NRL 2024: Dragons set to cut Ronald Volkman after failed medical, Corey Allan suffers ACL injury

The Dragons have been dealt a devastating blow, with one new recruit suffering a season-ending injury, while another is brutally facing the axe after a failed medical assessment.

Ronald Volkman has been cut by the Dragons. Picture: Dragons Instagram

Fresh from Ronald Volkman failing a medical just days into his stint at St George Illawarra, fellow new recruit Corey Allan ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament with the pair sidelined for the rest of the season.

The Dragons have had a horror start to 2024 with new coach Shane Flanagan now needing to try to piece together an already weakened squad. The Dragons were already considered a strong chance of a wooden spoon and the further setbacks will only make Flanagan’s first season in charge more difficult.

Ronald Volkman's time at the Dragons looks to be over after just a matter of days. Picture: Dragons Instagram

While Corey Allan (left) faces an uncertain future after suffering a season-ending injury. Picture: Instagram

Volkman’s time as a Dragon lasted just days after a medical assessment found he needed a shoulder reconstruction to repair an injury he suffered in 2022. Volkman had already been pictured training with the Dragons in a yellow vest which generally means the player must avoid any contact.

Volkman was sent for scans this week and the results showed he would be unable to play for the rest of the year. With the Dragons yet to register his contract with the NRL, the young half is now in limbo. St George Illawarra had announced Volkman’s arrival and shared pictures of him training in Wollongong this week.

It is unlikely that his former club the Warriors would take him back after they released him from the final two years of his contract just before Christmas. He had signed a 12-month deal with St George Illawarra in the hope of finding a permanent NRL spot.

Allan has suffered an ACL injury at training. Picture: NRL Imagery.

Allan was also signed in December for 12 months after facing an uncertain future after being squeezed out of the Roosters because of salary cap concerns. The former Queensland outside back suffered the serious knee injury at training on Wednesday.

It means his 2024 campaign is over before it begun and two of Flanagan’s recruits won’t play a game for him this year.

Allan had been firming as a frontrunner to start on the wing for the Dragons after impressing in his short-time at the club.

Volkman was signed as cover for the Dragons who had half Talatau Amone deregistered.

The Dragons only have Kyle Flanagan and Ben Hunt as genuine halves on their books. They remain on the lookout for a dummy half. Volkman, 21, played five games for the Warriors.

Allan added some much needed depth to a backline and could have placed some pressure on incumbent fullback Tyrell Sloan.

The last standing recruits for the Dragons are Kyle Flanagan, Hame Sele and Tom Eisenhuth.

Fullback Cody Ramsey also won’t play this year as he continues his long road to recovery from a serious health issue.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Dragons set to cut Ronald Volkman after failed medical, Corey Allan suffers ACL injury