The Dragons are set for a cleanout following their disappointing exit from the finals race, with cult hero winger Mikaele Ravalawa already shopped around to rival clubs.
The Fijian flyer was the Dragons' pin-up boy last season, scoring a record equalling 20 tries – a remarkable feat in a team that struggled to score points all year.
But the 26-year-old Ravalawa has not been the same player in 2024, struggling with a knee injury and being dropped from the team mid-season.
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Ravalawa has scored just three tries in 12 games in the NRL and was recently suspended for abusing a touch judge in the NSW Cup.
In the must win game against the Eels last weekend, the burly winger had a shocker.
An official from a rival club confirmed he had been offered Ravalawa – who has two years to run on his contract – for 2025.
"The Dragons are shopping him around but he is a winger on big money who is struggling for form," the official told Wide World of Sports.
"I don't fancy their chances of finding a buyer."
Several other Dragons are likely to be also moved on or given the option to explore the market in coming weeks.
SON OF A GUN DEBUTS
Modern rugby league has never known a tryscorer like the great Martin 'Chariots' Offiah – who once scored 10 tries in an English first grade game.
Offiah had a couple of guest stints in Sydney with the Roosters and Dragons in the '80s and '90s, scoring tries for fun.
Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
And another Offiah could be about to make a name for himself – Martin's 18-year-old son Tyler made his rugby union debut for Bath in England last weekend against the mighty Munster… and scored the winning try.
It prompted his proud dad to re-name him 'Tryler'.
COUNTRY RUGBY LEAGUE DRAMA IN JUNIORS
There's been huge drama in the Newcastle junior league, with the NSW Rugby League investigating reports that an on-field trainer has been using dirty tactics in under 15 games.
At least two rival clubs claim they heard the trainer on the field tell his players to 'take out' star players during games.
An email leaked to Wide World of Sports from a distressed parent to the local league contained the following snippet:
"On 16 August 2024, during a match where my team was playing, I clearly heard Mr [redacted] instructing his son to target the knees of one of my players. Specifically, Mr [redacted] directed his son to 'attack the knees of number 12 and put him out for the year'."
Both the NSWRL and Hunter Junior Rugby League are looking into the allegations.
BENNETT'S BUNNIES REBUILD CONTINUES
When Wayne Bennett calls and offers you a job, it's pretty hard to say 'no'.
And so Steve Antonelli will join Souths next season as defence coach.
Antonelli brings a wealth of experience to the Bunnies and rounds off a well balanced coaching team with the legend Bennett and interim coach Ben Hornby.
"I can't wait – it will be a great challenge," said Antonelli, currently an assistant at the Eels.
"It was great to hear from Wayne again and I wasn't about to say no."
A former Australian Schoolboys rugby union player, he switched to rugby league and signed with the Panthers in 1985.
But his true calling was coaching and he has an extensive resume including stints at Canberra, Parramatta, Canterbury and at Souths in 2021, where he first met Bennett.
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