The St George Illawarra Dragons reportedly made a shock approach for NRL and North Queensland Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo. However, the move, believed to have a value of $10 million or £5 million, was turned down by the players’ management.
The star forward, who is now towards the end of a decade-long deal with the North Queensland Cowboys which will expire at the end of the 2027 season, is on around $1 million per season at the moment with the Cowboys pulling off a major move to retain the forward long term.
New Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has been determined to rebuild the Dragons but as of yet has been unable to secure the major targets he has been pursuing.
Addin Fonua-Blake turned down the Saints to join the Cronulla Sharks for 2025. Meanwhile, Joseph Manu is set to join French rugby union and Thomas Dearden re-signed with the Cowboys. The Dragons don’t seem to have had much look with his teammate Taumalolo either.
The Dragons are still waiting for an answer from Heilum Luki, who they have reportedly made an offer for. Kulikefu Finefuiaki, who is also off-contract at the end of 2024, is also in the sights of the Dragons.
NRL club has bright future
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 18: Josh Kerr of the Dragons takes on the defence during the round three NRL match between Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra Dragons at Suncorp Stadium on March 18, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Despite struggling in the transfer market, the club have got a promising future with their up and coming talent.
The St George Dragons, Illawarra Steelers, and Illawarra South Coast Dragons junior representative sides were in action in Round 2 of the NSWRL competitions over the weekend.
Comprehensive wins for the Dragons and Steelers SG Ball Cup sides sees them occupy the top two spots on the competition ladder, the Steelers Tarsha Gale Cup and Lisa Fiaola Cup squads continued their strong starts to the year, and the ISC Dragons Andrew Johns Cup side snatched their first win of 2024.
So it is not all doom and gloom at the club presently with some positives to take.
