NRLW Market Watch: Tyla King opts out of final year of Dragons contract, linked with move to Warriors

The Dragons have lost a dual international star from their roster after she opted out of the final year of her NRLW contract. However, it should see the development of one of the game’s brightest stars fast-tracked.

Tyla King has played her last game for the Dragons. Picture: NRL Photos

Dual international Tyla King has played her last game for St George Illawarra.

The 30-year-old Olympics sevens gold medallist has opted out of the final year of her NRLW contract for 2025 after two seasons with the Dragons.

Although it’s unclear if she intends to retire from professional football altogether, she has been linked with a move to the Warriors who will join an expanded NRLW competition later this year.

They still have two spots to fill in the top-24 with the likes of Apii Nicholls, Emily Curtain and Laishon Albert-Jones already locked in.

The cross-code star returned to New Zealand with her husband after spearheading the Kiwi Ferns to the final of the Pacific Championships at the end of 2024.

It was the end of a monster year for King, who won gold with the New Zealand rugby sevens team at the Paris Olympics before announcing her retirement from the game.

She then joined the Dragons for her second season of NRLW before she was selected in the Kiwi Ferns squad at the end of the season.

@tylanathanwong HOME 👑🏡❤️😘 #love#married#husband#wife#life#home#newzealand♬ This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole

For the moment she appears content on life in New Zealand after a whirlwind career jetting all over the globe with the rugby sevens.

The Dragons replaced Jamie Soward at the end of the NRLW season, with Nathan Cross taking over as head coach and pathways coaching co-ordinator.

King’s exit will see the development of Kasey Reh fast-tracked. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

The development of rising halfback and NSW under-19s star Kasey Reh will now be fast-tracked.

The teenager made her NRL debut for the Dragons last season but was stuck behind King and former Dally M Medallist Raecene McGregor for a spot in the halves, playing the majority of her games at dummy half.