The Dragons are going to have to fight hard to retain one of their most promising up-and-comers. Finau Latu, a powerful lock, is off contract at the end of the season and can negotiate with rival clubs after round six of the NSW Cup. The 19- year-old played for the Australian Schoolboys in 2023 and last season, he helped the Dragons break a 32-year SG Ball drought. "Finau is a great kid and clubs are lining up for a chance to talk to him," his manager Mick Chebi told Wide World of Sports.
Popular former Dragons and Bulldogs prop James Graham had a chat to the lads from the Albion Park club last week - and rocked them by a stern declaration. "He said players who took short cuts at training and were not fit were cowards because they were letting their teammates down," coach Josh White told Wide World of Sports. "He spoke really well and that line really hit home to the boys. After his chat, we hit the Wanda sand hills and I don't think I've ever seen them work so hard."
Rugby league is a ruthless sport on and off the field - but Emre Guler's move from the Raiders to the Dragons showed that the game still has a heart. Canberra wanted to keep Guler - a tough forward who did a good job holding up the middle and was under contract for the coming season. But Wide World of Sports has learned that Guler was faced with a delicate family situation and wanted to move to a Sydney club on compassionate grounds. Canberra coach Ricky Stuart and chief executive Don Furner weighed up the situation - and decided to allow Guler to walk. The 27-year-old, who represented the Prime Minister's XIII in 2023, had been in secret negotiations with several Sydney clubs before finally coming to terms with the Red V. Guler has joined the club effective immediately, ending a seven-year career as a Raider. His signing is a massive boost after the club battled to hold onto former State of Origin enforcer Francis Molo, who is seeking a release from the joint venture. The big forward will be a handy gain for the Dragons alongside fellow signings Clint Gutherson, Damien Cook, Valentine Holmes and Lachlan Ilias.
He's one of the best young talents in the country and Dragons coach Shane Flanagan admits there is a "big chance" Jacob Halangahu will debut in the NRL next year. The 18-year-old has dominated at every level he's played at, helping St George win their first SG Ball title in more than three decades and representing the NSW U19s and Australian Schoolboys teams this year. Cut from a similar cloth as Titans wrecking ball David Fifita, the teenager will move into a full-time NRL contract heading into 2025 as he continues to rise up the ranks. Speaking on 2GB's Wide World Of Sports Radio, Flanagan was quizzed about the potential of Halangahu earning a call-up to don the famous Red V next year. While he wouldn't fully commit either way, Flanagan heaped praise on the boom rookie and admitted there was one moment at training that 'shook up' the coach. "I wouldn't put it past him," he said. "It's a big ask, he's just come out of school. The other day I was just talking to him by chance and he said he'd just been to his school formal. It sort of shook me up … we're talking about a kid playing first grade that has just been to his school formal. "We'll take our time with him, but without a doubt he's gonna play first grade. I would not put it past him, the way he trains and his attitude towards his footy. "I'd definitely not write him off, it's a big chance - I would probably think next year will be more than likely his opportunity." Halangahu, alongside fellow enforcers Loko Pasifiki Jnr Tonga and Finau Latu, are part of an exciting young crop at Flanagan's disposal in the coming years.
Broncos great Corey Parker has questioned why rival clubs would entertain signing Ben Hunt, admitting there is "risk attached" when it comes to the wantaway Dragons star. The 34-year-old has a year to run on his deal with St George Illawarra, but the club told him recently they would not be offering him an extension. Hunt had a poor end to the season as the Red V missed out on the finals, before copping some criticism from Shane Flanagan during a performance review. The halfback will hit the open market on November 1 for the 2026 season, but there's still a strong chance Hunt pushes for an early release. Speaking on SEN radio, one of his former teammates at Red Hill in Parker brought up the fact that Hunt would be 36 years of age by the time a potential move rolls around and doesn't believe many clubs would want to fork out big money for a short-term deal. "Ben Hunt is trying to get an extension at the moment with the Dragons ... Shane Flanagan and the Dragons are currently holding out and rightly so," he said. "He's on contract for next year, he's looking for an extension for 2026 where he will be 36 years of age on big money. I think Flanagan may be doing the right thing by not going for Ben Hunt but does that mean he goes to the open market? "There's a risk attached to that and I am one of Hunt's biggest fans but there is certainly risk attached to a 36-year-old halfback. "You have to understand why you are bringing in a player and what you want to achieve out of them. It would only be for one year because I can't see Hunt playing beyond 36. "Father Time catches up with you very quickly and it could come in the space of one small injury." Hunt has been among the Dragons' best players for a number of years, but during his big-money tenure at the club, they have only won one finals game. The issue for Flanagan as it stands is their lack of depth in the halves, with his son Kyle failing to prove his worth as a long-term solution, while young gun Lykhan King-Togia has only played a handful of first grade games. The captaincy may be less of a concern for the Dragons heading into next year, with star back-rower Jaydn Su'A inking an extension and emerging as a leader within the squad. Hunt addressed his future during Kangaroos camp last week and said he remains open to finishing his career in Queensland.
Ben Hunt's relationship with Shane Flanagan is reportedly at the point of no return following a brutal end-of-season review. The Dragons captain is expected set to voluntarily relinquish his captaincy ahead of next season and there are widespread reports the halfback may never play for the Red V again. Hunt endured a tough season in the NRL in 2024 and came under fire for his side's late-season collapse that saw them drop out of the top eight and miss out on playing finals footy. In the Dragons' season review Hunt, whose contract is worth over $1 million a season, was told "his performances – including his defence, kicking game and leadership – when his team’s finals hopes hung in the balance were not befitting of his standing in the side". And according to SMH’s Danny Weidler, Hunt was deeply hurt and offended at being 'salary shamed'. "It has been several weeks now since we revealed that Ben Hunt’s salary was thrown in his face during his season review. There has been no denial from the Dragons in that time," Weidler wrote in an SMH column on Saturday. "The situation is unworkable and the best thing is for Hunt to walk away from the club. You will remember Hunt was forced to stay when he asked for an early release last year. Then at the end of the season he was criticised for being on a big contract. It feels like the time is up on the relationship between player and club, and a fresh start for both is needed." Weidler also noted that Hunt felt singled out due to the widespread praise his fellow playmaker Kyle Flanagan received. The No.7's situation at the Red V has also led rugby league great Andrew Johns to form the opinion that he won't play another game for the Dragons. The Knights legend suggested a three-way move with Hunt to the Titans, Gold Coast hooker Sam Verrills to the Roosters to cover the injured Brandon Smith and Storm utility Tyran Wishart to the Dragons could solve several issues. “I’ve heard Sam Verrills may be going back to the Roosters … have a look at Brandon Smith, he won’t play until mid-next year,” Johns said on WWOS’ Freddy and the Eighth. “So that opens the way for Ben Hunt to go to the Titans.
