The Rumours Thread

[Flinstone]

2025 ended up being a disaster, but our young forward did show they are the real deal.
A small improvement from all of them and we will be a team that will come close to winning the comp. That's if our halves also improve.
Every year an unexpected team goes well & a favoured team drops out. Hopefully we will be the unexpected team in 2026.

Not sure next year we will be a team that comes close to winning the comp.
Lets try make the 8 first.
One team might have an off season but other teams will improve not just the one we support.

 

[TheRev]

I think Jack was very easily our best forward in 2025.. Klem picked it up at the back half.. we need to replace them with atleast 1 thicc boy who can do that first big hitup.. my fear is even if we do land a decent prop its looking like 2027.. remembering we held that #30 position open up all season hoping someone would become available.

But yes we desperately need Toby, Ryan (and Dylan) to stay fit and healthy in 2026.. but even if they do, we're still 1 big body short (2 ideally).. and chances are they won't all stay fit... dont mean to be a downer.. but just realistically injuries happen.. especially to younger guys who arent hardened yet, you dont get full seasons out of kids... Toby/Ryan are a little bit older.. but still young.. and Ryan missed the entire season too... plus they are taking hitups they shouldnt be... i.e. they really shouldnt be taking too many of those first hitups.. theyre better to follow up the thicc boy, we want to utilise their footwork and superior fitness in attack/defence.. long minutes etc.. but not impact.

 

[Flinstone]

Flanno’s moves to fill void after Dragons exodus; Sea Eagles swoop on Rooster — Nov 1 LIVE

Flanno’s moves to fill void after Dragons exodus; Sea Eagles swoop on Rooster — Nov 1 LIVE

www.foxsports.com.au

Setu Tu is a very curious case, even aside from the whole "aged 27 with 0 first grade games" thing.

He was actually signed to the inaugural Dolphins NRL squad on a T&T deal in 2023 and played in their opening trial.. but didn't stick it and was with the Warriors by March.
Then again last November he signed a 2 year deal with the Brisbane Tigers in Q Cup, but played 1 game for them and was back at the Warriors in April.

All very curious to me. He was highly rated but never cracked NRL. Perhaps he lacked maturity

So what your saying is, we might see him in the trials then he will be back to Warriors.

 

[Macedonian Dragon]

I think Jack was very easily our best forward in 2025.. Klem picked it up at the back half.. we need to replace them with atleast 1 thicc boy who can do that first big hitup.. my fear is even if we do land a decent prop its looking like 2027.. remembering we held that #30 position open up all season hoping someone would become available.

But yes we desperately need Toby, Ryan (and Dylan) to stay fit and healthy in 2026.. but even if they do, we're still 1 big body short (2 ideally).. and chances are they won't all stay fit... dont mean to be a downer.. but just realistically injuries happen.. especially to younger guys who arent hardened yet, you dont get full seasons out of kids... Toby/Ryan are a little bit older.. but still young.. and Ryan missed the entire season too... plus they are taking hitups they shouldnt be... i.e. they really shouldnt be taking too many of those first hitups.. theyre better to follow up the thicc boy, we want to utilise their footwork and superior fitness in attack/defence.. long minutes etc.. but not impact.

This is why i think Nelson or Hamlin-Uele for 2 years from 2026 will be good. Big bodies to help our young forward pack make metres

 

[TheRev]

This is why i think Nelson or Hamlin-Uele for 2 years from 2026 will be good. Big bodies to help our young forward pack make metres

they might be the fallback options if we miss our A targets.. Uele I think the game is going past him.. but hes a big body and we need 1.. he wouldnt even be expensive.. not that money is an issue for us in 2026.

I dont think we will get Nelson but he would also fill that role.. he is available now too.. dont quite understand how the Eels can be keeping JDB, shooting for Nelson, and shooting for Keaon.. 2027 I dunno how they accord them all.

 

[John moz]

So what your saying is, we might see him in the trials then he will be back to Warriors.

Don't get why they let go of Ramsey a speed star with Nrl experience but now sign a Nsw cup player unknown.

 

[Illusion]

Don't get why they let go of Ramsey a speed star with Nrl experience but now sign a Nsw cup player unknown.

I dont get how they do most thing .......

 

[The Word]

Don't get why they let go of Ramsey a speed star with Nrl experience but now sign a Nsw cup player unknown.

For the very obvious reason that the medical team at the Dragons think it's unlikely he's going to be able to achieve the physical condition required for NRL footy.

The Roosters can afford to take a top 30 risk as their squad is much stronger than ours overall and we can't have anymore players in our 30 who are unlikely to play. We offered him T&T I believe but they came in with a top 30 spot and he quite rightly went for it.

We've done the right thing by Cody all the way through. A decision has been made based on evidence in front of them and maybe we got it right, maybe wrong, time will tell. We all need to get on with it now and let Cody do his thing without bleating on about it all the time and fingers crossed he does well. The Warriors guy is a cheap depth signing who if push comes to shove will have the physical condition, size and strength, to handle the NRL battle, he's nothing more than that.

 

[John moz]

Dragons have no idea Ramsey Tamale Finau gone . With all nrl experience and a lot better.

 

[Flinstone]

Maybe Chevy Stewart was the replacement, not sure what's happened with him. Think he's average anyway.
Now Canberra signed Daine Laurie surely Stewart is third choice.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Flanno’s moves to fill void after Dragons exodus; Sea Eagles swoop on Rooster — Nov 1 LIVE

Flanno’s moves to fill void after Dragons exodus; Sea Eagles swoop on Rooster — Nov 1 LIVE

www.foxsports.com.au

Setu Tu is a very curious case, even aside from the whole "aged 27 with 0 first grade games" thing.

He was actually signed to the inaugural Dolphins NRL squad on a T&T deal in 2023 and played in their opening trial.. but didn't stick it and was with the Warriors by March.
Then again last November he signed a 2 year deal with the Brisbane Tigers in Q Cup, but played 1 game for them and was back at the Warriors in April.

All very curious to me. He was highly rated but never cracked NRL. Perhaps he lacked maturity

Cody Walker like ?

 

[Wolfgang90]

Will Warbrick would be a solid wing option, similar to Coates but a level below. He had concussion issues this year.

 

[Gold_Coast Dragon]

Sloan KOE fullback 2026?

 

[Wolfgang90]

I've always liked Jake Averillo, he's played at the dogs & dolphins without settling into a position but can cover a few spots across the backline & 5/8th. I hope we're into him as he has genuine speed & looks to be a natural footy player. He could be a good option for fullback or 5/8th.

 

[CronullaSaint]

Not sure next year we will be a team that comes close to winning the comp.
Lets try make the 8 first.
One team might have an off season but other teams will improve not just the one we support.

Hi Flinstone
My sensible self agrees with you, but the delusional part of me disagrees.
I may have a split personality!!

 

[redandwhite4evr]

I think Jack was very easily our best forward in 2025.. Klem picked it up at the back half.. we need to replace them with atleast 1 thicc boy who can do that first big hitup.. my fear is even if we do land a decent prop its looking like 2027.. remembering we held that #30 position open up all season hoping someone would become available.

But yes we desperately need Toby, Ryan (and Dylan) to stay fit and healthy in 2026.. but even if they do, we're still 1 big body short (2 ideally).. and chances are they won't all stay fit... dont mean to be a downer.. but just realistically injuries happen.. especially to younger guys who arent hardened yet, you dont get full seasons out of kids... Toby/Ryan are a little bit older.. but still young.. and Ryan missed the entire season too... plus they are taking hitups they shouldnt be... i.e. they really shouldnt be taking too many of those first hitups.. theyre better to follow up the thicc boy, we want to utilise their footwork and superior fitness in attack/defence.. long minutes etc.. but not impact.

We're all impatient for news about forward signings- to date, it's been about us getting rid of Ilias and signing the 5/8 from Souths and Fale and now Tu. However, the engine room is where the action is and I'm sure Hass, Tino, KK and to a lesser extent Nelson's agents are going to be sorting through multiple offers for some time yet from existing NRL clubs, Perth, Rugby 360 and maybe even the Chiefs. It may be a while before the dust settles

 

[possm]

He has actually been quoted as saying it's not solely about the money. If a team he thinks can win a comp soon gets close-ish monetary wise, we're cooked.

He's not coming here, we're not at all seen as a club that can provide a comp to players at the moment. And even if we can see marginal improvement through our juniors and management structures, players don't really look that deeply into things. We're still seen as a sinking ship (and may well actually still be one). Gotta move onto Henry and Mariota maybe now, Keaon's another pipe dream.

I certainly don't see the Dragons as a sinking ship, in my opinion, our forward pack is only one marquee prop away from matching it with the top 4 teams.

 

[twinkletoes]

I certainly don't see the Dragons as a sinking ship, in my opinion, our forward pack is only one marquee prop away from matching it with the top 4 teams.

And...we desperately need a big boot which would allow us to gain much easier field position at the beginning of defensive sets..this has been a major problem for numerous seasons. Not sure if Atkinson addresses this issue..

 

[qld redvee]

And...we desperately need a big boot which would allow us to gain much easier field position at the beginning of defensive sets..this has been a major problem for numerous seasons. Not sure if Atkinson addresses this issue..

Exactly look how Burton gave the dogs so much distance to give them breathing space,

 

[twinkletoes]

We're all impatient for news about forward signings- to date, it's been about us getting rid of Ilias and signing the 5/8 from Souths and Fale and now Tu. However, the engine room is where the action is and I'm sure Hass, Tino, KK and to a lesser extent Nelson's agents are going to be sorting through multiple offers for some time yet from existing NRL clubs, Perth, NRL 260 and maybe even the Chiefs.

Word in the media is that Raiders and Eels going hard for Koloamatangi… not a mention of Dragons….yes I know people will say no one knows what we are doing behind closed doors… but these journos generally know what’s happening

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