The Rumours Thread

[TheRev]

When LKT runs at a retreating or atleast slower defensive line.. he is far more deadly, once he is up to speed his direct running game is very dangerous, and its dangerous because his passing is also very good.. so defenders genuinely have multiple threats coming at them.

But against a faster line in 1sts/NSW-Cup... I thought he was just ok.. if he could accelerate faster id be in.. but hes going to have to be incredibly good to make it at his speed imo (he probably slows with age).. coaches will work him out too.. so you have to imagine what does he need to do to break games open at the top level.. not just 'fill the jersey'... defensively he has been good though.. that helps.. he isnt very talkative, he looks sleepy in the line when hes not part of the play, so hes definitely not a 7, probably a 6, he did play a lil 1 in cup and did it well... but thats not him either.

All of this criticism is fine though.. cause hes 19, I just wish we werent having to have these conversations at all on a kid who was playing SG Ball a few months ago..... but those early 1st grade games have accelerated everything prematurely.... this upcoming year we will learn heaps more about him... assuming hes staying ofcourse.

But hes not the only young potential 6 in our system.. you have to be careful before going 'all in'... it has consequences on the players you lose as a result... Flanno I think is the battle-hardened coach who will do whats best for the club/squad... hes definitely pretty cool calm and collected when it comes to managing young (and old) players... so whatever happens happens.. im comfortable with just backing his instinct on this sort of stuff.

 

[Jubilee]

When LKT runs at a retreating or atleast slower defensive line.. he is far more deadly, once he is up to speed his direct running game is very dangerous, and its dangerous because his passing is also very good.. so defenders genuinely have multiple threats coming at them.

But against a faster line in 1sts/NSW-Cup... I thought he was just ok.. if he could accelerate faster id be in.. but hes going to have to be incredibly good to make it at his speed imo (he probably slows with age).. coaches will work him out too.. so you have to imagine what does he need to do to break games open at the top level.. not just 'fill the jersey'... defensively he has been good though.. that helps.. he isnt very talkative, he looks sleepy in the line when hes not part of the play, so hes definitely not a 7, probably a 6, he did play a lil 1 in cup and did it well... but thats not him either.

All of this criticism is fine though.. cause hes 19, I just wish we werent having to have these conversations at all on a kid who was playing SG Ball a few months ago..... but those early 1st grade games have accelerated everything prematurely.... this upcoming year we will learn heaps more about him... assuming hes staying ofcourse.

But hes not the only young potential 6 in our system.. you have to be careful before going 'all in'... it has consequences on the players you lose as a result... Flanno I think is the battle-hardened coach who will do whats best for the club/squad... hes definitely pretty cool calm and collected when it comes to managing young (and old) players... so whatever happens happens.. im comfortable with just backing his instinct on this sort of stuff.

Yes, he is not real fast but he is very strong in the legs. He may keep growing and be able to end up as a lock. And ofc, trust in flanno.

 

[slippery5]

This is accurate, he is unphased and played the same way at every level from SG Ball to flegg to Reggie’s this year. His pass selection is so good for a half that young.
Not an incredibly athletic half like Dylan Brown/Ezra Mam but adequate and a fairly thick build.
Support play is superb and the most important thing is he can play both sides which not many halves can do.
Super high on him and pretty confident if he’s thrown into first grade at some point next season he’ll do a great job.

You could tell when he had a few chances in the NRL this year yeat he was told to pass early and make his tackles + leave everything else to Hunt. More responsibility on his shoulders with ball playing etc. will be a good thing

2025 rookie of the year, you heard it here first.

 

[SGI2010]

2025 rookie of the year, you heard it here first.

If he starts in 15+ games I think he’d be the favorite.

probably won’t play a heap of games next year unless there’s an injury to Kyle/Illias?

Im not bothered if he doesn’t play a heap in 2025, lots of great halves had a long apprenticeship in Reggie’s to prep them for NRL. Eg. Andrew Johns and Ben Hunt didn’t hit first grade regularly til 22/23 YO and LKT is only 19 atm

 

[hook hook]

I mean we need to secure our starting 6&7 before we can really worry about depth.. but one of things I worry about is how 1 or 2 injuries in key positions.. potentially starts a tidal-wave i.e. .. gutho can play 6, and holmes to 1, and kyle to 14, and cook to 13 and SFinau to Ctr and Sloan to wing and.. just a hot mess of guys out of position, which surely results in a disaster in terms of combinations.

Technically we have depth in positions... but we want our depth to be.. ok Gutho is injured? In comes Sloan, oh Atkinson/Kyle is injured? In comes Ilias or LKT, Centre is the only spot we dont really have a dedicated backup for. It's also why we do need 3 halves in our system.

Why not just leave everyone where they were and just put Sloan to fb if Gutho goes to 6?

 

[justadragon]

If he starts in 15+ games I think he’d be the favorite.

probably won’t play a heap of games next year unless there’s an injury to Kyle/Illias?

Im not bothered if he doesn’t play a heap in 2025, lots of great halves had a long apprenticeship in Reggie’s to prep them for NRL. Eg. Andrew Johns and Ben Hunt didn’t hit first grade regularly til 22/23 YO and LKT is only 19 atm

Please do me a favour, Dont put Johns and Hunt in the same category whilst also assuming Hunt was a great 7 !!!

 

[jak]

If he starts in 15+ games I think he’d be the favorite.

probably won’t play a heap of games next year unless there’s an injury to Kyle/Illias?

Im not bothered if he doesn’t play a heap in 2025, lots of great halves had a long apprenticeship in Reggie’s to prep them for NRL. Eg. Andrew Johns and Ben Hunt didn’t hit first grade regularly til 22/23 YO and LKT is only 19 atm

All the young players want it all straight away, give me the money now I will learn the game later, thanks to the manager's

 

[maestro1]

Looks like Gould might have HUNTed his man. Paps staying in Melbourne means that Gus has now turned his attention to Hunt.
If that is the case I'd go after Sexton.

I would actually go after Sua Faalogo as I believe he is a future halfback. Similar to Jarome Hughes. With Pap staying, he might want to go. He is worthy of Flanno spending more to get him. He would be a dynamite halfback.

 

[blacksafake]

could be the same bloke

Inner west barista

 

[warwickdragon]

Why are Penrith chasing Moses Mbye as Cleary backup, if they have Brad Schneider?

 

[dungay dragon]

Looks like Gould might have HUNTed his man. Paps staying in Melbourne means that Gus has now turned his attention to Hunt.
If that is the case I'd go after Sexton.

I would actually go after Sua Faalogo as I believe he is a future halfback. Similar to Jarome Hughes. With Pap staying, he might want to go. He is worthy of Flanno spending more to get him. He would be a dynamite halfback.

Multi talented attacking player but Wont b happening
We have bought a marquee fullback and likely Captain
We also have a FB (Sloan) that needs fine tuning
Flanno has repeatedly stated ..We are chasing a Half n Prop as priorities
If they squeeze Wishart out , Flanno will be all over it
Thinking Illias has more than likely gone to the top of the packing order IF Atkinson and Wishart are not available
If Sexton was as good as some say Gus wouldnt be letting him go

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

Looks like Gould might have HUNTed his man. Paps staying in Melbourne means that Gus has now turned his attention to Hunt.

If the Dogs get Hunt they better book Allianz straight away for that opening round clash, cause I just can`t see Kogarah being big enough for that one.

 

[willzyy91]

Multi talented attacking player but Wont b happening
We have bought a marquee fullback and likely Captain
We also have a FB (Sloan) that needs fine tuning
Flanno has repeatedly stated ..We are chasing a Half n Prop as priorities
If they squeeze Wishart out , Flanno will be all over it
Thinking Illias has more than likely gone to the top of the packing order IF Atkinson and Wishart are not available
If Sexton was as good as some say Gus wouldnt be letting him go

The most ideal outcome for the club would be Wishart coming back this coming season, and Atkinson signed for 2026...

 

[hook hook]

Multi talented attacking player but Wont b happening
We have bought a marquee fullback and likely Captain
We also have a FB (Sloan) that needs fine tuning
Flanno has repeatedly stated ..We are chasing a Half n Prop as priorities
If they squeeze Wishart out , Flanno will be all over it
Thinking Illias has more than likely gone to the top of the packing order IF Atkinson and Wishart are not available
If Sexton was as good as some say Gus wouldnt be letting him go

Sexton is good. Ben hunt is perceived to be an exceptional player by most but not in this forum (I don’t think he’s a halfbacks asshole) . They also have Mitchell woods waiting for his shot and are not going to offload Burton so something has to give l. Just because a player is let go doesn’t mean they’re not good.

 

[maestro1]

I mentioned to by him as

Multi talented attacking player but Wont b happening
We have bought a marquee fullback and likely Captain
We also have a FB (Sloan) that needs fine tuning
Flanno has repeatedly stated ..We are chasing a Half n Prop as priorities
If they squeeze Wishart out , Flanno will be all over it
Thinking Illias has more than likely gone to the top of the packing order IF Atkinson and Wishart are not available
If Sexton was as good as some say Gus wouldnt be letting him go

I mentioned that we should buy him as a Halfback. He reminds me of Jarome Hughes. He would become a dynamite half

 

[Desperate Dragon]

Sexton is good. Ben hunt is perceived to be an exceptional player by most but not in this forum (I don’t think he’s a halfbacks asshole) . They also have Mitchell woods waiting for his shot and are not going to offload Burton so something has to give l. Just because a player is let go doesn’t mean they’re not good.

With the news of Hunt's next destination imminent, I can understand why Flanagan is waiting to see the fallout from where he signs.
Think he will take a look at Sexton for sure as a half back option for 2025 if Hunt does land at the Dogs.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Why are Penrith chasing Moses Mbye as Cleary backup, if they have Brad Schneider?

As long as the Dragons aren't chasing him as their next half-back, tbh I don't care where he goes.

 

[JamesRustle]

Why are Penrith chasing Moses Mbye as Cleary backup, if they have Brad Schneider?

They can afford to be charitable after winning the last 4.

 

[justadragon]

Sexton is good. Ben hunt is perceived to be an exceptional player by most but not in this forum (I don’t think he’s a halfbacks asshole) . They also have Mitchell woods waiting for his shot and are not going to offload Burton so something has to give l. Just because a player is let go doesn’t mean they’re not good.

That slimy little prick that banged on about being homesick, now he thinks the Dogs are a good thing to win a premiership. What is the most laughable situation is Sexton gave Hunt a bath both times we played them, I just cant believe they would be as stupid as they are for wanting him. Bring it on for RD1, I just cant wait for Su'a to take him out big time for giving him all those hospital passes.

 

[possm]

Sign pap for fullback CB to no 6 solved we have BH 1 million available go hard on pap why not .

Yes
1. Pap
2. Allan/Finau/Feagai/Sloan
3. Holmes
4. Suli
5. Tuipulotu
6. Gutherspm (c)
7. K Flanno/Sexton
8. Thompson
9. Cook
10. Molo
11. Leilua
12. Su'A
13. Sele

14. Liddle
15. De Belin
16. R Couchman
17. T Couchman/Egan/Latu/Lawrie

The above players are gettable and if they are in our top 30, we can match it with any team in the coomp.