Enforcer finds new home after early Dragons exit

Francis Molo has been granted an immediate release from his Dragons contract and will link up with the Dolphins. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the club made a decision at a board meeting on Tuesday, with the front-rower free to leave after a lengthy dispute. Molo had not attended St George Illawarra training for a number of weeks and has not featured in the side's first two games of the season. It has been reported that Molo will be forced to repay a six-figure sum to the Dragons. The 30-year-old had previously extended his deal with the Red V until the end of next season, but will now head to Redcliffe on a multi-year agreement. It's believed a rift between Molo and the club stemmed from a comment relating to alcohol, which the former State of Origin enforcer has abstained from in recent years. It's a major boost for the Dolphins, who are still without Tom Flegler due to injury and aren't expecting the front-rower back until later in the season. St George Illawarra last week signed David Klemmer until the end of 2025, while also releasing Fijian winger Mikaele Ravalawa to the Rabbitohs.

Dragons prop stops training, asks for immediate release

Francis Molo's future at the Dragons is in doubt, with the front-rower absent from pre-season training in recent weeks. According to 9News and The Sydney Morning Herald reporter Michael Chammas, the 30-year-old Samoan international is on mental health leave from official club duties. Molo has been with St George Illawarra since 2022 and has been the club's first-choice prop through the majority of his tenure. "He hasn't been seen at training for the past 10 days or so," Chammas said. "The club has since granted him a leave of absence on mental health grounds, and he will be away from training for some time to come. "It's my understanding that Molo and his management have asked the Dragons about the prospect of being granted a release from the club. "It isn't formal requests, but the conversations have been had. Molo will front the Dragons board over the next week or so to discuss his future at the club." Molo's contract runs until the end of 2026, while younger brother Michael remains signed with the joint venture until the end of this year. The news comes just days after head coach Shane Flanagan shut down rumours the club had signed off-contract enforcer Matt Lodge. Flanagan has publicly expressed his desire to bring in another middle forward for the 2025 season and Molo's potential exit would leave the Red V even thinner in the position.