NRL NRL 2026 General Recruitment Thread

[Noitall]

BREAKING: St George Illawarra have landed a prized recruitment scalp landing Souths forward Keaon Kolomatangi on a five year, $5 million dollar
deal. The deal will enter the 10 day cooling off period before being announced in the new year by the
Dragons.

 

[Damo]

BREAKING: St George Illawarra have landed a prized recruitment scalp landing Souths forward Keaon Kolomatangi on a five year, $5 million dollar
deal. The deal will enter the 10 day cooling off period before being announced in the new year by the
Dragons.

34 by the end of the deal, think the Dragons will come to regret it.

 

[Noitall]

34 by the end of the deal, think the Dragons will come to regret it.

With him wanting to play prop, it could make a few of their younger guys place uncertain? Someone like Loko Pasifiki Tonga

 

[Wrighty]

BREAKING: St George Illawarra have landed a prized recruitment scalp landing Souths forward Keaon Kolomatangi on a five year, $5 million dollar
deal. The deal will enter the 10 day cooling off period before being announced in the new year by the
Dragons.

2026 begins? or 2027?

 

[Noitall]

2026 begins? or 2027?

2027

 

[Blain]

Dragons desperate for a signing - They have cash so you got to spend it. Probably 10% too much and a year too long, but he is a great player. If he can stay on the park he'll do well for them. They need a couple guns to help bring in the young guys (possibly have some of the best potential young forwards in the comp along with us, Egan, Stewart and Couchman all look NRL quality already).

Their backs are still a mess though.

 

[Noitall]

Sounds like bears have got Jesse Coulqhoun. Apparently nearly $800k per year for 4 years. Salary sounds high if true

 

[Noitall]

Dragons desperate for a signing - They have cash so you got to spend it. Probably 10% too much and a year too long, but he is a great player. If he can stay on the park he'll do well for them. They need a couple guns to help bring in the young guys (possibly have some of the best potential young forwards in the comp along with us, Egan, Stewart and Couchman all look NRL quality already).

Their backs are still a mess though.

Halangahu too. They were keen to throw a big offer Metcalf’s way, but they need Kyle Flanagan to show why he keeps being selected or select someone else

 

[Noitall]

Tino and Haas available for 2027. I think their salary will be ridiculous with what Koloamatangi has pocketed. Haas can chase money because he has his premiership now

 

[Damo]

With him wanting to play prop, it could make a few of their younger guys place uncertain? Someone like Loko Pasifiki Tonga

My recollection was he actually doesn't enjoy the middle and prefers second row, but excels at prop imo.

Souths beast is NRL's form prop but prefers other role

Keaon Koloamatangi is the NRL's form prop, but admits in a perfect world that's not the position he wants to play for South Sydney.Souths' injuries forced Koloamatangi to move from second row this mon...

nit.com.au

 

[Noitall]

My recollection was he actually doesn't enjoy the middle and prefers second row, but excels at prop imo.

Souths beast is NRL's form prop but prefers other role

Keaon Koloamatangi is the NRL's form prop, but admits in a perfect world that's not the position he wants to play for South Sydney.Souths' injuries forced Koloamatangi to move from second row this mon...

nit.com.au

View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQYsPWijzO2/

Na he declared himself a front rower when he hit the market. He mentioned what they were getting paid

 

[Damo]

View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQYsPWijzO2/

Na he declared himself a front rower when he hit the market. He mentioned what they were getting paid

Money talks! Still think he likely prefers the edge though.

 

[Noitall]

Money talks! Still think he likely prefers the edge though.

He plays better as a front rower, these edge forwards often end in the middle with their footwork and sideways movement not as strong as their younger years

 

[Defence]

Sounds like bears have got Jesse Coulqhoun. Apparently nearly $800k per year for 4 years. Salary sounds high if true

That’s definitely overs but that’s the reality of the situation for them- I do rate coulqhoun though- big body and he’s got some football in him. Should be coming into his prime too.

 

[Noitall]

Rabbits refusing to waive the cooling off period for Koloamatangi, wonder if they’ll try to better their offer? 5 year deal and some places say $1.1 million per year and some say $1 million per year at dragons. Would be tough for them with a few decent sized salaries on their roster

 

[Noitall]

• Today at 12:12 PM

• 
  
• #1,927

Heads up gang, code sports looked into their crystal ball and said that knights will unload ponga before the season ends. Possibly a swap deal with dogs for Burton








Came across this on the knights LU forum. Never seems to go away the Ponga speculation, I wonder if media knows something? Seems like knights could really need Dylan Brown and their recruits to be a success for Ponga to be interested again there?

 

[kos]

More speculative crystal ball gazing
Article in News Corp The Australian says the same thing today
But it’s only click bait one story creates another and round and round the mouse trap we go
Who can afford Ponga?
Does he play to his salary
No

 

[Wrighty]

• Today at 12:12 PM
• 
  
• #1,927

Heads up gang, code sports looked into their crystal ball and said that knights will unload ponga before the season ends. Possibly a swap deal with dogs for Burton








Came across this on the knights LU forum. Never seems to go away the Ponga speculation, I wonder if media knows something? Seems like knights could really need Dylan Brown and their recruits to be a success for Ponga to be interested again there?

Why would they take Burton when he is a 6, if he was a 7 I could see the fit as it would allow Brown to slide to his natural 6 position. However this is the Knights I guess we are talking about. No one else would agree to a ten year contract for Dylan Brown. Much worse decision than the cowboys signing Jason Taumalolo for ten years.

 

[Noitall]

Why would they take Burton when he is a 6, if he was a 7 I could see the fit as it would allow Brown to slide to his natural 6 position. However this is the Knights I guess we are talking about. No one else would agree to a ten year contract for Dylan Brown. Much worse decision than the cowboys signing Jason Taumalolo for ten years.

Think with Fletcher Sharpe looking good at fullback that it solves some problems for them. They are lacking in the forwards so how they go early on could determine some decisions they make? Question is would anyone pay what he’s on? Would knights chip in some to put the remainder towards a forward or two? I think the Burton bit is just the media putting their own icing on the cake but I get the feeling Ponga and knights might be willing to part ways?

 

[Wrighty]

Think with Fletcher Sharpe looking good at fullback that it solves some problems for them. They are lacking in the forwards so how they go early on could determine some decisions they make? Question is would anyone pay what he’s on? Would knights chip in some to put the remainder towards a forward or two? I think the Burton bit is just the media putting their own icing on the cake but I get the feeling Ponga and knights might be willing to part ways?

If i was Ponga and his agent i would jump off the good ship HMS Knights for two reasons
1) It sounds like their win ratio isn't going to improve next year even though they will become a potent offence
2) he could use a breath of fresh air and has gone stale there. Needs a challenge.