Paul Turner’s Super League departure leaves Dragons looking for a top-30 recruit

The Dragons have made space for a new recruit after releasing young playmaker Paul Turner to the Super League.

The Dragons have opened up another spot in their top-30 roster on the eve of their season kick-off by releasing half Paul Turner, effective immediately.

Saints will head to the open market with cap space to spend as a result of Turner opting to take up an offer in the English Super League.

The Dragons originally signed the former Māori All Stars playmaker for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

However, he managed just one game in the Red-V, in round 19 last season.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will look to replace Turner by adding to his recruitment list for the 2024 season which includes Hame Sele, Luciano Leilua, Christian Tuipulotu, Jesse Marshcke, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Tom Eisenhuth.

Paul Turner has been released by the Dragons. Picture: NRL Imagery

LUCIANO LEILUA’S BAN HALVED

The Dragons have received a major boost ahead of their first game of the season with new recruit Luciano Leilua’s two-game suspension reduced on appeal.

The NRL issued a breach notice to Leilua after he failed to disclose a low-range drinking offence to his previous club, the North Queensland Cowboys or the NRL integrity unit.

The Dragons were given five-days to respond to the breach notice. The club have been successful in the ban being reduced to one match with the second match suspended.

Half of Leilua’s original $10,000 fine will also be suspended.

Dragons recruit Luciano Leilua at Townsville Magistrates Court following a drink-driving offence. Picture: Blair Jackson

He will also be made to undergo education and training.

It means that Leilua will be free to play his first game for the Dragons in round two against The Dolphins.

The issue relates back to February 7, when the former Cowboy was charged with low-level drink driving at Townsville Magistrates Court, where he pleaded guilty, fined $300 and given a one-month driving suspension.

Leilua recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.052 after being stopped by police on January 21 – 17 days before the Cowboys and NRL knew anything about it.

Originally published as Paul Turner’s Super League departure leaves Dragons looking for a top-30 recruit