MLR Off-Season Update – Dallas Jackals

Dallas fans can expect a very different Jackals side to take the field in 2023. The elusive first-ever win could come very quickly indeed given the class of incoming talent, not to mention the dramatic changes to team leadership. On the communications front, however, there is considerable room for improvement.

New GM Santiago Sodini has brought in an all-Argentine coaching staff. Agustín Cavalieri is the new Head Coach, with Mario Ledesma and Willie Blanco brought in to assist. The Argentine influence doesn’t end there with Spanish set to be the spoken language of the starting lineup.

Tomás Baravalle and Juan Pablo Zeiss add huge experience to the front row, while Jerónimo Gómez Vara is one of the most exciting loose forward prospects in his home country. Pedro Imhoff and Martín Elías will be the new halfback combination with the talented Tomás Malanos an option at center or wing.

Seven players were selected in the Collegiate Draft, headlined by first overall pick Sam Golla. The rights to three former Giltinis were acquired in the Dispersal Draft though to date none have been confirmed as signed by the club. One certain arrival is newly-capped Canadian prop Kyle Steeves, who should find countrymates Liam Murray and Dewald Kotze in Texas.

As for other returning players, details are slim with Alex Tucci the only one publicly signed through 2023. Henry Trinder had been contracted but will not return, with seemingly the entire English contingent now departed. Rumors of Danny Cipriani’s signing have also evaporated with the new management in place.

Mike Matarazzo has left for Chicago, while Asa Carter turned out for Houston’s academy side in the off-season. Carlo de Nysschen is also off to the SaberCats, Cael Hodgson to NOLA, Shawn Clark to the American Raptors, and Tommy Madaras is returning to football in the XFL.

Veramu Dikidikilati and Eric Naposki played for White Plains in the American Rugby Premiership though they should return to the Jackals. Connor Robinson, Matthew Gash-Gilder, and Jack Paloucek turned out for Mystic River. Robinson was recently spotted training with the Free Jacks but will return to Dallas in time for the new season.

Under Contract: Alex Tucci (PR, 2023)

Collegiate Draft: Sam Golla (LO/FL, Cal Berkeley), Nolan Buckley (FL/N8, UMass Lowell), Matías Caramuti (FH, Thomas More), Mazvita Nyamarebvu (CE, Arkansas State), Kyle Fulton (WI, Arizona), Ethan Hager (WI/FB, UVic), Jason Tidwell (FB/FH, Texas A&M)

Dispersal Draft (unconfirmed): Andrew Tuala (LH/HO, LA Giltinis), Langilangi Haupeakui (N8, LA Giltinis), Tom Mitchell (FB, LA Giltinis)

New Signings: Joaquín Horcada (LH, GE Rosario, AR), Tomás Baravalle (HO, Benetton Treviso, IT), Kyle Steeves (TH, Pacific Pride), Juan Pablo Zeiss (TH, Houston SaberCats), Jerónimo Gómez Vara (FL, Jaguares XV, AR), Devereaux Ferris (SH, NOLA Gold), Pedro Imhoff (SH, Duendes, AR), Martín Elías (FH, Atlético del Rosario, AR), Tomás Malanos (CE/WI, Atlético del Rosario, AR), James Vaifale (WI, Utah Warriors), Marcos Moroni (WI/FB, Houston SaberCats)

Departures: Ryan Bower (LH), Todd Gleave (HO, retired), Tommy Madaras (TH, Houston Roughnecks, XFL), Shawn Clark (LO/FL, American Raptors), Mike Matarazzo (LO/FL, Chicago Hounds), Asa Carter (FL), Cian Barry (SH, Tel Aviv Heat, IL), Carlo de Nysschen (SH, Houston SaberCats), Henry Trinder (CE), Cael Hodgson (CE/WI, NOLA Gold), Chris Pennell (FB)