Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Quick question for you all. It's pretty well known we are pretty lean in the 2nd row, no doubt Richo and Benji will be doing some shopping for 2026, who realistically do you all think we should be looking at to bolster our 2nd row ?
 

“Tallyn (Da Silva), Luke Laulilii, Lachy Galvin, they all came back this pre-season in incredible shape, so I’m expecting big years from them as well.
Looking forward to see how TDS goes in R1. I think the WTs have developed him well. They didn’t throw him in too early (recruited Api). I’d like to see him play more mins in NRL this year.
I don’t think Luke Laulilii will make the NRL in the first couple of rounds (might be wrong) but I think he will be the next in... if there are injuries or reshuffles in the wing/ centres
 
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Quick question for you all. It's pretty well known we are pretty lean in the 2nd row, no doubt Richo and Benji will be doing some shopping for 2026, who realistically do you all think we should be looking at to bolster our 2nd row ?
We have some development options in our own back yard that we need to be mindful of. But, if we are shopping, I would be considering two players coming in. One an experienced ready to go NRL player and the second an emerging player ready to enter FG. No players over 25 would be on my list so that we can build towards a stable tilt at the premiership. I have a narrowed it down to a short list of four:

Kai Pierce-Paul
  • Exceptional athleticism for a forward, with impressive height and reach.
  • Versatile, able to play in both the second row and center positions (no need to carry a back on the bench).
  • International and NRL Experience.
  • Do we have the cap space?
Egan Butcher
  • Powerful ball-runner with good line-breaking ability.
  • Reliable defender with a high work rate and physicality.
  • Strong experience, coming from a competitive Roosters system.
  • Injury history raises concerns about durability.
Mavrik Geyer
  • Aggressive and fearless playing style, reflecting his pedigree and potential.
  • Solid defensive technique and a high motor.
  • Youthful and mouldable, with the potential to grow into a key player.
  • Limited top-level experience, but well developed in the Penrith reserve-grade system.
Simi Sasagi
  • Highly versatile, capable of playing in the back row and as a utility in the backline.
  • Creative attacking skills, including the ability to offload and break the line.
  • Young and full of potential.
  • Defensive consistency is an issue, particularly against more physical opponents, but is likely to improve with expereince and age.
 
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Quick question for you all. It's pretty well known we are pretty lean in the 2nd row, no doubt Richo and Benji will be doing some shopping for 2026, who realistically do you all think we should be looking at to bolster our 2nd row ?
we're going to have to get crafty with who we pursue. we don't really have too much cash to throw around and we need to be mindful that we don't block the path of Pheonix Godinet.

I've banged on about Simi Sasagi a few times and he's a guy that we could easily put in jersey 17 and give 30-35 minutes and he could swing momentum. he has flair and tackle breaking ability that Seyfarth simply doesn't have, and if we want a bit of contrast to what he brings then I'd be looking there, but there is work to do defensively.

Dylan Egan is a Liam Martin clone, but that's probably why Flanagan won't want to let him go. that said, there's a lot of good young backrowers at the Dragons and its an option given he's off contract at the end of the year.

I can't take credit but I absolutely love @gregjm87's Oryn Keeley shout. he'd be a great buy. @Jolls' Mav Geyer shout isn't a bad one either.
 
We have some development options in our own back yard that we need to be mindful of. But, if we are shopping, I would be considering two players coming in. One an experienced ready to go NRL player and the second an emerging player ready to enter FG. No players over 25 would be on my list so that we can build towards a stable tilt at the premiership. I have a narrowed it down to a short list of four:

Kai Pierce-Paul
  • Exceptional athleticism for a forward, with impressive height and reach.
  • Versatile, able to play in both the second row and center positions (no need to carry a back on the bench).
  • International and NRL Experience.
  • Do we have the cap space?
Egan Butcher
  • Powerful ball-runner with good line-breaking ability.
  • Reliable defender with a high work rate and physicality.
  • Strong experience, coming from a competitive Roosters system.
  • Injury history raises concerns about durability.
Mavrik Geyer
  • Aggressive and fearless playing style, reflecting his pedigree and potential.
  • Solid defensive technique and a high motor.
  • Youthful and mouldable, with the potential to grow into a key player.
  • Limited top-level experience, but well developed in the Penrith reserve-grade system.
Simi Sasagi
  • Highly versatile, capable of playing in the back row and as a utility in the backline.
  • Creative attacking skills, including the ability to offload and break the line.
  • Young and full of potential.
  • Defensive consistency is an issue, particularly against more physical opponents, but is likely to improve with expereince and age.
Like the possible targets @Jolls . I agree that we need an experienced backrower to provide depth in that position & become another forward leader for the squad with the likes of Godinet, Duncombe, Taotua & Broederlow emerging in a couple of years. I've heard Egan Butcher is close to resigning with the Rorters. The other I would add to this list who would add so much to our squad is Ethan Bullemore, except for the fact he is managed by Isaac Moses.
 
We have some development options in our own back yard that we need to be mindful of. But, if we are shopping, I would be considering two players coming in. One an experienced ready to go NRL player and the second an emerging player ready to enter FG. No players over 25 would be on my list so that we can build towards a stable tilt at the premiership. I have a narrowed it down to a short list of four:

Kai Pierce-Paul
  • Exceptional athleticism for a forward, with impressive height and reach.
  • Versatile, able to play in both the second row and center positions (no need to carry a back on the bench).
  • International and NRL Experience.
  • Do we have the cap space?
Egan Butcher
  • Powerful ball-runner with good line-breaking ability.
  • Reliable defender with a high work rate and physicality.
  • Strong experience, coming from a competitive Roosters system.
  • Injury history raises concerns about durability.
Mavrik Geyer
  • Aggressive and fearless playing style, reflecting his pedigree and potential.
  • Solid defensive technique and a high motor.
  • Youthful and mouldable, with the potential to grow into a key player.
  • Limited top-level experience, but well developed in the Penrith reserve-grade system.
Simi Sasagi
  • Highly versatile, capable of playing in the back row and as a utility in the backline.
  • Creative attacking skills, including the ability to offload and break the line.
  • Young and full of potential.
  • Defensive consistency is an issue, particularly against more physical opponents, but is likely to improve with expereince and age.
Think you'll find Butcher just re-signed with the Feather dusters.
 
Thats true but had Savage not been in the chase any one of the other 4 chasers would have caught him.
Thats my point,,seems too slow to play outside backs any more,whomever is or isnt hasing him
No Longer an option
Big unit..maybe bulk up a bit more(looks massive already)and set him loose in the back row....KOE first!!
 
Like the possible targets @Jolls . I agree that we need an experienced backrower to provide depth in that position & become another forward leader for the squad with the likes of Godinet, Duncombe, Taotua & Broederlow emerging in a couple of years. I've heard Egan Butcher is close to resigning with the Rorters. The other I would add to this list who would add so much to our squad is Ethan Bullemore, except for the fact he is managed by Isaac Moses.
Bullimore would be really handy, reliable first grader not afraid to roll his sleeves up and get into the trenches.
 
A bit over the daily puff pieces in the media. There should be a media blackout (apart from the essentials) until they are winning more than they are losing. There has been 5 separate articles in the last week. Ive seen one on the Dolphins 2 on the Dragons.
 
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we're going to have to get crafty with who we pursue. we don't really have too much cash to throw around and we need to be mindful that we don't block the path of Pheonix Godinet.

I've banged on about Simi Sasagi a few times and he's a guy that we could easily put in jersey 17 and give 30-35 minutes and he could swing momentum. he has flair and tackle breaking ability that Seyfarth simply doesn't have, and if we want a bit of contrast to what he brings then I'd be looking there, but there is work to do defensively.

Dylan Egan is a Liam Martin clone, but that's probably why Flanagan won't want to let him go. that said, there's a lot of good young backrowers at the Dragons and its an option given he's off contract at the end of the year.

I can't take credit but I absolutely love @gregjm87's Oryn Keeley shout. he'd be a great buy. @Jolls' Mav Geyer shout isn't a bad one either.
How goods the name,; Oryn Keeley

Sounds like it's out of a Tolkien book
 
we're going to have to get crafty with who we pursue. we don't really have too much cash to throw around and we need to be mindful that we don't block the path of Pheonix Godinet.

I've banged on about Simi Sasagi a few times and he's a guy that we could easily put in jersey 17 and give 30-35 minutes and he could swing momentum. he has flair and tackle breaking ability that Seyfarth simply doesn't have, and if we want a bit of contrast to what he brings then I'd be looking there, but there is work to do defensively.

Dylan Egan is a Liam Martin clone, but that's probably why Flanagan won't want to let him go. that said, there's a lot of good young backrowers at the Dragons and its an option given he's off contract at the end of the year.

I can't take credit but I absolutely love @gregjm87's Oryn Keeley shout. he'd be a great buy. @Jolls' Mav Geyer shout isn't a bad one either.
Would think Simi Sasagi a chance of a release if we were interested. Canberra pretty stacked with backrowers. Even Horsburgh might find himself there this year based on his body transformation this off season. I would be keen for us to go after Sasagi or Hosking from Canberra. Egan would be a great option too.
 
We have some development options in our own back yard that we need to be mindful of. But, if we are shopping, I would be considering two players coming in. One an experienced ready to go NRL player and the second an emerging player ready to enter FG. No players over 25 would be on my list so that we can build towards a stable tilt at the premiership. I have a narrowed it down to a short list of four:

Kai Pierce-Paul
  • Exceptional athleticism for a forward, with impressive height and reach.
  • Versatile, able to play in both the second row and center positions (no need to carry a back on the bench).
  • International and NRL Experience.
  • Do we have the cap space?
Egan Butcher
  • Powerful ball-runner with good line-breaking ability.
  • Reliable defender with a high work rate and physicality.
  • Strong experience, coming from a competitive Roosters system.
  • Injury history raises concerns about durability.
Mavrik Geyer
  • Aggressive and fearless playing style, reflecting his pedigree and potential.
  • Solid defensive technique and a high motor.
  • Youthful and mouldable, with the potential to grow into a key player.
  • Limited top-level experience, but well developed in the Penrith reserve-grade system.
Simi Sasagi
  • Highly versatile, capable of playing in the back row and as a utility in the backline.
  • Creative attacking skills, including the ability to offload and break the line.
  • Young and full of potential.
  • Defensive consistency is an issue, particularly against more physical opponents, but is likely to improve with expereince and age.
Great summary Jolls some good options in that list.
 
And is if I care. Show us results. But enjoy the fluff. The fantasy. Whilst it lasts. Main thing is Latus thighs are doing well. Made my summer. Tough life. Imagine if those thighs weren't fit. How would he be able to run from those fires in LA?
 
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