Valentine Holmes to join St George Illawarra Dragons on $2.5 million deal

Maroons State of Origin star Valentine Holmes will head south of the border next season after confirming a move to the Dragons, with the signing having major implications for both his new side and his old.

NRL 2024 RD22 Wests Tigers v North Queensland Cowboys - Valentine Holmes. Picture: NRL Photos

Valentine Holmes’ near $1.2 million contract has led to the Maroons star reuniting with his premiership winning coach Shane Flanagan as Zac Lomax’s replacement at the Dragons next year.

Holmes will ink a three-year contract – barring any last minute collapse – to join St George Illawarra from 2025 becoming Flanagan’s second high profile signing since Damien Cook signed with the Dragons.

A deal between the relevant parties was all but reached during Kyle Flanagan’s judiciary hearing on Tuesday night.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE DRAGONS

The Dragons have moved quickly on Holmes since he was formally given permission to negotiate with rival clubs last month. The Maroons representative has been earmarked to play centre for the Dragons but has the flexibility to put pressure on Tyrell Sloan at fullback. He can also play on the wing.

Shane Flanagan made it clear he wanted Holmes even if the pair had a mixed end to their time together at the Sharks. Holmes walked out on Cronulla for the NFL which left a sour taste in the mouths of plenty involved at the Sharks.

Valentine Holmes will join the Dragons on a $2.5 million deal. Picture: NRL Photos

Flanagan wanted to show he had no issue with Holmes when he made a mercy dash to Townsville on Thursday. With direct flights few and far between Flanagan was in the air by 630am and back home later that night in time for St George Illawarra’s captain’s run on Friday. In the end it was mission successful as Holmes got his head around moving.

Holmes also gives the Dragons a top-line goal-kicker which they lose with Lomax’s departure. The Holmes and Cook’s signings mirror traits to what Flanagan did during his successful stint at the Sharks - buy veteran players who are proven winners and hope their current club is tipping in for them.

The Dragons will pay Holmes about $850,000 a season. At 29 they still hope there is some quality football in Holmes despite his inconsistent year this year.

Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan has added two big names to the team for 2025. Picture: Getty Images

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE COWBOYS

In the end it was Holmes’ mega contract which he signed on his NFL return which has led to him being forced out of North Queensland. Holmes is due to earn $1.15 million next year making him one of the game’s highest paid players.

The Cowboys – with a squad full of talented youngsters – just couldn’t afford to carry that sort of money on their books.

Valentine Holmes’ mega contract was too much for the Cowboys going forward. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Had teammate Jason Taumalolo taken up interest from overseas then potentially Holmes would have been able to see out the final year of his six year contract. Make no mistake, moving from Townsville was not his first choice. He and his wife are settled there with their young son and their extended families.

For the Cowboys though they have faith in young centres Tom Chester and Viliami Vailea in filling the big void next season and can now use the money to upgrade the likes of Reuben Cotter, Reece Robson and Griffin Neame who are free agents come November 1.

Could Reagan Campbell-Gillard make a move to the Dragons or Cowboys? Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

FIGHT FOR RCG

The interesting side note in all this is Parramatta prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

Campbell-Gillard is free to leave the Eels at the end of this season if he can find a suitable deal.

Both North Queensland and the Dragons have expressed an interest in him. The Cowboys were no chance of being able to afford him had Holmes remained at the club.

The Dragons still have the money for him and of all the available props – Daniel Saifiti and Corey Horsburgh – Campbell-Gillard sits at the top of their wish list.

Campbell-Gillard, 31, is after a three-year deal which is expected to be a sticking point.