St George Illawarra Dragons agree to part ways with Francis Molo

Francis Molo is set to sign with a rival club, after the Dragons agreed to part ways with the front rower, with the prolonged resolution expected to include a six-figure settlement. See the clubs in the running for his signature.

Francis Molo and the Dragons have agreed to part ways. Picture: NRL Photos

Francis Molo is expected to have his playing future sorted by the end of this week after the prop and St George Illawarra agreed to formally part ways.

The likes of the Dolphins, Roosters, Cowboys and Bulldogs have been linked to Molo with a return to Queensland shaping as the most likely option.

Molo will be required to pay back a six figure sum in order to execute the release after agitating to get out of the club for the past two months. The Dragons had forward paid Molo part of his contract as part of an agreed advancement. That money must be paid back.

The star forward, who signed a two-year contract extension with the Dragons just last April, has been in a contract standoff with the club for the past two months.

It’s understood Francis Molo’s settlement is expected to include a six-figure settlement. Picture: NRL Photos

He has not trained with the club since early February, when the club granted him sick leave.

However, the situation escalated recently when the Dragons decided against continuing to pay the former State of Origin prop in recent weeks after his sick leave entitlements ran out. The 30-year-old joined the Dragons in 2022 after stints with North Queensland and the Broncos.

The Dragons secured a replacement for Molo by signing former Wests Tigers prop David Klemmer on a deal to immediately join the Red-V, which came after they released winger Mikaele Ravalawa to South Sydney for this season. But the winger is due to return to the Dragons for the 2026 season.

The Dragons also signed ex-Raiders prop Emre Guler in the middle of the contract dramas with Molo.

The Dragons also have some promising young middle forwards coming through, including Loko Junior Pasifika Tonga, Jacob Halangahu and Finau Latu. Halangahu inked a contract extension last week keeping him a the Dragons until at least the end of 2027.

Originally published as St George Illawarra Dragons agree to part ways with Francis Molo