NRL 2024: Cowboys star Luciano Leilua requests immediate release, tipped to join Dragons

NRL market watch: A North Queensland Cowboys star will seek an immediate release from the club, with St George Illawarra in the box seat to land the forward.

Luciano Leilua could make a shock return to St George Illawarra with the back-rower wanting out of his North Queensland contract.

Leilua has formally asked for an immediate release and is keen on returning to his former club.

At least one another club are also keen on signing the Samoan backrower.

Leilua still has two seasons left on his contract but is expected to move on immediately.

The Hurstville United junior made his debut for the Dragons in 2016 playing 43 matches before joining the Tigers.

He became a long list of local products to be squeezed out of the club at the time. Fellow junior Hame Sele was the Dragons biggest name off-season recruit with the pair having come through the lower grades at St George Illawarra.

If Leilua does depart it will free up some much needed salary cap space for North Queensland as they look to try to retain boom youngsters Heilum Luki and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.

Luciano Leilua at Townsville Magistrates Court. Picture: Blair Jackson

Luciano Leilua wants out of Townsville. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

The Dragons have had discussions with both back-rowers but believe it is unlikely either will leave Queensland. The Dolphins are also in the mix for at least one of the Cowboys rising stars.

Leilua has had a mixed stint at the Cowboys since joining the club midway through 2022. He had domestic violence charges dropped last year while earlier this month he was suspended from driving and fined $300 after being caught drink driving. Leilua was banned from driving for a month.

Leilua won’t have to wait long to play the Cowboys with the Dragons scheduled to play North Queensland in round three.

The Dragons have 30 players already contracted given the recent signings of Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Christian Tuipulotu.

One potential option is for the Dragons to pay out back Corey Allan the rest of his 2024 deal to free-up a roster spot. Allan won’t play this season after rupturing his knee before Christmas.

Returned Cowboys recruit Jake Clifford said teammates were not aware of Leilua’s intention to leave but they would offer their full support for any decision that the second rower made.

“I haven’t heard of any of that at the moment. I think it’s just getting dealt with by the club,” Clifford said.

“We’ve got our full support for ‘Luch (Luciano) and we haven’t heard too much about what else is going on, but we’ve all got our arms open for Luch.”

- Additional reporting by Jami Roberts

Originally published as NRL 2024: Cowboys star Luciano Leilua requests immediate release, tipped to join Dragons