NRL 2024: Valentine Holmes opens up on Cowboys exit, Shane Flanagan reunion

Valentine Holmes has opened up on his heartbreaking Cowboys exit, revealing he never wanted to leave but was left no choice after facing a monster pay cut to stay in North Queensland.

Dragons-bound Valentine Holmes has spoken about the heartbreak of not being able to finish his career in North Queensland after facing a monster $500,000 pay cut to remain at the Cowboys.

The Queensland Origin star admits he never saw his impending departure coming and was hoping to finish his career in Townsville before proposed extension talks collapsed.

This masthead can reveal Holmes faced having his $1 million-plus salary cut in half to extend his tenure at the Cowboys for the 2026 season, opening the door for the Dragons to strike.

Holmes explained how Shane Flanagan’s whirlwind visit to Townsville was enough to convince him to take up a multi-year deal with the Dragons after being told by the Cowboys that he was free to go at the end of this season.

Valentine Holmes has opened up on his Cowboys exit, insisting he never wanted to leave the club. Picture: Getty Images

Holmes was given permission from North Queensland to leave the club with one year left on his rich six-year contract, which expired in 2025 – a move that surprised the 29-year-old.

“I never wanted to leave the Cowboys,” Holmes said.

“I thought I would retire here, but that’s professional sport.

“I am now looking forward to the change and reuniting with ‘Flanno’ (Flanagan) again.

“We won a premiership together, so we know what’s needed from each other to win.

“I want to focus on finishing the year off well for the Cowboys fans and my teammates.”

Flanagan’s decision to make an in-person pitch to Holmes and his wife Natalia was the clincher. The pair had a mixed end to their time together at the Sharks after Holmes quit the club to try his hand at the NFL.

But Flanagan has not forgotten Holmes’ sizzling form in Cronulla’s historic charge to the 2016 premiership and the coach made it clear he wanted to reunite with the Maroons ace at the Red V in 2025.

Holmes will reunite with former Sharks coach Shane Flanagan at the Dragons.

Holmes’ $1.15 million contract at the Cowboys made it increasingly difficult to keep him at the club. He will join the Dragons on about $850,000 as a direct replacement for Parramatta bound Zac Lomax.

It is understood Holmes’ management spoke to the Cowboys about inking another deal for 2026 and beyond.

North Queensland were open to fresh talks, but given the club’s salary-cap pressures following a string of upgrades, the Cowboys were in no position to retain Holmes on a $1 million deal.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten said letting Holmes go was a difficult decision.

“It’s always hard losing quality players,” Payten said.

“It’s the way of the business.

“We see some of our young players really stepping up over the next 12 to 18 months and every club has salary-cap considerations.

“Val’s got a wonderful long-term opportunity at another club, he’s done a lot for the Cowboys and brings a great skill set. We wish him well at his next club.”

Complicating matters for Holmes is that he and Natalia are expecting their second child just before the start of next season and they have family in Townsville.

His agent Chris Orr said Flanagan was a key figure in getting the deal done.

“It’s unfortunate Val is not going to finish as a Cowboy but it is also very exciting to be able to wear the famous Red V and hopefully win another premiership,” Orr said.

“He knows a few of the Dragons players through representative footy and obviously Flanno was the drawcard.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Valentine Holmes opens up on Cowboys exit, Shane Flanagan reunion