NRL Market Watch: Dragons switch focus to luring Valentine Holmes after failing to secure Blaize Talagi

The Dragons have wasted no time moving on from missing their shot at Blaize Talagi, with coach Shane Flanagan confirming his interest in re-uniting with Valentine Holmes.

St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has moved on from their failed shot at Blaize Talagi and confirmed an interest in Valentine Holmes.

After Holmes was given permission to find another club just weeks ago, Flanagan has admitted there is a spot for the North Queensland centre at the Dragons.

“I think he would (look good in a Dragons jumper),” Flanagan said.

“Without doubt he is a quality player. With Zac (Lomax) leaving the club there is a space there for us.”

Although seeming a like for like replacement for Lomax, the Dragons coach said there is potential to move Holmes back to his former position of fullback.

“He’d be playing left centre for us, possibly play fullback if we need him to. He’s pretty versatile,” Flanagan said.

Valentine Holmes (right) played under Shane Flanagan (second from left) at the Sharks, where former Prime Minister Scott Morrison was a fan.

This has raised more questions regarding the future of incumbent fullback Tyrell Sloan, who will make his return on Saturday against the Storm after being dropped to reserve grade.

Sloan was relegated to the NSW Cup after a poor showing against Brisbane last month, and Flanagan had no plans on bringing his fullback into the fold for this week’s game.

“It was more forced,” Flanagan said.

“Mat Feagai got a HIA in the first 10 minutes of the game against Penrith, with 11-day stand down, it’s a forced change. But it’s an opportunity for Tyrell as well.”

While Flanagan was adamant Sloan is part of the club’s long term plans, he couldn’t overlook the fact the 22-year-old still has room to improve.

“He’s got some errors he has to work on, and work on them quickly,” he said.

Jack Bird recently asked for permission to leave St George Illawarra. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Replacing Sloan at fullback in reggies this week is an unsettled Jack Bird, who recently asked for permission to leave the club after being relegated to NSW Cup.

While the Dragons have granted permission, Flanagan remains confident that Bird will fight his way back into the NRL side, and help the club’s chances of making their first finals appearance since 2018.

“These things happen in football. Jack is not playing first grade at the moment, and might see his future elsewhere,” he said.

“He and his manager might go out and see if there is an opportunity elsewhere, and we give him that opportunity. But in the end he has to come back to us and we’ll deal with it then.

“He’ll fight his way back into the team, and that’s what we need him to do.”