Rugby league agent Mat Rogers has offered a critical view of the current situation at the Dragons, particularly regarding young player Loko Pasifiki Tonga, who has sought to explore opportunities with rival clubs. At 20 years old, Tonga is associated with Rogers Sports Management, although not directly represented by Rogers himself. Despite playing ten matches last season for the Dragons, he has yet to feature in first-grade games this year.
Rogers believes the club’s management views Tonga as “not up to scratch” and asserts that the player feels neglected in his development. The agent praised Tonga’s talent, noting that he had a strong off-season and made a significant return to the NSW Cup, running for 250 metres and scoring a try in his recent match. However, Rogers feels there is a lack of proper coaching and guidance for Tonga, leading to the player’s frustration. “He’s totally flabbergasted by how he’s been treated,” Rogers remarked, emphasising that the young athlete is uncertain about his future and is unsure of how to proceed from here.
The current dissatisfaction is echoed by Jaydn Su’A, another player who recently decided against activating his player option for next season. Rogers highlights that Tonga is eager for a chance to demonstrate his capabilities but feels deprived of adequate direction from the Dragons’ coaching staff.
If Tonga is permitted to leave, Rogers believes he will attract interest from other clubs, especially given his recent performance in the NSW Cup, where he has scored two tries in just three matches. As the Dragons strive to improve their standings—currently tied for first place in the NSW Cup alongside the Knights—it remains uncertain whether they will release Tonga, who is yearning for more opportunities.
In summary, Rogers’ assessment paints a troubling picture of Tonga’s situation within the Dragons, with implications of mismanagement and unfulfilled potential, hinting at broader issues within the club’s support structure for emerging talents.