St George Illawarra Dragons interested in Super League stars

St George Illawarra Dragons are desperate for some big signings ahead of 2024 and are set to look at the Super League market to do so.

The Dragons have had a rough few years and though they have Shane Flanagan in charge, a former NRL winning coach, they have missed out on a number of big signings including St Helens star Jack Welsby.

Exacerbating matters, the Dragons have lost their stand-off Junior Amone who has been re-registered by the NRL after being found guilty of threatening a man with a hammer.

As they look to revamp their squad, Serious About Rugby League understands that the club are set to explore the Super League market with Leigh Leopards star Edwin Ipape a player Flanagan is keen on having worked with him before.

Zero Tackle have underlined the opportunities the club have missed out on the winter of 2024 as they have been left desperate to make some big signings:

“If there is a club who needed a strong end to 2023 off the field, it’s the St George Illawarra Dragons.

“But instead, they have lurched from one disaster to the next in recent weeks, and the fast exit from a dismal period under Shane Flanagan’s rebuild has all but stalled.

“The incoming coach, who led the Cronulla Sharks to a premiership in 2016 before being deregistered at the end of 2018 over failing to adhere to the conditions of a previous suspension in 2014, has more than his work cut out for him at the Red V in his return to the head coaching chair.

“Flanagan’s rebuild – which every indication suggests he didn’t want to be a patient one – hinged on being able to sign star New Zealand Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake, Roosters and now rugby-linked outside back Joseph Manu and fringe Queensland State of Origin half Thomas Dearden for 2025.

“The Dragons have put substantial money in front of all three players, but have already missed two. Fonua-Blake hit the Dragons with a mega rejection, instead signing for the Cronulla Sharks on a figure reported to be well under what Flanagan and his recruitment staff had on the table for the released forward who is relocating to Sydney on compassionate grounds.”