Dragons granted cap relief for Cody Ramsey, Wests Tigers offer Jayden Sullivan $900,000 golden handshake

Cody Ramsey was due to return to the Dragons’ top-30 squad for 2025 having missed the past two seasons after suffering ulcerative colitis, but now the pressure is off the youngster to rush his return.

St George Illawarra have again been granted salary cap exemption for injured fullback Cody Ramsey, who is yet to rule out hope of a rugby league comeback.

Ramsey was due to return to the Dragons’ top-30 squad for 2025, having missed the past two seasons.

The NRL has recently agreed that while Ramsay will still be paid in full by the club next season, that figure will not count towards the salary cap nor will Ramsey be formally part of St George Illawarra’s top-30 squad.

The Dragons – and the NRL – are continuing to do the right thing by Ramsey, who is slowly getting back to full health after suffering ulcerative colitis – a career threatening condition.

St George Illawarra’s Cody Ramsey.

The Dragons split the final year of his contract over two seasons, which keeps him on the books until the end of next year. The NRL has allowed the figure – about $200,000 – to not count towards the Dragons’ salary cap to ensure that there is no pressure on Ramsey to try to rush back.

The NRL granted a similar dispensation last year and this year in what was considered a game first. The 24-year-old took tentative steps this year when he returned to light training duties in May.

The decision means he will be unable to play first grade next year unless the club make a position and cap space available in their top 30 to accommodate him.

Peter Parr is a contender to take over as CEO of the Dragons. Picture: NRL Imagery

RED-V CEO HIT LIST

St George Illawarra chair Andrew Lancaster has cast the net far and wide as he sizes up potential candidates to take over as the Dragons’ chief executive next year.

Newcastle head of football Peter Parr was spoken to early in the process but Sunday Sesh understands he is among a host of potential candidates Lancaster has talked to as he finalises options to replace Ryan Webb when he leaves in coming months.

It is understood former Sydney Roosters and South Sydney chief executive John Lee, now involved with the Queensland government, has been identified as a potential contender for the post, along with Supercars chief operating officer Tim Watsford, a former employee of the NRL.

Tristan Hay, highly respected in rugby league circles for his work at the NRL both as an employee and a consultant, has been sounded out, along with another former NRL executive, Jonnie Stewart.

Hay, who has been helping Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga at the Pacific Championships, commands immense respect at Rugby League Central and was brought in last year by NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo to help the game prepare for Las Vegas.

Likewise, Stewart was well regarded at Rugby League Central but left to pursue business interests in the private sphere. Of late, he has been helping Western Australia in its bid to win an NRL licence.

Former St George Illawarra halfback Matt Rodwell is also in contention, having gone close to landing the job last time it was available. The Dragons are expected to form a shortlist for the position next month.

STUNNING SUM TIGERS WILL PAY YOUNG STAR TO LEAVE

The Wests Tigers are ready to give Jayden Sullivan a $900,000 golden handshake to help him find a new home.

Sullivan signed a four-year deal, believed to be worth upwards of $2.4 million, to join the Tigers for the 2024 season. But he only managed eight first-grade games, and the Tigers won only once with him in the side.

They are now ready to sever ties with the 23-year-old half in a bid to clear salary cap space and reshape their roster. Sullivan has slipped down the pecking order and is, at best, fourth in line to play in the halves.

The Tigers are looking to offload Jayden Sullivan. Picture: Getty Images

Lachlan Galvin and Jarome Luai will be the Tigers’ first-choice options under coach Benji Marshall next season, and they have impressive teenager Latu Fainu waiting in reserve should injury strike.

It means Sullivan is surplus to requirements and the Tigers are happy to help find him a new home by contributing as much as $300,000 a season for the remainder of his contract.

The hope is that, by chipping in up to half of his deal, the Tigers can help Sullivan lock down a spot at one of their NRL rivals.

Sullivan has time on his side as he looks to secure a place in the NRL and realise his unquestionable potential.

Yet the Tigers know they would be better placed spending Sullivan’s salary in other areas of their playing squad given he is unlikely to force his way into the starting side, or even onto the bench.

Jarome Luai and his partner Bailey Toleafoa. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Fainu looks the likely option to support Galvin and Luai in a bench role, having made nine appearances last season despite battling hamstring problems.

Chief executive Shane Richardson’s predecessor, Justin Pascoe, signed Sullivan, saying in August last year: “I know he’s excited about our plans for next year and beyond, and I welcome Jayden and his family to Wests Tigers.”

Sullivan may not be the only player to leave the Tigers as they prepare for a busy off-season. Richardson has warned John Bateman he needs to toe the line or he could be gone as well while the Tigers are looked in a legal battle with young prop Jordan Miller after he was shown the door.

Richardson has held talks with Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington while Sydney Roosters prop Terrell May is of interest, having been granted permission to leave Bondi for the 2025 season.

Originally published as Dragons granted cap relief for Cody Ramsey, Wests Tigers offer Jayden Sullivan $900,000 golden handshake