NRL News 2023: St George Illawarra rising star Junior Amone found guilty of hammer attack
The Dragons rebuild could begin with an unlikely new-look halves combination in 2024, with their depth set to be tested as star five-eighth Junior Amone faces an uncertain NRL future.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
St George Illawarra’s rebuild looks set to start next season with Kyle Flanagan alongside Ben Hunt in the halves after five-eighth Junior Amone was found guilty on Wednesday morning of assault charges, leaving him facing jail time and an uncertain future in the NRL.
Amone and his father Talatau fronted court where a verdict was rendered in relation to an incident that occurred late last year in Wollongong. Amone will remain on bail until December, when he will be sentenced.
The 22-year-old was initially stood down under the no-fault stand-down policy when he was charged earlier this year but the NRL lifted the ban before the season began and he went on to make 19 appearances for the Dragons.
He was set to be a pivotal piece of the club‘s revival under coach Shane Flanagan but any plans the Dragons had for Amone are now in disarray, leaving the club to explore their options – both internal and external – on the open market.
The Dragons released a statement on Wednesday confirming he had been stood down while the NRL declined to comment on the matter. Significantly, the news came as Penrith star Junior Luai confirmed he had joined Black Money Management, who count Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Bradman Best and Cody Walker among their stable of stars.
The Panthers have less than two weeks to strike a deal with Luai or risk him heading to the open market, where he could command offers in excess of $1 million a season.
The Dragons may decide to join the queue, although they have other options in the likes of Luke Keary, Joey Manu, Ezra Mam and Tom Dearden, who will also hit the open market on November 1 if they do not receive new deals.
English stars Lewis Dodd and Harry Smith also shape as viable options, although they too are currently off limits for another 12 months. In the short term, Flanagan‘s son Kyle now looks a shrewd signing as he looms as the logical partner to Hunt, although Jack Bird is another option given his history of playing five-eighth.
The good news is they still have Hunt with his hands on the tiller, the club having dug in their heels when he agitated for a release earlier this year. Had they caved in and let Hunt leave, Shane Flanagan would have been staring down the barrel of starting next season by bedding down a new set of halves.
As it is, Shane Flanagan may be forced to redraw his recruitment plans as he braces for the absence of Amone, who will be forced to spend time on the sidelines even if he avoids a jail term and survives the sack.
Manu was already on their radar, although he is expected to re-sign with the Sydney Roosters. Mam is also expected to stay in Brisbane while Keary appears in no rush to make a call over his future.
Dodd and Smith have interest from several clubs in the NRL.
High-profile options aside, there are cut-price alternatives for the Dragons.
Brandon Wakeham, who played 15 games in the halves for the Wests Tigers, is without a club for 2024. Canterbury’s Toby Sexton, Newcastle’s Tyson Gamble and the Dolphins’ Kodi Nikorima are all off contract at the end of next season.
However, Newcastle utility Kurt Mann has already done a deal with Canterbury, as has Chooks utility Drew Hutchison. Manly utility Kaeo Weekes has also agreed to join Canberra and replace outgoing five-eighth Jack Wighton, and the Raiders have a deal in place to extend Jamal Fogarty.
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL News 2023: St George Illawarra rising star Junior Amone found guilty of hammer attack
Panthers slammed over ‘pathetic’ move
The Penrith Panthers are the all-conquering NRL champions but the club has abandoned their bid to claim the one trophy that’s eluded them.
Future NRL stars dazzle in Australian Schoolboys domination
A Greg Inglis clone who needs to ‘work out the talent he’s got’ and a Dragons wrecking ball were at the fore of the Australian Schoolboys 50-point demolition job. Discover every standout performer.