The Rumours Thread

[mattw5]

I was just about to send this through Matt. You can tell the club is trying really hard to not make multiple changes in every department. I think it’s a lot better when we are more stable. Can’t wait for Anderson to get to work this week. Let’s see what strings he can pull.

We are heading in the right direction in my opinion as I said yesterday, patience is a virtual. I think we have the right Personnel in charge now. It’s just a matter of getting rid of a few players who are unwanted and a few staff who are unwanted.

I hope we go for Chevy Stewart i think he would be an ideal signing.

 

[mattw5]

Someone on FB said it was a done deal

What page?

 

[Desperate Dragon]

The official appointment announcement
of Daniel Anderson by the club today as head of Recruitment and Pathways is the best and most positive news to come out of the club for a while.

 

[TheRev]

I hope we go for Chevy Stewart i think he would be an ideal signing.

I was watching his highlights last night, hes a risk.. hes not slow but hes not lightning.. good running game, can break a tackle thats something Sloan couldnt... there is no real ball-playing or defensive stuff in the highlight packages however.. i.e. I dunno how close he is defensively... carries on abit when he scores too.... hes still very raw.. so hes not my first choice.. Jayden Campbell is my #1 choice and there are 2 or 3 others that are ready to go now.. but.. it would still be a great signing for sure.. well hopefully.. you have to take a punt on someone.

The official appointment announcement
of Daniel Anderson by the club today as head of Recruitment and Pathways is the best and most positive news to come out of the club for a while.

Club didnt specify when hes starting, but the newspaper said it was this week, and you'd assume it was probably a Monday start.. just havent seen it confirmed anywhere yet.. big job to do the review of roster and pathways.. like how do you do that? Do you talk to all the staff and watch 1000 hours of cup/flegg/sg/hm football?

 

[InFlannoWeTrust]

Regarding Stewart and/or a FB. , personally I think Gutho is doing a job and will hold that position until someone from cup or Flegg steps up!

I don’t think we’ll target someone from that position..

regarding a winger. Definitely need an origin prospect or player.. Shibasaki could be forced out, though is a centre. Not winger.. . Sloan, Finau, Allan ARE NOT the answer. CT is great with Feagai able to do a job (has improved under Flanno) or Holmes to wing with Shiba to start centre.. with guys like Jesse Williams . Hayden Buchanan , Ramsey to step up!

Regarding a half, needs to be experience (though only few years left of career) as Reed will eventually partner LKT,Atkinson.

Forwards is where the killer blow needs to come from! This is OUR MUST for 2026.

1 marquee & 1 decent impact player to replace Klem (done a good job, may get another year) , Lawrie (hopefully someone grabs him) , Molo (been ok but times up) , Fifita (could get re signed as still raw) to complement LPT, Stewart , Egan, Tsogranis, , Hanagalu Etc.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

We currently have 4 positions left in our top 30 for 2026 and also have the 6 development positions, cant remember off the top of my head how many are filled for 2026, either way 4 positions available for top 30 unless we can move on players already under contract like Lawrie, Sloan etc, those last 4 positions are like gold, so i doubt the club gives 1 to VFifita, if we had another 4 vacant, possibly VFifita or Klemm get another deal, even JDB may have gotten another year, so Anderson will have his work cut out trying to fix our crappy roster.. I read last week that the Panthers have 8 spots available, obviously some of those will be from the current squad that they will sign up again..
Re Chevy Chase Stewart, the defence is a worry, attack seems to go OK, but i remember the defence left am impression on me in a negative way, i get his like 19 but again, im kind of getting over where we have to put L plates on our first graders for years..

 

[InFlannoWeTrust]

We currently have 4 positions left in our top 30 for 2026 and also have the 6 development positions, cant remember off the top of my head how many are filled for 2026, either way 4 positions available for top 30 unless we can move on players already under contract like Lawrie, Sloan etc, those last 4 positions are like gold, so i doubt the club gives 1 to VFifita, if we had another 4 vacant, possibly VFifita or Klemm get another deal, even JDB may have gotten another year, so Anderson will have his work cut out trying to fix our crappy roster.. I read last week that the Panthers have 8 spots available, obviously some of those will be from the current squad that they will sign up again..
Re Chevy Chase Stewart, the defence is a worry, attack seems to go OK, but i remember the defence left am impression on me in a negative way, i get his like 19 but again, im kind of getting over where we have to put L plates on our first graders for years..

Good insight. Thanks for this
So those 4 spots aren’t including the re signing of anyone off contract ?? Corey Allan, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Viliami Fifita, Sione Finau, David Klemme?? So we’re quite sure none of the above will get re signed Tough position to be in with only 4 left. . I think Sloan , Rava & Lawrie WILL finally all get released. So that leaves us 7 spots (fingers crossed) and a huge bank balance!!

agree with Stewart ! I’d rather bring up juniors with potential then bring in the un known.

 

[TheRev]

We currently have 4 positions left in our top 30 for 2026 and also have the 6 development positions, cant remember off the top of my head how many are filled for 2026, either way 4 positions available for top 30 unless we can move on players already under contract like Lawrie, Sloan etc, those last 4 positions are like gold, so i doubt the club gives 1 to VFifita, if we had another 4 vacant, possibly VFifita or Klemm get another deal, even JDB may have gotten another year

I 'think' we have 4 locked in: CST, Buchanan, Reed, Weatherall, with 2 spots to fight for between Heidke/Liu/Williams.. pretty sure Halangahu is Top30.... in other words there are precious few dev spots up for grabs.. Williams I believe is Train & Trial, so perhaps Liu & Heidke get the same thing.. and the 3 of them fight it out for the 2 dev spots.. maybe 1 gets promoted to Top30.. but maybe thats not a decision made this season.

I think we will really regret the JDB one though, I think hes cracked it and left cause I think if he'd been a bit more patient we would have given him 1yr which is really what Parra have given him..

Fifita I think was being considered for a few weeks there but another injury has held him back yet again.. I dunno what to do with him.. id much rather have kept Jack and let Viliame go.. there is a gun in him but im not sure how much longer we want to keep looking for it.. its also the constant injuries with his massive frame... very hard to develop someone who cant stay training.

Re Chevy Chase Stewart, the defence is a worry, attack seems to go OK, but i remember the defence left am impression on me in a negative way, i get his like 19 but again, im kind of getting over where we have to put L plates on our first graders for years..

Campbell/Votano/Faulalo/<similar> they hit the ground running.. im with you, the L-plates on fullbacks has been killing us since 2017 when Dufty got an early promotion... its such a self-imposed handicap we put on ourselves... fullback is your most influential position imo.. saves tries and scores tries.

If Stewart is being bought to play reserve grade thats another thing.. but I havent seen his defensive side, i.e. how far has he developed since playing NSW Origin in 23/24? Is he getting better at it or is there a bit of Sloan/Dufty in him?

agree with Stewart ! I’d rather bring up juniors with potential then bring in the un known.

Unfortunately our only promising fullback is 16... there is nothing bar Ramsey, and an assumption that he cant play first grade.. im still assuming thats the case until the club says otherwise.. thats why Chevy is a good fit for a development hole we have.. but I assume he would be coming here to try and play first grade within 12mths.

 

[InFlannoWeTrust]

I 'think' we have 4 locked in: CST, Buchanan, Reed, Weatherall, with 2 spots to fight for between Heidke/Liu/Williams.. pretty sure Halangahu is Top30.... in other words there are precious few dev spots up for grabs.. Williams I believe is Train & Trial, so perhaps Liu & Heidke get the same thing.. and the 3 of them fight it out for the 2 dev spots.. maybe 1 gets promoted to Top30.. but maybe thats not a decision made this season.

I think we will really regret the JDB one though, I think hes cracked it and left cause I think if he'd been a bit more patient we would have given him 1yr which is really what Parra have given him..

Fifita I think was being considered for a few weeks there but another injury has held him back yet again.. I dunno what to do with him.. id much rather have kept Jack and let Viliame go.. there is a gun in him but im not sure how much longer we want to keep looking for it.. its also the constant injuries with his massive frame... very hard to develop someone who cant stay training.


Campbell/Votano/Faulalo/<similar> they hit the ground running.. im with you, the L-plates on fullbacks has been killing us since 2017 when Dufty got an early promotion... its such a self-imposed handicap we put on ourselves... fullback is your most influential position imo.. saves tries and scores tries.

If Stewart is being bought to play reserve grade thats another thing.. but I havent seen his defensive side, i.e. how far has he developed since playing NSW Origin in 23/24? Is he getting better at it or is there a bit of Sloan/Dufty in him?


Unfortunately our only promising fullback is 16... there is nothing bar Ramsey, and an assumption that he cant play first grade.. im still assuming thats the case until the club says otherwise.. thats why Chevy is a good fit for a development hole we have.. but I assume he would be coming here to try and play first grade within 12mths.

Another great post, thanks.
I was disappointed in the JDB non re signing to start, though the last few games I have come to realise/ see gaps opening up close to him. Which makes me think it was a good decision to allow him to leave. I still think he would want the 500+ money which I think we could use elsewhere. Yes he still hit like a truck and plays with passion. Though laterally slowing down.
Also seeing Stewart probably have his best game ever on the weekend at 13 when JDB went off , shows we can’t halt that progression anymore . Ball playing and hard running was JDB like .. He’ll get better, ready for 2026!

 

[RedV11]

What page?

One of the Facebook groups

 

[possm]

I was just about to send this through Matt. You can tell the club is trying really hard to not make multiple changes in every department. I think it’s a lot better when we are more stable. Can’t wait for Anderson to get to work this week. Let’s see what strings he can pull.

We are heading in the right direction in my opinion as I said yesterday, patience is a virtual. I think we have the right Personnel in charge now. It’s just a matter of getting rid of a few players who are unwanted and a few staff who are unwanted.

Haran, Millard, Millward, Young, Carr, Fitness, and Medical staff, still all need to be replaced. If Flanagan can't improve our fortunes after such a cleanout, then you can move on to sack him as well.

 

[sammymills]

i don’t know how chevy stewart is going this year, but i do remember his last game of FG for canberra against cronulla he was an absolute train wreck. Dropped about four or five bombs in a game and a lot led to try’s.

 

[possm]

Good insight. Thanks for this
So those 4 spots aren’t including the re signing of anyone off contract ?? Corey Allan, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Viliami Fifita, Sione Finau, David Klemme?? So we’re quite sure none of the above will get re signed Tough position to be in with only 4 left. . I think Sloan , Rava & Lawrie WILL finally all get released. So that leaves us 7 spots (fingers crossed) and a huge bank balance!!

agree with Stewart ! I’d rather bring up juniors with potential then bring in the un known.

In which way is Stewart better than Sloan?

Fullback - Gutherson too slow and makes many mistakes.
Halfback - Kyle not up to first-grade standard.
Five-eighth - LPT not up to first-grade standard.
Hooker - Liddle still needs to step up for 80 mins.

All spine positions should be filled with top-grade players.

In our case we also need a marquee prop.

 

[CozDragon]

In which way is Stewart better than Sloan?

Fullback - Gutherson too slow and makes many mistakes.
Halfback - Kyle not up to first-grade standard.
Five-eighth - LPT not up to first-grade standard.
Hooker - Liddle still needs to step up for 80 mins.

All spine positions should be filled with top-grade players.

In our case we also need a marquee prop.

Why did we sign Anderson when you clearly know what you are talking about..... Lets just remove every single person from within the club and start fresh. FMD

 

[getsmarty]

Wishart opens up on future at Storm following Hughes injury

He is expected to start in the halves with Hughes out.

www.zerotackle.com

 

[InFlannoWeTrust]

In which way is Stewart better than Sloan?

Fullback - Gutherson too slow and makes many mistakes.
Halfback - Kyle not up to first-grade standard.
Five-eighth - LPT not up to first-grade standard.
Hooker - Liddle still needs to step up for 80 mins.

All spine positions should be filled with top-grade players.

In our case we also need a marquee prop.

Did you forget we’re the dragons and don’t have an OPEN cheque book hahaha.

half our squad isn’t first grade standard but can’t get rid of the all in 2 years. A transition has to happen and clubs need to want to take our duds!

 

[Draginzaaar]

Did you forget we’re the dragons and don’t have an OPEN cheque book hahaha.

half our squad isn’t first grade standard but can’t get rid of the all in 2 years. A transition has to happen and clubs need to want to take our duds!

He wanted us to sign Joseph Sua'ali'i the other day.

 

[Gardenia]

Why did we sign Anderson when you clearly know what you are talking about..... Lets just remove every single person from within the club and start fresh. FMD

Possum is spot on in his assessment actually. You might learn a thing or 2 if you take note and stop being a smarty pants.

 

[InFlannoWeTrust]

He wanted us to sign Joseph Sua'ali'i the other day.

It’s the sort of player we need!!
As I said in a previous post winger & forwards NEED to be our main area of concern!

Any half cannot play behind a pack who highest meter eater in the forwards most weeks is Klemmer at 120!!

 

[Gardenia]

Good insight. Thanks for this
So those 4 spots aren’t including the re signing of anyone off contract ?? Corey Allan, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Viliami Fifita, Sione Finau, David Klemme?? So we’re quite sure none of the above will get re signed Tough position to be in with only 4 left. . I think Sloan , Rava & Lawrie WILL finally all get released. So that leaves us 7 spots (fingers crossed) and a huge bank balance!!

agree with Stewart ! I’d rather bring up juniors with potential then bring in the un known.

someone has to take Sloan, Rava and Lawrie. Rava used to be quite good so what has happened there? Sloan why haven't they managed to coach better defense into him? Lawrie - no comment.