Valentine Holmes describes it as a “full circle” moment.
“I started in Townsville, went to Cronulla, came back to Townsville and now I’m going back to Cronulla to play for the Dragons,” Holmes said. “It’s weird how life works, but I wouldn’t change it.”
When he signed a six-year deal with the Cowboys after his NFL sojourn, Holmes thought he would finish his career in North Queensland. However, the Maroons star won’t see out the final year of his contract after opting to join Shane Flanagan’s revolution at the Red V.
The Cowboys weren’t prepared to offer Holmes a new deal, prompting the 29-year-old to explore his options.
“Obviously I thought I was in a position to try to stay,” Holmes told this masthead in his first interview since signing with St George Illawarra.
“I probably haven’t had my best year this year, but I didn’t think I could be up and leaving with a year left on my contract.
Valentine Holmes is looking forward to joining the Dragons.Credit: Getty
“There’s obviously more to it: the salary cap problem, with my contract back-ended. They’ve got a lot of young players coming through that they don’t want to lose.
“There’s nothing personal. You need to sacrifice one to sign a few more boys coming through. It’s good, I don’t want to keep anyone from making their debuts or having to move at a young age. It’s business. As long as I’m going to a club that wants me, I’m excited by it.”
There are no hard feelings. Holmes is grateful for the opportunity to spend time in his home town, describing the life-long friendships he has made at the Cowboys as “something I will keep forever”.
However, the chance to again link up with Flanagan was too good to refuse. The pair have a strong bond from their time at the Sharks, solidified by the club’s maiden premiership in 2016.
Holmes won a premiership with the Sharks in 2016.Credit: NRL Photos
The relationship was briefly strained when Holmes left the Shire early to pursue his NFL dream two years later, but Flanagan’s actions last week proved there was no lingering resentment. Just days before his side was due to play, the Dragons coach made the trek to Townsville last Thursday to make his reunion pitch to Holmes and wife Natalia.
“It’s pretty cool, I’ve never been in a situation like this where this type of thing can happen to you,” Holmes said. “To Flanno’s credit, to come up here when he had a big game that week, to talk to my wife and I, I thought it was pretty cool. Obviously it worked in the end.
“He convinced my partner, who was probably the one he needed to convince. As players, we get on with our teammates anywhere you go, but it’s the partners who need to be comfortable and happy to up and leave again. I thought he did a good job.”
Given Holmes can play centre, wing and fullback, what will his role be in the Red V?
“He knows I can play anywhere in the backline, which I’ve done throughout my career,” Holmes said. “That’s what he wanted, someone that can play all three positions, a goal-kicker. Obviously they are losing Zac Lomax [to Parramatta] next year.
“They signed me to play centre to pair up with Moses Suli. That’s where I’m going to play, but it’s about what’s best for the team and where I fit in. I’m just grateful to play somewhere in a team that wants me in the future, which is nice. I’m excited, can’t wait.”
Holmes can see similarities between the resurrection Flanagan is overseeing at the Dragons to the work the coach did at arch rivals Cronulla.
“Yeah, definitely. I know where they are at the moment,” he said. “Seven months ago, when people were putting in their predictions on where teams will finish, they were pretty much writing the Dragons off.
“I’m not sure if that’s something they spoke about, but it’s good to see how they’re going with the team they have. It’s a great team, with Jayden Su’a, Benny Hunt and Zac Lomax playing Origin, it goes to show how well they have turned it around.
“They are going in a good direction with Flanno and Youngy [assistant Dean Young], they are two pretty good coaches. And then you’ve got the addition of Cookie [Damien Cook] and me and a couple of young guys coming through as well.
“Flanno was saying they won the SG Ball competition down there. I know that’s only under-18s, but it looks like they are on the right way up. It’s cool to be amongst it.”
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