St George Illawarra set to keep de Belin and go hunting for a prop
St George Illawarra look set to keep Jack de Belin and will step up their search for a prop when they appoint a new coach in the next fortnight.
St George Illawarra look set to retain Jack de Belin and have drawn up a hit-list of up to 30 players to put before the incoming coach as they attempt to bounce back from their failure to sign Queensland and Melbourne Storm prop Cristian Welch.
The Warriors had tabled a $3m to sign de Belin but it is understood they are resigned to the NSW forward now staying with the Dragons, a move that will have major implications for captain Cameron McInnes and $6m man Ben Hunt.
Provided he is exonerated of assault charges later this year, de Belin would start next season at lock for the Dragons. That would likely mean McInnes making a permanent return to hooker and Hunt relocating to the halves.
It shapes as a nice headache for the incoming coach given the impact de Belin has on the club. He has missed the best part of two years and it is no coincidence that the Dragons have struggled during that period given his importance to the way they play.
The Warriors had made a massive play for de Belin as they looked to make him the cornerstone of their pack. However, the sense is that he will remain loyal to the Dragons after the club tabled a competitive offer.
They did the same for Welch, only to lose out when the Storm stepped up to the plate. Melbourne are expected to confirm later this week that Welch has committed his future to the Storm, a decision that will force the Dragons to return to market for a prop.
The club has been pursuing middle forwards but are now likely to wait until a new coach is appointed before they explore their options. A replacement for Paul McGregor is likely to be announced within a fortnight, the decision expected to be between caretaker Dean Young, former Brisbane and Penrith coach Anthony Griffin and Newcastle assistant David Furner.
It is understood the trio will be interviewed later this week before the club sits down to name their coach for the foreseeable future. One of his first duties will be to help determine who the Dragons will target next.
The list of players coming off contract at the end of this season is dwindling by the day, although it is understood the Dragons have an interest in Penrith captain James Tamou.
When it comes to middle forwards, the pickings are slim but St George Illawarra are likely to test the resolve of their rivals after identifying a host of players who are about to enter the final year of their contract or could potentially be prised away to help other clubs free up salary cap room.
Brisbane forward Joe Ofahengaue, Manly’s Martin Taupau and North Queensland front-rower Jordan McLean are among those under consideration.
So too Cronulla prop Aaron Woods, Gold Coast’s Jarrod Wallace and Penrith enforcer Jack Hetherington. The Wests Tigers are also in desperate need of cap space and could be convinced to make available the likes of Josh Aloiai and Matt Eisenhuth.
St George Illawarra have money to spend and a desire to use it, although the exact amount will be reduced significantly should de Belin confirm he is staying at the Dragons.
His likely retention will resolve one issue but potentially provide some others. De Belin still has to have his day in court and if he is found guilty, the Dragons will be back to square one with even less talent to choose from given his hearing isn’t until November.
However, if he is exonerated, it could have a transformational impact on the club and a ripple effect on the make-up of their squad. McInnes needs to be in the side and if de Belin plays lock, that leaves only the hooker position for the club’s skipper.
That means Hunt either returns to the No 7 jersey or becomes the game’s most expensive interchange utility in the NRL.
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