NRL 2025: Dragons call meeting to determine future of Francis Molo

The Dragons have called a board meeting to determine if star forward Francis Molo remains at the club, as they look to uncover the reasons behind his unexpected omission from training.

A board meeting on Thursday will determine if NRL prop Francis Molo remains a Dragon.

The crucial meeting has been called in the wake of Molo’s decision to take a leave of absence from training across the past fortnight.

The 30-year-old’s playing career at St George-Illawarra is at a crossroads with the meeting designed to determine the reasons behind his unexpected omission from the team environment, particularly so close to the new season.

There is an increasing sentiment across the game that Molo may have played his last game for the Red V.

A board meeting has been called to determine if St George Illawarra prop Francis Molo stays with the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

It’s anticipated Molo will appear before the board with his agent and an RLPA representative.

If a decision is made by the St George-Illawarra board to sever ties with Molo, it would create yet another spot in the Dragons top-30 to go to market.

St George-Illawarra will commence the 2025 season under a blanket of mass interest following the powerful recruitment drive of Damien Cook, Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes, Lachlan Ilias and Emre Guler.

The acquisition of Raiders prop Guler for the 2025 and 2026 seasons is separate to the Molo matter.

With or without Molo at the club, Guler has secured a top-30 roster spot and commenced his journey in the stifling heat of Wollongong at Dragons training on Tuesday.

Jaydn Su'A and new Dragon Emre Guler (right) at training on Tuesday. Picture: Instagram

The 27-year-old joins the Dragons after playing 93 NRL games for the Raiders over the past seven seasons, along with one Prime Minister’s XIII appearance.

“I’ve said consistently we need to bring another experienced middle into our roster for 2025,” Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said.

“Emre certainly fits that bill. “With his size and experience he will add plenty of value to our roster as well as help to mentor our emerging crop of middle forwards.”