Recruitment and retention

[Red]

I find it strange that we were in for Stefano. However, I know we were and we went hard.

I wouldn’t rule out a cheeky offer.

And I will say that’s just me putting 2 and 2 together. I have no itk status whatsoever.

I thought we pulled out of the race to sign him very early.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

I thought we pulled out of the race to sign him very early.

Not sure, I do know we were the highest bid. The fact we went in, in the first place, suggests he wants a prop.

 

[Equaliser]

Not sure, I do know we were the highest bid. The fact we went in, in the first place, suggests he wants a prop.

I look at it like middle forwards, edge forwards and hookers. Next years middle forwards look like being:

• Flegler
• Kenny B
• Gilbert
• Plath
• Kerr
• Kaufusi
• Nicholls
• Hubner
• Keeley (might be a edge forward)

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

I look at it like middle forwards, edge forwards and hookers. Next years middle forwards look like being:

• Flegler
• Kenny B
• Gilbert
• Plath
• Kerr
• Kaufusi
• Nicholls
• Hubner
• Keeley (might be a edge forward)

True, and so do I. I think I mentioned in a post elsewhere.

However, RCG 31, with the Eels paying part of his salary. Could be a bargain signing.

 

[Equaliser]

True, and so do I. I think I mentioned in a post elsewhere.

However, RCG 31, with the Eels paying part of his salary. Could be a bargain signing.

Would be good but I don't think he'd be a priority.

 

[Red]

DOLPHINS LOCK DOWN NIKORIMA​

Incoming Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has locked down his playmaking spine after reborn five-eighth Kodi Nikorima inked a contract extension to remain at Redcliffe. In the lead-up to his 200th NRL match against the Bulldogs in Bundaberg on Saturday, Nikorima has agreed to a new two-year contract with the Dolphins.

The deal will keep the former Broncos playmaker at the Dolphins until at least the end of the 2026 NRL season. Nikorima, 30, has resurrected his NRL career at Redcliffe as a foundation Dolphins signing following some turbulent seasons at the Warriors and Rabbitohs after he left Brisbane midway through 2019.

---

This is good. He's not the best 5/8 in the competition but very far from the worst and it gives us ample time to lock down a long-term partner for Katoa.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

DOLPHINS LOCK DOWN NIKORIMA​

Incoming Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has locked down his playmaking spine after reborn five-eighth Kodi Nikorima inked a contract extension to remain at Redcliffe. In the lead-up to his 200th NRL match against the Bulldogs in Bundaberg on Saturday, Nikorima has agreed to a new two-year contract with the Dolphins.

The deal will keep the former Broncos playmaker at the Dolphins until at least the end of the 2026 NRL season. Nikorima, 30, has resurrected his NRL career at Redcliffe as a foundation Dolphins signing following some turbulent seasons at the Warriors and Rabbitohs after he left Brisbane midway through 2019.

---

This is good. He's not the best 5/8 in the competition but very far from the worst and it gives us ample time to lock down a long-term partner for Katoa.

Good post, well said

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Kodi, is a win win signing. No brainer if you will.

He will play 6, if we sign a marquee 6 at any stage, he can play 14. He is such an easy player to have in a squad both in versatility and ability.

 

[Josh]

Kodi, is a win win signing. No brainer if you will.

He will play 6, if we sign a marquee 6 at any stage, he can play 14. He is such an easy player to have in a squad both in versatility and ability.

Have to find a young one not ready for NRL now. In 2 years from now, Kotoa will be a senior playmaker.

 

[Equaliser]

Does anyone believe this? Unless he was coming to play hooker for a year before retirement, I can't believe it at all.

---

The Dolphins reached out to St George Illawarra to inquire about the potential availability of Dragons skipper Ben Hunt. The Dolphins have been in the market for a halves partner for boom youngster Isaiya Katoa. They tried to sign Englishman Lewis Dodd, but he opted to join departing coach Wayne Bennett at South Sydney for the 2025 season. Then the Dolphins heavily pursued Parramatta youngster Blaize Talagi before he signed with premiers Penrith. Hunt was the latest player on their radar.

 

[Dolph]

Does anyone believe this? Unless he was coming to play hooker for a year before retirement, I can't believe it at all.

---

The Dolphins reached out to St George Illawarra to inquire about the potential availability of Dragons skipper Ben Hunt. The Dolphins have been in the market for a halves partner for boom youngster Isaiya Katoa. They tried to sign Englishman Lewis Dodd, but he opted to join departing coach Wayne Bennett at South Sydney for the 2025 season. Then the Dolphins heavily pursued Parramatta youngster Blaize Talagi before he signed with premiers Penrith. Hunt was the latest player on their radar.

Don't believe it.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Does anyone believe this? Unless he was coming to play hooker for a year before retirement, I can't believe it at all.

---

The Dolphins reached out to St George Illawarra to inquire about the potential availability of Dragons skipper Ben Hunt. The Dolphins have been in the market for a halves partner for boom youngster Isaiya Katoa. They tried to sign Englishman Lewis Dodd, but he opted to join departing coach Wayne Bennett at South Sydney for the 2025 season. Then the Dolphins heavily pursued Parramatta youngster Blaize Talagi before he signed with premiers Penrith. Hunt was the latest player on their radar.

I dont, however, Hunt wants out and back to QLD, on a big contract, and I reckon the Dragons would pay a lot of the bill.

As an exDragon, he gets a lot of stick and blame for their poor form. However, when you're a half behind a powder puff pack, their isnt much you can do. Whilst he isnt worth the 1mil plus he is on at the dragons, if we could award him a home coming at a cheap rate, I would be on board. He isnt the half the dragons thought, he is a great hooker, so I think he offers a bit of versatility there. Katoa could slip into 5/8th. while he runs the side. When you look at the Dragons side Hunt has had to steer around, I am not sure what more they wanted him to do, and as a result he is the victim of trying too hard and gambling too much.

All that being said, I don't think he is a marquee half in that respect. I would prefer a big name 5/8th to keep Katoa where he is. However, we need a big name kill in relation to our club as a whole.

I'd be paying him 7/800k at the most, and I don't think he would come for that.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

​

​

Sport Confidential: Dolphins’ audacious bid to poach Ben Hunt from St George Illawarra Dragons​

Michael Carayannis and Travis Meyn

The Dolphins reached out to St George Illawarra to inquire about the potential availability of Dragons skipper Ben Hunt.

The Dolphins have been in the market for a halves partner for boom youngster Isaiya Katoa. They tried to sign Englishman Lewis Dodd, but he opted to join departing coach Wayne Bennett at South Sydney for the 2025 season.

Then the Dolphins heavily pursued Parramatta youngster Blaize Talagi before he signed with premiers Penrith.
Hunt was the latest player on their radar.

But for now the Dragons have made it clear Hunt is not for sale.

They were quick to dismiss the approach and made it clear they have no intention of releasing Hunt from the final 12 months of his deal.

Just last season he had a host of Queensland clubs chasing his services. There was the potential for a short stint at his former club, Brisbane, before a longer-term deal with the Gold Coast.

None of those options eventuated as the Dragons stood firm. Hunt and the Dragons have decided to park any potential contract talks until the end of the season.

Hunt remains contracted until the end of 2025 and will become a free agent on November 1. The Dragons have not ruled out giving their skipper an extension but those talks will start at the end of St George Illawarra’s premiership campaign.

Hunt, who has played 330 NRL games, said he was uncertain if he wanted to play on during a wide-ranging interview on Fox League’s Face to Face with Jake Duke this week.

“To be honest I’m still on the fence about it, and not on the fence with the club and whether I want to leave or not,” Hunt said.

“It’s more about my future and how much longer I’ve got left in this game. I’m 34 now and have played a hell of a lot of footy.

“While I’m still enjoying my footy it’s not getting easier, I don’t want to rush into anything.”

The Dolphins re-signed the rejuvenated Kodi Nikorima until the end of 2026. Fellow veteran Anthony Milford is expected to move on at the end of the season.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Thats the article for you all. By Michael Carayannis.

FYI he is a Dragons fan. And his mail on the Dragons is ok.

As an aside, that would make this believable. Hooper said on NRL 360 last night, the Dragons were in the hunt to lure Gutho away from Parra as a half. Which would mean, we could get the Dragons to pay part of the contract by taking hunt off their hands allowing them a passage for Gutho.

 

[Equaliser]

Thats the article for you all. By Michael Carayannis.

FYI he is a Dragons fan. And his mail on the Dragons is ok.

As an aside, that would make this believable. Hooper said on NRL 360 last night, the Dragons were in the hunt to lure Gutho away from Parra as a half. Which would mean, we could get the Dragons to pay part of the contract by taking hunt off their hands allowing them a passage for Gutho.

Would the Dragons pay any of his salary? I doubt it.

 

[mr_c]

if its a col davis player , who is his agent i belive it hes one the best in the game hes was aikien and has a few others in the club i can see it happening

i would suggest he has major clauses in contract and i can bet we wouldnt be paying much ifnot none / dependant on clauses

i reckon they wont have enough coin for whaat he wamts for his last year at drags

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Would the Dragons pay any of his salary? I doubt it.

Depends on the contract and whether they got gutho.

It ends in 2025, if he was released at the end of this year, and the dragons wanted gutho for next year. Maybe.

You are probably right. Highly unlikely.

 

[Chris]

Depends on the contract and whether they got gutho.

It ends in 2025, if he was released at the end of this year, and the dragons wanted gutho for next year. Maybe.

You are probably right. Highly unlikely.

I guess Hunt is putting it out there himself as his time is coming to an end and he wants to win a premiership. I just don't know where he would fit into our team. He's not replacing Katoa. I guess he could split 80min with JMK but would he be content with that? Would JMK be content with that?

 

[mr_c]

if its a col davis player , who is his agent i belive it hes one the best in the game hes was aikien and has a few others in the club i can see it happening

i would suggest he has major clauses in contract and i can bet we wouldnt be paying much ifnot none / dependent on clauses

I guess Hunt is putting it out there himself as his time is coming to an end and he wants to win a premiership. I just don't know where he would fit into our team. He's not replacing Katoa. I guess he could split 80min with JMK but would he be content with that? Would JMK be content with that?

He be 6 and kodi 14 especially with fact not many hooker back up options

 

[mr_c]

Not to mention keeping momentum up when jmk has a break