Francis Molo’s move to Dolphins in limbo amid $100,000 salary-cap dispute with Dragons

Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has confirmed his interest in disgruntled Dragons prop Francis Molo, but the Dragons are yet to formalise his release from the club due to a $100,000 salary-cap dispute.

Kristian Woolf has confirmed his interest in disgruntled Dragons prop Frank Molo as the Dolphins coach chases his first NRL win to ease the pressure of Wayne Bennett’s curse.

The Dolphins have been working behind the scenes to strike a deal with Molo, who is seeking an immediate release from St George Illawarra but a $100,000 pay dispute has stalled a mooted move for the ex-Queensland prop.

Woolf praised the controversial Molo’s character and said he hoped a deal could be finalised.

“We’ve made our interest known – there’s no dramas there,” he said.

“He’s got to sort out what’s going on with St George first. Until he gets a release that can’t go any further.

Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf. Picture: NRL Photos

“I’ve dealt with Frank before and followed his career for a long time when I haven’t coached him as well.

“I know he’s a good person and great around the group.

“I like the way he carries the footy and his aggression. He’s got a lot of things that can help any footy team.

“All we’ve done is express interest. He’s got to sort out what’s going on with St George first and we’ll figure out what happens from there.”

The Dolphins will welcome rising backrower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (concussion) and winger Jack Bostock (knee) into the team, with Josh Kerr and Junior Tupou dropping out.

Molo’s Dolphins move in limbo amid $100k Dragons dispute

-Peter Badel and Michael Carayannis

The Frank Molo saga has taken a dramatic twist with the Dragons prop in limbo following a $100,000 salary-cap dispute over his proposed move to the Dolphins.

The Molo development comes as Dragons coach Shane Flanagan spoke for the first time since revelations of the prop’s impending transfer to Queensland, defending the Red V’s treatment of the veteran enforcer.

“I don’t want Frank to go,” Flanagan told News Corp on Thursday.

Molo’s messy two-month spat with the Dragons appeared to be over on Wednesday when the former Broncos bookend agreed terms on a two-year deal with the Dolphins.

But the fiasco has taken another turn, with St George Illawarra yet to formalise his release as the two parties argue about how Molo should repay an outstanding sum of money to the Dragons.

Molo’s release was conditional on a six-figure sum being paid back to the Dragons after he was advanced money by the club.

Francis Molo’s messy exit from the Dragons has taken another turn. Picture: NRL Photos

It is understood the Dragons and Molo’s camp have been at loggerheads on Thursday amid a discrepancy over how the money should be re-paid.

The Dragons agreed that Molo needed to repay the money out of his own pocket to secure his release, which would enable the club to recoup the cash back from its salary cap.

Instead, there was a move for the money to be paid by the Dolphins – akin to a transfer fee – but the Dragons have rejected that option as a payment from Redcliffe would be included in their salary cap.

Molo’s management was locked in urgent talks with lawyers on Thursday to strike a resolution.

Should the payment conditions not be palatable to the Dragons, Molo’s move to Redcliffe could collapse, although the Dolphins remain hopeful of having the 30-year-old on their books in the coming weeks.

Flanagan said he has been left bitterly disappointed by the affair, saying he tried to smoke the peace pipe with Molo.

The former Queensland Origin enforcer’s relationship with the Dragons soured following an alleged offensive comment from one of Flanagan’s assistants after Molo tried to stay away from alcohol at the club’s Mad Monday event.

“I was deadset in total shock (that Molo wanted out),” Flanagan said.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan was left shocked that Francis Molo wanted out from the Red V. Picture: NRL

“I tried to keep him, but clearly Frank has made up his mind and nothing is going to change it.

“This whole thing has been a shock to me. I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t think I had a disgruntled player at all.

“Sometimes you get a sense with a player if something isn’t right, but I never sensed it with Frank.

Francis Molo. Picture: NRL Photos

“If there was an issue, it was minor, and I don’t see it as being a reason for getting out of a club.

“Only Frank Molo can answer what he feels.”

Flanagan confirmed the Dolphins’ interest in Molo, but dismissed any suggestion Redcliffe, or other NRL rivals, were trying to coerce him to break his contract.

“The Dolphins insist they never went near him. I trust their word and they say they weren’t chasing him before he was given permission to leave,” he said.

“The Dolphins are interested but if and when there is a release, we will look at it.

“In the end, if it gets resolved, we will move on.”

Molo had a fine first season under Flanagan last year, playing 23 games, and the Dragons coach concedes the club will miss his aggression, experience and go-forward if he moves on.

Flanagan insists there is no bad blood with Molo, even though he doesn’t completely agree with how the situation has been handled.

Shane Flanagan insists there’s no bad blood with Francis Molo. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

“He had a disagreement with one of my assistant coaches. It was a minor comment made at a social function and Frank took an issue with it,” Flanagan said.

“When Molo came to see me, I was stunned.

“There are 20 blokes I thought who could have had an issue before him.

“He had a good year, we got on great, we had good conversations and he had one of his best ever seasons.

“If he said I don’t want to put myself in that situation, I would have been fine, I would have sorted it out, but we’ll move on.

“There’s no issue with me and Frank … I wish him all the best.”

Flanagan said he would be interested in Daly Cherry-Evans amid speculation the Sea Eagles skipper is being chased by two NRL rivals, but believes he should retire at Manly.

“Daly’s a great player but I think he should stay at Manly,” he said.

“It’s one thing to have some money available but it depends what’s on the market.

“If you want someone for this year, then they will want another year (in 2026), but sometimes players become available, so we’ll just see what happens.”

Originally published as Francis Molo’s move to Dolphins in limbo amid $100,000 salary-cap dispute with Dragons