NRL 2025: Dragons risk losing rising star forward Corey Ackers
Just days after forward Francis Molo was granted leave from the club, the Dragons risk losing another rising star after he was given permission to negotiate with NRL rivals.
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St. George Illawarra are on the verge of losing one of their most promising rising stars, with teenager Corey Ackers given permission to leave the club.
Just days after granting leave to former Queensland Origin prop Francis Molo, Ackers, who was part of the Dragons’ title-winning SG Ball side last year, is also set to depart Wollongong.
The club had long been high on Ackers, a local junior who had slowly risen through the playing ranks since he was 14 and was upgraded to an NRL supplementary deal this season.
Sources close to the situation have told this masthead the 19-year-old was approached to change his contract status, which would bump him from an NRL contract to a NSWRL deal.
It is understood the Dragons were frustrated with an injury which would sideline Ackers until sometime between rounds five and 10 this year.
The middle forward played a major role in the Dragons SG Ball (under-19s) premiership side last year, scoring a try in the grand final before moving to their Jersey Flegg squad.
It is likely that’s where Ackers would’ve spent most of his time playing this season.
While the Dragons are satisfied with letting Ackers exit, the club still remains in the hunt to bolster a forward pack that is suddenly dwindling in numbers.
With Molo all but gone, the potential departure of Ackers would leave Blake Lawrie, Jack De Bellin, Michael Molo and Hame Sele as the main options for coach Shane Flanagan.
The young trio of Ackers, Loko Pasifika Tonga, Finau Latu were all expected to push for positions in the side’s pack this year.
It was recently revealed the Dragons removed their interest in signing ex-Manly prop Matt Lodge to a train and a trial contract.
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Originally published as NRL 2025: Dragons risk losing rising star forward Corey Ackers
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