Dragons 2021 hit list revealed: Josh Addo-Carr, Suliasi Vunivalu and Jordan Rapana on Red V’s radar
Wooden spoon favourites St George Illawarra are already planning for next year, and they’ve got some of the NRL’s most dangerous wingers firmly in their crosshairs.
Dragons
Don't miss out on the headlines from Dragons. Followed categories will be added to My News.
LATE MAIL: All the latest team changes
CLEARED: Reynolds test comes back negative
The struggling St George Illawarra Dragons are targeting two game-breaking stars to ignite their backline next year.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Melbourne Storm duo Josh Addo-Carr and Suliasi Vunivalu, as well as Raiders flyer Jordan Rapana, are on a hit list for the Dragons’ 2021 recruitment list.
They want two of the three to fill outside back positions to give their limp attack more firepower.
Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Vunivalu has signed a two-year deal with Australian rugby from next year, but with the code’s financial situation still unclear because they have no broadcast deal beyond 2020, the Fijian winger has the option of remaining in the NRL if his contract cannot be guaranteed.
Rugby officials are confident they will have the money to honour Vunivalu’s $650,000-a-year wage.
While the Storm are keen to retain Vunivalu if he does not make the switch, the Dragons have now emerged as another suitor.
NSW State of Origin speedster Addo-Carr is another the Dragons are keen on, although he is also being chased by the Bulldogs, a scenario that will create a musical chairs scenario in recruiting.
Addo-Carr will be granted an early release from his Storm contract so he can return to NSW to be closer to family.
Rapana, the 2017 Dally M winger of the year who starred for Canberra on their march to last year’s grand final, is off contract at the end of this year.
It’s believed the Dragons would consider Rapana as an option in the centres if they sign Addo-Carr or Vunivalu.
The Dragons are expected to let go of Euan Aitken, Mikaele Ravalawa and Tim Lafai, while emerging stars Tristan Sailor and Jason Saab have requested releases from their contracts. The Bulldogs are also looking at Saab if he is granted a release.
The loss of Origin star Tyson Frizell to Newcastle has also freed up extra cash for the Dragons, who are in desperate need of matchwinners.
Coach Paul McGregor remains under severe pressure to keep his job after a winless start to the season, but the club is already preparing for the 2021 season regardless his fate in the next month.
The Dragons are 0-4 in 2020 – their worst start to a season in 15 years – and have lost 18 of their past 22 games stretching back to last year.
The wooden spoon favourites face Shire rivals Cronulla on Sunday afternoon amid a controversy-plagued preparation.
After the Dragons’ loss to the Bulldogs last Monday, the club’s board held an emergency meeting, after which they backed McGregor to continue in his role despite calls from fans to sack the coach.
Then came claims from radio host Ray Hadley that the playing group are split over teammate Jack de Belin, who is training with the squad but unable to play due to unresolved criminal charges before the courts.
Dragons skipper Cameron McInnes slammed the suggestion as “insulting” and “disgusting” and said the team is united, however Hadley reiterated his claim on Friday.
“Now Jack de Belin is facing serious charges and it is not his fault that he hasn’t had them finalised, it is a matter for the courts, when they are finalised,” Hadley said on his 2GB show.
“He is getting paid, and he trains with the team every week.
“Now I’ve said, and I will repeat today, there are people within the playing group who support Jack de Belin, and that would include obviously Cameron McInnes. And there are others who do not.
“This saga has been going on for two years, and it would illustrate to me that some people in the club are happy that Jack is being supported by the club and others are not.
“It is inescapable.
“How do I know? Well, Cameron, because other people within the club have told me.”