Reagan Campbell-Gillard shocks Dragons as Eels exodus laid bare

Departing Parramatta prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard has left a rival NRL coach furious after a stunning decision left his career up in the air.

Exiting Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard has sensationally rejected a two-year deal from St George Illawarra that has reportedly left the Dragons coach furious.

After Parramatta’ season from hell in 2024 saw the club finish 15th after winning the Spoon Bowl in the final round, the club has announced a stunning exodus of 11 players.

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The Eels shared a graphic earlier in the week with 10 of the players, thanking them for their service to the club.

It will see young guns Blaize Talagi (Panthers), Matt Arthur (Knights) and Ethan Sanders (Raiders) exit, while Daejarn Asi, Zac Cini, Ofahiki Ogden, Makahesi Makatoa and Morgan Harper would also exit the club.

Extended squad members Isaac Lumelume and Lorenzo Mulitalo will also leave the Eels.

But not in that graphic, Campbell-Gillard was also given a release on Tuesday with a move to the Dragons believed to be all but signed.

However, News Corp reported that Dragons coach Shane Flanagan hung up on the prop’s management on Monday after he was told the representative forward had ruled out a move to the Red V.

Flanagan was furious. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Campbell-Gillard must have a better offer. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The report added that Flanagan was blindsided when advised that Campbell-Gillard had had a change of heart.

While he was quickly linked to a move to Brisbane, Broncos management ruled him out with his $775,000 salary this season too much with the club battling salary cap constraints.

The Roosters have also reportedly ruled out a play for the prop despite losing Jared Waerea-Hargreaves next season, as teenage hulk De La Salle Va’a is expected to be given a shot, despite only debuting last week.

The 31-year-old is reportedly chasing a three-year deal.

Fox Sports has laid out six possible teams who could be in the hunt for Campbell-Gillard, including the Roosters, naming the Bulldogs, Panthers, Sea Eagles, Tigers and Sharks.

His future is up in the air. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

While the drama will continue to play out, Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould is stunned he’s on the market at all.

The Eels named Campbell-Gillard as the club’s player of the year, but he had reportedly been told by incoming coach Jason Ryles that he was free to find a new club.

“(He was) easily the best player of the year,” Gould said on his Six Tackles With Gus podcast.

“I cannot understand how they are letting him go, it just doesn’t make sense to me.

“I must watch a different game, I really must.

“I think he’s got two or three clubs that he’s talking to at the moment, but he’s rejected an offer from the Dragons.”

In 24 appearances in 2024, Campbell-Gillard averaged 124m and 28 tackles per game, as well as tallying 45 tackle breaks throughout the season.

However, in Campbell-Gillard’s Eels career, he had never averaged less than 140m per game.