The Dragons are reportedly set to offer South Sydney’s Test enforcer Keaon Koloamatangi a mega $5 million deal to join the club after striking out on a number of high-profile stars.
Koloamatangi is off-contract in 2026 and has been linked with the Raiders and Eels, but the Dragons are bidding to come over the top with a monster offer.
Speaking on James Graham’s The Bye Round Podcast, The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas revealed that the Dragons are “willing to pay him close to $5 million over five years”.
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Souths are keen to hold on to Koloamatangi, but don’t have the funds match that kind of offer for the Kangaroos star. They may not need it — but the lure of being a $1 million per season player will be strong.
“I’m not too big on ‘max’ money,” Koloamatangi told the SMH.
“I still want to compete for a premiership. I have to meet my manager on Tuesday and discuss a few things; it’s early days.
“But I have two little ones and my fiancée to look after, I have to think about my family – they’re my number one priority.
“There are a lot of things that will come into consideration.”
The Dragons are pulling out all the stops for one of the best free agents on the market, flying Koloamatangi from Sydney to Wollongong in a helicopter according to Nine Newspapers. The trip brought him to team headquarters to talk business.
In the past couple of years, the Dragons have swung for the fences on several occasions when it comes to recruitment but have been unable to land a big fish.
Given the Eels are reportedly keen to land Koloamatangi, in addition to the Rabbitohs, the Dragons will need to stump up a considerable offer to be in the running.
Not only that, coach Shane Flanagan will need to show that the Dragons are a club on the rise and close to competing for a premiership as Koloamatangi has had enough of playing in losing teams given the Rabbitohs’ recent form.
If the Dragons manage to sign Koloamatangi, he’d be a perfect addition to a burgeoning but young forward pack.
Koloamatangi enjoyed what was arguably a career best season in 2025, earning a maiden Kangaroos jersey on the end of year Ashes Tour in England.
DRINKWATER RESPONDS TO COWBOYS RUMOURS
Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has responded to rumours he is on the outer at the club.
Drinkwater is contracted to the Cowboys until the end of 2027, but reports emerged that he was on the outer and unlikely to be re-signed beyond his current contract.
The Cowboys are looking to lock up young gun Jaxon Purdue to a long-term deal and he could play five-eighth or switch to fullback, which could effect Drinkwater’s short and long-term future.
The Cowboys also has former Roosters utility back Ethan King and Australian Schoolboys representative Mason Barber on their books as potential fullback options.
However, Drinkwater pledged his commitment to the club in 2026 and hopes to be at the club in 2027 and beyond.
“It’s just a bit of another day in the rugby league world,” Drinkwater said on SEN 1170 Around the Grounds.
“The article said something like my current position’s not secure past my current deal or something. No one’s position is really secure once your contract’s up.
“It’s all just a bit of talk here, talk there. I’ve heard nothing from the club. I haven’t gone and asked for anything.
“I’ll put it to bed and say that I’m going nowhere for 2026, and I want to be here for 2027 as well.”
The 28-year-old has scored 54 tries in 144 games for the Cowboys and Storm, who he played one game for before switching to North Queensland in 2019.
Drinkwater has also been a member of the NSW Blues Origin camp in the last couple of years.
COWBOYS UTILITY LINKED WITH CLUB SWITCH
Cowboys utility Karl Lawton is reportedly on the verge of linking up with a Super League team for the 2026 season.
Last month, the Cowboys told Lawton he wasn’t in their plans for next season and that he should explore other opportunities despite being contracted for 2026.
The 30-year-old hasn’t wasted any time finding a potential suitor. According to All Out Rugby League, 2025 Super League champs Hull KR have signalled an interest in Lawton.
Hull KR are reportedly confident that Lawton will put pen to paper on a deal for next year.
It is understood that the Cowboys will happily grant Lawton an early release to sign with another club.
Lawton has played 115 NRL games throughout his career, including 11 for the Cowboys in 2025 in what was his first year at the club.
Lawton has also appeared in games for the Titans, Warriors and Sea Eagles since debuting in 2016.
ROOSTERS PLOTTING MOVES
A surprise team has emerged as a possible destination for star prop Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
According to Nine Newspapers, the Roosters are reportedly interested in the Titans gun, with teams around the NRL on high alert the Chooks may be plotting a massive move.
The Titans are desperate to keep Fa’asuamaleaui and the hiring of Maroons assistant Josh Hannay as the club’s new head coach is said to be a good start, but the Gold Coast skipper has been keeping his options open since becoming a free agent on November 1.
In addition to Fa’asuamaleaui, the Roosters are also eyeing off Wallabies star Max Jorgensen following the success of cross code gun Mark Nawaqanitawase.
The Roosters are hoping to land Jorgensen after the 2027 Rugby World Cup as well as attempt to lure Nawaqanitawase back to rugby league.
Nawaqanitawase will play 2026 at the Roosters before moving back to rugby so he can contend for a Wallabies jersey.
However, the Roosters are hoping this season’s leading try scorer can return to the NRL in 2028.
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EELS OUT TO POACH TITANS STAR IMMEDIATELY
Parramatta are eyeing off a Titans star to help bolster their backline for 2026 and fill the void left by Zac Lomax.
Kelly is under contract until the end of next season with the Gold Coast, but the club have already signalled that they won’t re-sign him.
Therefore, it’s no surprise to see rival clubs ask the Titans if Kelly is available immediately. Even before Lomax’s exit, the Eels had some question marks over their outside back depth.
According to Code Sports, Kelly is right in the Eels’ line of sight, with the centre’s management trying to secure a release so the 29-year-old can link up with Parramatta for the 2026 season.
Kelly would help provide a hard edge to the Eels’ backline and will likely form a talented centre duo with Will Penisini, however Kelly can play on the wing as well.
If the Titans let Kelly walk, it’ll be yet another significant roster decision made by new coach Josh Hannay.
Like Eels coach Jason Ryles did when he took over at Parramatta 12 months ago, Hannay has wasted no time shuffling the struggling team’s roster.
STORM SIGN DOLPHINS GUN
The Storm have reportedly poached Dolphins second-rower Oryn Keeley for 2027, but the expansion club have baulked at a request for an early release amid their injury crisis.
News Corp reported the 22-year-old Dolphins rising star has agreed to join the Storm from 2027 and Melbourne are hopeful of luring him south sooner.
Keeley debuted for the Knights in 2022 playing two games for the club, before joining the Dolphins in 2024 and he has scored five tries in 22 games, including four in 16 games last year.
Keeley’s breakout year for the Dolphins in 2025 caught the attention of the Storm, who are looking to bolster their pack after the departure of Nelson Asofa-Solomona and the injury to Eliesa Katoa.
Meanwhile, Shawn Blore has been linked to a move back to Sydney after the 2026 season, so the Storm desperately need reinforcements in their pack.
Melbourne have already signed Jack Hetherington for 2026 from the Newcastle Knights, but they need more cavalry to arrive for 2027 and beyond.
Keeley is off-contract in 2026 with the Dolphins and has been able to negotiate with rival clubs since November 1.
The Storm reportedly asked the Dolphins to release Keeley to the club immediately, but so far, those advances have been knocked back by the Dolphins.
Kristian Woolf sees Keeley as a big part of the Dolphins’ plans over the coming 12 months.
The Dolphins will welcome back skipper Tom Gilbert from injury in 2026, with Keeley likely to shift to the bench each week on the edge behind Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
MENINGA KEEN TO LURE LOMAX TO BEARS
Mal Meninga wants to speak with ex-Eels star Zac Lomax about the possibility of linking up with the Perth Bears ahead of their first season in 2027.
Lomax’s career is in limbo after R360 pushed back its start date a year, while Rugby Australia and the Western Force are reportedly closing in on signing the former Origin and Kangaroos star.
Wide World of Sports reported Meninga is keen to have a chat with Lomax about potentially joining the Bears for their inaugural season in 2027.
“I see our chairman Peter V’landys made a comment that he is welcome back in our game,” Meninga told WWOS.
“If he did become available, then why wouldn’t we enter into those sort of conversations.
“You’d be silly not to. He is a great player, a great person. I’ve had a bit to do with him in the national side. He would be a great asset to any club.
“Like most of those marquee guys, every club would be trying to get his services because he is such a good player.”
The issue the Bears have is the Eels released Lomax on the condition they would have first rights on his signature if he returns to a rival club during the three years he had remaining on his contract, so they may seek compensation.
Bears’ general manager David Sharpe, speaking on SEN Radio, also admitted the club would look at signing Lomax.
“I think we’ll just follow the media and see where Zac lands because, every given day, they know the story and what we’re doing,” Sharpe told SEN 1170 Drive.
“We had Zac in the Australian team, (he’s a) fantastic guy.
“(It would) be stupid to rule out Zac in any way coming to us.
“We’re yet to see where he lands over there, but it’d be good to have him in Perth.”
The 26-year-old scored 58 tries and 368 goals for 974 points in 133 NRL games for the Dragons and Eels, while he also played six Origins for the blues and three Tests for the Kangaroos.
MANLY STAR FOLLOWS DCE TO ROOSTERS ON LONG-TERM DEAL
The Sydney Roosters have confirmed the signing of Manly Sea Eagles star Reuben Garrick on a long-term deal from 2027.
The 28-year-old will join the Roosters on a three-year deal at the conclusion of his Manly contract, which expires after the 2026 season.
“The Sydney Roosters have announced the signing of Reuben Garrick on a three-year deal commencing in 2027,” the Roosters said in a statement.
“Garrick will join the Roosters ahead of the 2027 pre-season, with the club respecting his ongoing commitment to Manly in 2026, and wishing him well for the season.”
Garrick has scored 89 tries and 492 goals for a total of 1,340 points in 157 games for the Sea Eagles since his debut in 2019.
Garrick follows former teammate and captain Daly Cherry-Evans to the Roosters after he signed a one-year deal with an option for a second, which could see them reunite in 2027.
BEARS’ TRUMP CARD IN TINO SWEEPSTAKES
The Perth Bears have secured a trump card in a potential play for Titans superstar Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, signing his brother Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui.
According to Code Sports, the Gold Coast skipper has been identified as a priority target by Mal Meninga and the Bears’ recruitment staff.
Fa’asuamaleaui has an option in his contract that would allow him to depart at the end of the 2026 season, walking away from a multimillion-dollar Titans contract worth around $1.2 million per-season.
Now, with Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui landing in Perth, that marquee signing is only coming closer to becoming a reality.
Iszac will spend one season with the Catalans Dragons in the Super League, joining teammate Toby Sexton and English international Harry Newman at the Bears in 2027.
Panthers prop Liam Henry is also expected to sign on, while Storm utility Tyran Wishart is being heavily pursued and is set to tour the Bears’ facilities.
As for Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, he is in no rush to make a decision on his future and can make the call on his option at the back-end of the 2026 season.
Meninga has also previously worked with the gun middle forward, having coached him in the Kangaroos set-up.
EX-STORM STAR’S BIG REVEAL ON FUTURE
Ryan Papenhuyzen has declared he won’t be returning to the field in 2026.
The 27-year-old superstar made a shock decision after the 2025 season came to a close, walking out on a contract worth north of $900,000 per-year at the Storm.
Papenhuyzen was being heavily targeted by rebel rugby competition R360 and it was widely reported he would make a lucrative code switch in the New Year.
However, R360’s start date was postponed to 2028, with Papenhuyzen unsure if he will ever return to professional sport with a gap year on the horizon.
“I want to do something a bit different and throw myself into something I’m a bit uncomfortable with, and see if I enjoy that,” Papenhuyzen said to Code Sports.
“Life’s only short. If I’m my 80-year-old self right looking back right now, what’s something I would regret not doing? It’s probably taking a chance and not doing something else. That’s been the decision making process.
“Once (the R360 delay) came out, everyone said, ‘what are you going to do now?’ The plan was to have a year off and try a few different things.
“The plan doesn’t change for me, maybe more for Lomax.”
Papenhuyzen has reportedly taken up mentoring, hoping to help young athletes with the mental side of professional sports.
However, he also explained he still supported the R360 concept, with it being “only a positive” the competition was delayed.
Papenhuyzen also said the swirling rumours regarding his future were a “circus” with touch football one avenue he could explore.
“All my mates and family think I’ve signed something somewhere,” Papenhuyzen said. “I’m like, ‘I’m just not playing’.
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“I’ve been up in Sydney, I had a wedding in Wollongong the other day so everyone thought I’d signed with the Dragons.
“Until next year rolls around and I’m not at a team, that’s when everyone will probably believe me. It’s a circus right?
“I know I’ll miss it at some point, but I’m really enjoying this stuff now. I’ll use (next) year as a blank canvas and I might find another interest, and that could be the new career.
“I’ve been in rugby league for 10 years now, sport for 10 years … why not try something else and pivot? There’s always an option to come back.”
DRAGONS LAND DOGS PLAYMAKER
The Dragons have landed young gun playmaker Joseph O’Neill, handing him a development contract after he was released by the Bulldogs.
The 22-year-old won a Jersey Flegg premiership with Canterbury in 2023, making his NSW Cup debut that year and going on to make 42 reserve grade appearances.
The Bulldogs released a short statement on Wednesday confirming O’Neill departure, saying: “The Bulldogs wish Joseph, and his family, all the best for the future”.
Two hours later, O’Neill’s Red V arrival was confirmed, adding to the Dragons’ playmaking depth.
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“Joseph is talented, young player and we’re excited to be able to bring him to the Dragons,” Shane Flanagan said in a club statement.
“He’s had plenty of success coming through the grades at the Bulldogs and is eager to continue to prove himself.
“He’s hard-working and he’s passionate about his footy. He provides us with some more valuable depth in the halves. It’ll be good for him to meet the rest of the squad and really hit the ground running this pre-season.”
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