NRL Free Agency special: The November 1 targets at every club

A host of rugby league talent is set to hit the open market – and one free agent has been singled out as the player to help St George Illawarra turn it around. CLUB BY CLUB GUIDE

St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt has backed a push to sign North Queensland half Tom Dearden as the Dragons look to fast-track their rebuild by launching a spending spree on November 1.

The Dragons are cashed-up and coach Shane Flanagan is intent on landing some big names as he attempts to strengthen their roster and give their long-suffering supporters some genuine hope that they can turn things around after years of frustration.

Dearden has emerged as a potential target given he will enter the final year of his contract on November 1, having baulked at an initial offer from the Cowboys to extend his deal.

The Cowboys and Queensland star, 22, is expected to command offers in excess of $900,000 on the open market as he cashes in on the dearth of playmakers up for grabs.

Dearden heads a list that also includes Penrith star Jarome Luai, Brisbane sensation Ezra Mam and Sydney Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary.

Dragons captain Ben Hunt has backed a push for his club to poach Cowboys star Tom Dearden. Picture: Getty Images

This masthead understands that Luai is not on the Dragons radar. Mam is expected to command huge offers following his grand final heroics, although there is a view that he is unlikely to leave the Broncos.

Keary almost joined the Dragons some years back, meeting then-coach Paul McGregor, but he rejected a lucrative deal to sign with the Roosters and the expectation is that he will finish his career at Bondi Junction.

That leaves Dearden and Hunt is among his fans – the pair played together for Queensland last year.

“He is a great kid, a really good kid,” Hunt said.

“He has definitely got to be someone that a lot of clubs look at. Halves and five-eighths don’t grow on trees.

“They are very hard to come by and he is a young guy with his best footy ahead of him.”

Hunt concedes November 1 is huge for the Dragons as they look to add quality and depth to their roster.

Flanagan has bought the club some breathing room by holding off on signing a number of their existing players.

Francis Molo, Jack de Belin, Jaydn Su’A, Mathew Feagai, Max Feagai, Michael Molo, Moses Suli, and Tyrell Sloan all enter the final year of their deals next week.

It is understood the Dragons have indicated a desire to begin talks with Suli but he is expected to test his value on the open market.

Jarome Luai is not on the Dragons radar, while Ezra Mam is unlikely to leave the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

The club has also been rocked by the guilty verdict handed down to five-eighth Junior Amone last week, leaving his future in limbo until he is sentenced in December.

The Dragons need to land some key targets to give their fans a sign that they are still a club with punch in the player market.

Asked whether November 1 had become more important following the verdict in the Amone case, Hunt said: “I think November 1 is important for us anyway. I am sure Flanno has a few guys in his sights that he is going to be after.

“It is going to be a pretty exciting couple of weeks on November 1 anyway.”

Flanagan had indicated he would use Hunt to help him recruit players and the skipper confirmed the pair had discussed some of the club’s plans.

“He has leaned on me for a few things,” Hunt said.

“I have gone to him about a couple of guys who will fit our team. It should be good.”

Originally published as NRL Free Agency special: The November 1 targets at every club