It’s been a difficult 2024 so far for 21-year-old halfback Ronald Volkman who sought an early release from his NRL contract only to fail his medical with another NRL side, rendering him without a club, making him a Super League transfer target.
Volkman had sought a release from his contract with the New Zealand Warriors which the team granted, even though he had two years remaining on the deal.
He then was confirmed as having signed for St George Illawarra Dragons and had even begun training with his would-be teammates when his medical exam reported the need for shoulder surgery.
Since St George hadn’t officially registered the 21-year-old playmaker it meant that they could nullify his contract and cut him, leaving Volkman high and dry without a club weeks from the season launch.
Who is Ronald Volkman?
Ronald Volkman or the Warriors with Eliesa�Katoa of the Storm during the NRL preseason Rugby League match, Warriors V Storm at Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand,19th February 2023. Copyright Photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz – MANDATORY BYLINE/PHOTO CREDIT PhotoSportNZ/SWpix.com 2023 / www.photosport.nz
Volkman is a 21-year-old Australian-born halfback who debuted for Samoa in 2023 during the Pacific Championship clash against New Zealand.
He had been playing his club rugby with New Zealand Warriors who signed him from Sydney Roosters feeder team North Sydney Bears during the 2022 season.
The halfback played just five times in the NRL for New Zealand Warriors but given his international call-up his talent is evident and that has seen teams interested in his signature.
With the Warriors boasting talent such as Kiwi legend Shaun Johnson, Volkman decided to ask for an immediate release from his contract so that he could sign for St George Illawarra Dragons.
The Dragons placed 16th in 2023 and have had a half-back crisis of late and Volkman clearly backed himself to challenge for a role with Shane Flanagan’s side.
Having been announced as signing for the club and even beginning training the results of his medical exam came back revealing the need for shoulder surgery, leading to St George cutting him from their squad.
That now leaves Volkman without a club just a month away from the season launch, but could he be set to make a Super League transfer?
Volkman set to be the latest Super League transfer from the NRL
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 02: Maika Sivo and Waqa Blake of the Eels line up for the national anthem during the 2022 NRL Grand Final match between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium on October 02, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Plenty of players have joined Super League sides from the NRL this off-season with one of the latest examples seeing centre Waqa Blake join St Helens on a one-year deal.
One of Volkman’s former New Zealand Warriors teammates has also been the subject of a Super League transfer with Bayley Sironen signing for Catalans Dragons.
Volkman could be next in line to make the switch to Super League with Serious About Rugby League understanding that there’s an option for the 21-year-old to sign with a team.
Which Super League side could sign Ronald Volkman?
Currently, there are just three teams that have the overseas quota space to sign Volkman, however, teams have released international players to make room for further signings of late.
One example of this was when Warrington Wolves confirmed the release of Sam Kasiano, which left the Wolves as one of the three teams with a quota spot available.
Despite that, the Halliwell Jones Stadium isn’t a likely destination for Volkman given that the club already have England captain George Williams and Australian Josh Drinkwater as their starting halves.
The other two sides could be far more likely though with both London Broncos and Salford Red Devils having room and potentially a positional need.
London seem to have filled the position of halfback with the signing of Italian international Jack Campagnolo, however, that is subject to visa approval meaning that the Broncos may still be in contention for Volkman.
However, Salford have seen their star playmaker Brodie Croft leave to join Leeds Rhinos. Paul Rowley’s side have recruited Cade Cust from Wigan Warriors but Cust could be in line to play hooker, replacing another Leeds signing Andy Ackers.
Salford have had a habit of bringing over young halfbacks and transforming their careers with Jackson Hastings and Croft being prime examples, could Volkman be the next Super League transfer that the Red Devils make?
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