The Rumours Thread

[Auntie.Gerald]

I think that what I have seen is that Shane Flano has given LKT every single chance to be an equal chance by playing him a huge part of the season early some might say fairly !

He also gave Ilias every chance early one

RE LKT

His defence is well behind Kyle
He has been played young
His kicking game is well behind Kyle
He isnt the organiser of the team (nor should be at his age and limited experience / upside focus areas only)
He doesnt kick at goal and Kyle had to be in the team with no Lomax and no Holmes thhru injury
doesnt appear to have a strong drop kick

Yet he doees have a nice turn of speed of the mark
He does have a nice short pass to gaps
He has a nicely evolving short kicking game
He also seems a very good temperament for his age and coachable

He will be a n equal contender if he can pick up the key areas of NRL footy

Equally Atko if a seriously dominant general fiel kicker in 2026 makes it much easier for the second choice half to be less general field kick game dominant

 

[thebigredv]

His kicking game is well behind Kyle

False.
LKT has started to do a lot more short kicking in recent weeks and clearly has better control over weighting his kicks. Flanagan refuses to grubber and 8 times out of 10 will kick it straight to the chest of the fullback.

Not only that but we all watched a myriad attacking sequences stop dead in its tracks when the ball was passed to Kyle. Usually when the game was on the line. If that was Hunt...

We all appreciate his effort but he is not a first grader and the entire nrl community know it bar one individual who coincidently happens to be his dad and coach.

Dragons always seem to have a quota of at least one inadequate player who continues to get a free ride. Was decent last year but a pure dead weight in 2025.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

False.
LKT has started to do a lot more short kicking in recent weeks and clearly has better control over weighting his kicks. Flanagan refuses to grubber and 8 times out of 10 will kick it straight to the chest of the fullback.

Not only that but we all watched a myriad attacking sequences stop dead in its tracks when the ball was passed to Kyle. Usually when the game was on the line. If that was Hunt...

We all appreciate his effort but he is not a first grader and the entire nrl community know it bar one individual who coincidently happens to be his dad and coach.

Dragons always seem to have a quota of at least one inadequate player who continues to get a free ride. Was decent last year but a pure dead weight in 2025.

lets go line by line

The devlopment pathway for LKT with limitations could not have been more accelrated

that is unfair to say false

unfair to say his weaknesses are miles ahead of where they are

false really ???

plse draw up comparison table matrix and then send to Anasta

This not about Kyle This has been about helping LKT to be serious contender for next year. We dont have many alternatives after Ilias a dud and Atko LKT and Kyle best choices right now for 2026..........unless a miracle recruitment happens

If LKT was shooting the lights out none of these posts exist...........he is evolving and given an evolving game management role......primarily on the left and working with short ball / short kick opportunities and only because we go that way more so for that option as it has been coached and expected. LKT was given more bombs last few weeks and long kicks that were like a smurf kicking........it was pretty bad but it is journey to become better for the team

Our window for 2026 is improvement

Our window for a dshot at the top4 will be 2027

that is when we should be angling for the next best half cause they aint available now

This about what the other halves can do now and in the future to make us a top8 team>Top4 team

 

[Old Timer]

If rumours around Ennis linkinmg up with StGI are accurate then surely Ennis has to give up all his media commitments which I doubt very much he would do.

We are in no position to take on board a "part time" assistant coach in any capacity and Ennis has hardly broken down any doors at Manly with Siebold.

 

[twinkletoes]

I think Old Timer he has committed to becoming a full time assistant and eventually a head coach... and giving up Fox commentary..still not sure he'll come to us and not the Sharks

 

[possm]

False.
LKT has started to do a lot more short kicking in recent weeks and clearly has better control over weighting his kicks. Flanagan refuses to grubber and 8 times out of 10 will kick it straight to the chest of the fullback.

Not only that but we all watched a myriad attacking sequences stop dead in its tracks when the ball was passed to Kyle. Usually when the game was on the line. If that was Hunt...

We all appreciate his effort but he is not a first grader and the entire nrl community know it bar one individual who coincidently happens to be his dad and coach.

Dragons always seem to have a quota of at least one inadequate player who continues to get a free ride. Was decent last year but a pure dead weight in 2025.

Reed will be in our Reserve grade 17 in 2026. I can't wait for him to win the halfback spot in first-grade. At this stage I am leaning toward Atkinson to win the 6 jumper.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Do u think with the added ability of a good goal scorer we may go for Rueben for 2026 ?

It would give us a lot flexibility if injuries strike despite having Holmes and Kyle solid kicks at goal ?

His experience would be helpful and not a bad player 89 tries to date

Whats everyones guess at his age (just turned 28yrs)...... maybe $400k pa ?

Can play wing, FB and or centre

Provides us with lots of depth re positions when injuries strike and we need to function

Chevy and Rueben for Rava and Sione not bad hey ??

Probably even better provides alot of flexibility re letting players go and come to the club if you have Holmes, Rueben, Chevy, Fegai, Sloan that can cover 2/3 positions each

 

[Slippery Morris]

Ennis was part of the Sharks team that won the comp under Shane. I can see why Shane will go for Ennis. I actually like his commentary. He seems to have great knowledge around the game and may be a good fit. Saints will finally have someone from the media that may say nice things about them for a change.

 

[Dragsters]

Ennis was part of the Sharks team that won the comp under Shane. I can see why Shane will go for Ennis. I actually like his commentary. He seems to have great knowledge around the game and may be a good fit. Saints will finally have someone from the media that may say nice things about them for a change.

...and we don't have a Xavier for him to mispronounce his name!

 

[redandwhite4evr]

I'm beginning to think that the real reason Flanno was extended for another two years was almost an apology. More to do with the fact that the marquee half and prop we need are unlikely to arrive any time soon and that Flanno will have to make do with essentially the bits and pieces team he's got now again next year before we can mount a serious attempt at making the eight from 2027or more likely 2028 onwards when hopefully Reed is hitting his straps. We may have a brand new shiny recruiting team with Ando at the helm but they have virtually nothing to work with. We're not going to get Tino- you'd have to think the Perth Mal connection will be too strong both financially and culturally. Nothing about Kerr or Atkinson screams marquee for 2026 and I personally will take great interest in watching the latter playing in the halves if and when he replaces Trindall at 5/8 as tipped. We seem to have bought Atkinson as a half- at least most posters are selecting him to replace Kyle- but of course this is all based on a wing and a prayer as he's had bugger all experience there this season to show he's up to it. Could be another LOOONG year.

 

[Fox 45]

The hard truth is Kyle Flanagan is not a first grader and should not be in the 17 at all. His position is halfback, he's just a poor one. He is not a hooker, and he is most certainly not a 13 or 14. What does he offer as a 14? What variation/speed/impact does he bring from the bench?

I don't think I've seen a less agile spine player ever. He's just got nothing. He tries hard and he deserves recognition for that, but that doesn't qualify you for immediate selection. If Kyle is selected next season in the 17, that is a problem, because he doesn't deserve to be there. He isn't good enough. The way it's currently shaping up for 2026 the obvious best selection would be:

6. LKT
7. Atkinson
9. Cook/Liddle
14. Cook/Liddle

Kyle should not be there, he doesn't fit, simple. If he is there, the nepotism becomes more and more blatant. We all know he'll be at the club next year regardless. Given this, he should be the 6/7 in NSW cup, unless we sign another half or Ilias stays, in which case he should be the NSW cup 9.

I agree totally, why anyone would want young Flanno anywhere in the 17 is beyond me too. Tries hard but just ain’t up to it

 

[thebigredv]

lets go line by line

The devlopment pathway for LKT with limitations could not have been more accelrated

that is unfair to say false

unfair to say his weaknesses are miles ahead of where they are

false really ???

plse draw up comparison table matrix and then send to Anasta

This not about Kyle This has been about helping LKT to be serious contender for next year. We dont have many alternatives after Ilias a dud and Atko LKT and Kyle best choices right now for 2026..........unless a miracle recruitment happens

If LKT was shooting the lights out none of these posts exist...........he is evolving and given an evolving game management role......primarily on the left and working with short ball / short kick opportunities and only because we go that way more so for that option as it has been coached and expected. LKT was given more bombs last few weeks and long kicks that were like a smurf kicking........it was pretty bad but it is journey to become better for the team

Our window for 2026 is improvement

Our window for a dshot at the top4 will be 2027

that is when we should be angling for the next best half cause they aint available now

This about what the other halves can do now and in the future to make us a top8 team>Top4 team

LKT is not killing yet but improving. His kicking game is already better than KF (hence the 'false' remark). His running game too. I hope LKT continues to project upwards and am hopeful but Kyles career has flatlined for 5 years now and, ok he can tackle, but it's an insult to fans that we have persisted with him this long.

PS there was a rumour on facebook that KF was offered to Bears and rejected flatly and the fans are absolutely ripping into the idea. We are a laughing stock and we bring it on ourselves much of the time.

 

[denis preston]

LKT is not killing yet but improving. His kicking game is already better than KF (hence the 'false' remark). His running game too. I hope LKT continues to project upwards and am hopeful but Kyles career has flatlined for 5 years now and, ok he can tackle, but it's an insult to fans that we have persisted with him this long.

PS there was a rumour on facebook that KF was offered to Bears and rejected flatly and the fans are absolutely ripping into the idea. We are a laughing stock and we bring it on ourselves much of the time.

Sooo, because of a shit made up rumour on Facebook, we are a laughing stock? Come on !!

 

[Get2dachopper!]

It’s quite telling when the DCE/Fogarty merry go round was at play, we were not in the mix. Toby Sexton? Can’t deny the dogs form has dipped since Galvin arrived. Did we even enquire?
Now again with Sandon Smith. Are we even in the conversation? All these halves are playing for teams who are well above us on the ladder.
All seems a little too convenient to keep KFlan playing at 7.

 

[Dribble&Yarn]

Do u think with the added ability of a good goal scorer we may go for Rueben for 2026 ?

It would give us a lot flexibility if injuries strike despite having Holmes and Kyle solid kicks at goal ?

His experience would be helpful and not a bad player 89 tries to date

Whats everyones guess at his age (just turned 28yrs)...... maybe $400k pa ?

Can play wing, FB and or centre

Provides us with lots of depth re positions when injuries strike and we need to function

Chevy and Rueben for Rava and Sione not bad hey ??

Probably even better provides alot of flexibility re letting players go and come to the club if you have Holmes, Rueben, Chevy, Fegai, Sloan that can cover 2/3 positions each

there's not a chance Garrick would come for 400k, he would want (and quite frankly is worth atleast 500/550k)

 

[Gardenia]

Yes, Carr has the head coach job at Castleford Tigers starting next season.
Plus he is taking Ravalawa with him.

Taking big Rava - thats pretty good. I hope he can get the best out of him

 

[Dribble&Yarn]

Taking big Rava - thats pretty good. I hope he can get the best out of him

He’ll carve up - his massive deficiencies (aka defending) won’t matter cause there’s no emphasis on it

 

[UDGE]

Unfortunately, 5 don't go into 4.
Hypothetical 1:
7. Atkinson
6. LKT
9. LIDS
14. KFlan
Then what to do with Cook (bench running back replacing Stewart when he's done)?
Hypothetical 2:
7. Atkinson
6. KFlan
9. Cook
14. Lids
LKT to Cup?
Hypothetical 3:
7. Atkinson
6. LKT
9. KFlan
14. Lids
Cook (as above Hypo 1)

A lot (imo) will depend on what happens with Ilias. If he finds another gig then Cup halves will probably be Reed and ?
If he stays then I'm assuming 1 of the above Hypotheticals will be it for '26.

Great post , i think hypo 2 in 26 then hypo 1 in 27 . Hopefully Ilias goes away like he has in all but one of the last six cup games . And hopefully cook retires after next year . If LKT drops back to cup to partner Reed they can work on being our future halves . It would also give LKT a chance to work on fitness and defense , even though he's been playing on pain killing injections it was still a little lacking to say the least. But we still might pick up a better half before 26 starts then this all changes . Just need a little more patience , and why not we've been patient for 15 years now .

 

[Unsainty79]

CFO Marl Sawicki has left the club. Was only there for about 16-17 months.
Interestingly, his LinkedIn profile states one of his key achievements a the club was uncovering $700k in fraudulent transactions.

 

[TheRev]

CFO Marl Sawicki has left the club. Was only there for about 16-17 months.
Interestingly, his LinkedIn profile states one of his key achievements a the club was uncovering $700k in fraudulent transactions.

The changes keep on rolling.. love it... 700k, that's probably a years worth of crown lager for the old boys.. they probably tried to claim it on tax as a sports drink or some such.