Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has reportedly approached Cowboys veteran Jason Taumalolo about a potential switch to the Red V after he was stripped of the club's co-captaincy. Todd Payten announced on Sunday that halfback Chad Townsend and club legend Taumalolo have been replaced as co-captains by the younger Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden for the upcoming NRL season.The North Queensland coach admitted the decision shocked Taumalolo but insisted the club needed to look to the future. The Daily Telegraph reports Flanagan subsequently contacted Taumalolo's management where he was reportedly informed that the representative middle was happy at the Cowboys and would not be cutting his $10 million contract short. The 30-year-old signed a record-breaking 10-year contract in 2017 but has battled with injuries and poor form in recent years. Taumalolo was understood to have been blindsided by Payten's decision to remove him as the club's captain, further fuelling rumours that his relationship with Payten has been sour ever since the pair reportedly had a falling out leading into the 2022 season.However, Taumalolo reportedly intends to see out his contract in another huge blow for Flanagan who has struggled to bring big-name recruits to the club in the NRL off-season. Flanagan has already missed out on the likes of prop Addin Fonua-Blake, Joseph Manu, Tom Dearden and English playmaker Jack Welsby. But it hasn't all been bad for Flanagan whose squad has been boosted by the signings of Hame Sele (Rabbitohs), Kyle Flanagan (Bulldogs), Tom Eisenhuth (Storm), Corey Allan (Roosters), Jesse Marschke (Bears NSW Cup) and Raymond Faitala-Mariner (Bulldogs). The new Dragons coach is hoping that the arrival of his son Kyle to play alongside Hunt in the halves will also help bring out the Queensland star's dangerous running game.
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