NRL 2020: Dragons could seek loan player to replace James Graham
The Dragons are refusing to release St Helens-bound forward James Graham without getting a replacement and could be forced to loan players to bolster their squad.
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The Dragons will consider loaning a player for just this year as they search the market to find a quick replacement for St Helens-bound James Graham.
Graham has been given permission to leave the club but only if the Dragons find a middle forward. Dragons recruitment boss Ian Millward was hitting the phones to managers and rival clubs yesterday as the club looks to bolster its middle stocks.
Among the names being discussed include Billy Magoulias, Daniel Alvaro and Herman Ese’ese with the Dragons open-minded to loaning a player for just this season.
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If Jack de Belin, who returns to court on Monday, is cleared to play as early as next week the Dragons will release Graham immediately. Graham is still expected to play against the Titans tomorrow.
Millward and Dragons coach Paul McGregor will meet today to discuss potential options.
The Dragons were already in the market to sign a prop for next season with the likes of James Tamou, Kane Evans, Christian Welch and Jacob Saifiti being considered.
The Dragons released a statement yesterday morning revealing they were considering releasing Graham “with immediate effect”, but only if the club could secure a viable replacement. Graham, 34, is in the final year of his deal at the Dragons worth about $350,000. He played 224 games for St Helens before he moved to Australia in 2012.
The Dragons re-signed winger Mikaele Ravalawa for three years but boom youngster Jason Saab’s future still remains up in the air after again asking for a release this week.
GRAHAM EYES SHOCK RELEASE IN DRAGONS SHAKE-UP
—Michael Carayannis
James Graham could make a shock immediate departure from St George Illawarra Dragons in a massive shake-up at the club.
The Dragons released a statement on Thursday morning revealing they were considering releasing the veteran prop “with immediate effect”, but only if the club could secure a viable replacement.
The move comes just days after St George Illawarra’s drought-breaking 30-16 win over bitter local rivals Cronulla in what was the Dragons’ first victory of the 2020 season.
Graham, who turns 35 in September, is in the final year of a three-year deal at the Dragons, having played more than 400 top-grade games in both England and Australia.
“St George Illawarra have been involved in discussions with Dragons forward James Graham and his management regarding an opportunity for him to return to the English Super League with immediate effect,” the Dragons said in a statement.
“The Dragons will consider this option for Graham on the merit a replacement player is secured by the club prior to his release.
“The Dragons will be making no further comment regarding Graham at this stage.”
It is understood St Helens are the favourites to land Graham.
Graham played 224 games for St Helens before he moved to Australia in 2012.
St Helens reluctantly let go of prop Luke Thompson to join Graham’s former club Canterbury this month.
Graham joins a growing list of players being moved on from the struggling club. Veteran Issac Luke left this week after just three games to join Brisbane immediately while boom winger Jason Saab has requested a release from his contract multiple times in recent weeks.
Outside back Tristan Sailor has also been linked with a move elsewhere.
The Dragons are hoping to have Jack de Belin available for selection as early as next week. The former NSW lock is back in court on Monday and his teammates said they would welcome him back to the side with open arms.
“He won’t miss a beat if he comes in,” Ben Hunt said.
“He’ll be such a massive boost for us, not only with the ball, but defensively he’s a great player. In defence he can really change a game, he’d be a huge boost for us.”
The Dragons’ forward stocks have been tested with de Belin sidelined as well as Blues back-rower Tariq Sims for at least another month.