The Rumours Thread

[possm]

I see Atkinson and Sandon Smith as being similar types of players- the Roosters are pretty savvy and they played him at 5/8. Dragons high command have said/hinted that Atkinson is being bought as a half-back but subsequent comments from our CEO have confirmed that he is not the long-term answer and a "marquee" half is still being sought. We could spend nearly a million of our salary cap on Atkinson and Smith who end up becoming competitors with LKT for the 5/8 position. LKT is young and a work in progress but has great potential imo. I'd be happier with us going after Pezet and moving Ilias on.

So, is it, move on:
Glover (Souths)
Ilias

Reserve Grade
6 LKT
7 Reed
14 Cook

First Grade
6 Atkinson
7 Recruit a halfback
14 Flanagan to 14

 

[Steel City]

Naming our 17 for in 6 months time before our squad is finalised lol
Not picking Kerr double lol

 

[Flinstone]

Kerr has been bought to play in the starting 17

I knew i would forget someone, Id say he's 17 in front of LPT and Sele

 

[Flinstone]

Outside the box thoughts on Suli moving out one position to wing? Good height, size and reasonable speed. If we could get him up to 15-20 carries he should easily provide 150metres of yardage. His main issue has always been involvement. Doesn’t have to pass much either

How do you rate him under the high ball though

 

[JubileeJeffro]

How do you rate him under the high ball though

Untested I think. Not sure, certainly not a leaper… but neither is To’o

 

[redV06]

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Yeah hes not the worst option.. like could he be another CT clone.. I wonder if he would pull any muscles leaping around like, flinging himself for putdowns.. could he catch contested bombs? There would be a few things.. and I think we are currently chasing a 1st grade quality winger according to the club...

Its probably something we ponder when/if there is legit competition for his spot... and he is here till end of 2027 so were gonna have to at some point.

The prototype winger for this age is probably similar in body type to a young AFL ruckman- with some extra features- tall, athletic, powerful, good vertical leap, good hand eye coordination and what would rule most ruckmen out- speed. I've just described Xavier Coates and five years ago, Daniel Tupou.

 

[TheRev]

View attachment 105509

ffs cant sign anyone.. this bloke is deep in the queue at the sharks..

 

[Dragsters]

View attachment 105509

Not fussed...

 

[Gareth67]

Atkinson is very similar to Metcalfe as he is a dangerous runner of the ball, can game manage (as shown in a few games when Trindall and Hynes were out in 2024), and has a very good short and long kicking game). He has also won games on the back of kicking field goals (something we have been crap at for a decade and a half).

Agree maestro 1 he is exactly the type of player that the Dragons have been missing for many a season now , I believe he will fit the bill nicely.

 

[Mickov]

Not fussed...

must really love it in reserve grade, better than digging holes.

 

[Unsainty79]

So much will occur in this off season. Part of the reason why we've left a few spots open. Clubs will be looking at doing whatever they can to extend their big names beyond 2026 to stop the Bears for 2027. I would imagine there is going to be a few good quality, second from the top players on the move this off season.

The Hroti one is interesting, appears we went in at the last minute - perhaps an Anderson recommendation. Gives credence to Flanagan's comments about wanting another outside back.

Klemmer has done well & Guler has improved from the start of the year but we definitely need another quality middle - T Couchman and Stewart were great this year, but they are young, played out of position and played massive minutes & Flanagan has alluded to them having played way too much. I thought Egan looked great, but wouldn't imagine he's back until round 4-5.

KF & LKT are both runners, they look their most dangerous with the ball at second receiver or in second phase and Flanagan is a very good defender. I think KF probably makes our best 17 even if he's not in the halves.

One of the things I think is interesting is that Liddle has been our biggest attacking weapon this year, but has played limited minutes. I think the reason he's been so dangerous is because Flanagan has used him this way. I would think 9, 13 & 14 will be shared by Cook, Liddle, Flanagan and Stewart (lock only) next year.

 

[JubileeJeffro]

Not fussed...

We don’t need another journeyman

 

[Slippery Morris]

Not fussed about Hiroti but glad to see Saints are making some moves.

 

[Murfy]

Pete Badel has reported that we are after Jayden Campbell from Nov 1 thinking he can ignite our backline.

Titans have tabled him a 4.5mil over 5 year extension but he has out of extension talks to see what happens with Hasler etc.

Also says that his preference is to stay on the coast due to family ties but a big offer could potentially pry him away.

 

[TheRev]

Pete Badel has reported that we are after Jayden Campbell from Nov 1 thinking he can ignite our backline.

Titans have tabled him a 4.5mil over 5 year extension but he has out of extension talks to see what happens with Hasler etc.

Also says that his preference is to stay on the coast due to family ties but a big offer could potentially pry him away.

love it.. we need a quality backline player who is 1st grade ready.. but how the absolute f*** can the titans offer him 900k per year when they already have Kini & AJ signed up longterm and Tino/Fifita/RCG and so forth on their books?

And supposedly after a halfback.. I just dont get it.. sounds like we got buckleys but atleast were trying.. already has 900k on the table ffs.

 

[Murfy]

love it.. we need a quality backline player who is 1st grade ready.. but how the absolute f*** can the titans offer him 900k per year when they already have Kini & AJ signed up longterm and Tino/Fifita/RCG and so forth on their books?

And supposedly after a halfback.. I just dont get it.. sounds like we got buckleys but atleast were trying.. already has 900k on the table ffs.

Rumours are that Fifita will be leaving this off-season and who knows what will happen with Tino. Apparently JC is already on 700k at the titans and extension goes from 800k-1mil over the 4 years.

 

[TheRev]

Question is whether Campbell has permission to talk to clubs early.. I mean were talking about wanting him from Nov 1, but afaik we cant even talk to him until Nov 1... at which point maybe the titans offload fifita and do have cash to lodge a contract.

This also must assume they are no longer looking for a 7 from external because they cant keep AJ, him and Kini on big coin as well as buy a 7.. thats how they got into this mess, too many halfbacks and too many props.

 

[Dribble&Yarn]

Question is whether Campbell has permission to talk to clubs early.. I mean were talking about wanting him from Nov 1, but afaik we cant even talk to him until Nov 1... at which point maybe the titans offload fifita and do have cash to lodge a contract.

This also must assume they are no longer looking for a 7 from external because they cant keep AJ, him and Kini on big coin as well as buy a 7.. thats how they got into this mess, too many halfbacks and too many props.

Campbell is their 7 - they surely don’t want to get rid, our only chance is if he wants out. They’ll go Kini 1 Brimmo 6 JC 7…in saying that it depends on their coach situation

 

[SAP58]

must really love it in reserve grade, better than digging holes.

That shows we are active in the market, not upset but If the gummies had to pay a little more to keep him I'm happy with that