makes sense to me. He's a professional and has the right attitude which will rub off on the juniors. Most of our juniors showing promise but still relatively unknown how some will develop. Keep the good pros around them till we know more.

I agree.

He's one of our few elite rep players, in his prime age-wise, why would you want to let him go?

I don't get this line of thinking...

 

[Slippery Morris]

Flanno and Ando are really talking up 2027 as the year that the Saints will definitely be a force in the NRL and fighting for not top 8 and possibly top 4 not because of bringing in a whole bunch of players from other clubs, but the youngsters like Egan, Stewart, Halangahu, Tsougranis, Pacifica-Tonga, LKT, Couchmans x 2 etc will have another year of NRL under their belts and will be so much better than they are and they have already impressed. Kade Reed will be blooded in 2026 and Atkinson will have the full year at the Dragons. That alone is a richness of talent. Buchanan could also have a breakout season. If these kids exceed expectations which I would not be surprised, 2026 may be the year they taste finals footy or come close and then they will have that extra motivation for 2027.

As mentioned above Daniel Atkinson is the forgotten man thanks to the Sharks halves staying injury free most of 2025. Atko was very impressive in 2024. What Pezet did this year in a game, Atko did similar in his first game and continued to play well when given the chance. I know plenty of Sharks fans that would prefer they kept Atko instead of Nico. My only fear is Saints cannot rely on just him to improve the halves as he can cop an injury anytime and be out for a while and with Kyle and LKT they are simply not good enough to win a comp. They need 1 decent half whether it be Jaydn Campbell, Te Marie Martin or Jake Clifford. They would be the ones to chase. Sandon Smith would have been ideal. I cannot believe Saints were not even in the race for his signature.

 

[Flinstone]

People want to see improvement in our team lineup; we want to be competitive and win more times than not.

I believe 2026 will be Kyle's last season in the halves. Cooks' contract expires at the end of the 2026 season, and Kyle will go to 14.

Wouldn't surprise me if he goes to 9 and Liddle stays 14 in 2027.

 

[Wolfgang90]

What's considered a marquee? Top 3 player in their position?

 

[Wolfgang90]

One of Kerr's goals next season is to play origin. If he gets to that form then we'll have a very good recruit.

 

[Gomarchin]

Flanno and Ando are really talking up 2027 as the year that the Saints will definitely be a force in the NRL and fighting for not top 8 and possibly top 4 not because of bringing in a whole bunch of players from other clubs, but the youngsters like Egan, Stewart, Halangahu, Tsougranis, Pacifica-Tonga, LKT, Couchmans x 2 etc will have another year of NRL under their belts and will be so much better than they are and they have already impressed. Kade Reed will be blooded in 2026 and Atkinson will have the full year at the Dragons. That alone is a richness of talent. Buchanan could also have a breakout season. If these kids exceed expectations which I would not be surprised, 2026 may be the year they taste finals footy or come close and then they will have that extra motivation for 2027.

As mentioned above Daniel Atkinson is the forgotten man thanks to the Sharks halves staying injury free most of 2025. Atko was very impressive in 2024. What Pezet did this year in a game, Atko did similar in his first game and continued to play well when given the chance. I know plenty of Sharks fans that would prefer they kept Atko instead of Nico. My only fear is Saints cannot rely on just him to improve the halves as he can cop an injury anytime and be out for a while and with Kyle and LKT they are simply not good enough to win a comp. They need 1 decent half whether it be Jaydn Campbell, Te Marie Martin or Jake Clifford. They would be the ones to chase. Sandon Smith would have been ideal. I cannot believe Saints were not even in the race for his signature.

This time last year they were talking up 2026 as the year. Next year it'll be 2028 and so on....

 

[Wolfgang90]

Pack is good depending on youngsters progression.

Kerr/liddle/t. couchman
Halangahu/stewart/sua

Lpt
Nick t
R. Couchman
Cook

Egan* injury. Ideally another seasoned good quality frf. Long season so injuries, suspension and form issues will occur. I think out depth will be solid too.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Emerging five-eighth Hugo Savala is now tipped to explore opportunities elsewhere, while Sam Walker is expected to partner Cherry-Evans in the halves next season.

Hmmmmm

Hugo is versatile re a few spots in the top17

now that Chevy might be a hard no

 

[TheRev]

I'm alright if sua moves on in 2027 or beyond, he's a good player but I rly like Egan and NickT, and Halangahu pushing in behind and cst pushing in behind him..

I know potential does not equal rep experienced first grader.. And we desperately need 1 or 2 experienced guys in the middle.. But 2nd row is the only position at the club I feel rly good about... Egan first choice imo.. Nick should have played half a season..

But then injuries etc.. But we do have rly good depth here...and we r talking nrly 18 mths time..

 

[getsmarty]

NRL’s worst kept secret set to be confirmed... as fresh DCE detail revealed in Roosters switch

NRL’s worst kept secret to be confirmed... as fresh DCE twist revealed in Roosters switch

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Young Dragon]

Savala would be a great 7 to get but doubt he leaves. Big prop up north we are talking to but has to come for the right $

 

[Wolfgang90]

Savala would be a great 7 to get but doubt he leaves. Big prop up north we are talking to but has to come for the right $

Griffin Neame?

 

[qld redvee]

Savala would be a great 7 to get but doubt he leaves. Big prop up north we are talking to but has to come for the right $

Young Dragon, let's hope that the right $$ also means we offer him a little bit more to make the move we need a signing so we need to be flexible without being stupid

 

[SEAT 1A]

I reckon Savala would be a good fit to the team.

Didn't look out of place in first grade with the Rosters. Big boot, good defence and overlooked for DCE. Not going to win you a premiership now however, could get us close to the finals with a bit of luck with injuries.

 

[possm]

I have recovered from the 2025 trauma and in my delusional way am looking forward to the 2026 season.

St George Illawarra is not a basket case. We were in the running this past season until a massive injury list destroyed any chance we had. For a team that was tipped by some to get the spoon by some we did alright when we had most the team on the field. Towards the middle end of the season we won games we were expected to loose & also stayed tough dispite losses. The young forwards will be a year older & a year tougher and with some new players like Tino etc the sky is the limit.
Go the mighty Saints.

If we can land Tino and a quick first-grade level back 3, we can manage with the halves we currently have and it will be a completely different team that is competitive with the top 4 teams in the competition.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Savala would be a great signing as he has a great boot on him. Last time Saints got a guy from the roosters with a great boot on him was Soward and that turned out alright. Atko / Savala would be a great halves combo.

 

[possm]

I agree.

He's one of our few elite rep players, in his prime age-wise, why would you want to let him go?

I don't get this line of thinking...

You are right! We need a good mix of youth and experience, so I agree we should retain Su'A:

8. Tino
9. Cook
10. T Couchman
11. Egan
12. Su'A
13. Stewart

14. Liddle
15. Tonga
16. Kerr
17. Halangahu

 

[Dragsters]

You are right! We need a good mix of youth and experience, so I agree we should retain Su'A:

8. Tino
9. Cook
10. T Couchman
11. Egan
12. Su'A
13. Stewart

14. Liddle
15. Tonga
16. Kerr
17. Halangahu

I'd go after Koloamatagi if he's available...

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Boyd is much better than ppl give him credit for (same as every halfback whos not playing for a club who is winning 'right now'), but I wanted him for 2025.. could have signed him even part way thru 2024.. I couldnt have imagined how bad Ilias would be though, even at cup level.

If we cant do any better Id be happy with him for 2026.. genuine 7 with a giant boot.. but I would like to shoot a little higher if we can.. that said imo it is a huge gamble to walk into 2026 with only a completely untested Atkinson as our 7 option... but that might just be our reality... but with Ilias off the books.. we can look more seriously at a replacement now... unless they have other ideas for the slot..

Boyd's last two games against the Dragons and the State Challenge were exceptional- he may have had a checkered history to that point but is only 25 and he came good when it mattered -including a full range of long (40/20s) and short kicks for try assists in the air and along the ground. He was man of the match before half time in the State Challenge.

In the absence of the top echelon half backs like Pezet and Metcalfe, he is the next best option in case Atkinson can't be the game manager we need and before Reed is ready.

 

[Wolfgang90]

Boyd would be cheap. Can't be any worse than the halves used this season.