NRL 2022: Dragons young gun Jayden Sullivan wants release as Bulldogs circle
St George Illawarra’s woes continue with one of the club’s brightest prospects asking to be released from his contract.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
St George Illawarra half Jayden Sullivan has again requested a formal release from the final three years of his Dragons contract.
It is understood Sullivan’s management wrote to St George Illawarra bosses on Friday afternoon wanting an immediate exit.
It is the second time this month Sullivan has officially asked to leave the club. Canterbury are circling Sullivan despite the 21-year-old being contracted to the Dragons until the end of 2025.
Sullivan formally asked for a release to leave the Dragons earlier this month – a day after skipper Ben Hunt inked a rich two year-extension.
The Dragons instantly rejected the request and were aware Sullivan would want an early exit if the club retained Hunt. It is understood Sullivan’s management has told the club that Sullivan is having mental health problems as a result of uncertainty surrounding his future. He also wants a crack at starting at halfback.
His path at the Dragons is blocked by Hunt whose new deal keeps him at the club until the end of the 2025 season.
The final two years of Sullivan’s contract is worth about $1 million.
Sullivan was largely used as a bench utility this year and filled in at hooker. He has no intention of playing dummy half after starting just one game at halfback this season.
St George Illawarra boss Ryan Webb wrote to Dragons members in recent days confirming that Sullivan and fellow rising star Tyrell Sloan wanted out of the club.
“It is unfortunate that we have had formal release requests from two of our young players in Tyrell Sloan and Jayden Sullivan,” Webb wrote.
“From a club perspective, we do not want to release either of these young men as the club has put years of resources towards the development of them both and see them as playing large roles in our future.
“At the crux of this they are both seeking more consistent first grade exposure while, as a football club, we must balance player development with the need to win and these two aims don’t always perfectly align.”
New Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo addressed the Sullivan rumours in his first press conference as Wednesday.
“I haven’t met Jayden,” Ciraldo said.
“I know there was some chat before I signed. Rosters are going to change over time. We will make decisions in the best interests of the club.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL 2022: Dragons young gun Jayden Sullivan wants release as Bulldogs circle
Storm ‘grubbery’ finally comes back to bite
The Melbourne Storm are licking their wounds after another tough grand final loss, but they only have themselves to blame for falling short.
Cleary comment that provoked Panthers towards another title
Ivan Cleary revealed he questioned the desire of his ‘complacent’ Panthers during the season, a moment that stung the players and ultimately sparked their run towards a fourth-straight premiership.