NRL 2025: Dragons’ forward crisis exposed amid Francis Molo’s likely exit
The dire state of St George Illawarra’s forward stocks have been laid bare amid revelations Francis Molo wants out of the club. And stats show just how bad things look if they lose him.
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The state of St George Illawarra’s forward stocks have been laid bare following revelations Francis Molo has likely played his last game for the club.
The former Queensland Origin prop has been absent from training and has been granted temporary leave, although he has indicated he wants an immediate release.
Molo was at his best in 2024, but the Dragons forward pack was already lacking at least one other prop even with him in the side.
And stats from Fox Sports Lab show just how dire the situation could be if the club loses him.
Blake Lawrie in particular struggled in 2024, with most of his numbers going backwards on the previous season.
He dropped to 40 minutes a game from an average of 51 in 2023.
But his average metres also sunk to 81 per game down from 116, with almost half the number of tackle busts and just two offloads, compared to 10 the previous season.
Molo’s minutes remained steady, although there was a drop in metres per game from 97 in 2023 to 81, and half the number of offloads.
Jack de Belin, Michael Molo and Hame Sele are the other options as it stands.
Molo was the club’s most consistent prop, and started all but two games last season with Sele, Lawrie and de Belin rotating through the other role.
Losing him will add huge strain to the pack.
Coach Shane Flanagan has one spot remaining in the top 30 and was already looking to fill it with a middle forward, while a train and trial option with Matt Lodge appears to have fizzled out.
Releasing Molo would free up at least one more roster space, but there are limited available options on the market.
A crew of rising young forwards are most likely to fill the pack, although Flanagan is wary of burning out rookies before they’re ready for the NRL grind.
Recently re-signed Loko Pasifika Tonga, as well Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart and Finau Latu are yet to play first grade, but are likely to debut at some stage this season.
“I’d like to think all of those four could play first grade this year, so to have four kids at this stage of the year that I’d be confident in throwing them in, is a good thing,” Flanagan said last week.
He was already tossing up going to market or whether to recruit from within.
“We’ve still got one (spot) left in our top squad and there’s a little bit of movement down below,” he said.
“I think if you have a look, most rosters at a lot of clubs have got one spot left. When do you fill it? I’m not quite sure.
“There’s pluses and minuses about whether we fill it internally with one of our good young kids, which gives us space down below. There’s lots of different scenarios depending on what we do, and I’ve got no idea which way I’ll go.”
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