The Rumours Thread

[Mojo]

Biggest question around recruitment

Does the player want to come to the Dragons?

Our biggest issue is that we’re on the nose with players and managers. They all talk.

Hopefully with the right support around Shane we can overcome this brick wall.

Ok. It’s probably already been done but how about our Chairman instruct our CEO to contact the managers and players and ask them, with the assurance of anonymity, what were the pros and cons in their considerations and what were the deciding factors? Please provide a written report to the Board, including recommendations and draft resolutions for directors to vote on. Should take about two weeks.

 

[Centralcoastdragon2]

Atkinson cant force himself into Sharks 13 and won't be a saviour for us. Very good player with potential and bought at the right price. Hopefully will be better than what we have. I notice Wisharts name hasn't been mentioned since he played half against us.

 

[Parko1310]

Biggest question around recruitment

Does the player want to come to the Dragons?

Our biggest issue is that we’re on the nose with players and managers. They all talk.

Hopefully with the right support around Shane we can overcome this brick wall.

Is there a reason for this? I know Young was notoriously difficult to deal with, but that's ancient history and he's not at the negotiating table. If it were just because we're shit then the tigers, dogs, etc wouldn't have been able to attract talent either. Is Flano now known as someone very difficult to deal with at the negotiating table?

 

[The Word]

Ok. It’s probably already been done but how about our Chairman instruct our CEO to contact the managers and players and ask them, with the assurance of anonymity, what were the pros and cons in their considerations and what were the deciding factors? Please provide a written report to the Board, including recommendations and draft resolutions for directors to vote on. Should take about two weeks.

My guess is the main drivers for players are:

-Money
-Success
-Being close to family / friends / home town club loyalty

If you're asking a player to move clubs, the last option is already gone, and if they are decent then there's probably 5 or 6 other clubs offering the same or similar money. Flanagan has shown he won't pay overs just to snare one star player (this may or may not prove to be his downfall, but I support him with this strategy at the moment). Searching for 3rd Party backers should absolutely be a Board priority, in fact there should be a Board position created with the sole purpose of focusing on, and drumming up interest in supporting players commercially, such is the importance of this area.

So the last big motivation is success. We haven't had it for a long time and the players know this. I don't buy into this crap about the West Tigers snagging superstars so we should be able to. They paid overs and it will bite them in the end with lack of depth when injuries and suspensions kick in. So as a Board the strategy should be to do everything they can to help Flanagan bring some success on the pitch, and gradually the players will want to be part of it. That means a slow gradual build.

I had hopes that the experienced recruits would be a difference maker this season and be enough to get us to the 8. So far I've seen a mixed bag. We haven't been pumped, but we look like we're just short and off the pace, and we're not picking up enough points. 2 or 3 wins on the bounce could change things. I'm always optimistic. But as any sports fan will understand, it's the hope that ends up hurting you the most.

 

[Gomarchin]

Biggest question around recruitment

Does the player want to come to the Dragons?

Our biggest issue is that we’re on the nose with players and managers. They all talk.

Hopefully with the right support around Shane we can overcome this brick wall.

Not sure if its the location (Wollongong) and players not wanting to move away from Sydney but what doesn't help our recruitment:

- your captain and marque player wanting out and willing to pay $$ to get out ASAP
- your best player (2024) desperate to get out and get paid less to move to a club below you (finished 2nd last)
- your coach not supporting your halfback in a post game presser
- B Haran

 

[possm]

Could be wrong about this, but as I've read it, we are in a hiatus period between Webb finishing in March and Watsford starting as CEO in June. Hope this doesn't get in the way of keeping Latu.

For goodness' sake, who is to be CEO in Aril and May? I suppose one of the old boys can do with the extra cash.

 

[justadragon]

Atkinson cant force himself into Sharks 13 and won't be a saviour for us. Very good player with potential and bought at the right price. Hopefully will be better than what we have. I notice Wisharts name hasn't been mentioned since he played half against us.

Wishart has slotted himself into the 14 mould, he will certainly never play 7 at the Storm, unless Hughes is injured.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Surely there has to be a big front rower in England that is available and better than Lawrie. As a half, Saints should also maybe look at Lachlan Lam to partner Atkinson. He has done well in the ESL.

The Raiders seem to find good players in the UK. This Matty Nicholls guy is killing it as well as Morgan Smithies.

 

[Slippery Morris]

The head of recruitment role has not been filled as once POS dropped out and went to the Knights we heard nothing since. Saints are the only club without anyone in this position which is bizarre.

The new CEO sounds pretty switched on but waiting till June is crazy. I notice Mark Coyne has been a CEO in a few companies so maybe he can stand in for that period. Anyone but Haran.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Is there a reason for this? I know Young was notoriously difficult to deal with, but that's ancient history and he's not at the negotiating table. If it were just because we're shit then the tigers, dogs, etc wouldn't have been able to attract talent either. Is Flano now known as someone very difficult to deal with at the negotiating table?

That is a rumour I've read in a News Limited paper earlier in the year when SGI were missing out on those prop targets (Campbell- Gillard, Saifiti, Horsburgh) we were linked to. Flanno was cast as being "difficult"to deal with by player agents.

 

[possm]

Atkinson cant force himself into Sharks 13 and won't be a saviour for us. Very good player with potential and bought at the right price. Hopefully will be better than what we have. I notice Wisharts name hasn't been mentioned since he played half against us.

The quality of the Cronulla halves is superior to the Dragons' halves this season and, most likely, next season when Atkinson arrives.

For this reason, I would like to see Gutherson at 6 and Atkinson at 7 in 2026. If Gutherson is closer to the ruck and has his hands more often on the ball, he could perform a dominant game management role.

 

[Inisai Toga]

Theres a big difference between identifying talent and the skills required in ‘closing the deal’ at the negotiating table. Would not have any idea who does this at Saints over the years but imo two different skill sets entirely. I know roughly 100 blokes that could easily identify exactly what players Saints need; to close the deal though i’d say roughly 3/100 could do it effectively. Our closing rate lately i think is “ok”, as i agree with some of the ones they have passed up recently due to the conditions asked - but……

 

[redandwhite4evr]

The quality of the Cronulla halves is superior to the Dragons' halves this season and, most likely, next season when Atkinson arrives.

For this reason, I would like to see Gutherson at 6 and Atkinson at 7 in 2026. If Gutherson is closer to the ruck and has his hands more often on the ball, he could perform a dominant game management role.

Imo Atkinson is a runner of the ball and best placed at 6-Gutho is playing in the front line at present quite a lot and is an organiser but would have to develop a kicking game to be a game managing No 7.

We just need Reed to develop quickly into the organising half-back we lack.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Yes u are

Cryptic but unhelpful JD- please enlighten me to what I got wrong.

 

[possm]

That is a rumour I've read in a News Limited paper earlier in the year when SGI were missing out on those prop targets (Campbell- Gillard, Saifiti, Horsburgh) we were linked to. Flanno was cast as being "difficult"to deal with by player agents.

Flanno is our head coach. The CEO (Webb) should have asked the recruitment manager (Millard) or transferred him sideways and hired a good professional Recruitment Manager at the beginning of the offseason in November 2024.

The delegation to hire, transfer, and fire staff should stand with the CEO on the provision that such activity is within the budget. The CEO would normally consult with Board on such matters in reguards to senior staff.

 

[RedVee]

Ok. It’s probably already been done but how about our Chairman instruct our CEO to contact the managers and players and ask them, with the assurance of anonymity, what were the pros and cons in their considerations and what were the deciding factors? Please provide a written report to the Board, including recommendations and draft resolutions for directors to vote on. Should take about two weeks.

Same with players that leave us, once they are finished at their next club.
Guys like Tyson Frizz, the Morris twins etc etc

 

[possm]

Theres a big difference between identifying talent and the skills required in ‘closing the deal’ at the negotiating table. Would not have any idea who does this at Saints over the years but imo two different skill sets entirely. I know roughly 100 blokes that could easily identify exactly what players Saints need; to close the deal though i’d say roughly 3/100 could do it effectively. Our closing rate lately i think is “ok”, as i agree with some of the ones they have passed up recently due to the conditions asked - but……

For season 2025, we always needed two top alfa props to add to our squad. With Lawrie playing at a sub-standard level and with F Molo moving on, we still need at least on alpha prop to be competitive. Guler and Klemmer just don't do the job well enough; however, we do have some young talent coming through, Stuart and Couchman, who both will be of value in 2026.

 

[Woody90]

Hi guys,

Knights supporter here. Just read that we’re interested in one of your juniors, Finau Latu. Don’t think I’ve ever seen him play. Is he any good? Is he far off FG? as we have a bit of an immediate need there.

From the article though sounds more likely that his manager is just trying to get a better contract from the Dragons rather than actually likely to leave.

 

[Inisai Toga]

For season 2025, we always needed two top alfa props to add to our squad. With Lawrie playing at a sub-standard level and with F Molo moving on, we still need at least on alpha prop to be competitive. Guler and Klemmer just don't do the job well enough; however, we do have some young talent coming through, Stuart and Couchman, who both will be of value in 2026.

That's my point Possum; Saints would be well aware of whats needed - getting it done is another thing entirely.

 

[VodkaSaint]

Hi guys,

Knights supporter here. Just read that we’re interested in one of your juniors, Finau Latu. Don’t think I’ve ever seen him play. Is he any good? Is he far off FG? as we have a bit of an immediate need there.

From the article though sounds more likely that his manager is just trying to get a better contract from the Dragons rather than actually likely to leave.

we have two locks, Latu and Hamish, bennet wanted Hamish, Hamish knocked Bennet Back, Having said that, yes he is Good.
He is yet to play First Grade, we dont know How far away he is from been a first Grader and he is Only 19. I dont to see him go, cant fit both locks in .