The Rumours Thread

[AyiosYiorgos]

I get half way thru the article and it stops. Any chance to copy in here?

Setu Tu and David Fale have impressed Dragons coach Shane Flanagan during their first pre-season with the club, with the new recruits poised to claim starting positions in Sin City debut.
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has laid down the challenge to some of his experienced players after declaring he is set to unleash two rookie wingers for their opening clash in Las Vegas.
Flanagan has been left impressed by new recruits – David Fale from Penrith and ex-Warriors flyer Setu Tu.

The pair have the inside running to start against the Bulldogs ahead of the more experienced Tyrell Sloan, Christian Tuipulotu and Mat Feagai.

“They have the jump on the others at the moment,” Flanagan said.

“Setu brings a bit of energy and is bouncing around and hard to tackle. David is really good in the air, athletic and something we haven’t had.
“(CT) Tuipulotu is a powerful winger at the back of the field and Sloan is fast. It gives us some options on the wing. It is going to be hard-fought.”
Fale and Tu – while inexperienced in terms of their NRL careers – they have played plenty of reserve grade in recent seasons.

Fale, 25, made his NRL debut for the Panthers in round 26 last year and has been a constant in their reserve grade team in recent years while Tu is 27 and has spent plenty of time playing NSW Cup for the Warriors.

TIME EXTENSION​

Flanagan is now about to enter this third year in charge of the Dragons. He has a contract extension already done and said the side were better placed heading into this season.
“I don’t know how to compare it back but this pre-season we’re a lot more advanced of where we were and we need to be,” Flanagan said.
“Coaching a lot of those boys for 12 months we can start at another level instead of going back to basics. We are ahead and touch wood, no injuries.”

STANDOUTS​

Once again co-captain Clint Gutherson has been among the best at the club. But he has not been the only experienced face to impress.
“Gutho has been leading the conditioning side of stuff,” Flanagan said.
“He just wins everything. Someone of his age it’s just amazing. He just throws everything at it.
“Josh Kerr has been good – he left a boy and has come back a man. So he has been really good from a middle forward and leadership position.”

TRANSFORMATION​

Luciano Leilua was read the riot act at the end of last season: Get yourself into shape or face being moved on. He has lost about 10 kilograms as he looks to earn himself a new contract.
“He is looking amazing,” Flanagan said. “He has taken upon himself to change his body composition and worked really hard. He is showing the benefits.

“He is not winning stuff at training but he is not at the back where he used to be. He is moving better. He needs to be congratulated on what he has done with himself.”

CHANGE OF STYLE​

Flanagan hopes his side can play with a bit more free spirit this year with the football.
“We were conservative last year,” Flanagan said.
“This year we will chance our arm a little bit more. We talk about risk but you have to practice risk. The more skills you have the higher risks you can take
“We will continue to do that. We aren’t going to be flamboyant and waste possession.
“I’m more of a defensive oriented coach and would rather defend our way to leads. I have to bite my tongue a bit sometimes with other coaches.”
The End..

 

[Stewartliddle]

We are discussing Bula over on our forum.

The general consensus is that you’d be expected to pay more than you’d want to at the moment.

DA is critically interested in defence and Bulas general stats are not quite where they should be.

But against that, his defence has been steadily improving and he is in the goldilocks zone for upwards physical and mental development for a strike fullback.

I think any deal would need to be 3 years, but he wouldn’t be too difficult to offload if he doesn’t perform.

He arrives with the baggage of Moses and playing for Flanno means adjusting to serious expectations and fierce pressure he simply wouldn’t be used to.

We’ve just bought Penriths second best junior player as an insurance ( fullback) and we have truckloads of young players for fullback.

If he keeps insisting on his ridiculous demands, neither of us will want him!

We absolutely want to keep him, he’s a very good player, but he’s got to be realistic.

He doesn’t have any bad humour about him except he’s got Satan for an agent.

Anyway, the way our luck is, I’m sure both clubs find a way to make the worst decision!

Moses is Flannos manager aswell might have to change our name to the St George Illawarra Devil's if he signs

 

[Stewartliddle]

It says Moses and Flanno have a great professional relationship and he managed him for years but Shane sorted out his extension without Moses help. St George Illawarra Devil's does have a ring to it though..

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Moses is Flannos manager aswell might have to change our name to the St George Illawarra Devil's if he signs

I think DA and Flanno have looked at the tapes and think they can improve his defence. A bit of X factor in his game too.

But this 900k business he wants, that’s elite money usually reserved for the established marquee.

Its only 10% less than say a Latrell who is uber dominant- but for his behavioural issues and poor discipline, plus can play anywhere in the backs easily and build an attack around as he attracts so many defenders.

Bula has had injuries as well, so scans before he boards any plane to assess the seriousness!

Benji has been more patient in signing him for the big money than expected.

I’ve looked at your contract situation, from what I can tell, very serious rebuild going on and you’re right to be sniffing about to get a bottom line and see if he’s in the zone.

He’s not a young Dylan Edwards or Tedesco.

An interesting scenario.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

I think DA and Flanno have looked at the tapes and think they can improve his defence. A bit of X factor in his game too.

But this 900k business he wants, that’s elite money usually reserved for the established marquee.

Its only 10% less than say a Latrell who is uber dominant- but for his behavioural issues and poor discipline, plus can play anywhere in the backs easily and build an attack around as he attracts so many defenders.

Bula has had injuries as well, so scans before he boards any plane to assess the seriousness!

Benji has been more patient in signing him for the big money than expected.

I’ve looked at your contract situation, from what I can tell, very serious rebuild going on and you’re right to be sniffing about to get a bottom line and see if he’s in the zone.

He’s not a young Dylan Edwards or Tedesco.

An interesting scenario.

Yeah does appear more like a FB such as the “Hammer” but we will all see very soon where he is at in the trials

 

[Gareth67]

If we do this, then have a plan to bring in our young wingers to assist with ball return; Gutho to sometimes pass the ball to one of them after fielding the high ball.

Your idea certainly has merit poss. I am sure that is exactly what Flanagan has in mind also , get the young speedsters to take the load of Gutherson and by so doing putting the defence on the back foot .

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Yeah does appear more like a FB such as the “Hammer” but we will all see very soon where he is at in the trials

Flanno is managed by Moses as well, so there’s a Bula connect that might give you the upper hand.

It’s not like anyone has to say anything, there would be an existing quiet understanding as offers flood in.

Bula could well accept unders for SGI to keep Flanno happy. Benji has a well known hatred for Moses and so far as I know, isn’t too keen on his clients.

So what Moses misses with Bulas % cut he can make up with Shane’s fee or some juggling elsewhere.

It’s all smoke and mirrors!!

 

[blue bags]

https://archive.md/m9sP0

Interesting read. Love the bit about Luc been read the right act

riot Act ?
right Act ?

 

[Flinstone]

Hewi
Why didnt coaching staff put a rocket up luc during the season and get him fit? Why not extra laps of the oval we all commented how unfit he looked during matches

because he's coming off contract, he's now playing for his next contract.
Good to see he wants to do something about it though.

As for the wingers starting in Vegas, well the trials will be their chance impress.

 

[getsmarty]

Parramatta set asking price for Lomax release

The Parramatta Eels are reportedly weighing up releasing Zac Lomax from the condition where he can't play for another NRL club until the end of 2028, but want a player in return. Lomax was released by Parramatta at the end of 2025 to seek opportunities in a rival code.

au.sports.yahoo.com

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Parramatta set asking price for Lomax release

The Parramatta Eels are reportedly weighing up releasing Zac Lomax from the condition where he can't play for another NRL club until the end of 2028, but want a player in return. Lomax was released by Parramatta at the end of 2025 to seek opportunities in a rival code.

au.sports.yahoo.com

The bears or PNG would suit.

f him.

 

[denis preston]

Hewi
Why didnt coaching staff put a rocket up luc during the season and get him fit? Why not extra laps of the oval we all commented how unfit he looked during matches

You wonder what KPIs the fitness staff were judged on don’t you? hopefully we are under a more professional system As heads should have rolled regarding Lucs condition last season

 

[possm]

You wonder what KPIs the fitness staff were judged on don’t you? hopefully we are under a more professional system As heads should have rolled regarding Lucs condition last season

I wonder if we can ask the same of Parramatta?

 

[Old Timer]

because he's coming off contract, he's now playing for his next contract.
Good to see he wants to do something about it though.

As for the wingers starting in Vegas, well the trials will be their chance impress.

Your missing the point

The coaching staff let him play 1st grade whilst being severely out of condition.

What sort of example does that set?

You say good on him for doing now I say f**k you you lazy piece of shit you owe us a year at no charge.

 

[possm]

Your missing the point

The coaching staff let him play 1st grade whilst being severely out of condition.

What sort of example does that set?

You say good on him for doing now I say f**k you you lazy piece of shit you owe us a year at no charge.

You're right! The coaching staff and the conditioning staff should be held accountable. This should never be allowed to happen.

 

[Gareth67]

The bears or PNG would suit.

f him.

No , Silverdale , Meninga would not put up with his crap .

 

[Flinstone]

Your missing the point

The coaching staff let him play 1st grade whilst being severely out of condition.

What sort of example does that set?

You say good on him for doing now I say f**k you you lazy piece of shit you owe us a year at no charge.

Yeah Luc and Lawrie were out of shape but with the amount of injuries in 25 they were forced to keep playing them, was there anyone better left to bring up from NSW cup.

I'm sure he's not the only one that owes a year at no charge.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

No , Silverdale , Meninga would not put up with his crap .

It would be ironic if the only offer came from the dragons.

You should offer up a fringie to embarrass Zac.

Illias would have been ideal if you hadn’t spat him out.

Players lose form, but geez he dropped his load that kid. Flanno was very upset ..inconsolable.

 

[blue bags]

The bears or PNG would suit.

f him.

looks like Storm

 

[Gareth67]

It would be ironic if the only offer came from the dragons.

You should offer up a fringie to embarrass Zac.

Illias would have been ideal if you hadn’t spat him out.

Players lose form, but geez he dropped his load that kid. Flanno was very upset ..inconsolable.

Yes he did Silverdale, I do recall the odd South’s poster mentioning Illias could go from hot to cold for extended periods. However he is gone and I wish the young man the best .

The less said about Lomax the better , only to say that after unceremoniously dumping 2 consecutive clubs I doubt that he will be able to do the same again . If he tries it at the Storm they may very well export him to New Zealand for life !