Corey Norman told he’s unwanted by the Dragons

Former Origin rep Corey Norman is set to be on the look out for a fourth NRL club as the Dragons look to shake up its spine.

Corey Norman is searching for his fourth club.

Corey Norman is on the search for a fourth club after the St George Illawarra Dragons reportedly told the star that he’s no longer wanted at the club.

In his third year with the Dragons after stints with Brisbane and Parramatta, the Dragons reportedly told the star that he can look elsewhere.

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Norman played his one and only State of Origin match for Queensland in 2019 but hasn’t been in the conversation since.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported the news that Norman was told of the decision last week, and confirmed it with the club.

It will see Jayden Sullivan and Junior Amone fighting for the No. 6 jersey, while Norman will be looking for a new home.

But the news blindsided the commentators with Fox League’s Braith Anasta stunned by the decision.

“It’s interesting, I thought he might stay for a pay cut,” Anasta said. “I was wondering if there was interest from other clubs, but who are they going to buy? They’ve got Ben Hunt there, have they got some young kids there coming through?”

Corey Norman will not be offered a new deal.

Former Dragon James Graham said Talatau Amone, who was coming off the bench, “has a huge future ahead of him” but that Norman had been huge for the side this season.

“I’ve got to feel for Corey Norman,” Graham said. “I think he’s had a really outstanding year, whether being off-contract has sparked his form.”

He added that Norman had sparked the attack for the Dragons, particularly in this game.

But Greg Alexander admitted that Norman hadn’t been the consistently game-breaking player most expect of a 220-game veteran with Origin experience.

“That is big news but I guess for Corey Norman, you can’t wait until the last year of your contract to start showing some good form. He’s played well this year but consistently over the term of his contract, I can understand why the Dragons would want to look elsewhere.”

Since joining the club, Norman has played 50 games but has finished 15th in 2019 and 12th in 2020 while barely hanging onto a place in the top eight in 2021.

It follows the news that St George Illawarra had told Matt Dufty he was no longer wanted as well, with the Dragons facing a new look spine as the club rebuilds.

Coach Anthony Griffin said telling players they are no longer wanted shouldn’t be a distraction for the rest of the season.

“Corey Norman and Matt Dufty, we have been open and honest with them, they’re hard decisions to make because they’re good people but we have a path we’re going down where we’re going to build a list we think can be strong and sustainable for a lot of years at the club,” he said. “These guys need to know if they’re going to be part of that or not and we’ve had to make some tough calls. Whether that affects them or not you’d have to ask them. I thought he was pretty strong today in most things he did playing off the back foot.”

Originally published as Corey Norman told he’s unwanted by the Dragons